Farmers, fishermen in Tirukkovil in dire straits

V.P. Sivapragasan - Akkaraipattu group corr.

Farmers and fishermen in the Tirukkovil Divisional Secretariat are worrying over the entry of sea water into the Periya-Kalappu lake. According to the farmers and fishermen, the sea water destroys crops and fish in the lake.

The fields around the lake is threatened while freshwater fish are destroyed.

The farmers complained that the entry of sea water has also threatened the environment.

An organisation called the APES (Association for the Protection of Environment and Society) also has protested the authorities against their negligence to prevent the entry of sea water into the lake.

Illegal removal of sea sand in and transporting vehicles by elements and authorities at the Periya-Munathuwaran is blamed by the farmers and the fishermen.

In the past, the Police the Local Authority and the Grama Niladharis nabbed illegal sand miners. Residents and environmental activists also complain that the Local Authority - the Tirukovil Pradeshiya Sabha is polluting the wet lands with garbage collected in the market area.

Pollution of the wet lands has damaged the beauty of the area while depriving the birds and cattle of their habitats and food.