New Delhi: Is urban India drowning in its own excreta? Nearly 80% of the sewage generated in India flows untreated into its rivers, lakes and ponds, turning the water sources too polluted to use.

The Department of Aquatic Biology and Fisheries (University of Kerala) and Agency for Development of Aqua Culture, Kerala, have identified the use of small mesh encircling nets as one of the biggest threats to the biodiversity of Vellayani lake, the second largest fresh water body in the State.

A participatory fish census conducted by the institutions has found that many perennial streams, which supplied water to the lake, have dried up. Paddy fields and wetlands have been land filled. The research team also noticed an alarming depletion of frogs in the lake. Pesticide contamination of the lake and shrinking of its area were other major issues affecting the water body’s survival.

Jamnagar: Large number of birds and fishes were found dead in Lakhota lake in the city on Friday. According to sources, besides nearly 40 birds, fishes, a snake and turtles have also died.

While the exact reason for their deaths is not immediately known, it is suspected that they died after consuming something poisonous.
The birds found dead included pelicans, spotbilled ducks, coots among others. Interestingly, it was only after TOI called up forest department that their staff rushed to the spot.

For dumping garbage in the lake despite an interim order

The National Green Tribunal (NGT), Southern Bench, on Thursday directed the Pallavaram Municipal Commissioner to appear before it and explain why the civic body continues to dump waste in ‘Periya Eri’ (lake) in spite of an interim order against it. Following an application from S.P. Surendranath Karthik, Madipakkam, the National Green Tribunal, New Delhi, in September last, granted an interim injunction restraining the municipality from dumping waste in the lake.

Hyderabad: Hyderabad city, once known for it natural and man-made wetlands no longer boast of these features, thanks to the consumer society that has led to extensive depletion of these swamplands.

Wetlands are the best sources of drinking water; they can also be used as percolation tank. Wetlands help in recharging aquifers and also hold good recreation values and attract many birds and aquatic animals explained environmentalist Farida Tampal, state director World Wide Fun for Nature said, wetlands across the city are disappearing rapidly and one of the main reason for this is pollution caused by waste.

Taking notice of increasing contamination of water in the Keenjhar lake by the release of toxic waste via Kalri-Baghar (KB) feeder, the district administration of Thatta requested the Sindh governm

Karachi Water and Sewerage Board managing director has expressed fear that industrial waste is being disposed of in Kenjhar Lake which is a major source of drinking water for Karachiites.He stated