- The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has informed the National Green Tribunal (NGT) that the water quality at four locations in Ashtamudi Lake, Kerala, does not meet the standards set by the Primary Water Quality Criteria for Bathing under the Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986.
- Pollutants:
- High levels of faecal coliform, faecal streptococci, low dissolved oxygen, and high biological oxygen demand.
- Microplastics: University of Kerala found microplastics in Ashtamudi Lake, with significant contamination in fish (19.6%) and shellfish (40.9%).
- Ashtamudi Lake, a brackish water body with eight creeks, was designated as a Ramsar site of international importance in 2002, covering 61.4 sq km.
- It is located in the Kollam district of Kerala which also includes another Ramsar site, Sasthamcotta Lake.
- Despite its international status, Ashtamudi Lake faces significant threats from reclamation, pollution, and sand mining.
- Kollam city uses the lake as a dumping ground for solid waste.
- Sand mining has devastated fish spawning grounds, severely reducing the fish population.
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