Efforts on to help Vembanad Lake breathe

  1. A group of fishermen have been conducting plastic collection drive to combat plastic pollution in the Vembanad Lake. Plastic bottles are the most prevalent form of plastic pollution in the lake.
  2. In June 2018, the Kerala State Pollution Control Board (PCB) had issued a direction to hotels, resorts, houseboats and hospitals with more than 500 beds in the State to stop usage of plastic bottles for supply of drinking water.
  3. The Vembanad Lake is the longest lake in India. It is located in the district of Kerala. The lake is bordered by Alappuzha, Kottayam, and Ernakulam districts. It is situated at the sea level, and is separated from the Laccadive Sea by a narrow barrier island.
  4. Vembanad Lake is in List of Wetlands of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention. There are 27 Ramsar Wetland Sites in India.
  5. Ramsar Convention on Wetland is an intergovernmental treaty, signed in 1971, which provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources.