Kolkata: Nearly two months after dead fish were found floating in Rabindra Sarobar, an artificial lake surrounded by a park in the southern part of the city,… Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority ,KMDA), its patron, said it was considering the option of adding liquid oxygen to the reservoir.
KMDA CEO Antara Acharya said a committee of experts has been formed to find out ways to increase the oxygen level at Ravindra Sarobar – home to various species of fish and birds.
“We are in talks with companies that specialize in adding liquid oxygen to water,” he told PTI.
In the third week of October, more than 30 dead fish were found swimming in the lake, following which the KMDA conducted an inspection and found that the oxygen level in the lake had depleted.
Three fountains were immediately installed at the waterbody to increase oxygen levels, but the adjoining rowing club objected, saying it could pose a danger to the athletes.
Later the KMDA removed the fountains.
Asked whether siltation could be the reason for the decrease in oxygen level in the lake, Acharya said, “It is an old lake, one must remember. Such things happen with time.
“We have to keep in mind that a delicate ecosystem has developed in that area over the years. Things have to be done in a calibrated way, not hasty or overnight.”
Environmentalist and one of the warriors of ‘Save Rabindra Sarobar’ campaign, SM GhoshSaid that the water depth of the lake has come down from 20 feet to eight feet.
“We suggest that the de-siltation be done immediately. The silt should be deposited on the small island which is a part of the complex. The siltation will make the land there more fertile,” Ghosh said.
KMDA CEO Antara Acharya said a committee of experts has been formed to find out ways to increase the oxygen level at Ravindra Sarobar – home to various species of fish and birds.
“We are in talks with companies that specialize in adding liquid oxygen to water,” he told PTI.
In the third week of October, more than 30 dead fish were found swimming in the lake, following which the KMDA conducted an inspection and found that the oxygen level in the lake had depleted.
Three fountains were immediately installed at the waterbody to increase oxygen levels, but the adjoining rowing club objected, saying it could pose a danger to the athletes.
Later the KMDA removed the fountains.
Asked whether siltation could be the reason for the decrease in oxygen level in the lake, Acharya said, “It is an old lake, one must remember. Such things happen with time.
“We have to keep in mind that a delicate ecosystem has developed in that area over the years. Things have to be done in a calibrated way, not hasty or overnight.”
Environmentalist and one of the warriors of ‘Save Rabindra Sarobar’ campaign, SM GhoshSaid that the water depth of the lake has come down from 20 feet to eight feet.
“We suggest that the de-siltation be done immediately. The silt should be deposited on the small island which is a part of the complex. The siltation will make the land there more fertile,” Ghosh said.
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