First phase of Nandhikadal rehabilitation to take off

Preliminary arrangements have already been made to commence the first phase of Nandikadal Lagoon rehabilitation in the coming week.

Rehabilitation of the Nandikadal Lagoon which has been in operation for the past few months, has now been completed with special attention of  Fisheries Minister Douglas Devananda.

Final observations with the participation of the Department of Fisheries, Fisheries Harbour Corporation, NARA institute, Wild Life Department, and the Fishing Community had been finalised.

It was decided to remove the waste accumulated in the estuary of the lagoon immediately. Thus, the first phase was ready to commence. The natural beauty of the lagoon had been marred due to the war, the negligence of regional political leaders, the failure to carry out rehabilitation work for more than 30 years and the natural disasters such as Tsunami tidal waves, which had contributed to the accumulation of waste and sludge in the lagoon.

As a result, thousands of fishing families dependent on the lagoon were facing severe economic hardships due to the declining of fish and prawn harvest, threatening marine life and their very existence and breeding.

Rehabilitation of the lagoon commenced consequent to this matter that caught the attention of Minister Devananda who instructed the officials to carry out rehabilitation work to rid of the threats to aquatic life in the lagoon and to restore its natural beauty.