COIMBATORE: The Kousika River Development Association has urged the Coimbatore district collector to stop plans to permit commercial fishing and fish farming in the Agraharasamakulam tank in Sarkarsamakulam union, citing risks to drinking water supply, agriculture and groundwater recharge.In a petition submitted at the collectorate, association president Selvaraj said the 160acre Agraharasamakulam tank is a key water source for Annur residents and it supports farm needs, besides playing a major role in recharging groundwater. Selvaraj said borewells used by the public, farmers and local bodies within a 10km radius depend on groundwater sustained by the tank.The association said that steps were being taken to allow contract-based, commercial fishing in the tank, even as restoration work has been under way for the past five years under the Kousika Neer Karangal initiative.Stressing that the primary purpose of waterbodies is rainwater storage, groundwater recharge and meeting public and agricultural water needs, the petition warned that long-term commercial fish farming could degrade water quality and harm the natural ecology.It cited accumulation of fish feed, leftover feed and biological waste on the tank bed as potential causes for deterioration, affecting the tank’s ecosystem and groundwater recharge processes.Selvaraj pointed to similar impacts reported in several Noyyal-linked tanks in the district. The northern parts of the district are facing water scarcity and drought-like conditions, according to him.The association sought directions to the water resources department and the local bodies concerned to ensure protection of water resources in Agraharasamakulam tank and to avoid commercial fishing activities.
