The State Cabinet meeting has approved the plan to revitalise Akkulam Lake. The project is expected to provide a fresh breath of life to tourism and water resources protection activities in the district.
The Akkulam Kayal Rejuvenation Project has been prepared as part of the Rejuvenating Watershed Project implemented across the State, P.A. Mohamed Riyas, Tourism and Public Works Minister, said. The project aims at the comprehensive rejuvenation of the Akkulam backwaters through sustained conservation, tourism development and replenishing the fishing wealth. Out of the total outlay of ₹185.23 crore, ₹96 crore has been approved by the Cabinet for the first phase of the project.
Once a very beautiful tourist destination in the capital district, Akkulam Lake and nearby areas now present a sorry picture with crumbling footpaths and the lake covered with salvinia (a water weed) and plastic waste. The work to rejuvenate Akkulam Lake started during the tenure of the previous government, under the aegis of former Tourism Minister Kadakampally Surendran.
