Boating stopped at Karanji Lake as Water level drops

MYSURU: This year due to the drastic drop in the water level of the iconic Karanji Lake, boating has been stopped much before the start of summer.

For the past four days, boats have not been ferrying the tourists. As per authorities, situations like these are only witnessed at the end of summer; however, the reason for this crisis is the poor rainfall which occurred during the monsoon last year.

Ajit Kulkarni, the director of the zoo, confirmed that boating has been stopped for the last four days. “A certain depth of water is required for boating. But with the drastically depleting water level, boating has been cancelled for time being,” he told a source.

According to authorities, the rainwater flowing from the Chamundi Hills is a major source of water for the lake. “But in 2018, water from the hills didn't reach the lake as there was no good rainfall at all. As a result, the water level in the lake was low in the monsoon season itself. Even in the worst drought years, boating was cancelled only at the end of the summer season. But this year, we are facing water crisis in February itself,” explained another officer privy to the development.

Usha Kiran, a visitor from Kerala had said that, all these years Karanji Lake was filled with migratory birds till March. “But now the number has come down. Poor water quality and bad odour from the lake drives away the tourists too,” she said.

According to wildlife photographer and activist B S Kiran Bagade, “Activities like fishing and boating disturb the migratory birds. There is need to stop human intervention,” he said.

Somasekhar, naturalist and former education officer of the zoo, from the last 10-12 years said, “Reasons can be attributed to various morning activities like clapping, laughter club, poor quality of water etc. Fish harvesting is another concern. All these have resulted in migratory birds moving away from this lake. Those birds which can be seen at other lakes are not found here.”