Construction of barrages and other projects upstream the Mahanadi in Chhattisgarh would reduce water inflow to the rare sweet water lake, Ansupa, apprehend experts here.
It may be noted that Ansupa lake is connected to the Mahanadi through the Kabulanala channel.
“When the lake will not receive adequate water, flora and fauna, fish and other species living in it will be facing difficulties for survival,” opine experts.
They too apprehend that fishermen of the locality, who depend on the lake for fishing, would lose their livelihood source permanently.
“If water flow to the lake is reduced, fishing will certainly be hampered to a great extent and rare water animal species would be extinct,” laments Gatikrushna Behera, a fisherman.
Ecologists also opined that the horseshoe-shaped 141-hectare sweet water lake would lose its identity if water flow is reduced. “Tourists would not be attracted anymore,” they say.
Besides, local farmers, who depend on the lake’s water for agricultural activities during summer, also apprehend a permanent loss of livelihood.