SONGKHLA, Jan 2 (TNA) – The accumulation of post-flood debris flowing into Songkhla Lake in southern Thailand is severely impacting the ecosystem and aquatic life, prompting local residents to call for urgent action to mitigate the damage.
Various types of waste, lodged in trees and along the banks of the U-Tapao canal in Hat Yai municipality, represent just a fraction of the vast amount of debris swept away by floodwaters before entering Songkhla Lake. The lake serves as the final destination for numerous waterways surrounding it.
Notably, the debris isn’t solely recent waste from communities and urban areas. It includes waste that has been accumulating for years along roadsides, canals, and other areas, only to be dislodged and carried by the floodwaters.
Research conducted by the Marine and Coastal Resources Research Center (Lower Gulf of Thailand) in Songkhla province supports this observation. Data collected on floating debris at the mouths of four canals in the lower Songkhla Lake area in 2018 and 2019 revealed an annual flow of 3,350 tons of waste entering and exiting the canals. This substantial volume directly threatens the lake’s ecosystem and aquatic life.
“The amount of waste found has a significant impact on the ecosystem and aquatic animals,” said Ratee Suksuwan, Director of the Lower Gulf of Thailand Marine and Coastal Resources Research Center.
Songkhla Lake is a unique tri-water lake (fresh, brackish, and salt water) and the only lagoon lake in Thailand, recognized as one of 117 such sites globally. Crucially, the lake provides freshwater for agriculture and serves as a vital source of aquatic life for millions of people.
Raising awareness and promoting collaborative efforts to keep Songkhla Lake free from debris and maintain a healthy ecosystem are essential for ensuring food security for the communities surrounding the lake. -819 (TNA)
