Wetland Inventory - Ministry of Environment and Forests

Transcription

CONTENTS
Foreword
Preface
Introduction
Inventory of wetlands
Andhra Pradesh
Arunachal Pradesh
Assam
Bihar
Goa
Gujarat
Haryana
Himachal Pradesh
Jammu & Kashmir
Jharkand
Karnataka
Kerala
Madhya Pradesh
Maharashtra
Manipur
Meghalaya
Nagaland
Orissa
Punjab
Rajasthan
Sikkim
Tamil Nadu
Tripura
Uttar Pradesh
Uttarakhand
West Bengal
Andaman & Nicobar
Chandigarh
Lakshadweep
New Delhi
Pondicherry
Detailed Description of Site
Andhra Pradesh
Kolleru Lake
Pakhal Lake
Neelapattu Tank
Perali Poguru Bapatla Wetland
Krishna Mangroves
Jeedimetla Lake (Fox Sagar)
Manjira Barrage
1
10
14
15
18
21
22
30
31
32
35
36
46
49
54
63
64
65
66
69
72
77
78
154
155
163
164
168
169
170
171
172
173
Contd…..
Hussain Sagar Lake
Lower Manair Reservoir
Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary
Kadam Reservoir
Mid-Pennar Reservoir
Musi Reservoir
Singur Reservoir
Wyra Reservoir
Somasila Reservoir
Srisailam Reservoir
Arunachal Pradesh
Wetlands in Namdapha National Park
Wetlands in Mahao (Mehao) Sanctuary
Wetlands in Lali Sanctuary
189
Assam
192
Deepor Beel
Beels of Assam
Sareswar Beel
Dibru Floodplain
Sone Lake
Wetlands in Kaziranga National Park
206
Bihar
Kawar Lake
Khabartal Lake
Masanjore Reservoir
Reservoirs of Chota Nagpur Plateau
Chaurs of North Bihar And West Bengal
213
Goa
Chorao Island
Carambolim Lake
Mandovi – Zuari Estuarine Complex
Gujarat
Great Rann of Kachchh
Nalsarovar Lake and Surendranagar Reservoirs
Little Rann of Kachchh
Southern Gulf of Kachchh
Wetlands of Kachchh Peninusla
Nanda Island
Gulf of Khambhat
Khijadia Lakes
Kankavati and Sapda Dams
Pariej and Kaneval Reservoirs
Ajwa, Vadhwanda and Pavagadh Lakes
Wetlands of Sabarkanta and Banaskanta District
Wetlands of Central and Eastern Saurashtra
216
Contd…..
Haryana
Sultanpur Jheels
238
Himachal Pradesh
Renuka Wetland
Pandoh Reservoir
Chamera Reservoir
Chandertal Lake
Pong Dam Lake
240
Jammu & Kashmir
Wular Lake
Dal Lake
Anchar Lake
Surinsar-Mansar Lakes
Mirgund Lake
Pangong Tso
Hokera Wetland
Tsomoriri
Chushul Marshes
Shallabugh Lake and Marshes
Some Typical Wetlands of Kashmir
Haigam Rakh
Tso Kar Basin
Ahansar and Waskursar Lakes
256
Karnataka
Byramangala Reservoir
Markonahalli Reservoir
Linganamakki Reservoir
Ranganthittoo Wildlife Sanctuary
Maddur Lake
285
Kerala
290
Ashtamudi Wetland
Parambikulam Dam
Sasthamkotta Lake
Vembanad-Kol Wetland
Azhinhillam Wetland
Kuttanad Wetland
Periyar Lake
Kumarakom Mangrove
Veli-Aukulam Lake
Kuttiadi Lake
Mangalavanam Mangrove
Pudu Vyppu Mangrove Forest
Peechi Dam Reservoir
Contd…..
Madhya Pradesh
Bhoj Wetland
Dihaila Jheel
Gopalpura Tank
Chiklod Lake
Chandpata Lake
Bargi Reservoir
Barna Reservoir
Dahod Reservoir
Gandhisagar Reservoir
Halali Reservoir
Kolar Reservoir
Kerwa Reservoir
Ravishankar Sagar Reservoir
Sampna Reservoir
Sagar Lake
Tawa Reservoir
Sarni Reservoir
Shahpura Lake
312
Maharashtra
Bhategaon Dam
Jagatunga Samudra Reservoir
Panzara Dam
Jayakawadi Reservoir
Siddhewadi Reservoir
Ped Reservoir
Dhom Reservoir
Ambedkar Tank
Ekruk Reservoir
Rankala Lake
Hingni Reservoir
Hadi Mangrove Wetland
Jawalgaon Reservoir
Shambhu Lake
Yamai Lake
Ujjini Reservoir
Nathsagar Reservoir
Wadali Lake
Yeldari Reservoir
Nandur Madhameshwar
Pune-Sholapur Reservoirs
Ratnagiri Mangroves
338
Manipur
Loktak Lake
Sanapat Lake
Keibul Lamjao National Park
Phumlen, Kharung, and Ikop Lakes
355
Contd…..
Meghalaya
Ward’s Lake
Umiam Reservoir
362
Orissa
365
Bhitarkanika Mangrove
Chilka Lake
Satkoshia Gorge Sanctuary
Hirakud Reservoir
Chitrakonda Dam
Rengali Dam
Upper Kolab Dam
Punjab
Ropar Reservoir
Januari Reservoir
Dholbaha Reservoir
Harike Lake
Kanjli
380
Rajasthan
Sambhar Lake
Phulera, and Didwana Salt Lakes
Jaisamand Lake
Keoladeo National Park
Gambhiri Reservoir
Jawai Reservoir
Sardar Samand Reservoir
Kothari Reservoir
Khari Reservoir
Nandsamand Reservoir
Som Kamla Amba Reservoir
Orai Reservoir
Udaisagar Reservoir
West Banas Reservoir
403
Sikkim
Sacred Khechopalri Lake
424
Tamil Nadu
Muthupet Mangrove
Pulicat Lake
Pichavaram Mangrove
Point Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary
Chembarambakam Tank
Kaliveli Tank
Sathanur Reservoir
Adyar Estuary
Bhavanisagar Reservoir
425
Contd…..
Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park
Wetlands of Nilgiri District
Siruthavur Tank
Vedanthangal and Karikili Tanks
Vettakudi-Karavetti Reservoir
Wetland in Madurai Agricultural College and Research Institute Campus
Vettangudi Tanks
Karungulam and Sengulam Tanks
Puthupalli Alam Swamp
Tripura
Rudrasagar Lake
468
Uttar Pradesh
Manjhira Impoundment at Girija Barrage
Pyagpur and Sitadwar Jheels
Nawabgani Priyadarshani Bird Sanctuary
Dahar and Sauj (Soj) Jheels
Chhata Lakes
Jheels in the Vicinity of Haidergarh
Nainital Lake
Baghla Reservoir
Surha Wetland
Matatilla Reservoir
Wetlands of Eastern Uttar Pradesh
Upper Ganga River (Brijghat to Narora Stretch)
471
West Bengal
Sundarbans Mangrove
East Calcutta Wetlands
Brace Bridge Wetlands
Wetlands of Hugli District
Wetlands of Haora District
Purbasthali Lake
Wetlands in Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary
488
Andaman & Nicobar
Mangrove Wetlands of Middle Andaman
516
New Delhi
Jamuna River near Delhi
517
Pondicherry
Ousteri Lake
519
References
524
INTRODUCTION
W
etlands are among the most productive ecosystems in the world,
comparable to rain forests and coral reefs. They are repositories of
diverse species of microbes, plants, insects, amphibians, reptiles, birds, fishes and
mammals. The ideal climate, landscape (topology), geology, movement and
abundance of water help the flora and fauna inhabiting the wetland ecosystems.
Wetlands are “biological supermarkets”, which provide immense food that attracts
many animal species for completion of their life-cycle. The decaying dead plants and
animals in the wetlands are converted by bacteria into organic matter (detritus) that
are fed by many small aquatic insects, shellfishes and small fishes that are food for
larger predatory fishes, reptiles, amphibians, birds, and mammals.
What are Wetlands?
Wetlands are transitional zones between terrestrial and aquatic systems where the
water table is usually at or near the surface or the land is covered by shallow water.
‘Wetland’ is a generic term for water bodies of various types, and include diverse
hydrological entities, namely, lakes, marshes, swamps, estuaries, tidal flats, river
flood plains, peatlands, shallow ponds, etc. Wetlands must have one or more of the
three attributes viz. atleast periodically, the land supports predominantly hydrophytes;
the substrate has predominantly undrained hydric soil; and the substrate is non soil,
saturated with water or covered by shallow water at sometime during the growing
season of each year.
Definitions of Wetlands
The definitions, by Cowardin et al. (1979), are widely accepted by wetland scientists
of United States and are also used in India (Mitsch and Gosselink, 1993). According
to Cowardin et al. (1979), wetlands are zones (lands) where saturation with water is
the key factor determining the nature of soil development and the types of plant and
animal communities living in the soil and on its surface. Wetlands differ widely,
regionally with different soils types, topography, climate, hydrology, water chemistry,
vegetation and other factors including human disturbance.
About wetlands, it is very relevant to quote R. Brown in “Encyclopedia of Life
Science”, 1996 which reads, “The word wetlands seems to contradict itself. How can
something that is wet really be considered land? Why is wetlands, simply not a lake or
a stream? Wetlands are the places where the two great natural components that cover
our Earth-land and water- wet and mingle to support life forms that are often different
from those that dwell only on land or only in water”.
The World Book Encyclopedia (1996), USA, defines “Wetlands is an area of land
where the water level remains near or above the surface of the ground for most of the
year”. The term “Aquatic”, according to Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary
(Encyclopedia Edition, 1992) refers to plants and animals, etc. growing or living in or
near water: The Chambers Dictionary (New Edition, 1993) adopts the same
definition. Both these dictionaries refer to marshy areas as wetland (a marsh being
defined as low lying wetland, swamp or fen). Ralph A. Luken (1976) in “Preservation
versus Development”, defines “The term wetland is synonymous with bay lands and
includes submerged land, tide land, swamp and over-flow land”.
As such, it seems, the experts do not specifically define wetlands as a very distinct
ecosystem and consider such land synonymous with aquatic substratum or in other
words ‘The Wetland Ecology’ is therefore synonymous with ‘Aquatic Ecology.’
Mitsch and Gosselink (1986) the frontline wetland scientists observe, “A precise
wetland definition that is satisfactory to all users has not yet been developed, because
the definition of wetland depends on the objectives and field of interest of the users.
Different definitions can result from the geologist, soil scientist, hydrologist,
biologist, ecologist, sociologist, economist, political scientist and public health
scientist.”
Wetland as special niche of the landscape caught the eyes of the ecologists and
biologists only in late 1960s. The Ramsar Convention (1971), the first global
Conservation Convention brought this subject to the international arena and framed
universally accepted wetlands, which reads: “areas of marsh, fen, peatland or water,
whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary with water i.e., static or flowing,
fresh, brackish or salt, including areas of marine water the depth of which at low tide
does not exceed six meters”. As such it becomes different to clacify other aquatic
bodies in to wetland group. In order to prepare a status of wetlands in United States,
the United State Department of Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Authority,
however, adopted the definitions of Cowardin (1979) which is given under:
“The wetlands are lands transitional between terrestrial and aquatic systems where the
water table is usually at or near the surface or the land is covered by shallow water.”
Moreover, this definition includes several attributes which are:
•
At least periodically the land must support predominantly hydrophytes.
•
The substrate is predominantly undrained hydric soil.
•
The substrate is non-soil and is saturated with water or covered by shallow
water sometime during the growing season of each year.
This definition emphasises three key attributes of wetlands: (i) hydrology –the degree
of flooding or soil saturation: (ii) wetland vegetation (hydrophytes); and (iii) hydric
soils. This definition has been broadly followed as it specifies various attributes of
wetlands. This definition does not contradict IUCN’s definition but only specifies the
parameters to be used for identification.
The Ministry of Environment & Forests (Govt. of India) has adopted the definition of
Wetlands which is given by the Convention on wetlands of International Importance
(Ramsar).
Classification of Wetlands by IUCN
IUCN identified a total of 39 categories of wetlands of which 30 are natural wetlands
and nine man-made. In it there are seven landscape units viz., estuaries, open coasts,
flood plains, freshwater marshes, lakes, peatlands and swamp forests. Freshwater
wetlands are haors, beels, jheels, oxbow lakes and flood plains. The table below
shows the classification of wetlands.
Wetlands Classification (Dugon 1990)
Salt Water
Marine
1. Subtidal (i) Permanent unvegetated shallow waters less than
6m deph at low tide, including sea bays, straits.
(ii) Subtidal aquatic vegetation including kelp beds,
sea grasses, tropical marine meadows.
(iii) Coral reefs.
2. Intertidal (i) Rocky marine shores, including cliffs and rocky
shores.
(ii) Shores of mobile stones and shingle.
(iii) Intertidal mobile unvegetated mud, sand or salt
flats.
(iv) Intertidal vegetated sediments, including salt
marshes and mangroves, or sheltered coasts.
Estuarine
1. Subtidal (i) Estuarine waters; permanent waters of estuaries
and estuarine systems of deltas.
2. Intertidal (i) Intertidal mud, sand or salt flats, with limited
vegetation.
(ii) Intertidal marshes, including salt marshes, salt
meadows, saltings, raised salt marshes, tidal
brackish and freshwater marshes.
(iii) Intertidal forested wetlands, including mangrove
swamp, Nypa swamp, tidal freshwater swamp
forest.
Lagoon
(i) Brackish to saline lagoons with one or more
relatively narrow connections with the sea.
Salt Lake
(i) Permanent and seasonal, brackish, saline or
alkaline lakes, flats and marshes.
Freshwater
Riverine
Perennial
(i) Permanent
waterfalls.
rivers
and
streams,
including
(ii) Inland deltas.
Temporary (i) Seasonal and irregular rivers and streams.
(ii) Riverine floodplains, including river flats,
flooded river basins, seasonally flooded
grassland.
Lacustrine Permanent
(i) Permanent freshwater lakes (>8 ha), including
shores subject to seasonal or irregular
inundation.
(ii) Permanent freshwater ponds (<8ha).
Seasonal (i) Seasonal freshwater lakes (>8 ha), including
floodplain lakes.
Palustrine Emergent
(i) Permanent freshwater marshes andswamps on
inorganic soils, with emergent vegetation whose
bases lie below the water table for at least most
of the growing season.
(ii) Permanent peat-forming freshwater swamps,
including tropical upland valley swamps
dominated by Papyrus or Typha.
(iii) Seasonal freshwater marshes on inorganic soil,
including sloughs, potholes, seasonally flooded
meadows, sedge marshes, and dambos.
(iv) Peatlands,
including
acidophilous,
ombrogenous, or soligenous mires covered by
moss, herbs of dwarf shrub vegetation, and fens
of all types.
(v) Alpine and polar wetlands, including seasonally
flooded meadows moistened by temporary
waters from snowmelt.
(vi) Freshwater springs and oases with surrounding
vegetation.
(vii) Volcanic fumaroles continually moistened by
emerging and condensing water vapour.
Forested
(i)
Shrub swamps, including shrub-dominated
freshwater marsh, shrub carr and thickets, on
inorganic soils.
(ii)
Freshwater swamp forest, including seasonally
flooded forest, wooded swamps on inorganic
soils.
(iii) Forested peatlands, including peat swamp
forest.
Man-Made Wetlands
Aquaculture/Mariculture
(i)
Aquaculture ponds, including fish ponds and
shrimp ponds.
Agriculture
(i)
Ponds, including farm ponds, stock ponds,
small tanks.
(ii)
Irrigated land and irrigation channels, including
fields, canals and ditches.
(iii) Seasonally flooded arable land.
Salt Exploitation
(i)
Salt pans and salines
Urban/Industrial
(i)
Excavations, including gravel pits, borrow pits
and mining pools.
(ii)
Wastewater treatment areas, including sewage
farms, settling ponds and oxidation basins.
Water-Storage Areas
(i)
Reservoirs holding water for irrigation and/or
human consumption with a pattern of gradual,
seasonal, draw down of water level.
(ii)
Hydro-dams with regular fluctuations in water
level on a weekly or monthly basis.
Role of Wetlands
Wetlands directly or indirectly have an enormous ecological, economic, commercial
and socio-economic importance and values. Such lands constitute very rich
biodiversity of flora and fauna of important local, natural and regional significance.
Two significant parameters identified by various wetlands scientists are - (i)
Functions and (ii) Values.
The principal functions are – ground water recharge and discharge, storage of water,
storage of flood water, shoreline stabilization, erosion control, sediment trapping,
nutrient retention and removal, support for food chains, fisheries production, habitat
for wildlife, recreation, natural heritage values, biomass production, water transport,
bio-diversity preservation and microclimate stabilization.
Coastal wetlands play a positive role in recovering phosphates and nitrates from
estuarine water and release oxygen; consequently it reduces nutrient load and
biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) of coastal water. These wetlands act as natural
protection zone for densely habitated inland region; specially the wetland vegetation
can be a positive buffer against cyclonic storm.
Wetlands in India
The wetlands are increasingly facing several anthropogenic pressures, due to rapidly
expanding human population, large scale changes in land use/land cover and
burgeoning development projects and improper use of watersheds have all caused a
substantial decline of wetland resources of the country. Absence of reliable and
updated information and data on extent of wetlands, their conservation values and
socioeconomic importance has greatly hampered for development of policy,
legislation and administrative interventions by the state.
For long-term conservation planning of wetlands, spatial data and information are
required for any intervention. Wetland ecosystem in India constitutes an integral part
of cultural and biodiversity landscape. It is estimated that 3.5 million hectares of
wetlands exist in the country according to 1992-1993 study by the Space Application
Centre. However, this information pertains to wetlands above 56 ha in size. Previous
research works on wetland conservation in the country has shown conclusively that
micro wetlands or satellite wetlands around a bigger wetland act as a constellation of
habitat mosaic for resident and migratory waterfowl. This is of special importance for
inland wetland habitats in the flyways of migratory birds in the Indo-Gangetic plains
and in Deccan Peninsula. Often, the size of these micro wetlands is much smaller than
50ha. Therefore, there is a great need to map wetlands of smaller size less than 50ha.
Spatial information on wetland resources is a critical and an urgently needed for an
effective conservation of the important ecosystem.
For a country like India, with its vast biological and cultural diversity, a
comprehensive use of remote sensing, GIS and other related technologies will be of
great use in conservation. Classifying and mapping wetlands based on
geomorphology, water quality and other biological attributes can lead to qualitative
assessment. Results obtained could be used in planning, inventorying and monitoring
wetlands in the country.
Wetland resources exhibit significant ecological diversity, primarily because of
variability in climatic conditions and changing topography. Unfortunately, many such
areas have been converted for agriculture, industry or settlements. A great number of
wetlands have been affected by industrial effluents, discharge of sewage, household
wastes and sedimentation due to ecological degradation in catchment areas.
Realising the crucial role of the wetland ecosystems in flood control, recharging of
aquifers, regulating water quality, reducing sediment load and pollution abatement, its
potential for aquaculture and as breeding ground for waterfowls, the Ministry of
Environment and Forest (Govt. of India) constituted an Expert Group in 1983 for
compiling information on the ecological status of wetlands in the country. Earlier to
this in 1972, a survey had been initiated to collect some basic information which was
subsequently updated. Based on the analysis of the responses, the Directory of
wetlands in India was published in 1990 by the Ministry of Environment & Forests.
The present directory is updated mainly based on the information collected from
various sources on the distribution and their status of wetlands in India.
This directory covers Inland and Coastal water bodies like lakes, tanks, reservoirs,
marshes, swamps, etc. The detailed information of wetland site (geographical
coordinates, general location of the site, nearest village, district and state); total area
(ha); ecological category; abiotic and biotic factors; land tenure; land use;
conservation measures taken; socio-economic values; disturbance and threats;
pollution status are given in the State/ Union Territory-wise. In addition, detailed
information available on few wetland ecosystems and measures taken by the
Government of India for conservation of wetlands are also included.
Based on the available information, the details of about 2,211 major and minor
wetlands have been given in the present directory. Efforts are also taken to collect
more information and update the data which will be presented in the subsequent
editions of the directory.
ANDHRA PRADESH
S.No.
Name of the Wetland
1
2
NATURAL WETLANDS
1
Araniar Reservoir
2
Interu Swamps
3
4
Kajam Reservoir
Kolleru
5
6
7
8
9
*Kondakarla Lake
Neelapattu Lake
Nizamapatnam
Pakhal Lake
*Perali Poguru Bapatla
MAN-MADE WETLANDS
10
*Athvelly Cheruvu
11
Badvel Tank
12
*Bibinagar Tank
13
*Coringa Wildlife
Sanctuary
14
*Dabilpur Cheruvu
15
*Dhulapally Cheruvu
16
*Edulabad Reservoir
17
*Gambhiramgedda
18
*Gundla Cheruvu
19
*Hussain Sagar Lake
20
*Indravati National Park
(Wetlands in)
21
*Jeedimetla Lake
(Fox Sagar)
22
Jusi Reservoir
23
*Kadam Reservoir
24
*Kaziranga National park
1. Total Geographical Area
Name of the
Nearest
Village/Town
3
Bintumalli
Name of the
District
4
Anakapalli
Neelapattu
Nizamapatnam
Ashok Nagar
Vijayawada,
Chitoor
Krishna and West
Godavari
Adilabad
Krishna & West
Godavari
Visakhapatnam
Nellore
Guntur
Warangal
Guntur
Secundarabad
Badvel
Bibinagar
Rajahmundry
Hyderabad
-
Secundarabad
Secundarabad
Visakhapatnam
Secundarabad
Pusnar
Ranga Reddy
-
Hyderabad
Hyderabad
Suryapet
Adilabad
-
Kurnool
Gauhati
Nimal
Eluru
:
2,75,06,800 ha.
2. Forest Area
: 63,82,100
ha. (23.20%)
Latitude
(N)
Longitude
(E)
5
6
13° 16’
16° 20’
79° 40’
81° 15’
200.00
2,651.00
Freshwater
Brackishwater
19° 10’
16° 32’
78° 43’
81° 05’
25,000.00
90,000.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
17° 35’
13° 45’
16° 10’
17° 40’
15° 49’
82° 59’
80° 00’
80° 16’
79° 55’
80° 27’
650.00
453.00
1,000.00
2,400.00
1,500.00
Freshwater
Brackishwater
Brackishwater
Freshwater
Brackishwater
17° 39’
14° 40’
17° 38’
16° 27’
78° 29’
79° 00’
78° 46’
82° 01
28.00
610.00
23,570.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Brackishwater
17° 40’
17° 32’
17° 31’
17° 20’
19° 00’
78° 30’
78° 27’
78° 29’
78° 30’
81° 00’
75.00
26.00
244.31
30.00
710.00
-
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
18° 30’
77° 30’
4,700.00
Freshwater
17° 10’
19° 18’
-
79° 26’
-
533.00
2,474.00
3
Krishna
Karimnagar
Hyderabad
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
4
Guntur
Hyderabad
Hyderabad
Secundarabad
Visakhapatnam
Gauhati
Hyderabad
Nalgonda
1
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
2
*Krishna Mangrove
Lower maniar Dam
*Madhapur Botanical
Garden Lake
*Manas National Park
*Manjira Barrage
*Manjiri Sanctuary
*Medchal Pedda Cheruvu
*Mehadrigedda
Area
(ha.)
7
Ecological
Category
8
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
*Medchal Voora Cheruvu
Mid-Pennar Reservoir
*Minor Reservoir
Mudasarlova
Musi Reservoir
*Nagarjuna Sagar
Nuthankal Cheruvu
Pocharam Reservoir
Poli Tank
Porumamilla
Railapur Cheruvu
Rendli Pakale
*Saroornagar Lake
Singur Reservoir
*Shathamraj
*Srisailam Reservoir
Somasila Reservoir
Surla Devi Chaur
*Tungabhadra Reservoir
Ura Chaur
Wyra Reservoir
*Yerrakalva Reservoir
Secundarabad
Anantapur
Shaikpet
Visakhapatnam
Nalgonda
Mandi Gonda
Secundarabad
Rajampet
Porumamilla
Secundarabad
Rendli
Medak
Shaikpet
Srisailam
Nellore
Hazugudam
Burugadda
Khamman
-
Nalgonda
Hyderabad
Nalgonda
Nalgonda
Medak
Nalgonda
Cuddapah
Hyderabad
Cuddapah
Nellore
Cuddapah
Karimnagar
West Godavari
5
15° 45’
18° 15’
-
6
80° 45’
78° 32’
-
7
27,661.00
8,105.00
-
8
Brackishwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
17° 38’
17°40’
17° 35’
17° 35’
14° 52’
17° 14’
16° 34’
78° 05’
77°00’
78° 29’
78° 29’
79° 10’
27,000.00
2,000.00
20,000.00
24.00
14.00
1,703.00
25.00
2,507.00
28,474.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
18° 8’
14° 10’
15° 00’
17° 37’
17°22’
17° 45’
16° 50’
14° 29’
17° 11’
17°5’22’’
78° 10’
79° 10’
79° 00’
78° 26’
78°22’
78° 00’
81°15’22’’
18.00
20,000.00
120.00
750.00
26.00
280.00
41.00
16,534.00
25.00
61,404.00
21,349.00
250.00
37,814.00
150.00
1,626.00
1,138.76
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
ARUNACHAL PRADESH
Name of the Wetland
2
NATURAL WETLANDS
Pakhui (Kameng &
Pakke River System
Talley Valley
MAN-MADE WETLANDS
*Lali Sanctuary
(Wetlands in)
*Mahao (Mehao)
Sanctuary (Wetlands
in)
*Namdapha National
Park (Wetlands in)
Name
of the
Nearest
Village/
Town
3
Name
of the
Distri
ct
Rangap
ara
North/T
ejpur
Hapoli
Kame
ng
Pasigha
t
Balipar
a
East
Siang
Diban
g
Valley
Tirap
Dibruga
rh
4
Suban
siri
ASSAM
Name of the
Wetland
Name of
the Nearest
Village/To
wn
Name
of the
District
2
3
4
NATURAL WETLANDS
Amreng Beel
Diphu
Andheri Beel
Chatgano
Arimora
Kohara
Karbi
Anglon
g
Kamru
p
Sibsaga
r
:
83,74,300 ha.
5. Forest Area
: 51,54,000
ha. (61.55%)
Latitude
(N)
Longit
ude
(E)
5
6
26° 50’
92°
00’
28° 30’
94°
00’
27° 53’
95°
23’
95°
40’
96°
15’
28° 05’
27° 23’
Ar
ea
(ha
.)
7
Ecological
Category
20,
000
.00
200
.00
Freshwater
-
Freshwater
-
Freshwater
-
Freshwater
8
Freshwater
:
78,43,800 ha.
2. Forest Area
: 26,83,200
ha. (34.21%)
Latitude
(N)
Longit
ude
(E)
Ar
ea
(ha
Ecological
Category
5
25° 50’
26° 00’
26° 40’
6
93°
25’
91°
40’
93°
25’
.)
7
150
.00
200
.00
168
.00
8
Brackishwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Assam
1
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
2
3
Baguri Bor
Chand Dubi Beel
Chandakhal Beel
Dalani Beel
Daldali Swamps
*Deepar Beel
Dewan Beel
Dhir Beel
Disama Beel
Hahilia Beel
Joysagar
Kanara Beel
Kumri Beel
Kaziranga Swamps
Ladkhowa Ghats
(Swamps)
19
Laothari Swamps
20
Medo Beel
21
Sareswar Beel
22
Tamaranga Beel
23
Urpad Beel
MAN-MADE WETLANDS
24
*Bordoibam
25
*Dibru Floodplain
26
Kaziranga National Park
(Wetlands in)
27
*Khandong Reservoir
28
Laokhawa, Orang,&
Sonai Rupai Sanctuaries
(Wetlands in)
29
Manas National Park
(Wetlands in)
30
31
32
*Sone Lake
*Tropical Floodplain
Lake
*Umrang
5
26° 30’
26° 25’
26° 00’
6
93° 15’
91° 25’
89° 55’
4
Baguri
Pabsabari
Dhubri
Calanta Para
Diphu
Mukalana
Guwahti
Chappar
Diphu
Goal Para
Silghat
Haripani
Kumri
Saikhowa
Sibsagar
Kamrup
Goalpara
Goalpara
Karbi Anglong
Kamrup
Kamrup
Goalpara
Karbi Anglong
Goalpara
Naogaon
Goalpara
Goalpara
Naogaon
Dibrugarh
Diphu
Majadar Hat
Gauri Pur
Hari Pani
Solmari
Kamrup
Goalpara
Goalpara
Goalpara
Dhemaji
Dibrugarh
Bokaghat
Dhemaji
Nowgong &
Sibsagar
-
Jayantia Hills
Brahmaputra
valley
Barpeta
North Cachar
Hills
7
110.00
1,500.00
250.00
Guwahati,
Barpeta,
Kokrajhar
Karimganj
Dhemaji
-
8
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
26° 15’
25° 50’
26° 05’
26° 05’
26° 15’
26° 50’
26° 10’
26° 35’
26° 17’
26° 16’
26° 30’
26° 27’
90° 35’
93° 25’
91° 36’
91° 30’
90° 25’
93° 25’
20° 35’
92° 55’
90° 40’
90° 35’
93° 05’
92° 35’
200.00
150.00
4,000.00
100.00
450.00
150.00
400.00
173.00
450.00
100.00
28,500.00
2,800.00
Freshwater
Brackishwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Brackishwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
26° 20’
26° 00’
26° 55’
26° 17’
26° 15’
92° 25’
90° 05’
90° 05’
90° 40’
90° 40’
260.00
300.00
1,700.00
500.00
1,000.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
27° 32’
27°30’
26° 35’
94° 45’
94°55’
93° 05’
1,100.00
31,000.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
-
-
991.00
-
Freshwater
Freshwater
26° 37’
90°15’
-
Freshwater
26°75’
94°56’
46,104.00
54.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
-
-
991.00
Freshwater
BIHAR
S.No.
Name of the Wetland
1
2
NATURAL WETLANDS
1
Ahiya
2
Bhagwa Chaur
3
Bharthua Chaur
4
Bhusara Mann
5
Bora Charu
6
Brahmaputra River
Valley
7
Brahmpura Mann
8
Chatia Chaur
9
Ekpira Dhar
10
Fatehpur,Naimallia &
Paintia Chaurs
11
Hardia Chaur
12
Khabartal (Kanwar)
lake
13
Kahara Dhuseshwar
14
Kanhar Bandh
15
Kauda Lauhar
16
Kesaria Chaur
17
Khetar
18
Manshi Dubey
19
Murdapur Chaur
20
Parbamurli Chaur
21
Raghupur Diara
22
Ratanpura Phulkaha
23
Rora Lake
24
Tal Bahaila
25
Topchanchi Lake
26
Udaipur Lake
Name of the
Nearest
Village/Town
3
Name of the
District
4
Rona
Balur Bazar
Bharthua
Bhausara
Kharka-Talwa
-
Vaishali
Saharsa
Muzaffarpur
Muzaffarpur
Saharsa
-
Muzaffarpur
Piparapakari
Kishan Pur
Hajipur
Muzaffarpur
Champaran (West)
Saharsa
Vaishali
Akilpur
Manjhaul
Saran
Begusarai
Darbhanga
Baradih
Kauda Lauhar
Motihari
Sarotar
Cahur Phulia
Khar
Murdapur
Kumarganj
Hajipur
Kumarganj
Mehnar
Dhanbad
-
Darbhanga
Palamau
Sahrasa
Champaran
Champaran
Champaran (West)
Saharsa
Saharsa
Vaishali
Saharsa
Chaibasa
Muzaffarpur
Dhanbad
Champaran (West)
:
94,16,400 ha.
8. Forest Area
:
ha. (6.87%)
6,47,300
Latitud
e
(N)
5
Longitude
(E)
6
Ecological
Category
7
8
25° 55’
26° 20’’
26° 15’
26° 08’
25° 50’
25°45’
85° 10’
86° 25’
83° 30’
85° 40’
86° 30
89°50’
150.00
200.00
125.00
125.00
500.00
-
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
26° 05’
25° 25’
25° 40’
85° 22’
85° 50’
85° 10’
130.00
100.00
200.00
11,400.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
25° 45’
25° 30’
85° 00’
86° 05’
10,000.00
6,737.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
26° 10’
24° 20’
25° 50’
26° 45’
26° 45’
-
85° 54’
83° 25’
86° 25’
85° 00’
84° 45’
-
12,141.00
5,000.00
200.00
500.00
350.00
125.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
25° 45’
25° 45’
25° 30’
25° 45
22° 34’
25° 35’
23° 50’
26° 50’
86° 00’
86° 45’
85° 20’
87° 00’
85° 45’
85° 25’
86° 06’
84° 30’
125.00
100.00
2,000.00
100.00
240.00
300.00
12,823.00
657.00
3
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
4
1
2
MAN-MADE WETLANDS
27 Canal Dam Reservoir
28 Chadan Reservoir
29 *Chaurs of North
Bihar and West Bengal
30 Gadua Reservori
31 *Goabeel
32 Konar Reservoir
33
Area
(ha.)
*Laluchack
Akilpur
Bagaha
Santhal Pargana
Dumka
-
Riji Khorbha
Minihari
Chota Nagpur
plateau
Bhagalpur
Bhagalpur
Katihar
Hazaribagh
-
34
*Maithon
35
36
37
*Masanjore Reservoir
Nalkari Reservoir
Panchet Hill Reservoir
38
*Tilaiya Reservoir
Chota Nagpur
plateau
Dumka
Patratu
Chota Nagpur
plateau
Chota Nagpur
plateau
Dhanbad &
Hazaribagh
Santhal Pargana
Chhotanagpur
Dhanbad
Dhanbad &
Hazaribagh
CHHATTISGARH
S.No
.
Name of the Wetland
1
2
MAN-MADE WETLANDS
1
*Dudhawa
2
*Khudia
3
*Ravishankar Sagar
Reservoir
4
*Sondur
Name of the
Nearest
Village/Town
3
Name of the
District
4
-
Raipur
-
-
5
6
7
8
24° 15’
24° 40’
25°15’-27°00’
85° 00’
86° 50’
84°10’-88°10’
10,000.00
1,080.00
-
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
23° 55’
85° 45’
1,554.00
0.80
2,590.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
25° 14’
22° 00’-25° 3’
86° 58’
85° 47’- 87° 50’
50.00
10,619.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
23°40’
23° 40’
86°28’
86° 24’
6,993.00
992.00
15,300.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
22° 00’-25° 3’
85° 47’- 87° 50’
5,957.00
Freshwater
:
1,35,19,000 ha.
2. Forest Area
:
59,77,200 ha. (33.06%)
Ecological
Category
Latitude
(N)
Longitude
(E)
Area
(ha.)
5
6
20°34’
81°34’
2,510.00
1,668.00
9,540.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
-
-
2,085.00
Freshwater
7
8
GOA
S.No.
Name of the
Wetland
1
2
NATURAL WETLANDS
1
*Chorao
2
Karamboli
3
*Mandovi - Zuari
Estuarine Complex
4
*Goa Mangroves
MAN-MADE WETLANDS
5
*Carambolim Lake
6
*Madkai
7
*Mangeshi
Name of the
Nearest
Village/Town
3
Name of the
District
4
Panaji
Karamboli
Dona Paula
Panji
Panaji
Ponda
Ponda
Goa
Goa
Goa
Goa
Goa
Goa
:
3,70,200 ha.
2. Forest Area
:
1,22,400 ha. (33.06%)
Latitude
(N)
Longitude
(E)
Area
(ha.)
5
6
15° 30’
15° 23’
15°30’
73° 50’
73° 50’
73°50’
250.00
100.00
1,800.00
Brackishwater
Freshwater
Brackishwater
15° 22’
73° 45’
2,000.00
Freshwater
15°23’
-
73°50’
-
72.00
-
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
7
Ecological
Category
8
GUJARAT
S.No.
Name of the Wetland
1
2
NATURAL WETLANDS
1
Aliabet
2
Chaman Bai Lake
3
*Great Rann of Kutch
4
*Gulf of Khambhat
5
Harni Pond (I&II)
6
*Little Rann of Kutch
7
Mokariran
8
*Nalsarovar
9
10
10.
*Nanda Island
Salt Marshes of
Saurashtra
11
*Southern Gulf of
Kachchh
MAN-MADE WETLANDS
12
*Aaji
13
*Aji II Reservoir
14 *Ajwa
15
*Alansagar
16
*Amipur Reservoir
17
*Babiya Dam
18
Balamdi
19
*Bhandar Reservoir
20
*Bordi Tank
21
*Brahmi Reservoir
22
Chandrasan Tank
23
*Changada
24
*Chhari Dhandh
25
*Daman Ganga Reservoir
26
*Dantiwada Reservoir
Total Geographical Area
Name of the
Nearest
Village/Town
3
Name of the
District
Matiad
Khralu
Nekhetrana
Talaja
Vadodara
Thorial Kajarda
Porbandar
Nalsarovar and
Kayala
Adesar
Bhavanagar &
Jafarabad
Saurashtra
Borach
Mehsana
Kutch
Gulf at Khambhat
Vadodara
Kutch
Junagarh
Ahmedabad and
Surinder Nagar
Kachchh district
Amreli and
Ahmedabad
-
Vadodara
Dalawas
Kadi
Dantiwada
Saurashtra
Rajkot
Saurashtra
Junagadh
Saurashtra
Jamnagar
Rajkot
Kheda
Surendranagar
Mehsana
Kheda
Saurashtra
Valsad
Banaskantha
: 1,96,02,400 ha.
11.
Forest Area
4
1
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
Latitude
(N)
Longitude
(E)
5
6
21° 35’
23° 56’
22° 55’
20°35’
22° 18
23° 10’
23° 25’
22° 42’
69° 35’
72° 37’
70° 28’
72°05’
73° 15
70°45’
68° 07
71° 59
4,000.00
800.00
700,000.00
30,000.00
225.00
495,300.00
200,000.00
11,500.00
Brackishwater
Freshwater
Brackishwater
Brackishwater
Freshwater
Brackishwater
Brackishwater
Brackishwater
23°33’
20° 52’
71°05’
71° 25’
5,000.00
52,616.00
Brackishwater
Brackishwater
22° 15’
69°00’
735,000.00
Brackishwater
22° 24’
22° 10’
23° 15’
24° 20’
73° 24’
70° 23’
72° 20’
72° 20’
1,439.00
300.00
1,581.00
160.00
4,400.00
225.00
1,914.00
700.00
200.00
5,144.00
4,047.00
3
2
*Dedarda
*Demi II Reservoir
*Deo Reservoir
*Devakivansol
*Dharoi Reservoir
*Fadvel Tank
*Falzar Dam
Fatehgarh
Fulzar
Area
(ha.)
7
-
Palandur
Bilimoria
Fatehgarh
Khambaliya
Ecological
Category
8
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
4
Kheda
Rajkot
Panchmahals
Kheda
Mehsana
Valsad
Rajkot
Kutch
Jamnagar
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
Gadhatad
Gajan Sar
Gajod
*Garmala
*Gavier Lake
Ghee
*Ghogha/Kharghoda
*Guhai Reservoir
*Hamirsar Tank
*Hargovind
Hatadi
Hatmati Reservoir
*Herenj
Hiran Reservoir
Kadana (Mahi Stage-II
Reservoir (Major part in MP)
51 Kaila Reservoir
52 *Kakrapar Reservoir
53 Kalaghogha
54 *Kalindri Reservoir
55 *Kaneval Reservoir
56 Kankavati
57 *Kankavati Dam
58 *Karjan Reservoir
59 Kaswati
60 *Khijadia lakes
61 Khokhalia Tank
62 *Lalpari
63 *Lingada
64 *Machhu I Reservoir
65 *Machhu II Reservoir
66 *Mal-Sarovar
67 *Mandvi
68 *Mazam Reservoir
5
6
24° 00’
72° 50’
21° 91’
70° 16’
23° 39’
70° 47’
22° 14’
70° 17’
23° 38’
68° 34’
23° 30’
69° 35’
23° 01’
69° 34’
22° 10’
69° 37’
Gadhatad
Gajan Sar
Gajod
Gavier/ Surat
Khambaliya
Bhuj
Bhadreshwar
Himatnagar
-
Sasan (Gir)
Kadana
Zura
Kalaghoga
Ishvriya
Kheda
Mothala
Lodali
Jamnagar
Chansha
7
4.00
1,023.00
1,668.00
175.00
10,700.00
290.00
254.00
410.00
355.00
147.00
281.00
6.00
425.00
Kutch
Kutch
Kutch
Kheda
Jamnagar
Saurashtra
Sabarkantha
Kachchh
Saurashtra
Kutch
Sabarkantha
Kheda
Jamnagar
Panchamahal
Kutch
Surat
Kutch
Porbandar
Kutch
Jamnagar
Banaskantha
Kutch
Jamnagar
Mehsana
Saurashtra
Kheda
Rajkot
Rajkot
Saurashtra
Saurashtra
Sabarkantha
8
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
23° 15’
22° 50’
23° 42’
-
21° 10’
23° 20’
69° 40’
69° 50’
73° 13’
70° 35’
73° 50’
23° 20’
69° 35’
22° 55’
69° 41’
22° 33’
72° 38’
23° 00’
69° 08’
21°21’-21°23’
70°10’-70° 13’
23° 20’
69° 53’
22° 32’
70° 08’
23° 30’
72° 00’
1
2
69 Meshwar Reservoir
70 *Meshwo Reservoir
71 *Moj Reservoir
72 *Muli
73 *Nadiad
74 *Nagarma
75 Nara Reservoir
76 *Ningal Tank
77 Nirvana
78 *Nyari
79 *Panam Reservoir
80 Pariaj Tank
81 *Pariej Reservoir
82 *Parmaria Bhagol
83 *Patak
84 *Pavagadh
85 *Phophal Reservoir
86 Puna
87 *Ramdarda
88 *Ramdhari
89 *Ranghola Reservoir
1,713.00
120.00
3,340.00
175.00
2,000.00
16,600.00
232.00
44,200.00
117.00
51.84
1,500.00
354.00
435.00
3,677.00
196.00
1,000.00
200.00
6.00
1,200.00
1,396.00
1,310.00
3
Shamlaji
-
-
Nara
Nirvana
Pariaj
Kheda
Vadodara
Jamnagar
-
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Brackishwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
4
Sabar Kantha
Sabarkantha
Rajkot
Saurashtra
Kheda
Kheda
Kutch
Saurashtra
Kutch
Saurashtra
Panchmahals
Kheda
Kheda
Rajkot
Jamnagar
Saurashtra
Saurashtra
Bhavanagar
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
-
-
*Rani Tank
*Ratheshwar
Rudramata Reservoir
Sanandhro
*Sani Reservoir
*Sankroli Reservoir
Sapada
*Sapda Dam
Sasoi
*Sayala
*Shankar Talao
*Shetrunji Reservoir
Sher Talaw
*Singach
*Sipu Reservoir
*Sojitra Pond
*Sukhbhandar Reservoir
*Sukhi Reservoir
Suvi
*Tapar Reservoir
*Tarapur
Thor Reservoir
5
6
23° 41’
73° 26’
30° 34’
60° 03’
23° 24’
69° 29’
22° 05’
72° 25’
22° 33’
72° 38’
22° 29’
73° 22’
22° 88’
69° 39’
23° 18’
69° 40’
23° 35’
68° 47’
-
Khanpur
Bhuj
Pannandhro
Jamnagar
Jamnagar
Kalol
Suvi
Kadi
7
1,784.00
1,116.00
1,203.00
3.00
120.00
1,214.00
380.00
8,980.00
616.00
500.00
5.00
10.00
100.00
1,207.00
400.00
1,162.00
2.00
100.00
850.00
318.00
1,820.00
3,285.00
Kheda
Kutch
Kutch
Jamnagar
Amreli
Jamnagar
Jamnagar
Jamnagar
Saurashtra
Saurashtra
Bhavnagar
Mehsana
Saurashtra
Banaskantha
Kheda
Bhavanagar
Vadodara
Kutch
Kachchh
Kheda
Mehsana
8
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
22° 23’
70° 10’
21°21’-21°23’
70°10’-70°13’
22° 20
69° 25’
23° 10’
72° 25’
23° 37’
70° 29’
23° 15’
72° 20’
1
2
112 *Tranga
113 Ukai Reservoir
114 *Uni Reservoir
115 *Vadhwana
116 *Valavad
117 *Vallabhsagar Reservoir
118 *Vanakbori Reservoir
119 Vartu
120 *Vatrak Reservoir
121 *Veri
122 Vetrak Reservoir
123 Vijarakhi
124 Vijasagar
125 Vijaysagar Dam
126 *Village Tank
127 *Village Tank
128 *Village Tank
129 *Village Tank
130 *Village Tank
131 *Village Tank
132 *Village Tank
133 *Watrak Reservoir
HARIYANA
225.00
193.00
1,300.00
6,732.00
400.00
2,568.00
4.00
1,045.00
2,904.00
310.00
1,145.00
5.00
700.00
3
Fort Sonegarh
Vadodara
-
-
Bhanvad
Ubhan
Jamnagar
NA
Vaghasi
Lamhavel
Dharmaj
Morgi
Ras
Dantali
Morak
-
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
4
Kheda
Surat
Jamnagar
Saurashtra
Surat
Kheda
Jamnagar
Sabarkantha
Saurashtra
Sabar Kantha
Jamnagar
Kutch
Saurashtra
Sabarkantha
S.No.
-
Name of the Wetland
1
2
NATURAL WETLANDS
1
Bibipur Jheel
2
Dobeta Jheel
3
Kotla Lake
4
Sultanpur Jheel
5
6
21° 10’
73° 55
22° 11’
73° 29’
20° 00’
69° 50’
23° 20’
73° 22’
22° 23’
70° 13’
22° 50’
69° 20’
-
Name of the
Nearest
Village/Town
3
Name of the
District
4
Bibipur
Kurukshetra
Dobeta
Kurukshetra
Nuh and Sohna Gurgaon
Gurgaon
Gurgaon
7
8
100.00
Freshwater
60,100.00
Freshwater
1,730.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
400.00
Freshwater
52,000.00
Freshwater
2,086.00
Freshwater
325.00
Freshwater
4,475.00
Freshwater
2,800.00
Freshwater
1,763.00
Freshwater
300.00
Freshwater
425.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
3.85
Freshwater
Freshwater
4.00
2.00
Freshwater
7.00
Freshwater
10.00
Freshwater
4.00
Freshwater
4.00
Freshwater
4,475.00
Freshwater
:
44,21,200 ha.
2. Forest Area
Latitude
(N)
Longitude
(E)
5
6
Area
(ha.)
7
Ecological
Category
8
29° 45’
29° 07’
27° 59’
28° 26’
1
5
77° 00’
76° 51’
76° 56’
76° 53’
200.00
150.00
1,000.00
13,727.00
3
Ujina
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
4
Gurgaon
Fridabad
Sohna
Karna
Fridabad
-
Fridabad
Chandigarh
Gurgaon
Chandigarh
Hissar
Fridabad
-
Firozepur
Gurgaon
2
Ujina Lake
MAN-MADE WETLANDS
6
*Badkhal Reservoir
7
*Bhim Tal
8
Damdama
9
*Draupti Tal
10
Lav Kush Tirath
11
Ottu Jheel
12
*Peacock Reservoir
13
*Ranganthittoo Bird
Sanctuary
14
Raoli Jheel
HIMACHAL PRADESH
S.No.
Name of the Wetland
1
2
NATURAL WETLANDS
1
*Renuka Lake
MAN-MADE WETLANDS
2
*Chamera Reservoir
3
*Chandertal Lake
4
Gobind Sagar Reservoir
5
*Pandoh Reservoir
6
*Pong Dam Lake
7
8
5
*Rewalsar Lak
*Suraj Tal Lake
6
Name of the
Nearest
Village/Town
3
Name of the
District
4
Dadahu
Simaur
Chowrah
Kunzam
Bilaspur
Mandi
Dehra-Talwara
& Dadasiba
Lahaul-spiti
valley
Chamba
Lahaul and Spiti
Bilaspur
Mandi
Kangra
7
Mandi
-
8
28° 00’
77° 05
800.00
Brackish water
28°45’
28°25’
28° 10’
28°25’
29° 55’
29° 30’
28°45’
12°30’
77°25’
76°30’
77° 00’
76°30’
76° 00’
74° 55’
77°30’
75°45’
22.80
16.80
200.00
7.08
8.00
340.00
10.86
67.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
freshwater
Brackish water
Freshwater
Freshwater
27° 43’
76° 58’
400.00
Freshwater
:
55,78,000 ha.
2. Forest Area
Latitude
(N)
Longitude
(E)
5
6
31° 36’35’’
77° 27’10’’
32° 29’
31° 15’
32°01'
30°37’30’’
32°45’
Area
(ha.)
7
Ecological
Category
8
20.00
Fresh water
77° 36’
76° 25’
76°05'
900.00
49.00
16,867.00
200.00
24,629.00
Fresh water
Fresh water
Fresh water
Fresh water
Fresh water
76°49’
77°25’
2.76
Fresh water
Fresh water
JAMMU & KASHMIR
S.No.
Name of the Wetland
1
2
NATURAL WETLANDS
1
*Anchar Lake
2
*Dal Lake
13.
3
4
5
Hanle River Marshes
Hokarsar
*Hokera
6
7
8
Hygam Lake
Indus River
Mirgund Lake
9
10
*Surinsar-Mansar lakes
Wular Lake
MAN-MADE WETLANDS
11
Ahansar Lake
12
Chushul Marshes
13
*Gilsaar and Khushalsar
Lakes
14
Haigam Rakh
15
*Kranchu
16
*Malangpora
17
*Malgam
18
*Manasbal Lake
19
*Narkora
20
Naranbagh Lake
21
*Nowgam
22
Pangong Tso
23
*Salal Reservoir
Name of the
Nearest
Village/Town
3
Sauora
HazratbalSrinagar
Hanle
Srinagar
Zainakote
Industrial
Estate
Sopore
Thicksey
Mirgund
SoporeBandipora
Name of the
District
4
Srinagar
Srinagar
Ladakh
Badgam
Srinagar and
Badgam
Baramulla
Ladakh
Srinagar and
Badgam
Udhampur
Baramulla
Srinagar
Chushul
Srinagar
Baramulla
Srinagar
Kashmir Valley
Srinagar
Srinagar
Srinagar
Srinagar
Srinagar
Srinagar
Leh
-
Baramullah
Srinagar
Baramulla
Udhampur
:
2,22,23,600 ha.
14.
Forest Area
:
20,23,000 ha. (9.10%)
Latitude
(N)
Longitude
(E)
5
6
34° 20’
74° 82’
34° 06’
74° 52’
32°55’
34°08’
34° 05’
78°55’
74°43’
74° 05’
1,670.00
1,300.00
1,375.00
34° 10’
34°10’
74° 10
77°80’
900.00
-
34° 08’
74° 38’
32° 45’
34° 16’
75° 05’
74° 33’
300.00
350.00
18,900.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
34° 18’
33° 35’
-
74° 39’
78° 45’
-
17.00
11,000.00
-
Freshwater
Brackishwater
Freshwater
34° 15’
34°15’
34° 12’
33° 50’
30°08’
74° 31’
74°40’
74° 41’
78° 35’
74°50’
1
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
2
Shallabugh Lake and
Marshes
Shey Marshes
*Tso morari
*Tullamulla
Surinsar Lake
Tso Kar Basin
Waskursar Lakes
Area
(ha.)
Ecological
Category
7
8
680.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
1,400.00
56.00
127.00
416.00
0.16
533.00
24.30
305.00
65,000.00
1,000.00
3
Kashmir Valley
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Brackishwater
Freshwater
4
Leh
Leh
Srinagar
Jammu
Srinagar
Baramulla
-
JHARKHAND
S.No.
Name of the Wetland
1
2
MAN-MADE WETLANDS
1
*An raj
2
*Aratad
3
*Bachra
4
*Baghi
5
*Balha
6
*Bankheta
7
*Banutikar
8
*Baradavi
9
*Bareni
10
*Barhi
11
*Bariatu
12
*Barkol
13
*Batane
14
*Buchauopa Dam
15
*Canal Dam
16
*Caura Nala
17
*Chandwa
18
*Chatran
5
6
34° 10’
74° 42’
34° 10’
32° 07’
75° 02’
33° 05’
34° 18’
77° 90’
78° 03’
32° 46’
78° 05’
74° 39’
Name of the
Nearest
Village/Town
3
7
750.00
12,000.00
237.00
20.40
20,000.00
38.00
Name of the
District
4
Garhwa
Palamu & Latehar
Palamu & Latehar
Palamu & Latehar
Garhwa
Palamu & Latehar
Palamu & Latehar
Palamu & Latehar
Palamu & Latehar
Hazaribagh
Ranchi
Palamu & Latehar
Palamu & Latehar
Ranchi
Dumka & Jamtara
Palamu & Latehar
Palamu & Latehar
Palamu & Latehar
8
Freshwater
Freshwater
Brackishwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
:
79,70,000 ha.
2. Forest Area
:
23,60,500 ha. (29.61%)
Latitude
(N)
Longitude
(E)
5
6
7
-
-
200.00
20.00
45.00
30.00
120.00
20.00
36.00
20.00
15.00
20.00
30.00
25.00
300.00
45.00
10,000.00
35.00
30.00
25.00
3
-
1
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
2
*Chandil Dam
*Chauna
*Chaurasi
*Chauria
*Chhat pond
*Chuhianala
*Dhanraita
*Farakka Bandh
*Garga Dam
*Getalsud Dam
*Gonda Dam
*Hatia Dam
*Jamunia
*Jdaipura
*Jhabarkund
*Jharia
*Kahualahana Ratu
*Kalkari
*Kanaldah
Area
(ha.)
Ecological
Category
8
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
4
West Singhbhum
Palamu & Latehar
Palamu & Latehar
Palamu & Latehar
Dhanbad
Palamu & Latehar
Palamu & Latehar
Garhwa
Dhanbad
Ranchi
Hazaribagh
Ranchi
Hazaribagh
Palamu & Latehar
Palamu & Latehar
Palamu & Latehar
Ranchi
Ranchi
Palamu & Latehar
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
*Kanke Dam
*Kans
*Karma, Chotopur
*Kasna
*Khajuri
*Kharkhota
*Khikharia Par
*Komar
*Konar Dam
*Ladhuksenha, Chandwa
*Lali
*Lalmatia
*Lapung
*Latratu
*Latratu Dam
*Lohrahinda
*Lokha
*Madhigawan
*Mainamar
*Maithon Dam
*Maityon Dam
*Majuraha
*Maloya
*Mandal Dam
5
6
-
7
20.00
40.00
20.00
6.10
30.00
18.00
20.00
243.00
3,500.00
175.00
176.00
48.00
15.00
50.00
20.00
64.00
992.00
40.00
70.00
15.00
15.00
15.00
50.00
20.00
Ranchi
Ranchi
Palamu & Latehar
Palamu & Latehar
Palamu & Latehar
Palamu & Latehar
Palamu & Latehar
Palamu & Latehar
Hazaribagh
Palamu & Latehar
Palamu & Latehar
Godda
Ranchi
Giridih
Ranchi
Palamu & Latehar
Palamu & Latehar
Palamu & Latehar
Palamu & Latehar
Dhanbad
Dhanbad
Palamu & Latehar
Palamu & Latehar
Palamu & Latehar
8
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
-
-
20.00
30.00
2,792.00
40.00
15.00
20.00
80.00
80.00
30.00
25.00
15.00
30.00
20,360.00
24.00
18.00
250.00
3
-
1
62
63
64
65
66
67
2
*Manpur
*Masanjore
*Mayurakshi Dam
*Motia
*Nahwa Sarai
*Nakti Jalasay
68
69
70
*Nandini Irrigation
*Nisunia
*Palna
-
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
*Panchet Dam
*Patratu (Latehar)
*Patria
*Phangerha
*Piartad
*Piklawal Dam
*Pindrahi
*Piprahi
*Raghunathpur Dam
*Rajbandh
*Rakshinala
*Rani pond
*Reghana, Bhandaria
*Saraidih
*Sempat Bandh
*Seobandh
*Sirnia
*Sitarampur
*Sohbaria
*Sonua
-
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
4
Palamu & Latehar
Dumka and Jamtara
Hazaribagh
Palamu & Latehar
Palamu & Latehar
West Singhbhum and
Saraikela Kharsawan
Lohardagga
Palamu & Latehar
West Singhbhum &
Saraikela Kharsawan
Dhanbad
Palamu & Latehar
Palamu & Latehar
Palamu & Latehar
Palamu & Latehar
Ranchi
Palamu & Latehar
Palamu & Latehar
Ranchi
East Singhbhum
Palamu & Latehar
Dhanbad
Palamu & Latehar
Palamu & Latehar
Palamu & Latehar
Palamu & Latehar
Palamu & Latehar
East Singhbhum
Palamu & Latehar
West Singhbhum &
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
*Sufri
*Sundar Jalasay
*Tarfe
*Tatisilli
*Tenughat
*Tilaiya Dam
*Tudev
*Tulbul
*Turidih
*Udaipura
*Zatratu, Karrah
5
6
-
7
20.00
3,846.00
6,734.00
15.00
25.00
534.00
Saraikela Kharsawan
Palamu & Latehar
Godda
Palamu & Latehar
Ranchi
Giridih
Hazaribagh
Palamu & Latehar
Palamu & Latehar
Palamu & Latehar
Palamu & Latehar
Ranchi
8
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
-
-
305.00
20.00
-
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
-
-
7,640.00
15.00
15.00
20.00
38.00
24.00
17.00
20.00
12.00
18.00
35.00
6.20
30.00
48.00
30.00
30.00
25.00
516.00
45.00
-
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
-
-
20.00
257.00
20.00
16.00
6,000.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
-
-
6,457.00
30.00
25.00
12.00
12.00
300.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
KARNATAKA
S.No.
Name of the Wetland
1
2
NATURAL WETLANDS
1
Kallambella
2
Sharavathi-Valley
(Talakalale-Jog Falls)
MAN-MADE WETLANDS
3
*Agaram Tank
4
*Alahalli Tank
5
Almati Reservoir
6
*Amani Tank
7
*Amruthahalli Tank
8
*Anjanapur Reservoir
9
*Annappana-kere
10
*Attiveri Reservoir
11
*Ayyanakere Tank
12
*Bachanki Reservoir
13
*Bannergatta Tank
14
15
16
17
18
16.
*Basavanapura Tank
*Belikere Lake
Bhadra Reservoir
*Boranakanive Reservoir
*Bovi Basappanakere
Malathhalli
19
*Byramangala Reservoir
20
*Challakere Tank
21
*Chakra Reservoir
22
Chamaraja Sagar
23
*Channapana-halli Tank
24
*Chandravalli Tank
25
*Chickbanavara Tank
26
*Chickbetta-halli Tank
Name of the
Nearest
Village/Town
3
Name of the
District
4
Sira
Kargalli
Tumkur
Shimoga
Agaram
Alahalli
Almati
Bengaluru
Bengaluru
Yelchenahalli
Mundgod
Harapanahalli
Mundgod
Bannergata
National park
Mysore
Lakkavalli
University
Campus
Bengaluru
Chalakere
Bengaluru
Varthur
Chitradurga
Chickbanavara
Chickbetta-halli
Bengaluru
Bengaluru
Bijapur
Bengaluru
Bengaluru
Uttar Kannada
Davangere
Uttar Kannada
Bengaluru
Bengaluru
Chikmangalur
Bengaluru
Bengaluru
Bengaluru
Bengaluru
Bengaluru
Bengaluru
Bengaluru
:
1,91,79,100 ha.
17.
Forest Area
:
38,28,400 ha. (19.96%)
18.
Total Wetland Area
Latitude
(N)
Longitude
(E)
5
6
13° 35’
14° 05’
76° 55’
74° 25’
16° 35’
13°20’58”
13°52’
14°78’
-
Area
(ha.)
7
Ecological
Category
8
113.00
800.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
76° 89’
77°06’22”
74°05’
76°6’
-
48.38
6.13
79,000.00
184.49
9.35
698.00
2.90
27.79
2.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
-
40.06
11,700.00
1,330.00
27.10
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
13° 40’
-
75° 36’
-
-
-
1
27
2
*Chickkalasandra Tank
28
29
30
31
*Chilur Pond
*Chokkasandra Tank
Chuklinava Reservoir
*Chunchu-ghatta Tank
32
*Doddabommasandra
Tank
412.00
10.32
1,228.00
647.00
11.13
30.38
4.60
3
Banashankari III
stage layout
Honnali
Dasarahalli
Basava Kalyan
Kanakapura and
Bannergatta road
Bengaluru
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
4
Bengaluru
Davangere
Bengaluru
Bidar
Bengaluru
Bengaluru
33
34
35
36
37
*Doddakere Bagalkunte
*Doddakere Hosakerehalli
*Dorekere Uttarahalli
Dhuptal Lake Kotbdgi
*Dyavasandra
38
39
40
41
*Garebhavi-palya
*Gayatri Reservoir
Ghataprabha
*Govindanai-kana Kere
Jaraganahalli
*Gramadakere
Allalasandra
*Gudavi wetland
Hagribommanahali
*Halakere Nayandahalli
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
*Harangi Reservoir
*Harpahalli
*Hebbal Tank
*Hemavathy Reservoir
*Hennur Tank
*Hosakere
Nallakadrenahalli
*Hesarghatta Lake
*Ittamadu Tank
*Jambadahalla Reservoir
*Janardhana-kere
Vasanthapura
*K.R. Puram Tank
Kabini Reservoir
*Kacharakana-Halli Tank
*Kaggadasa-pura Tank
5
6
-
Bagalkunte
Hosakerehalli
Uttarahalli
Shirodar
Adjoining Madras
Railway line
Hosur road
Ghataprabha
Jaraganahalli
Bengaluru
Bengaluru
Bengaluru
Belgaum
Bengaluru
Yelahanks Satellite
Bengaluru
Gudavi
Hagribomanahalli
Nayandahalli
Railway station
Harpahalli
Bengaluru
Gorur
Hennur
Nallakadrenhalli
Shimoga
Bellary
Bengaluru
Banashankari III
stage layout
Vasanthapura
Bengaluru
Bengaluru
Bengaluru
Belgaum
Bengaluru
Bellary
Hassan
Bengaluru
Bengaluru
Bengaluru
K.R. Puram
Bengaluru
Mysore
Kacharakana-halli
Bengaluru
Kaggadasapura
Bengaluru
7
8
5.16
Freshwater
17° 56’
-
77° 81’
-
25.51
10.65
565.00
8.23
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
-
-
46.44
Freshwater
16° 10’
-
74° 45’
-
9.36
23.22
11.61
130.00
5.81
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
16°
-
74° 30’
-
9.03
780.00
6,837.00
32.25
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
-
-
17.42
Freshwater
14°24’59”
15° 16’
-
75°6’43”
76° 21’
-
33.00
116.00
5.80
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
12°40’
14° 77’
75° 49’
12°40’
-
76°30’
-
1,909.00
102.00
75.00
8,502.00
25.80
3.07
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
-
-
3.46
Freshwater
Freshwater
-
-
3,890.00
2.58
Freshwater
Freshwater
11° 57’
-
76° 10’
-
1
60
61
2
*Kaikondana Tank
*Kamagondanahalli Tank
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
*Kamakshipalya Tank
*Kanva Reservoir
Karanjia
*Kasavanahalli Tank
*Konenakunte Tank
*Kasimkhananakere Gublal
*Kelaginakere Amblipura
*Kelaginakere Byrasandra
*Kelaginkere Valgerahalli
*Kodagikere Shingasandra
*Kothnur Tank
73
74
75
76
*Kowdenahalli Tank
*Krishnaraja sagar
*Kundalahalli Tank
*Kunthur and Kallur Lakes
77
*Linganamakki Reservoir
Freshwater
21.78
6,100.00
Freshwater
22.57
Freshwater
17.74
Freshwater
3
4
Sarjapura Road
Bengaluru
HMT ancillary
Bengaluru
industries
Bengaluru
Bidar
Bidar
Sarjapura road
Bengaluru
Kanakapura
Bengaluru
Gublal
Bengaluru
Sarjapura road
Bengaluru
HAL industrial area Bengaluru
Kengeri Satellite
Bengaluru
Shingasandra
Bengaluru
Kanakapura and
Bengaluru
Bannergatta road
I.T.I colony
Bengaluru
Mysore
Mandya
Varthur road
Bengaluru
Kollegal
Chamaraja
nagar
-
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
*Lingambudhi Lake
*Maddur Lake
*Madivala Lake
*Machikere Doddakalasandra
Manchanbele
Manjra Reservoir
Malaprabha Reservoir
*Markonahalli Reservoir
*Melinakere Amblipura
*Melinakere Byrasandra
*Mogakere Uttarahalli
*Mylasandra Tank
*Nagavara Tank
Nagora Reservoir
*Nugu Reservoir
*Narasappana-kere KariObanahalli
*Narasipura Tank
*Narayanapura Tank
Narayanpur Reservoir
*Narihala Sarovar
*Narasambudhi Lake
5
6
-
Mysore
Maddur
Bengaluru
Kanakapura
Manchanbele
Kushnoor
Agaram
Uttarahalli
Kengeri
Nagavara
Kadwad
Nallakadrenahalli
Mysore
Mandya
Bengaluru
Bengaluru
Bidar
Tumkur
Bengaluru
Bengaluru
Bengaluru
Bengaluru
Bengaluru
Bidar
Bengaluru
Jalahalli
Bengaluru
B. Narayanapura
Bengaluru
Sidjapur
Bijapur
Ettnahatti
Bellary
Nanjangud
Mysore
7
8
27.09
Freshwater
11.29
Freshwater
17° 53’
-
77° 19’
-
114.16
440.00
5,261.00
17.42
3.71
6.08
3.23
4.52
10.81
8.71
6.78
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
-
-
18.06
12,500.00
10.48
500.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
-
32,600.00
76.00
4,220.00
115.00
8.87
329.00
2,833.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
-
-
-
12°40’
12°52’
18° 87’
77°10’
77°38’
77° 19’
15°45’
12°55’0”
17° 48’
11°58’
-
76°55”
77° 28’
-
-
-
1
99
100
101
2
*Nelligudda Reservoir
*Puttanahalli Tank
*Ramasamudra Tank
102
*Ranganthittoo Wildlife
Sanctuary
*Sankey Tank
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
*Shanthinagar Pond
*Shingasandra Tank
*Srigandha-kaval Tank
*Subbaraya-nakere
Doddakalasandra
*Tank between Hulimavu &
Arakere
*Tank north of Doresanipalya
118
*Tank of east Benniganahalli
*Tank north west of
Nayandahalli
*Tank of east Haralur
*Tank of east Ibblur
*Tank of east Parappana
Agrahara
*Tank of south Bilaakanahalli
*Tank of south
Mangammanapalya
*Tank of West
Doddanakkundi
*Tank west of Nagarbhavi
119
Thungabhadra Dam
112
113
114
115
116
117
13,578.00
1,337.00
19.33
5.48
7.10
11.94
43.86
660.00
1,398.00
4.52
8.06
13,200.00
279.00
840.00
3
Bengaluru
Bengaluru
Karkal
Mysore
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
4
Bengaluru
Dakshina
Kannada
Mandya
Malleswaram and
Sadashivanagar
Shanthinagar
Shingasandra
Magadi road
-
Bengaluru
Hulimavu &
Arakere
West of
Bannergatta Road
Salem Railway line
Pantharapalya
Bengaluru
Sarjapur road
Sarjapura road
New Central Jail
Bengaluru
Bengaluru
Bengaluru
Bannergatta road
Hosur road
Bengaluru
Bengaluru
Doddanakkundi
Bengaluru
Bengaluru
University Campus
Hospet
Bengaluru
Shimoga
Bengaluru
Bengaluru
Bengaluru
Bengaluru
Bengaluru
Bengaluru
Bellary and
Raichur
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
*Talapady Lagoon
*Tinnalu Tank
Tungabhadra River Ele
Bichalli Point
*Tunga Reservoir
Upper Mullamar Reservoir
*Ulsoor Tank
*Urumundina-kere
Vibhuthipura
*Varthur
5
6
13° 13’
74°55’
12°25’
76°45’
-
-
13°27’
-
Mangalore
Bengaluru
-
Bengaluru
Raichur
Kherda
Bengaluru
HAL industrial area
Bidar
Bengaluru
Bengaluru
Bengaluru
7
80.00
11.89
-
Bengaluru
8
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
67.00
Freshwater
-
Freshwater
74°38’
-
2.02
0.60
1.00
1.13
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
-
-
15.16
Freshwater
-
-
20.64
Freshwater
-
-
20.64
4.52
Freshwater
Freshwater
-
-
5.16
9.03
15.65
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
-
-
4.53
3.23
Freshwater
Freshwater
-
-
47.08
Freshwater
-
-
3.55
Freshwater
15° 15’
79° 20’
37,800.00
Freshwater
12° 47’
16°21’
74° 51’
77°21’
20.00
3.87
-
17° 42’
77° 81’
1,228.00
2,800.00
Brackish water
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
-
-
50.00
14.83
2
*Varahi Reservoir
*Venkappana-kere
Uttarahalli
*Vijinapura Tank
*Votehole Reservoir
*VV Sagar Reservoir
*Yediyur Tank
*Yennehole lake
147.80
3
-
1
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
Uttarahalli
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
4
Bengaluru
East of Bellary road
Jayanagar
Mysore
Bengaluru
Bengaluru
-
KERALA
S.No.
Name of the Wetland
1
2
NATURAL WETLANDS
1
*Ashtamudi
2
Cochin backwaters
3
Kadinakulam
4
Karinilam Lake
5
Kottampalli Swamps
6
*Kadalundy Estuary
7
Madyi Swamps
8
Padasekharms
9
Parambikulam Dam
10
Parravoor
11
Peruvatipallom
12
*Sasthamkotta Lake
13
*Vembanad-Kol
MAN-MADE WETLANDS
14
Ambalamugam tank
5
6
-
Name of the
Nearest
Village/Town
3
Name of the
District
Kollam
Cochin
Trivandrum
Aroor, Thuravoor
Kottampalli
Kozhikod
Palayangadi
Alleppey
Palghat
Mayyanad
Pollachi
Sasthamkotta
Alappuzha, Kochi
and Thrissur
Kollam
Trivandrum
Alleppey
Cannanore
Kozhikod
Cannanore
Alleppery
Wayanad
Kollam
Palghat
Kollam
Alappuzha,
Ernakulam and
Thrissur
Ernakulam
Ernakulam
8
Freshwater
7
2,560.00
4
-
-
7.10
Freshwater
13°51’
-
-
6.45
690.00
8,759.00
6.45
80.94
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
:
38,86,300 ha.
2. Forest Area
: 11,26,500
ha. (28.99%)
3. Total Wetland Area
Longitude
(E)
5
6
08°57'
09°30’
09° 05’
09° 20’
11° 56’
11°05’
12° 00’
09° 25’
10° 20’
09° 00’
10° 30’
09° 03’
09°50'
76°35'
76°13’
76° 30’
76° 15’
75° 29’
75°51’
75° 15’
76° 15’
76° 37’
76° 30’
76° 45’
76° 36’
76°45'
61,400.00
25,600.00
119.00
1,126.00
2,500.00
28.48
2,500.00
7,032.00
2,122.00
1,487.00
289.00
373.00
151,250.00
Brackishwater
Brackishwater
Brackishwater
Brackishwater
Brackishwater
Brackishwater
Brackishwater
Brackishwater
Freshwater
Brackishwater
Brackishwater
Freshwater
Brackishwater
09° 09’
76° 04’
124.00
3
Malappuram
Munnar
Freshwater
4
Malappuram
Idukki
Kollamgode
Vazhathope
Pathanamthitta
Manjeri
Palghat
Idukki
Pathanamthitta
Malapuram
1
15
16
17
18
19
20
2
*Azhinhillam
Anayirangal
Reservoir
Chuliar Reservoir
Idukki
Kakki Reservoir
Kanhirapuzha
Area
(ha.)
Ecological
Category
Latitude
(N)
7
8
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
*Kumarakom
Mangrove
Kundala Mattupetty
Reservoir
*Kuttanad
*Kuttiadi Lake
Mangalam
*Mangalavanam
Mangrove
*Meenkara Reservoir
Neyyar Reservoir
Pampa Reservoir
Peechi Dam
Reservoir
*Peppara Dam
Reservoir
Peringal Kuthu
Reservoir
*Periyar Lake
Ponmudi Reservoir
*Pookot Lake
Pothundi Reservoir
*Puduvyppu
Mangrove
Sholai Reservori
Vazhani Reservori
*Veli-Aukulam lake
*Vellayani Lake
Walayar Reservoir
Kottayam
-
Munnar
Idukki
Peruvannamuzhi
Alattu
Cochin
Kozhikode
Palghat
-
Kattakkada
Vandipariyar
-
Trivandrum
Thitta
Trichur
Thiruvananthapuram
Chalakudi
Thiruvanantha
puram
Trichur
Kumuli
Nedukandam
Vythiri
Nemmara
-
Idukki
Idukki
Wynad
Palghat
Eranakulam
Sholayar
Vadkanlherri
Thiruvandrum
Thiruvandrum
Chullimada
Trichur
Trichur
Thiruvandrum
Palghat
5
10° 00’
6
77° 13’
7
30.00
433.00
10° 35’
09° 49’
09° 19’
11° 20’
9°37’
76° 45’
76° 55’
77° 05’
76° 10’
76°26’
316.00
6,000.00
753.00
100.00
44.00
10° 09’
77° 13’
323.00
09° 8’
-
76°19’
-
1,052.00
8
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Brackishwater
Freshwater
Brackishwater
Freshwater
10° 35’
9°59’
76° 32’
76°16’
399.00
2.80
Freshwater
Brackishwater
08° 35’
09° 30’
10°30’
77° 10’
77° 05’
76°15’
108.00
1,500.00
323.00
1,578.30
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
08°7’
76°40’
-
Freshwater
10° 15’
76° 15’
263.00
Freshwater
09° 34’
10° 00’
11°34’24”
10° 35’
9°58’
76° 40’
77° 00’
76°1’24”
76° 35’
76°10’
2,600.00
280.00
750.00
363.00
100.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
10° 10
10° 33’
8°31’30”
8°24’90”
10° 45’
76° 09’
76° 18’
76°54’39”
76°59’08”
76° 52’
870.00
255.00
550.00
259.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
Brackishwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
MADHYA PRADESH
S.No.
19.
Name of the Wetland
1
2
NATURAL WETLANDS
1
Devanand Lake
2
Mandleshwar Lake
3
Upper Lake
MAN-MADE WETLANDS
4
Alwasa Tank
5
*Ataria
6
*Bargi Reservoir
7
Barna
8
*Barnoo Reservoir
9
*Basania
10
*Beda Upper
11
*Bhoj Tal (Upper & Lower)
12
Budhwadah
13
*Chandpata Lake
14
Charoda Tank
15
*Chhota Tawa
16
*Chiklod Lake
17
*Chunabhatti Lake
18
*Dahod Reservoir
19
Dhali Tank
20
*Dhobatoria
21
*Dobdia Pond
22
*Dihaila Jheel
23
*Dudhi
24
*Dulhara Tank
25
*Gandhisagar Reservoir
26
Ganga Talao
27
*Gantal
28
*Gopalpura Tank
29
*Govindgarh Lake
Name of the
Nearest
Village/Town
3
Name of the
District
4
Chirmiri
Mandleshwar
-
Surguja
East Nimar
Bhopal
Khachrod
Mankhedi
Bari
Bhopal
Budha
Shivpuri
Charoda
Dhali
West Nimar
Karera
Bilaspur
Kari Kasba
Guna
-
Ujjain
Jabalpur
Raisen
Bhopal
Shahdole
Shivpuri
Raipur
Bhopal
Bhopal
Raisen
Dewas
Shivpuri
Bilaspur
Mandsaur
East Nimar
Guna
Rewa
: 3,08,14,400 ha.
20.
Forest Area
:
94,68,900 ha. (30.72%)
21.
Total Wetland Area
Latitude
(N)
Longitude
(E)
5
6
23° 10’
22° 10’
23°16’
82° 20’
75° 05
77°25’
23° 25’
75° 15’
22°56’30”
79°56’30”
23° 00’
77° 55’
23° 16’
77° 25’
24° 05’
81° 25’
25° 26’
77°42’
21° 35’
82° 25’
77°42’
23°7’
23°18’
77°27’
23°02’
77°29’30”
22° 33’
76° 48’
22° 10’
74° 54’
25°35’
78°05’
22°1’2”
82°5’32”
24°44’
75°33’
22° 15’
75° 45’
23°90’
76°85’
1
2
30
Gwal Sagar
31
*Halali Reservoir
32
*Halon
33
Harsi
34
*Indira Sagar
35
*Jagat Sagar Pond
36
37
Jastakhedi Tank
*Jobat
Area
(ha.)
7
150.00
100.00
3,800.00
190.00
2,161.00
27,296.00
7,705.00
75.60
14,201.00
1,300.00
3,201.00
900.00
300.00
100.00
2,914.00
250.00
820.00
150.00
1,801.00
9.60
370.00
3,849.00
77.00
66,000.00
195.00
1,092.00
600.00
307.38
3
CggatarpurJhasituated
Karohan
-
Ecological
Category
8
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
4
Tikamargh
Raisen/Vidisha
Gwalior
Rewa
Ujjain
-
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
*Kaliasaut Reservoir
*Kerwa Reservoir
Kharkhara Tank
*Khnop Reservoir
Khudia Tanks (Maniar)
Khunta Ghat
*Kolar reservoir
*Loni Reservoir
*Lower Gol
*Machna Annicut Dam
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
*Machrawa
Madan Sagar
*Maheshwar
*Makroda Reservoir
*Man
Maramsili Reservoir
*Morand
Nagda Reservoir
*Nani Barwani Pond
*Omkareshwar
Padlia Tank
*Panchana Reservoir
*Raghavpur
Rampur Tank
*Ranital
*Rosra
*Sagar Lake
*Sampna Reservoir
*Sardar Sarovar
*Sarni Reservoir
*Shahpura Lake
*Shakkar
*Sher
5
6
23° 02’
75° 00’
23°30’
77°30’
25°01’
79°29’
23° 04’
22°58’
22° 45’
24°58’15”
22° 45’
22° 11’
75° 47’
77°21’
81°00’
79°38’15”
84°
82° 12’
Bhopal
Bhopal
Lohara
Chhatarpur
Khudia
Lawakheri
Vivekanand
Nagar
Guna
Rudri
Pichhore
Barwani
Basin Padlia
Rampur
Chhatarpur
Sagar
Bhopal
7
280.00
7,712.00
2,070.00
2,560.00
91,348.00
307.38
120.00
970.37
482.00
2,816.00
250.00
2,525.00
3,807.00
Bhopal
Bhopal
Durg
Chhatarpur
Bilaspur
Bilaspur
Sehore
Rewa
Betul
Tikamargh
Guna
Raipur
Shivpuri
Ujjain
Guna
Betul
Betul
Bhopal
8
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
1
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
22°58’
25°7’
21°55’
77°21’
81°30’
77°54’
2,380.00
202.00
1,020.00
-
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
23° 30’
24°43’30”
28° 29’
25° 01’
22° 35’
23° 35’
22° 45’
26° 20’
23°50’
22°8’30”
23°18’
-
75° 00’
77°16’0”
81° 39’
78° 01’
74° 52’
75° 05’
77° 10’
78° 59’
78°45’
77°11’
77°27’
-
506.87
444.00
4,856.00
6,516.00
1,077.00
2,529.00
1,940.00
358.00
7.00
9,393.00
151.00
1,240.00
2,373.00
100.00
3,200.00
82.00
262.00
37,030.00
1,012.00
260.00
2,121.00
2,256.00
3
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
4
2
*Shivpuri National Park
(Madhav)
Silar Khedi Tank
*Sitarewa
*Sukta
Tandhula Tank
*Tawa Reservoir
*Tekanpur Reservoir
*Undasa Tank
*Upper Narmada
Upper Burhner
*Waghyanala Reservoir
Yeshwant Sagar
MAHARASHTRA
-
-
Silarkhedi
Tanhula Balod
Gwalior
Undasa
-
Ujjain
Durg
Hoshanghabad
Gwalior
Ujjain
Chhindwara
Indore
S.No.
Name of the Wetland
1
2
NATURAL WETLANDS
1
*Bhategaon Dam
MAN-MADE WETLANDS
2
*Adgaon Reservoir
3
*Ambedkar Tank
4
Aner Reservoir
5
Ashti Tank
6
Atapadi Talao
7
Balwadi Tank
8
*Belkheda Reservoir
9
Bendsura Tank
10
Bhohehal Tank
11
*Bhosi Reservoir
5
25°45’
23° 05’
20° 40’
22°30’40”
23° 00’
21°42’
22° 43’
Name of the
Nearest
Village/Town
3
Kolhapur
Chopra
Ashti
Atapadi
Balwadi
Pali
Bhohehal
6
77°40’
75° 50’
81° 10’
77°58’30”
78.18°
75° 00’
78.47’
75° 42’
Name of the
District
4
Parbhani
Parbhani
Kolhapur
Sholapur
Sangli
Sangli
Parbhani
Beed
Sholapur
Parbhani
7
8
156,150.00
Freshwater
240.00
947.00
1,350.00
400.00
20,055.00
192.00
3,043.23
6,154.84
293.50
1,025.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
:
3,07,71,300 ha.
2. Forest Area
: 61,93,900
ha. (20.13%)
Latitude
(N)
Longitude
(E)
Area
(ha.)
Ecological
Category
1
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
5
6
19°25’
77°25’
46.94
Freshwater
16°42’
17° 50’
17° 25’
17° 10’
18° 55’
17° 25’
-
74°14’
75° 20’
74° 55’
74° 27’
74° 45’
75° 10’
-
27.00
1.20
800.00
1,168.00
177.00
1,278.00
37.00
215.00
661.00
37.00
3
Hingni
Naldurg
Pimpalwadi
Amravati
Manjar
Dhom
Gadchiroli
Malegaon
Hadi
Katgaon
Jalgaon
Holgi
Isapur
Gothan Gaon
-
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
4
Thane
Osmanabad
Parbhani
Osmanabad
Parbhani
Amravati
Parbhani
Parbhani
Beed
Parbhani
Satara
Solapur
Gadchiroli
Nashik
Osmanabad
Nashik
Osmanabad
Osmanabad
Jalgaon
Solapur
Sholapur
Yavatmal
Bhandara
Nanded
Tuljapur
Junoni
Nimboli
Kamthikhairy
Solapur
Aurangabad
Parbhani
Sholapur
Beed
Nagpur
2
Bordharan Tank
*Bori Reservoir
*Bothi Reservoir
Chandni Jheel (Tank)
*Charthana Reservoir
Chhatri Tank
*Chincholi Reservoir
*Devgaon Reservoir
Dhane-Gaon Sarovar
*Dhegaon Reservoir
*Dhom Reservoir
*Ekruk Reservoir
Gadchiroli Lake
*Gangapur Dam
Ghirni Reservoir
*Girna Reservoir
*Hadi Mangrove
*Hangarga Reservoir
*Haranbaree Dam
Harmi (Tank)
*Hartala Lake
*Hingni Reservoir
Holgi Tank
Isapur Reservoir
Itiadoh Reservoir
*Jagatunga Samudra
Reservoir
*Jawalgaon Reservoir
*Jayakawadi Reservori
*Jogwada Reservoir
Junoni Tank
Kada Tank
Kamthikhairy Dam
7
8
44 Kanholi Dam
45 *Karpara Reservoir
46 Karwand Reservoir
47 Karwati Reservoir
48 *Kas lake
49 Kharbav Lake
50 *Khatijapur Tank
51 Kaurli Tank
52 Kewda Reservoir
53 Khadakvasla
5
6
20° 50’
78° 40’
18° 10’
75° 40’
22° 55’
75° 40’
17°50’
73°33’
18° 20’
76° 45’
16°08’38”
73°28’36”
74°11’23”
18° 00’
76° 00’
17° 40’
75° 50’
20° 50’
79° 30’
18°15’
77°40’
19° 30’
18° 10’
18° 56’
21° 00’
21° 27’
21° 20’
-
75° 20’
75°
76° 26’
78° 05’
74° 55’
74° 50’
-
Wuna
Sangui
Shirpur
Satara
Kharbav
Achalpur
Dhanora
Khadakvasla
7
300.00
746.00
47.00
900.00
38.00
126.00
25.00
27.00
4,390.00
17.00
2,021.00
1,842.51
284.90
948.00
5,420.00
368.00
1,005.65
319.00
9,830.00
6,350.00
858.00
40,000.00
39.00
111.00
222.00
2,330.00
333.00
551.00
555.00
487.00
300.00
-
Nagpur
Parbhani
Dhule
Dhule
Satara
Thane
Amravati
Beed
Parbhani
Pune
8
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Brackishwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
21°50’
18° 56’
18° 28’
1
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
78°44’
75° 40’
73° 51’
3.50
126.00
37.00
1,554.00
2
3
Khandala Talao
Khandala
*Khan Lake
Sangli
Khasapur Tank
Khasapur
Khehal Reservoir
Khodasi Weir
*Kodri Reservoir
*Kotiteerth Reservoir Koyna Reservoir
Deshmukhwadi
Kurnoor Tank
Naldurg
Larna Dam
Nandgaon
(Lake Beale)
*Lonar Lake
Laxmi Reservoir
Radhangari
Mahasagri
Mahasagri
Majalgaon Reservoir Majalgaon
Malangaon
Kondai Bari
Malkhed Tank
Malkhed Bascapur
*Mandvi Reservoir
Mangi Tank
Mangi
*Manjara Dam
Kaij
Mangrool Tank
Polyachtwadi
*Mannath Reservoir *Marsul Reservoir
*Masoli Reservoir
*Masunda Lake
Thane
*Medha Reservoir
Satara
Mehekri Tank
Pimpelgaon
Mukti Tank
Dhulia City
Mula Dam
Rahuri
Mulshi Lake
Mulshi
*Nakhatwadi
Reservoir
Nandur
Nasik
Madhameshwar
*Nathsagar Reservoir Nirguna
*Palas-Nilegaon
Reservoir
*Panshet Dam
*Panzara Dam
Pathari Tank
*Pathri Reservoir
5
18° 00’
6
73° 23’
Chordhi
Bhabulgaon
Pune
Pimpalner
Pathari
7
106.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
4
Pune
Osmanabad
Parbhani
Satara
Parbhani
Satara
Osmanabad
Nasik
Buldhana
Kolhapur
Beed
Beed
Dhule
Amravati
Parbhani
Sholapur
Beed
Nanded
Parbhani
Parbhani
Parbhani
Thane
Satara
Beed
Dhule
Ahmednagar
Pune
Parbhani
Nasik
Paithan,
Aurangabad
Akola
Osmanabad
Dhule
Sholapur
Solapur
8
Freshwater
18° 15’
17° 10’
17° 25’
17° 45’
19° 45’
75° 25’
74° 10’
73° 55’
76° 15’
73° 40’
50.00
524.00
36.00
8,195.00
48.00
11,535.00
666.00
3,467.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
76°34’00”
74° 00’
75° 28
75° 55’
74° 05’
77° 50’
75° 10’
75°15’
75° 00’
74° 55’
74° 25’
75° 25’
-
1,936.00
220.00
8,080.00
223.00
233.00
34.00
395.00
1,490.00
108.00
44.58
80.00
373.00
357.00
238.00
5,358.00
1,500.00
43.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
20°01’
74°07’
10,012.73
Freshwater
-
-
35,000.00
Freshwater
20° 30’
-
76° 10’
-
430.00
206.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
20°55’1’’
18° 10’
-
74° 05’30’’
75° 40’
-
19°58’45”
16° 20’
18° 48’
19° 10
21° 05’
20° 45’
18° 20’
18°25’
18° 52’
20° 50’
19° 12’
18° 30’
-
1
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
2
*Pawashi Tank
Pawna Dam
*Ped Reservoir
*Pedgaon Reservoir
*Pethwadaj Dam*
*Powai Lake
Puramapala & Kutha
6,478.00
274.00
276.00
3
Pawashi
Maval
Ped
Kallali
East Mumbai
Arvi
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
4
Sindhudurga
Nagpur
Sangli
Parbhani
Nanded
Dhule
Tanks
97 Pus Reservoir
98 Radhangiri Dam
99 *Ramdara Reservoir
100 *Rankala Lake
101 *Ranisavargaon Reservoir
102 *Ratnagiri Mangrove
103 *Rishi Lake
104 Rukadi Tank
105 Ruti-Tank
106 *Salim Ali Lake
107 *Shambhu Lake
108 Shelpada Tank
109 Siddeshwar Reservoir
110 *Siddhewadi Reservoir
111 Sindphana Tank
112 Sirpiraji Rao Tank
113 *Sirur Dam
114 Spatne Tank
115 *Suki Dam
116 Talwar Tank
117 *Talalwadi Reservoir
118 Tanaji Sagar
119 Thirna Tank
120 Totleadoh Dam (Pench
Project)
121 *Ujani Reservoir
122 Velhala Lake
123 *Wadali Lake
124 Waghadi Reservoir
125 Warna Reservoir
126 Wau Tank
127 *Yamai Lake
128 *Yedshi Lake
129 *Yeldari Reservoir
130 *Yesaji Sagar
5
6
16°02’
70°42’
16°46’
73°42’
19° 8’
72° 54’
20° 40’
74° 40’
19° 54’
16° 24’
16°42’
-
77° 40’
73° 58’
74°14’
-
Wanwana
Radhangiri
Kolhapar-Goa road
Kolhapura
Ruti
Aurangabad
Dahivadi
Nawhar
Siddeshwar
Ped
Higewadi
Mursud
Sirur
Spatne
Devigaon
Panshet
Thirna
Ramtek
Yavatmal
Kolhapur
Osmanabad
Parbhani
Ratnagiri
Washim
Kolhapur
Beed
Satara
Thane
Parbhani
Sangli
Beed
Kolhapur
Nanded
Sholapur
Jalgaon
Beed
Parbhani
Pune
Osmanabad
Nagpur
Velhala
Amravati
Waghadi
Warna
Pimpelgaon
Khatav
Yedshi
Sangavi
Bhor (Taluka)
7
1,049.00
2,300.00
33.20
80.00
210.00
353.00
Solapur
Jalgaon
Yavatmal
Sangli
Beed
Satara
Washim
Parbhani
Pune
8
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
800.00
1,800.00
690.00
21.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
16°58’
20° 29’
18° 40’
18° 48’
17°59’
19° 50’
19° 00’
16°46’
19° 00’
16° 40’
18° 00’
21°18’
18° 45’
18° 18’
18° 20’
-
73°17’
77° 29’
74° 10’
75° 18’
74°53’
73° 10’
76° 40’
73°42’
75° 23’
74° 10’
75° 25’
75°54’30”
75° 10’
73° 40’
76° 05’
-
214.02
100.00
249.00
16.18
125.00
3,400.00
200.48
294.00
120.00
129.00
145.00
45.00
1,500.00
640.00
7,750.00
Brackishwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
18° 03’
20° 55’
20°55’
21° 10’
16° 38’
18° 52’
17°33’
20°22’
18° 43’
18° 10’
74° 38’
75° 50’
77°48’
73° 40’
74° 35’
76° 25’
74°23’
77°14’
76° 43’
73° 50’
35,000.00
0.50
658.00
2,900.00
346.00
10,200.00
3,800.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
MANIPUR
S.No.
Name of the Wetland
1
2
NATURAL WETLANDS
1
Kharung Pat
2
Loktak Lake
3
*Naorem 00pat
4
Pumplen Pat
5
Takmu Lake
MAN-MADE WETLANDS
6
*Alongbikhok Pat
7
*Heingang Pat
8
*Ikop lake
9
Keibul Lamjao National
Park
10
Kharung Lake
11
*Karam Pat
12
*Loushi Pat
13
Phumlen Lake
14
*Poirom Pat
15
*Sana Pat Lake
16
*Utra Pat
17
*Ushooipokpi Pat
18
*Waithuou Pat, Punem Pat
19
*Yankha Pat
22.
: 22,32,700 ha.
23.
Forest Area
: 17,41,800 ha. (78.01%)
24.
Total Wetland Area
Name of the
Nearest
Village/Town
3
Name of the
District
4
Sekmaijin
Moirange
Nambol
Ithai
Thanga
Bishnupur
Bishnupur
Bishnupur
Bishnupur
Bishnupur
Imphal
Imphal
Thoubal
Imphal East
Thoubal
-
Imphal
Imphal
Thoubal
Thoubal
Thoubal
Thoubal
Imphal East
Bishnupur
Bishnupur
Thoubal
Thoubal
Imphal East
-
Latitude
(N)
Longitude
(E)
Area
(ha.)
5
6
24° 26’
-
93° 49’
-
500.00
26,600.00
100.00
200.00
13,000.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
24° 31’
24° 40’
93° 52’
93° 57’
225.00
62.00
1,350.00
2,160.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
24° 15’- 25° 30’
24° 15’- 25° 30’
24°40’
24°41’
-
94° 00’-94° 15’
94° 00’-94° 15’
93°51’
93°58’
-
2,557.50
65.00
1,864.00
3,188.00
810.00
282.00
185.00
65.00
455.00
85.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
7
Ecological
Category
8
MEGHALAYA
S.No.
Name of the Wetland
1
2
NATURAL WETLANDS
1
Umiam Lake
MAN-MADE WETLANDS
2
*Khandong
3
*Umiam Reservoir
4
*Ward’s Lake
Name of the
Nearest
Village/Town
3
Name of the
District
4
-
East Khasi Hill
Jayantia Hills
Shillong
Ri-Bhoi
Khasi Hills
NAGALAND
S.No.
Name of the Wetland
1
2
NATURAL WETLANDS
1
Baghty
2
Pimla & Dhansari
25.
Name of the
Nearest
Village/Town
3
Makolkla and Akok
Dimapur
Name of the
District
4
Dokha
Kohima
: 22,42,900 ha.
26.
Forest Area
:
9,49,600 ha. (42.34%)
27.
Total Wetland Area
Latitude
(N)
Longitude
(E)
5
6
25° 05’
91° 09’
25°39’30”
25º 34’
91°43’51”
91º 32’
Area
(ha.)
Ecological
Category
7
8
400.00
Freshwater
1,335.00
500.00
2.88
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
:
16,57,900 ha.
2. Forest Area
:
9,22,200 ha. (55.62%)
Latitude
(N)
Longitude
(E)
Area
(ha.)
5
6
7
-
-
100.00
110.00
Ecological
Category
8
Fresh water
Fresh water
ORISSA
S.No.
28.
Name of the Wetland
1
2
NATURAL WETLANDS
1
*Bhitarkanika mangrove
2
*Chilka Lake
3
Dagara Chanda
4
Kharasaha
5
Musabila
MAN-MADE WETLANDS
6
Badjore Tank
7
Balimela (Chitrakonda)
8
Bhanja Nagar Reservoir
9
Bhaskal Reservoir
10
*Chitrakonda Dam
11
Dadraghati
12
Daha
13
Daya-Ghargavi
14
Derjanga Reservoir
15
Dhanei Talao
16
Dumerbahl
17
Godahado
18
*Hirakud Reservoir
19
Kalo
20
Kanjhari
21
Kathjudi-KushabhadraDoab
22
Khadkei
23
Kushabhadra-BhargaviDoab
24
Luna-Birupa-BrahmaniDoab
25
Luna-Chitrotpale-Doab
26
Machakund
Name of the
Nearest
Village/Town
3
Name of the
District
4
Balugaon
Dagara
Kharashapur
Bhamargaon
Kendrapara
Ganjam and Puri
Balasore
Balasore
Balasore
Bethati
Chitrakonda
Bhanja Nagar
Umer Kote
Rangathali
Indagada
Angul
Chirkipada
Sambalpur
Chuinpost
-
Mayurbhanj
Koraput
Ganjam
Koraput
Dhenkanal
Ganjam
Puri
Dhenkanal
Ganjam
Kalahandi
Ganjam
Mayurbhanj
Keonjhar
Cuttack
Suleipur
Renapur
Mayurbhanj
Puri
-
Cuttack
Nagaspur
Jalaput
Cuttack
Koraput
: 1,55,70,700 ha.
29.
Forest Area
:
58,13,600 ha. (58.14%)
30.
Total Wetland Area
Latitude
(N)
Longitude
(E)
5
6
20°39'
19° 28’
21° 34’
21° 10’
21° 45’
86°54'
85° 06’
87° 17’
86° 45’
87° 10’
65,000.00
116,500.00
1,000.00
500.00
400.00
Brackishwater
Brackishwater
Brackishwater
Brackishwater
Freshwater
21° 40’
18° 02’
14° 57’
19° 43’
21° 03’
19° 50’
20° 00
20° 51’
19° 47’
20° 51’
19° 17’
21°32’
21° 31’
21° 35’
20° 00’
86° 50’
82° 08’
84° 35’
82° 08’
85° 17’
84° 28’
80° 20’
85° 21’
84° 35’
82° 41’
84° 37’
83°52’
86° 27’
85° 43’
86° 20’
173.00
17,180.00
300.00
2,420.00
17,180.00
759.00
552.00
5,800.00
943.00
687.00
756.00
243.00
74,300.00
534.00
534.00
32,175.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
22° 08’
-
86° 14’
-
980.00
3,825.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
20° 00’
86° 20’
1,450.00
Freshwater
20° 00’
18° 27’
86° 20’
02° 32’
1,000.00
9,118.00
3
Freshwater
Freshwater
4
Cuttack
Mayurbhanj
Koraput
Dhenkanal
Ganjam
Keonjhar
Dhenkanal
Dhenkanal
Kalahandi
1
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
2
Mahanadi Delta
Nesa
Potteru
Ramiala
Ramsagar/ Sitasagar
Remal
Rengali Dam
Rengali Reservoir
Saipala
Area
(ha.)
7
Heragan
Surulila-lampeta
Budhibil
Parlakhamandi
Rengali
Nawapara
Ecological
Category
8
36
37
38
39
40
41
Salandi
*Satkoshia Gorge
Sanctuary
Sundar
Sunei
*Upper Kolab Dam
West of Daya
Hagarh
Cuttack
Balasore
-
Lampta
Salchua
Koranga
-
Kalahandi
Mayurbhanj
Puri
PUNJAB
S.No.
Name of the Wetland
Name of the
Nearest
Village/Town
3
1
2
NATURAL WETLANDS
1
*Aliwal Kotli
2
Chamb Guroittnwali
Ferozepur
3
Chhangali Talao
Changli
4
Chhangli Chhamb
Ferozepur
5
*Dahdn-De-Chhamb
Nawanshehar
6
Gaunspur Chamb
Dasuya
7
Jand wal Chhamb
Jandwal
8
*Jastibwal Jheel
Ajnala
9
*Kahnuwan Chhamb
Gurdaspur
10
*Keshpurmiani Jheel
Gurdaspur
5
6
20° 00’
86° 20’
22° 24’
86° 08’
18° 12’
82° 01’
21° 06’
85° 35’
18° 45’
84° 00’
21° 10’
85° 56’
21°17’
85°02’
22° 16’
85° 02’
20° 48’
82° 40’
21° 17’
86° 17’
20° 33’
84° 50’
20° 35’
21° 27’
82° 35’
86° 27’
Name of the
District
4
Amritsar
Ferozepur
Ferozepur
Ferozepur
Jullunder
Hoshiarpur
Hoshiarpur
Amritsar
Gurudaspur
Gurudaspur
8
7
5,000.00
Brackishwater
169.00
Freshwater
150.00
Freshwater
1,669.00
Freshwater
870.00
Freshwater
198.00
Freshwater
41,400.00
Freshwater
35,300.00
Freshwater
544.00
Freshwater
3,182.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
1,000.00
682.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
18°47’
-
82°27’
-
15,380.00
850.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
:
50,36,200 ha.
2. Forest Area
:
3,08,400
ha. (6.12%)
Latitude
(N)
Longitude
(E)
5
6
30° 55’
30° 55’
30° 55’
31° 00’
31° 45’
31° 50’
32° 00’
32° 00’
74° 35’
74° 45’
74° 35’
76° 05’
75° 35’
74° 45’
75° 00’
75° 20’
1
2
11
Mand-Area-Beas River
12
*Mandbharthala
13
Narayangarh Terkiana
14
Sita-Sagar
MAN-MADE WETLANDS
15
*Bareta
16
Bhupinder Sagar
17
*Chohal Reservoir
18
*Dholbaha Dam
19
*Dholbaha Reservoir
20
*Gobindgarh Khokhar
21
Harike Lake
22
*Hussainiwala Reservoir
23
*Januari Reservoir
24
*Kanjli
25
*Lahail Kalan
26
*Lobana
27
*Malli Dam
28
*Mangrowal Dam
Area
(ha.)
7
Ecological
Category
8
10.00
100.00
140.00
1,000.00
300.00
200.00
100.00
55.00
128.00
408.00
3
Budho-Barket
Bharthala
Mansar
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
4
Hoshiarpur
Nawanshehar
Hoshiarpur
Hoshiarpur
Samana
Hoshiarpur
Amritsar
Hoshiarpur
Kanjli
-
Mansa
Patiala
Hoshiarpur
Sangrur
Amritsar
Ferozepur
Kapurthala
Sangrur
Patiala
Hoshiarpur
Hoshiarpur
29
30
31
32
Nangal Lake
*Rababsar
*Ranjit Sagar
*Ropar Lake
-
Ropar
Kapurthala
Gurdaspur
Ropar
5
31° 40’
-
6
75° 30’
-
7
400.00
61.00
82.00
2,000.00
8
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
30° 05’
31° 5’
31° 13’
31° 5’
31°25’
30° 55’
76° 10’
77°0’
75° 12’
77°0’
75°22’
76° 26’
20.00
1,280.00
61.00
132.00
57.00
8.00
4,100.00
688.00
18.00
183.00
20.00
11.00
72.00
70.00
400.00
41.00
3,264.00
1,365.00
Freshwater
Brackish water
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
RAJASTHAN
S.No.
Name of the Wetland
Name of the
Nearest
Village/Town
3
1
2
NATURAL WETLANDS
1
*Didwana Salt Lake
Didwana
2
*Phulera Salt Lake
Jaipur
3
Rann Khar
Bhawatra
4
*Sambhar Lake
Jaipur
MAN-MADE WETLANDS
5
Amarchand
6
Ajgara Talao
Ajgara
7
Anasagar
Ajgara
8
Baghela Tank
Udaipur
9
*Baghdara Lake
10
Bankia Talao
Bankia
11
Barda
Kota
12
*Baretha Reservoir
13
*Bharda
14
Bhatemar Tank
Bhatemar
15
Bheronpuri Lake
Bheronpura
16
Bhupal Sagar
17
Borda Talao
Borda
18
Buchara
Kotputli
19
Chhaparwara
Chhaparwara
20
Dingoli Talao
Dingoli
21
Girdharpura Talao
Girdharpura
22
Dugari Tank
Dugari
23
Foyssagar
Ajgara
24
Gadola Talao
Gadola
25
Gadri Reservoir
Gangapur
26
*Gambhiri Reservoir
Chittorgarh
27
Gambvheri Talao
Amia Joshi
28
*Gandhi Sagar lake
Bhilwara
29
Govta Talao
Ghangapur
Name of the
District
4
Nagaur
Jalore
Jaipur
Ajmer
Ajmer
Udaipur
Udaipur
Chittorgarh
Kota
Udaipur
Bundi
Chittorgarh
Chittorgarh
Jaipur
Jaipur
Chittorgarh
Kota
Bundi
Ajmer
Chittorgarh
Bhilwara
Chittorgarh
Chittorgarh
Bhilwara
:
3,42,23,600 ha.
5. Forest Area
:
32,48,800 ha. (9.3%)
1
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
Latitude
(N)
Longitude
(E)
5
6
26° 52’
27° 12’
24° 40’
27° 00’
75° 11’
74°34’
71° 05’
75° 00’
200.00
600.00
3,000.00
24,000.00
26° 00’
26° 25’
24° 45’
24°40’
24° 54’
25° 10’
24° 35’
25° 28’
24° 25’
24° 59’
27° 32’
26° 36’
24° 59’
24° 58’
25° 40’
26° 25’
24° 35’
25° 12’
24°-42’
24° 42’
5°26’55’’
25° 15’
75° 05’
74° 35’
74° 43’
73°86’
74° 30’
75° 58’
74° 00’
75° 36’
74° 11’
74° 34’
75° 58’
75° 15’
73° 23’
75° 48’
75° 45’
74° 35’
74° 37’
74° 06’
74°-43’
73° 43’
74°38’00’’
74° 03’
25.00
1,000.00
384.00
100.00
180.00
202.00
480.00
1,006.00
387.00
100.00
552.00
202.00
233.00
4,888.00
250.00
300.00
200.00
128.00
138.00
1,001.00
2,336.00
1,308.00
1,213.00
2
Gund Talao
Hamir
*Harike Lake
Hindoli Tank
*Jaisamand Lake
Jakham Reservoir
*Jawai Reservoir
Kailana Jheel (Pratap &
Takhat Sagar)
Area
(ha.)
7
3
Kishangarh
Kishanagarh
Hindoli
Haldu Khera
Jodhpur
Ecological
Category
8
Brackishwater
Brackishwater
Brackishwater
Brackishwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
4
Ajmer
Chandigarh
Bundi
Udaipur
Chittorgarh
Pali
Jodhpur
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
Kalakh
*Kalian Lake
Kalkhoi
Kapasan Tank
*Khanpura Lake
*Keoladeo National Park
*Kothari Reservoir
*Khari Reservoir
*Lakhotia Lake
Madhosagar
Meja Reservoir
Mandal Talao
Mansagar
Murlia Talao
*Nandsamand Reservoir
Nahar Sagar
Net Sagar
*Orai Reservoir
*Perennial Pond
Phool Sagar
Pichola Fatehsagar
complex
Pushkar-raj Sarovar
Ramgarh Lake
Ranapratap Sagar
*Sareli
*Sardar Samand
Reservoir
Sareri Reservoir
Saropa Tank
*Som Kamla Amba
Reservoir
Soniana Talao
Tabiji Tank
5
6
26° 30’
74° 55’
26° 00’
74° 00’
25° 40’
75° 45’
27° 42’
75° 33’
24° 42’
74° 43’
25°-6’
73°-9’
16° 05’
57° 03’
26° 28’
20°56’5”
26° 28’
24° 53’
26°24’
27° 07’
75° 25’
72°56’5”
76° 24’
74° 18’
74°34’
77° 29’
Kalakh
Dansa
Kapasan
Bharatpur
Trivani
Asind
Pali
Sikhari
Asind
Mandal
Jaipur
Murlia
Nathwara
Shahpura
Bundi
Gopal Pur
Kolayatji
Bundi
Udaipur
Bhilwara
Bhilwara
Jaipur
Bhilwara
Bhilwara
Jaipur
Chittorgarh
Rajsamand
Bhilwara
Bundi
Chittorgarh
Bikaner
Bundi
Udaipur
Pushkar
Ramgarh
Kota
Jodhpur
Ajmer
Jaipur
Kota
Pali
Sareri
Saropa
Amba
Bhilwara
Chittorgarh
Dungarpur
Tabiji
7
200.00
4,000.00
200.00
7,400.00
10,000.00
2,590.00
1,600.00
562.00
194.25
719.00
331.00
2,873.00
Jaipur
Jodhpur
Jaipur
Chittorgarh
Ajmer
8
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
25°-18’
20° 42’
25.08°
26° 53’
25° 20’
25° 27’
26° 55’
24° 42’
25° 50’
25° 50’
25° 25’
25°02’
28°01’N,
25° 25’
24° 35’
75°-0’
74° 25’
73.3°
76° 41’
74° 38’
74° 30’
75° 48’
74° 38’
75° 47’
74° 56’
75° 35’
74°49’
73°22’
75° 25’
73° 49’
785.00
773.00
173.38
711.00
25,894.00
187.00
112.00
322.00
407.00
4976.00
100.00
640.00
150.00
1,480.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
26° 30’
27° 01’
25° 05’
25° 09’
74° 34’
76° 03’
75° 50’
73°05’
200.00
1,260.00
19,600.00
3,641.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
25° 40’
24° 58’
23°-56’
74° 45’
74° 29’
74°-02’
14,161.00
118.00
3,618.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
25° 38’
26° 20’
74° 39’
74° 35’
184.00
128.00
3
Talwas
Udaipur
Vardha
-
Freshwater
Freshwater
4
Bundi
Udaipur
Bhilwara
Bundi
Sirohi
1
69
70
71
72
73
2
Talwas Tank
*Udaisagar Reservoir
Umed Sagar
Verdha Bandha
*West Banas Reservoir
SIKKIM
S.No.
Name of the Wetland
Name of the
Nearest
Village/Town
Name of the
District
1
2
3
NATURAL WETLANDS
1
Gurudengman Tso
MAN-MADE WETLANDS
2
*Sacred Khechopalri Lake
5
25° 35’
24°-33’
25° 34’
25° 31’
24°-41’
31.
North
Sikkim
Himalaya
-
7
100.00
440.00
2,296.00
150.00
940.00
8
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
7,09,600 ha.
Forest Area
:
33.
Yumchho
:
32.
6
76° 00’
73°-47’
75° 54’
75° 50’
72°-57’
4
5,84,100 ha. (82.31%)
Total Wetland Area
Latitude
(N)
Longitude
(E)
Area
(ha.)
Ecological
Category
5
6
7
-
-
135.00
Freshwater
27°22’24”
88°12’30”
1,200.00
Freshwater
8
TAMIL NADU
S.No.
Name of the Wetland
1
2
NATURAL WETLANDS
1
Adyar Estuary
2
Chembarabakam Lake
3
Dushmandurai
4
Eloroon
5
Kole (Palakkal Kole and
Aranattukara Kole)
6
Kovalam Lake
7
Mahendravadi Sarovar
8
*Muthupet mangrove
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
*Pichavaram mangrove
*Point Calimere Wildlife
and Bird Sanctuary
*Pulicut Lake
Purasi Talao
Vaigai
Vakkadai Mukkur Hissa
Tank
Velayathur Tank
Vellayaru
17
*Velachery Lake
18
Yedayanthittu Estuary
MAN-MADE WETLANDS
19
*Achankulam
Name of the
Nearest
Village/Town
3
Name of the
District
4
Chennai
Poonthamali
Kanchipuram
Mahendrapalli
-
Vellore
Nagapattinam
Trichur
Mahendravadi
Muthupet
Chidambaram
Nagappattinam
Kanchipuram
Vellore
Thanjavur &
Nagapattinam
Cuddalore
Nagappattinam
Ponneri
Cheyyar
Andipatti
Valapandal
Kanchipuram
Vellore
Madurai
Vellore
Nagapatinam
Velachery
Marakkanam
Vellore
Nagapattinam/
Tanjavur
Villupuram
-
Kanyakumari
20
*Acharavakkam Eri
21
*Achenkulam
22
Adanur Tank
23
*Adaviyarkulam
24
*Adayamadakulam
Chengalpattu
Agasteeswaram
Adanur
: 1,30,058
2. Forest Area
:
:
a. Natural Wetlands Area
:
b. Man-made Wetlands Area
:
Kanchipuram
Kanyakumari
Kanchipuram
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
sq.km.
22,871 sq.km.
ha.
1,05,943.36 ha.
ha.
Latitude
(N)
Longitude
(E)
Area
(ha.)
5
6
13°00’
13° 00’
12° 45’
11° 23’
10° 20’-10°
35’
12° 46’
13° 00’
10° 46’
80° 04’
80° 05’
79° 30’
79° 49’
76° 6’-76° 11’
200.00
1,770.00
767.00
1,000.00
11,000.00
Brackishwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Brackishwater
Freshwater
80° 08’
79° 31’
79° 51’
244.00
293.00
6,803.00
Brackishwater
Freshwater
Brackishwater
11° 27’
10° 19'
79° 47’
79° 38'
1,100.00
38,500.00
Brackishwater
Brackishwater
13° 25’
12° 40’
10° 37’
12° 40’
80° 03’
79° 35’
70° 35’
79° 35’
35,000.00
182.00
2,420.00
263.00
Brackishwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
12° 40’
10° 41’
79° 15’
79° 50’
263.00
448.00
Freshwater
Brackishwater
12° 05’
79° 47’
30.36
5,660.00
Freshwater
Brackishwater
13° 00’
-
80° 06’
-
10.99
19.00
11.80
107.00
0.94
9.37
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Brackishwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
7
Ecological
Category
8
1
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
2
Adiyoor Tank
*Agastheeswara
Mangalam Eri
*Agasthiankulam
*Agastriarputhukulam
*Akarankulam
*Akathakuzhikulam
Akkalur Tank
*Akkappankulam
*Akkarapakham
*Akkattukulam
*Alamillai
Thirumangalkulam
Alagapuri
*Alamkottukulam
(2 nos.)
*Alamparakulam
Alampatty
*Alanganarkulam
*Alangulam Kanmoi
*Alanjikulam
*Alankottukattuvaikulam
*Alankulam (3 nos.)
*Alankuzhikulam
*Alanvilai
Ammikkuzhikulam
*Alanvilai
Karungaliodamarichankulam
*Alanvilai
Odaimarichankulam
*Alathoorkulam
*Alathur
Alathur Citteri
Alathur Hissa Tank
*Alavankulam
Alisoor Peria Eri
Alividaithangi
Aliyar Reservoir
*Alkyanakulam
Allalaperi
5
6
-
-
3
Adiyoor
Chengalpattu
4
Ramanathapuram
Kanchipuram
Akkalur
Uthukkottai
-
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Ramanathapuram
Kanyakumari
Tiruvallur
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Alagpuri
-
Virudhunagar
Kanyakumari
Alampatty
Mudukulattur
-
Kanyakumari
Virudhunagar
Kanyakumari
Ramanathapuram
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
-
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
-
Kanyakumari
-
Kanyakumari
Chengalpattu
Alathur
Alathur
Alisoor
Alividaithangi
Perumkundrum
Malai
Kalkulam
Allalaperi
7
278.00
-
Kanyakumari
Kanchipuram
Vellore
Cuddalore
Kanyakumari
Kanchipuram
Vellore
Coimbatore
13.46
22.59
Kanyakumari
Virudhunagar
8
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
1
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
-
-
0.64
2.40
298.00
1.86
999.00
6.65
0.72
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
-
-
130.00
2.06
Freshwater
Freshwater
-
-
1.47
133.00
4.25
518.00
7.84
3.49
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
-
-
19.78
2.17
0.91
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
-
-
0.39
Freshwater
-
-
0.30
Freshwater
13° 00’
-
80° 06’
-
11.84
11.00
184.00
224.00
53.04
132.00
108.00
648.00
-
-
20.30
105.00
2
*Alli Kanmoi
Alumoor Tank
Alundhikottai Tank
*Aluvilaikaniyakulam
*Alwalkulam
*Amanjankulam
Amarambedu Tank
*Amaravathikulam
(2 nos.)
*Ambalathadykulam
*Ambattur Eri
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Brackishwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
3
4
Ramanathapuram Ramanathapuram
Lumoor
Tiruchirapally
Alundhikottai
Ramanathapuram
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Amarambedu
Kanchipuram
Kanyakumari
Saidapet
Kanyakumari
Chengalpattu
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
*Ambilikulam
*Ammakulam
*Amma Oorani
Ammikudi Tank
*Amoor Eri
*Amukuzhikulam
*Amuvathikulam
Anaikulam
*Anajhuvattikulam
*Anakulam
Anakkavoor Tank
*Anamkulam
*Anandavilaikulam
Anandur Tank
Ananoothimangalam
Tank
*Ananthakrishnankulam
*Ananthavashikulam
Anapathur Tank
*Anathakulam
*Andarkulam
Pillaikulam
Andiveerar Thangal Eri
90
91
92
93
Angadimangalam Tank
*Anjalkulam
Anjukottai Tank
*Annamalainagar
Reservoir
94 Annamangalam Tank
95 *Annikyakulam
96 *Anniyakulam
5
6
13° 00’
80° 06’
-
-
Ramanathapuram
Therukutheru
Chengalpattu
Anaikulam
Anakkavoor
Anandur
Ananoothimangalam
Anapathur
-
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Ramanathapuram
Madurai
Kanchipuram
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Virudhunagar
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Vellore
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Ramanathapuram
Ramanathapuram
Andveeran
Thangal
Angadimangalam
Anjukottai
Chidambram
Kanchipuram
Annamangalam
7
400.00
141.00
254.00
1.19
8.56
18.18
109.00
48.65
Tiruchirapally
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
8
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
6.28
1,663.00
2.15
2.35
200.00
274.00
123.00
0.21
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Vellore
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Madurai
Kanyakumari
Ramanathapuram
Cuddalore
-
-
2.35
343.00
1.57
8.30
248.00
16.65
1.51
461.00
416.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
-
-
10.24
4.92
186.00
23.19
10.11
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
13° 00’
80° 06’
109.00
Freshwater
11° 24’
79° 44’
129.00
1.76
582.00
31.35
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
-
-
131.00
7.77
19.92
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
4
Kanchipuram
Kanyakumari
Madurai
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Ramanathapuram
Kanyakumari
Virudhunagar
Ramanathapuram
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Tiruchirapally
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Madurai
Ramanathapuram
Kanchipuram
Kanyakumari
Ramanathapuram
1
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
2
*Anoor I & II
*Annupattikulam
Anuppanady Tank
*Annuvettikulam
*Annuvettikulam
*Anthiyakulam
*Anthuvattikulam
*Anumaneri Kanmoi
*Anumankulam
Appaneri Tank
*Appanur Kanmoi
*Arappurakulam
*Arasakulam
Arasalur Tank
*Arasandakulam
*Arasanerikulam
*Arasankottukulam
*Arasankulam (2 nos.)
Arasapatti Tank
Arasathur Tank
Arasur Large Tank
*Ariyankadettikulam
*Ariyakudi Kanmoi
3
Chengalpattu
Anuppanady
Mudukulattur
Appaneri
Mudukulattur
Arasalur
Arasapatti
Arasathur
Arasur
Mudukulattur
120
*Ariyavalamkodettikulam
121 Ariyur Big Tank
122 Aroom Large Tank
123 Arumbarur Small
Tank
124 Arumboor Tank
125 *Arumkottukulam
126 Arumugamangalam
Tank
127 *Arungulam Kanmoi
128 *Arunoothukulam
129 Arur Tank
130 *Athamozhi Kulam
131 *Athanimarkulam
132 Athani Tank
133 Athanoor Tank
134 *Athichanputhur
Perunkulam
135 *Athikulam
5
6
10° 03’
77° 05’
13° 00’
80° 06’
13° 00’
-
80° 06’
-
-
Kanyakumari
Ariyur
Aroom
Arumbarur
Vellore
Kanchipuram
Tiruchirapally
Arumboor
Arumugamangalam
Tank
Paramakudi
Arur
Agasteeswaram
Agasteeswaram
Svarakottai
Athanoor
Thovalai
Ramanathapuram
Kanyakumari
Tirunelveli
Thovalai
7
39.00
10.35
102.00
2.09
4.45
11.82
1.45
420.00
4.29
163.00
181.00
7.92
51.12
121.00
11.82
2.02
3.24
8.47
108.00
410.00
105.00
12.83
128.00
4.97
Kanyakumari
8
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
174.00
146.00
108.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Ramanathapuram
Kanyakumari
Salem
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Ramanathapuram
Ramanathapuram
Kanyakumari
-
-
312.00
2.37
332.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
-
-
259.00
2.08
118.00
19.40
11.00
303.00
481.00
13.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
-
-
12.10
Freshwater
4
Chengalpattu
Tiruvallur
Tiruchirapally
Tirunelveli
1
136
137
138
139
2
*Athimanam Eri
*Athimanjeripet Eri
Athiyur Tank
Athur Tank
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
*Attakulam
*Atthanimarkulam
*Attu
*Attukulam (3 nos.)
Attur Big Tank
*Avanthakulam
*Avathandai Kanmoi
Avaniyapuram Tank
*Avayan Kulam
*Avinnakulam
*Avoor
Ayanallur Large Tank
Ayyalur Tank
*Ayyanallur
*Ayyanarkulam
*Ayyanarpudukulam
*Ayyanpattikulam
Ayyapatti Tank
*Ayyappanarkulam
*Azhaganerikulam
*Azhagankulam (3 nos.)
*Azhayanerikulam
*Azhiyankulam
*Bagavatikulam
Balyee Ammal Eri
*Bambapattaikulam
3
Madurantakam
Pallipattu
Athiyur
Suganthalai Mela
Athur
Sendamangalam
Athur Kaspa
Kayal Pattinam
North
Attur
Mudukulattur
Avaniyapuram
Agasteeswaram
Ponneri
Ayanallur
Ayyalur
Gummidipoondi
Kalkulam
Ayyapatti
T.Pettai
-
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanchipuram
Kanyakumari
Ramanathapuram
Madurai
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Tiruvallur
Kanchipuram
Tiruchirapally
Tiruvallur
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Ramanathapuram
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Tiruchirapally
Kanyakumari
166
167
168
169
*Beemaneri Kulam
Bannavadu Thottam
Hissa Thangal and
Banavadu Thottam
Hisa Managammal Eri
Bhavani Sagar
Reservoir
*Bhoothakulam
5
6
-
Thovalai
Banavadu
Thottam
Kanyakumari
Kanchipuram
Coimbatore
-
7
148.00
12.00
176.00
280.00
Kanyakumari
8
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
13° 00’
13° 00’
13° 00’
80° 06’
80° 06’
80° 06’
25.62
50.74
2.63
19.23
121.00
3.40
71.00
161.00
4.40
50.81
2,230.00
179.00
189.00
2,989.00
1.60
3.34
14.02
805.00
7.28
12.15
39.19
2.02
7.46
2.64
127.00
0.96
3.20
666.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
11° 28’
77° 06’
7,876.00
Freshwater
1
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
-
2
*Bhutharathankulam
*Bhuthapandiyan Kulam
Big Tank
*Big Kenikkarai Orani
*Bogalur Kanmoi
*Boothapandiyankulam
Brahmanapatti Tank
*Budur Eri
*Chadayankulam
(2 nos.)
*Chadayankuzhikulam
(2 nos.)
*Chadiyankulam
*Chaenthanaserikulam
*Chakarivilaimanikulam
*Chalapathukulam
*Chamanchankulam
*Chammankulam
*Champakulam
*Chandrankulam
*Chanianeerkulam
*Chankanerikulam
*Charottukulam
*Chemanchikulam
*Chemantharkulam
*Chembanarakulam
*Chembanathukulam
*Chemdarikulam
*Chemmankulam
Chemtarabakkam Lake
*Chenbagaramanputhoor
Kulam
*Chenbankuzhikulam
*Chengalpet Tank
*Chenkulam (2 nos.)
*Chenthancherikulam
*Chenthiakulam
*Cherikulam
*Cherkottkulam
*Cherkulam
*Chernkottavilaikulam
*Cheruchettyandarkulam
*Cherukottukulam
5
6
-
6.37
Freshwater
3
4
Kanyakumari
Thovalai
Kanyakumari
Adamur
Tiruchirapally
Mudukulattur
Ramanathapuram
Kanyakumari
Brahmanapatti
Ramanathapuram
Madurantakam
Chengalpattu
Kanyakumari
-
Kanyakumari
Kalkulam
Agasteeswaram
Pondamalli
Thovalai
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanchipuram
Kanyakumari
Chengalpet
-
Kanyakumari
Kanchipuram
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
8
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
7
1.17
15.50
112.00
1
210
211
212
213
214
-
-
440.00
944.00
69.75
260.00
303.00
22.17
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
-
-
8.38
Freshwater
13° 00’
-
80° 06’
-
30.36
81.42
1.02
60.73
3.50
0.01
3.20
0.90
0.00
4.33
18.76
9.62
2.27
3.21
1.26
3.60
7.92
2,332.00
29.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
-
-
2
*Cherukuzhikonapottakulam
*Cheruppankottuvenkulam
*Cheruthamarkulam
*Chettayarkulam
Chettiklurichi Big
Tank
215 *Chettikulam (3 nos.)
216 *Chettipadukonathukulam
217 *Chettivilaivettithiruthu
0.37
882.00
8.56
3.81
7.70
45.43
11.63
24.29
8.10
5.63
1.45
3
Chettikurichi
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
4
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Virudhunagar
-
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235
236
237
238
239
240
241
242
243
244
245
246
247
248
(3 nos.)
*Chettuvankottpillaikulam
*Chettyandarkulam
*Chettykulam
*Chidambaram Kulam
*Chinambedu
*Chinnakulam
*Chinnankulam
*Chinna Kollukudi Patti
Tank
Chinnasalam Tank
*Chirakulam
Chitheri
*Chitrangudi Tank
Chittar-I
Chittar-II
*Chittarkottai Kanmoi
*Cholavaram (Sholavaram)
*Choorakulam
*Coovam
*Cottukulam
*Dakkarakulam
*Damal Tank
*Daniel Mahadwankulam
*Deerakeralappanerikulam
*Deriyandankulam
Devadanam Tank
*Devakulam
*Devanerikulam
*Deviakulam
*Devilankuzhikulam
*Devipattinam Kanmoi
*Devipattinam Pilaiyar Koil
Oorani
5
6
-
Thovalai
Ponneri
Tirupathur
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Tiruvallur
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Sivagangai
Chinnasalam
Poolampady
Mudukulathur
Kuzhithurai
Kuzhithurai
Ramanathapuram
Ponneri
Tiruvallur
Damal
Devadanam
Ramanathapuram
Ramanathapuram
Cuddalore
Kanyakumari
Tiruchirapally
Ramanathapuram
Virudhunagar
Kanyakumari
Ramanathapuram
Tiruvallur
Kanyakumari
Tiruvallur
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanchipuram
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanchipuram
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Ramanathapuram
Ramanathapuram
7
1.63
1.39
1.66
4.38
162.00
8
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
-
-
31.26
0.52
0.51
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
-
-
12.80
6.24
2.28
10.20
1,990.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
10° 07’
78° 35’
1,400.23
0.50
6.30
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
9° 20’
08° 28’
08° 26’
13° 00’
13° 00’
-
78° 30’
77° 19’
77° 15’
80° 06’
80° 06’
-
120.00
10.38
114.00
60.00
293.00
414.00
240.00
57.42
334.00
5.04
19.72
1,513.00
2.07
161.94
0.69
302.00
37.83
6.55
0.83
4.74
0.80
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
1
249
258
259
260
261
262
2
*Devipattinam
Sudukattu Oorani
Echur Tank
*Edakkulam
*Edakottukulam
Edanachi
*Edapathakulam
*Edayankulam
*Edayarpakkam
Eguvarpalayam
Odapperi
*Ekanapuram
*Ekkadakuzhikulam
Elangadu Tank
*Elanganerikulam
Elanthiraikondam
263
264
265
266
*Elayamparkulam
*Eliankonattukulam
*Eluppakadattykulam
*Elyankulam
250
251
252
253
254
255
256
257
3
4
Echur
Edanachi
Sriperumbudur
Eguvarpalayam
Vellore
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanchipuram
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanchipuram
Kanchipuram
Sriperumbudur
Elangadu
Elanthiraikondam
-
Kanchipuram
Kanyakumari
Vellore
Kanyakumari
Virudhunagar
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
267
268
269
270
271
272
273
274
275
276
277
278
279
280
281
282
283
284
285
286
287
288
*Endathur Eri
Enddur Periya Eri
*Ennakulam
Elur Tank
Eluvankottai Tank
*Erampattikulam
*Erankollikulam
*Erankottaikulam
*Erattakulam (2 nos.)
*Eravikulam
*Eriyakulam
Eriyur Big Tank
*Erumbanakulam
*Esalipurkulam
*Esaloorkulam
*Esanai Tank
*Esvankulam
*Eswarankulam
*Ethamparakulam
*Ettivayal Kanmoi
*Eyainainarkulam
*Ezhiyoorkulam
5
6
-
Madurantakam
Endur
Elur
Eluvankottai
Eriyur
Kalkulam
Esanai
Mudukulattur
7
0.80
Chengalpattu
Kanchipuram
Kanyakumari
Salem
Ramanathapuram
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Ramanathapuram
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Tiruchirapally
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Ramanathapuram
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
8
Freshwater
13° 00’
13° 00’
80° 06’
80° 06’
116.00
5.86
10.12
304.00
18.22
60.83
10.60
129.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
-
-
9.50
3.83
132.00
6.86
142.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
13° 00’
-
80° 06’
-
1.03
2.00
5.06
1.82
202.00
6.25
148.00
620.00
0.58
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
1
289
290
291
292
293
294
295
296
297
298
299
300
301
302
303
304
305
306
307
308
309
310
311
312
313
314
315
316
317
318
-
2
Gidangal Tank
*Gnanambalkulam
*Gnarakulam (3 nos.)
*Gnarakuzhikulam
*Gnarattuelanjiakulam
*Gnarettuvalankenathkulam
*Gnarottukaniyankulam
Gollapatti Periakulam
Gomapangi puram New
Tank
Gomuktmanadhi
Govindamangalam Tank
*Govindavadu
*Gudalur Thangal Eri
Gudappakkam Tank
*Guduvancheri Eri
Gulf of Mannar Marine
National Park
Gunduperumbedu Tank
*Idakottukulam
*Idakulam
*Idayakottukulam
*Idayankulam
*Ikiyan
*Ilampalakulam
*Ilanjambur Kanmoi
*Illanchikulam
*Illupakulam
*Illupparayarkulam
*Ilumichanparaikulam
*Immarankulam
*Inamkuzhikulam
6.17
1.66
5.73
12.15
0.69
806.00
1.01
13.00
43.23
152.00
3.23
2.50
1.08
650.00
25.15
16.66
3
Gidangal
Agasteeswaram
-
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
4
Cuddalore
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Periagollapatty
Gomapangipuram
Kanyakumari
Virudhunagar
Virudhunagar
Kallakurichi
Govindamangalam
Kanchipuram
Madurantakam
Gudapppakkam
Gummidipoondi
Palk bay
Villupuram
Ramanathapuram
Kanchipuram
Chengalpattu
Kanchipuram
Tiruvallur
-
Gunduperumbedu
Mudukulattur
-
Kanchipuram
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Ramanathapuram
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
319
320
321
322
323
324
*Irattakulam
Iraviamangalam Tank
*Irumbedu Eri
Irundirai
*Iylikottukulam
*Iyyankulammukkattukulam
325 Jamberi Tank
326 *Kadamamkottukulam
Iraviamangalam
Madurantakam
Irundirai
-
Kanyakumari
Ramanathapuram
Chengalpattu
Virudhunagar
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Vairichettipalayam
-
Tiruchirapally
Kanyakumari
5
-
6
-
7
232.00
12.60
31.82
2.83
3.14
0.24
8
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
-
-
3.50
265.00
484.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
11° 47’
13° 00’
8° 48’- 78° 10’
79° 59’
80° 06’
9° 20’-79° 15’
13° 00’
-
80° 06’
-
745.00
1,233.00
842.90
664.00
1,922.00
143.00
4.85
0.08
4.13
1.77
128.17
3.51
280.00
2.09
0.62
3.92
3.93
2.76
31.73
26.32
515.00
20.00
256.00
3.42
4.93
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Brackishwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
-
-
1
2
327 *Kadalmangalam Eri I &
II
328 *Kadankulam
329 *Kadanpathukulam
330 *Kadayanerikulam
331 *Kadettykulam
332 *Kadukallur Eri
333 *Kafukuzhikulam
334 *Kaithakottukulam
335 *Kaithakulam (2 nos.)
336 *Kaithottukulam
337 *Kaiyalakonathukulam
338 *Kakathankuzhukulam
339 *Kakkandankulam
340 *Kakkalur Eri
341 Kalari
342 Kalathur Tank
343 Kalavaneri
344 *Kalavarkulam
345 *Kalavatukulam
346 *Kalayanur Kanmoi
347 *Kalaythankuzhikulam
348 Kalianagari Tank
349 *Kalikulam (2 nos.)
350 Kalipattu Tank
351 Kaliveli Tank
352 Kaliyur Big Tank
353 *Kalkattu Kulam
354 *Kalkulam Taluk:
355 *Kalkulam (2 nos)
356 *Kalladichankuzhikulam
357 *Kallamparakulam
358 *Kallankozhikulam
359 *Kallikattukulam
360 *Kallipattu
361 *Kallupattakulam
362 *Kalpatti Kulam
363 *Kalpatyakulam
364 *Kalvettankuttinkulam
365 *Kalvettankuzhikulam
366 *Kalvikulam
367 *Kamankottai Kanmoi
368 *Kamathiyoorkulam
5
6
-
135.00
3.17
Freshwater
Freshwater
3
Uthiramerur
4
Kanchipuram
Agasteeswaram
Cheyur
Tiruvallur
Kalari
Kalathur
Kalavaneri
Ramanathapuram
Kalianagari
Puthagaram
Marakkanam
Kaliyur
Agasteeswaram
Kanchipuram
Kalkulam
Mudukulattur
7
30.00
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Tiruvallur
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Tiruvallur
Ramanathapuram
Ramanathapuram
Virudhunagar
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Ramanathapuram
Kanyakumari
Ramanathapuram
Kanyakumari
Kanchipuram
Vellore
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanchipuram
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Ramanathapuram
Kanyakumari
8
Freshwater
13° 00’
12° 05’
-
80° 06’
79° 47’
-
1
2
369 Kambikudi
370 *Kamblikulam
371 Kammalampoondy Tank
372 Kammapatti
373 *Kamudakudi Kanmoi
374 *Kanakulam Chettykulam
38.50
Freshwater
Freshwater
39.15
17.24
Freshwater
3.60
Freshwater
Freshwater
3.55
Freshwater
21.50
Freshwater
Freshwater
9.51
24.37
Freshwater
0.21
Freshwater
Freshwater
4.01
1.42
Freshwater
126.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
916.00
394.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
178.00
1.94
Freshwater
5.23
Freshwater
Freshwater
300.00
0.97
Freshwater
440.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
0.74
1,394.00
Freshwater
13,200.00
Brackishwater
100.00
Freshwater
5.70
Freshwater
17.93
Freshwater
25.27
Freshwater
4.86
Freshwater
5.58
Freshwater
0.60
Freshwater
3.70
Freshwater
Freshwater
0.93
Freshwater
8.90
Freshwater
38.98
Freshwater
8.30
Freshwater
2.29
Freshwater
5.80
Freshwater
450.00
Freshwater
1.80
Freshwater
3
4
Kambikudi
Virudhunagar
Vilavancode
Kanyakumari
KammalamKanchipuram
poondy Poondy
Kammapatti
Virudhunagar
Paramakudi
Ramanathapuram
Kanyakumari
375
376
377
378
379
380
381
382
383
384
385
386
387
388
389
390
391
392
393
Kanapaddi Tank
*Kanchiyaikulam
Kandadevi Tank
*Kandamangalam Kanmoi
*Kandanchira Kulam
*Kandankulam
*Kandannarayankulam
*Kandukirishi Kulam
*Kandukondankulam
*Kangulam
*Kaniyankulam (2 nos.)
Kanjirangulam Tank
*Kanjirankottukulam
*Kankulam
*Kannamangalamkulam
*Kannamangalathukulam
*Kannammakuthirchakulam
*Kannamparakulam
*Kannan
Pottalodaimarichankulam
394 *Kannancherikulam
395 *Kannandankonamponthukulam
396 *Kannankulam (2 nos.)
397 *Kannanmangalam Kulam
398 *Kannanparaikulam
399 *Kannanpathi Kulam
400 Kannanpottalvettithiruthukulam
401 Kannanvarakulam
402 *Kannapottalmadyalkulam
403 *Kannattukulam
404 Kannavarakulam
405 *Kannigaiper Eri
406 *Kannikannimarkuzhikulam
407 *Kannimakurdukulam
5
6
13° 00’
80° 06’
-
-
Kanapaddi
Kandadevi
Mudukulattur
Vilavancode
Agasteeswaram
Mudukulathur
-
Tiruchirapally
Kanyakumari
Ramanathapuram
Ramanathapuram
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Ramanathapuram
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
-
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kalkulam
Kalkulam
Agasteeswaram
-
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Uthukkottai
7
454.00
0.60
103.00
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Tiruvallur
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
8
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
1,266.00
250.00
4.51
160.00
10.01
567.00
107.00
3.00
66.44
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
9° 20’
-
78° 30’
-
1.70
6.80
1.01
12.81
20.52
62.20
2.19
8.18
4.30
20.24
2.07
7.74
0.28
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
-
-
31.28
2.70
Freshwater
Freshwater
-
-
6.80
2.40
1.40
14.00
0.57
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
-
-
0.92
0.40
3.65
5.25
60.00
0.40
4.94
3
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
4
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Tirunelveli
Ramanathapuram
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Vellore
Kanyakumari
Chengleput
Kanyakumari
Madurai
Madurai
Tirunelveli
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
1
408
409
410
411
412
413
414
415
416
417
418
419
420
421
422
423
424
425
426
2
*Kannimulakundu
*Kannottukulam
*Kannukulam
*Kanukarakulam
Kapamea Tank
Kappalur Tank
*Kappiyaraputhukulam
*Kappiyarkulam
*Karaikandarkudikulam
*Karakuzhikulam
Karapattu Tank
*Karichakulam
*Karikili Tank
*Karikudikulam
Karisalkulam
Karisalkulam
Karivalamvan
*Karottukulam
*Karottunaduvattukulam
Thevthirlpperi
Kappalur
Karapattu
Muruganeri
Illupaikulam
Karivalamvan
-
427
428
429
430
431
432
433
*Karottupendurakulam
*Karrakulam
*Karumpatturkulam
*Karunanikottukulam
*Karundikulam
Karungulam
Karungulam and
Sengulam Tanks
434 *Karunkulam
435 *Karunkulam Kanmoi
436 Karuppakurichi Tank
437 *Karuppottukulam
438 *Karyakulam
439 Kasba
440 Kasikkuvaithan
441 Kattakulam
442 Kattanur
443 *Kattatukulam
444 Kattavoor Hisa Tank
445 *Katteri
446 *Kattimankuttuezhakulam
447 *Kattivarottukulam
448 *Kattiyodukulam
449 *Kattukulam (9 nos.)
5
6
11° 35’
79° 00’
12° 32’
79° 52’
10° 03’
77° 05’
10° 03’
77° 05’
-
Karungulam
Palayankottai
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Tirunelveli
Tirunelveli
Thovalai
Ramanathapuram
Karuppakurichi
Sri Moolakerai
Kasikkuvaithan
Kattakulam
Kattanur
Kattavoor
Uthiramerur
7
12.15
4.18
1.92
0.64
742.00
476.00
6.12
27.72
2.49
3.55
149.00
1.88
50.00
1.95
261.00
112.00
145.00
2.38
2.87
1.27
8.69
18.23
2.66
8.45
151.00
Kanyakumari
Ramanathapuram
Tirunelveli
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Tirunelveli
Tirunelveli
Madurai
Virudhunagar
Kanyakumari
Kanchipuram
Kanchipuram
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
8
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
-
-
10° 03’
77° 05’
13° 00’
80° 06’
1
2
450 *Kattupakathkulam
451 *Kattuvakonathukulam
452 *Kauerkulam
453 *Kavadikulam Thankkuzhi
454 *Kavarkulam
455 *Kavikulam
456 Kavinadu Periakulam
457
458
459
460
461
462
463
464
465
466
467
*Kavookulam
*Kavukulam
*Kazhuvanparakulam
*Kealambar Kanmoi
*Keelakeelkudi Kanmoi
*Keelakodumalur Kanmoi
*Keelakottai Kanmoi
*Keelaparithiyur Kanmoi
*Keelarakkulam Kanmoi
*Keelaramanathu Kanmoi
Keelaraoakularaman
468
469
470
471
472
*Keelasirupodu Kanmoi
*Keerakulam
Keerandy Tank
Keerpaakkam Tank
Keethirambakkam Sanchi
Tank
Keethirambakkam Tank
*Keezapalayanpallathkulam
*Keezavilaithunnakulam
*Keezhakannankulam
473
474
475
476
240.00
Freshwater
18.90
23.00
112.00
9.01
26.50
186.00
183.00
181.00
381.00
2.28
160.00
0.51
0.76
4.21
27.28
3
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Agasteeswaram
Kavinadu
Melavattam
Mudukulattur
Thiruvadanai
Mudukulattur
Mudukulattur
Paramakudi
Mudukulattur
Mudukulattur
Keelaraoakularaman
Mudukulattur
Keerandy
Keerpakkam
Keethirambakkam
4
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Pudukottai
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Ramanathapuram
Ramanathapuram
Ramanathapuram
Ramanathapuram
Ramanathapuram
Ramanathapuram
Ramanathapuram
Virudhunagar
Ramanathapuram
Kanyakumari
Tiruchirapally
Kanchipuram
Kanchipuram
Keethirambakkam
-
Kanchipuram
Kanyakumari
-
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
477
478
479
480
481
482
483
484
485
*Keezhamankuzhikulam
*Keezhamavadikulam
*Keezhameruthoorperumkulam
*Keezhapeyodukulam
*Keezharkottikulam
*Keezhavannankulam
(2 nos.)
*Keezhavannankulam
*Keezhpulayanpallanthikulam
*Kenikkarai Oorani
5
6
-
-
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
-
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
-
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Ramanathapuram
7
0.45
1.96
4.20
0.40
11.48
10.12
423.00
Ramanathapuram
8
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
-
-
1.38
2.18
4.57
442.00
820.00
95.00
575.00
740.00
67.00
74.00
133.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
13° 00’
13° 00’
80° 06’
80° 06’
630.00
10.78
125.00
146.00
622.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
13° 00’
-
80° 06’
-
137.00
1.45
Freshwater
Freshwater
-
-
1.14
6.51
2.72
2.29
12.39
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
-
-
3.21
2.81
Freshwater
Freshwater
1
486
487
488
489
490
491
492
493
494
495
496
497
498
499
500
501
502
503
504
505
506
507
508
509
510
511
512
513
514
515
516
517
518
519
520
521
522
523
524
525
-
-
4.74
Freshwater
-
-
0.00
1.38
Freshwater
Freshwater
-
-
2.00
Freshwater
4
Kanyakumari
2
*Keralapuram
Peruneerkulam
*Keriyamangalathikulam
Kilaravayal
Kilavaneri
Kilumathur Tank
Kilvannak Kambadi Tank
*Kirandai Kanmoi
*Kirayarakulam
*Kizhvalam & Kinar Eri
Kodal Mangalam Tank
*Kodamankottukulam
*Kodancherkulam
*Kodankuzhikulam
Kodidulam Tank
*Kodupakuzhikulam
*Koduvakarakulam
*Koduvayakonathukulam
*Kokilimedu
Kokkalancheri
*Kokkotukulam
*Kokkudikulam
*Kolakulam
Kolar Big Tank
Kolar Large Tank
*Kolathur
*Kolikulam Kanmoi
*Korapattu Eri
*Kollakulam (2 nos.)
*Kollamkulam
Kollankondam (Imam)
*Kollankulam
*Kollankunathukulam
*Kollankuzhikulam
*Kollanur Kanmoi
*Kollayikulam
*Kollenkulam (2 nos.)
Kollundampattu Tank
*Kolur (Big & Small)
*Kompakotukulam
Konerikuppan Ponneri
Tank
3
Kilaravayal
Kilavaneri
Kilumathur
Kilvannak
Kambadi
Mudukulattur
Madurantakam
Kodalmangalam
Kodidulam
Kalpakkam
Kokkalancheri
Kolathur
Lolur
Pallipattu
Mudukulattur
Chengalpattu
Kollankondam
Mudukulattur
Kollundampattu
Ponneri
Kongaraimam
Battu
Kanyakumari
Pudukottai
Virudhunagar
Tiruchirapally
Madurai
Ramanathapuram
Kanyakumari
Chengalpattu
Kanchipuram
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Pudukottai
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanchipuram
Madurai
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanchipuram
Kanchipuram
Tiruvallur
Ramanathapuram
Kanchipuram
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Virudhunagar
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Ramanathapuram
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Madurai
Tiruvallur
Kanyakumari
Kanchipuram
5
-
6
-
7
17.07
8
Freshwater
-
-
9.36
569.00
178.00
106.00
111.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
13° 00’
10° 03’
13° 00’
13° 00’
13° 00’
80° 06’
77° 05’
80° 06’
80° 06’
80° 06’
160.00
2.43
271.00
140.00
2.68
3.41
1.59
211.00
0.48
1.39
3.08
60.00
152.00
4.81
5.13
1.28
102.00
200.00
14.00
960.00
18.80
1.56
151.00
2.60
0.87
1.53
742.00
11.33
14.52
195.00
1,518.00
3.22
136.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
1
526
527
2
*Konasamuthiran Eri
Kongaraimam Battu Tank
3
Pallipattu
Kongaraimam
Battu
528 *Koonathankattuvilaikuzhi 529 *Koonthakulam Tank
530 Kooram Big Tank Koram Kooram
Chitteri
531 *Koothankuzhikulam
532 *Koozhivahalayyakulam
533 *Korakuzhikulam
534 Korampallam
Korampallam
Marvan Madam
Ayyandhapuram
Mullakadu
Meelavittan
Kulayankaraisal
535 *Korandankulam
Agasteeswaram
536 Korkai
Korkai
537 Korkonam Big Tank
Korkonam
538 *Kothandasamarkulam
539 Kothandavadi Big
Kothandavadi
Tank
540 *Kothanerikulam
541 *Kothan Kulam
Agasteeswaram
542 *Kothayarkonathukulam
543 Kothidal Tank
Kothidal
544 *Kottachmakulam
545 Kottairuppu Tank
Kottairuppu
546 Kottakachiendal
Kottakachiendal
547 *Kottankulam
548 *Kottapuzhithanikulam
(3 nos.)
549 *Kottaramkulam
550 *Kottuparakulam
551 *Kottur
Sriperumbudur
552 Kovalai Big Tank
Kovalai
553 *Kovilkulamthamarakulam
554 Kovilur Tank
Kovilur
555 *Kozhiyalam Eri
Madurantakam
556 *Krishnankulam (2 nos.)
557 *Krishnasamudrarakulam 558 *Krishnasamudram Eri
Tiruttani
5
6
7
6.00
13° 00’
80° 06’
104.00
-
-
0.94
4
Tiruvallur
Kanchipuram
Kanyakumari
Tirunelveli
Kanchipuram
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Tirunelveli
Kanyakumari
Tirunelveli
Vellore
Kanyakumari
Vellore
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Ramanathapuram
Kanyakumari
Ramanathapuram
Virudhunagar
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanchipuram
Vellore
Kanyakumari
Vellore
Chengalpattu
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Tiruvallur
8
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
8° 28’
13° 00’
77° 44’
80° 06’
77.00
246.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
-
-
4.33
9.79
1.55
493.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
-
-
4.90
112.00
152.00
57.15
120.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
-
-
17.60
18.20
4.53
373.00
12.15
326.00
142.00
13.75
0.19
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
-
-
7.53
14.43
114.00
2.57
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
-
-
1
559
560
561
562
563
564
565
566
2
*Kudapakkam or
Perumbakkam Eri
*Kudumiyankottuthankulam
*Kulapattukulam
*Kulatharkulam
*Kulavipatti Kanmoi
Kullur Sandal
Kumalur Tank
*Kumarakovil Kulam
128.00
9.76
40.74
164.00
3
Madurantakam
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
4
Chengalpattu
-
Kanyakumari
Paramakudi
Madurai
Kumalur
Kalkulam
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Ramanathapuram
Pudukottai
Kanyakumari
567
568
569
570
571
572
573
574
575
576
Kumaralingapuram
*Kumarankaniyakulam
*Kumarankulam
*Kumarasakulam
*Kumaripathukulam
*Kumarisalapathukulam
*Kumbakenattukulam
*Kummukottai Kanmoi
*Kumppakottukulam
Kunamangalam Tank
577
578
579
*Kundankulam (25 nos.)
*Kunjankuzhikulam
*Kunkuzha
Akkiyadikulam
*Kunnanerkuzhiottukulam
*Kunnathukulam
*Kunnathur Eri
Kunnavakkam Large Tank
*Kunttuhukulam
*Kurakottukulam
*Kuram
*Kuramarkottukulam
*Kurandikulam
*Kurangakulam
*Kurikkulam
*Kurinjikulam
*Kurinthancikulam
*Kurnikottukattukulam
*Kurukuttikulam
Kurumavilaikulam
*Kurumbarai I & II
5
6
-
580
581
582
583
584
585
586
587
588
589
590
591
592
593
594
595
596
-
-
9° 32’
-
77° 58’
-
Meesalore
Agasteeswaram
Mudukulattur
Madaholiramanickam and
Kunamangalam
-
Virudhunagar
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Ramanathapuram
Kanyakumari
Cuddalore
Kalkulam
Madurantakam
Kunnavakkam
Kanchipuram
Uthiramerur
7
-
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Chengalpattu
Kanchipuram
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanchipuram
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanchipuram
8
Freshwater
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
0.46
Freshwater
8.38
0.85
555.00
186.00
7.40
228.00
2.41
12.75
8.30
5.96
75.01
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
-
-
0.91
360.00
2.34
133.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
-
-
106.28
0.62
9.79
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
0.89
14.20
554.00
0.76
4.77
6.07
23.50
6.58
1.93
2.83
32.39
0.81
10.20
1.78
16.00
3
Vilavancode
Kuthanoor
-
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
4
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Vellore
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
-
Kanyakumari
Chengalpattu
Kanchipuram
12° 00’
80° 06’
1
2
597 *Kurunthankuzhikulam
598 *Kurunthatti Kulam
599 *Kurunthenkottukulam
600 *Kuruthikulam
601 *Kusavankulam
602 Kuthanoor Big Tank
603 *Kutharakulam
604 *Kuthikulam
605 *Kuthirakottukulam
606 *Kuthirapanchankulam
607 *Kuthiyakulam
608 *Kuttakavakulam
609 *Kuttikulam
610 *Kuttuvankulam
611 *Kuzavankonathukullam
612 *Kuzhikulam
613 *Kuzhipallamvadakaikulam
614 *Kuzhipallamvadakaiodaimarichankulam
615 *Kuzhipanthandalam Eri
I & II
616
617
618
619
620
621
622
623
624
625
626
627
628
629
630
*Lakshmikulam
Landai
*Lekshimiputhukulam
*Lathoor Eri
M.Sengulam Tank
*Machakulam
*Macherikulam
*Machimarkulam
*Machukulam
*Madaathuvattukulam
Madakulam Tank
*Madakulam
*Madapurattukulam
*Madavilagam Eri
*Madhavaram and
Manali Jheel
*Madhavanoor Kanmoi
*Madhavanoor Oorani
Madiramangan Tank
*Madiyankulam
631
632
633
634
Landai
Cheyur
M.Sengulam
Madakulam
Cheyur
Chennai
Kanyakumari
Ramanathapuram
Kanyakumari
Tiruvallur
Madurai
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Madurai
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Tiruvallur
Thiruvallur
Ramanathapuram
Ramanathapuram
Perumalpatti
-
Ramanathapuram
Ramanathapuram
Tirunelveli
Kanyakumari
5
-
6
-
7
0.60
0.80
2.96
0.45
2.47
100.00
2.88
5.63
3.06
17.54
10.41
1.58
2.95
7.82
4.97
4.72
0.70
8
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
-
-
0.79
Freshwater
-
-
77.00
Freshwater
10° 03’
-
77° 05’
-
8.30
172.00
33.25
3.00
140.00
2.91
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
13° 15’
80° 00’
2.71
3.90
1.86
18.54
248.00
20.24
8.00
28.33
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
-
-
400.00
0.60
144.00
9.72
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
1
635
636
637
638
639
640
641
642
643
644
645
646
647
648
649
650
651
652
653
654
655
656
657
658
659
660
661
662
2
*Madurai Agricultural
College and Research
Institute Campus (Wetland
in)
*Madurantakam Eri
*Maduvakulam
*Madyaiduvakulam
*Magarankulam
*Mahadevanpattukulam
Maikudy
*Majadikulam
*Malamankottuayanarkulam
*Malamkottathupottakuzhi
*Malamvadikulam
*Malaranchakuzhi
*Malavilanagakulam
*Malayankulam Eri
Mallal
*Mallankuzhikulam
*Mallikottukulam
*Mambukulam
*Manakattuvannankulam
*Manakulam
*Manakuzhikulam
*Manalacharikulam
*Manalikulam
*Manaliyarakonam
Illupakulam
*Manambakulam
*Manamkonathuvanankulam
*Manamutikulam
*Manaththittaikulam
-
3
4
Madurai
Madurantakam
Maikudy
-
Chengalpattu
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Madurai
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Uthiramerur
Mallal
-
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanchipuram
Ramanathapuram
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
-
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
-
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
663
664
665
666
667
668
*Manavoor Eri
*Manchadikulam
*Manchakavikulam
*Manchirakulam
*Mancottukulam
*Mandalamanickam
Kanmoi
669 Mangalaguidi Tank
670 Mangulam
5
6
09° 54’
78° 54’
10° 03’
-
77° 05’
-
-
Tiruttani
Thiruvadanai
Tiruvallur
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Ramanathapuram
Mangalaguidi
Mangulam
7
57.40
Ramanathapuram
Virudhunagar
8
Freshwater
1,350.00
1.07
5.62
4.55
15.33
130.00
1.94
2.41
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
-
0.35
1.00
0.43
2.48
119.00
0.59
3.06
7.49
0.19
3.47
1.61
2.48
12.91
12.85
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
-
-
41.15
0.78
Freshwater
Freshwater
-
-
0.49
19.59
213.00
4.05
2.42
16.84
3.79
788.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
1
671
672
673
674
-
2
*Manichapathurikulam
Manimuktnwdhi
Maninuthar
*Mankaraichenthamarikulam
675 *Mankkaraiputhukulam
676 *Mankulam
677 *Mankuzhikulam
678 Mannarkottai
679 *Mannimarkuzhi
680 *Mannur
681 Manoor Big Tank
682 *Manthakulam
683 *Mantharamputhoorkulam
684 Maraiyur
685 *Marakavookulam
686 Maramangalam Tank
687 *Maramparampu
688 *Marankulam (2 nos.)
689 *Maravoorkulam
690 *Marayan Kulam
691 *Marikka Oorani
692 *Marudham Eri
693 *Marungoor Periakulam
694 Marungoor Tank
695 Maruthadu Tank
696 Marutham Periakulam
697 *Maruthankottukulam
698 *Maruthankuzhikulam
699 *Maruvoorkulam
700 *Maryyankulam
701 *Mathakulam
702 *Matharankulam
703 *Mathirakulam
704 *Mattiyankulam
705 *Mavadikulam (2 nos.)
706 *Mavazhikulam
707 *Mayakulam Kanmoi
708 *Mecherikulam
709 *Mecottukulam
710 *Medhut Large Tank
711 *Meelakattukulam
712 *Meelamankuzhi
5
6
11° 47’
79° 50’
249.00
131.00
3
Kallakurichi
Aneasanudrar
-
Freshwater
Freshwater
4
Kanyakumari
Cuddalore
Tirunelveli
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Mannarkottai
Virudhunagar
Kanyakumari
Sriperumbudur
Kanchipuram
Manoor
Tirunelveli
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Maraiyur
Virudhunagar
Kanyakumari
Maramangalam
Salem
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Agasteeswaram
Kanyakumari
Uthiramerur
Kanchipuram
Agasteeswaram
Kanyakumari
Marungoor
Ramanathapuram
Maruthadu
Vellore
Kalingapatti
Tirunelveli
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Ponneri
Tiruvallur
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
7
8
31.40
Freshwater
360.00
Freshwater
11° 47’
-
79° 59’
-
-
-
1
713
714
715
716
717
718
719
720
2
*Meelapupradukulam
*Mekkarakulam
*Mekkottukulam
*Melachettikulam
*Melakadukkarakulam
*Melakannarkulam
*Melakarunkulam
Melakkarandaio Tank
940.00
2.92
11.49
15.09
1.85
127.00
0.54
9.00
375.00
10.12
23.14
150.00
2.18
304.00
2.79
1.43
9.20
5.70
1.60
10.00
17.30
406.00
252.00
119.00
1.94
45.43
5.40
4.74
4.81
21.43
5.38
15.78
2.43
2.42
23.00
1.01
3.72
1,194.00
4.94
2.72
3
Agasteeswaram
Meaakkarandai
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
4
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Tirunelveli
721
722
723
724
725
726
727
728
729
730
731
732
733
734
735
736
737
738
739
740
741
742
743
744
745
746
747
748
749
750
751
752
753
5
-
*Melakoilarkuzhikulam
*Melakulam
Melamadai
*Melamaruthooraperumkulam
*Melandankulam
Melanesaneri
*Melapallathukulam
Melaparuthiyur
*Melaramanathi Kanmoi
*Melaseethai Kanmoi
Melaserikulam
Periakulam
*Melayakudi Kanmoi
*Meliyan Kulam
Melpadi Small Tank
Melpadur Big Tank
*Meniakulam
*Menimudarkarkulam
*Mennanthi Kanmoi
*Meppanthirthkulam
*Mikkamkulam
*Minvaliyankulam
Mirattur Nilai Periakulam
*Misanganerikulam
*Mohanarakuzhikulam
*Mookaiyur Kanmoi
*Moolikulam
*Moral Reservoir
*Mottakulam
Mudalaikulam
*Mudaliakulam
*Mudalur Kanmoi
Mudukkanmkulam
*Mudukulathur Kanmoi
6
-
Melamadai
-
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Virudhunagar
Kanyakumari
Melanesaneri
Melaparuthiyur
Mudukulattur
Ramanathapuram
Melaserikulam
Kanyakumari
Madurai
Kanyakumari
Virudhunagar
Ramanathapuram
Ramanathapuram
Sivagangai
Paramakudi
Ramanathapuram
Agasteeswaram
Kanyakumari
Melpady
Vellore
Melpadur
Madurai
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Mudukulattur
Ramanathapuram
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Mirattur Nilai
Pudukottai
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Mudukulattur
Ramanathapuram
Agasteeswaram
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Mudalaikulam
Madurai
Kanyakumari
Mudukulattur
Ramanathapuram
Mudukkanmkulam Virudhunagar
Mudukulattur
Ramanathapuram
7
8
4.94
Freshwater
2.31
Freshwater
13.19
Freshwater
0.93
Freshwater
38.66
Freshwater
455.16
Freshwater
Freshwater
31.40
381.00
Freshwater
4.05
Freshwater
2.91
Freshwater
137.00
Freshwater
15.62
Freshwater
4.90
Freshwater
10° 03’
-
77° 05’
-
10° 03’
77° 05’
1
2
754 *Mukkalampadu Kulam
755 *Mukunthankulam
756 *Mulachikulam
757 *Mulikulam
758 *Mullankulam
759 *Mullavelikulam
760 *Mullikulam
761 *Mumgapattukulam
762 *Mundakottukulam
763 *Munian Temple Oorani
764 *Munnottukulam
765 *Murikulam
766 *Murippilakonattukulam
767 *Murukkambattur Eri
768 *Murukulam
769 *Murupanakulam
770 *Murvangakottukaniyarkulam
771 *Muthaliar Kulam
772 *Mutharunnikulam
169.00
1.63
129.00
95.00
13.00
128.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
270.00
4.00
165.00
110.00
25.06
11.09
996.00
0.60
11.74
9.17
178.00
2.73
2.23
111.00
10.10
1,564.00
9.89
100.00
24.73
716.00
114.00
340.00
3
Kalkulam
Ramanathapuram
Agasteeswaram
Tiruttani
-
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
4
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Ramanathapuram
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Tiruvallur
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Agasteeswaram
-
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
773
774
775
776
777
778
779
780
781
782
783
784
785
786
787
788
789
790
791
792
793
Muthilthagam Tank
Muthunadu Tank
Muthusamypuram
*Muthuvayal Kanmoi
*Myladumaparakulam
*Mylakulam
*Mylottukulam
N.Mukkulam
*Nachikonathikulam
*Nachikulam
*Nachimarkulam
*Nachiyarkulam
*Nachiyarpathukulam
(2 nos.)
*Nadachikulam
*Nadankulam
*Naduvathukenathkulam
*Naduvoorkurichikulam
*Nagakonthuggakulam
*Nagakulam (2 nos.)
Naganendal Tank
*Nagarakulam
Muthilthagam
Nadakottai
Muthusamypuram
Mudukulattur
N.Mukkulam
-
Ramanathapuram
Ramanathapuram
Virudhunagar
Ramanathapuram
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Virudhunagar
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Agasteeswaram
Naganendal
-
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Ramanathapuram
Kanyakumari
5
-
6
-
7
2.00
5.61
3.74
2.28
2.02
2.83
11.15
2.18
4.86
0.40
5.98
2.10
11.57
139.00
9.56
0.17
0.98
8
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
-
-
11.40
3.88
738.00
738.00
160.00
210.00
56.41
6.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
1
794
-
-
1.17
116.00
0.60
9.72
1.38
19.91
18.40
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
-
-
2.36
1.10
1.29
1.23
2.23
18.32
261.00
15.30
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
798
799
800
801
802
2
*Nagaratharkurihi Chinna
Kamoi
*Nagaratharkurichi
Kanmoi
*Nagarkulam
(Kallarkulam)
*Nagarkulam
(Vadaserikulam)
*Nagatchi Kanmoi
*Nagavathisamudrakulam
*Naikulam
*Nainarkulam
Nalayira Mudayan Kulam
803
Nalur
804
805
*Nallikulam
Nallumelakulam
806
807
808
809
810
811
812
Nallur Periya Eri
*Nambikulam (3 nos.)
Nambipuram Tank
*Nanankulam
Nandalar
*Nandankulam
*Nandthavanthu
Thunsankuzhi
*Nangakulam
*Nanganarkulam
Nangunerikulam
*Narakottukulam
795
796
797
813
814
815
816
3
Mudukulattur
4
Ramanathapuram
Mudukulattur
Ramanathapuram
-
Kanyakumari
-
Kanyakumari
Mudukulattur
Kandasamyruram
Nalur
Angamagalam
Suganthalai
Kalkulam
Kayalpattinam
North
Nallur
Nambipuram
Periyaulam
-
Ramanathapuram
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Tirunelveli
Nanguneri
-
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Tirunelveli
Kanyakumari
Virudhunagar
Kanyakumari
Tirunelveli
Vellore
Kanyakumari
Tirunelveli
Kanyakumari
Madurai
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
817
818
819
820
821
822
823
824
825
826
827
*Nankulam
*Narakuzhikulam
*Narasingamarkulam
Narayanaerikulam
Narikulam
Nathampatti Big Tank
Nathankuzhikulam
Navitankulam
Navithankottukulam
Navolivettithirthukulam
Nayinkulam
5
6
-
Agasteeswaram
Nathampatti
7
90.00
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Virudhunagar
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
8
Freshwater
-
-
86.00
Freshwater
-
-
9.23
Freshwater
-
-
9.91
Freshwater
-
-
378.00
6.50
3.91
4.01
101.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
-
-
163.00
Freshwater
-
-
4.10
118.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
10° 12’
-
77° 30’
-
217.00
39.29
170.00
0.28
197.00
2.02
1.82
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
-
-
37.59
4.88
261.00
2.29
2.10
1.94
1.70
16.19
68.81
145.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
1
828
829
830
831
832
833
834
835
836
837
838
839
840
841
842
843
844
845
846
847
848
849
850
851
852
853
854
855
856
857
858
859
860
861
862
863
864
865
866
867
868
-
2
Nediyankottukulam
Nedumaram Tank
*Nedumkulam (12 nos.)
*Nedupangankulam
*Needuvalakulam
*Neelakulam
*Neerali (6 nos.)
*Neerazhi (4 nos.)
*Neerazhikulam (2 nos.)
*Neerazhy
*Nelamadur Kanmoi
Nellukurichi
*Nelpattakulam
Nemam Tank
Nemmeni Tank
*Neralikulam (2 nos.)
Nerkunnam
Nerkuppai Tank
Nerumeni
*Nesapakkam Eri
*Nettankuzhikulam
*Neyyankuzhikulam
*Nhavathivinayagankulam
Nilamalagia Mangalam
Tank
*Nilayambodi Kanmoi
*Niliyur Tank
*Nimayakulam
*Nochili Eri
*Noyyal River Basin
*Nulikulam
*Nullikulam
*Ochankulam
*Odaimarichankulam
*Odaparachakarakulam
*Odiyakulam
*Odupparakoilankulam
Ogalur Tank
*Olakottuchanttidakulam
*Olakottuparambukulam
*Olluppukonathukulam
*Oochankulam
5
6
3.25
0.22
2.88
0.25
4.21
3
Nedumaram
Paramakudi
Nellukurichi
Nemam
Nemmeni
Nerkunnam
Nerkuppai
Nerumeni
Madurantakam
Nilamalagia
Mangalam
Mudukulattur
Niliyur
Pallipattu
Noyyal
Agasteeswaram
Ogalur
7
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
4
Kanyakumari
Ramanathapuram
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Ramanathapuram
Virudhunagar
Kanyakumari
Ramanathapuram
Ramanathapuram
Kanyakumari
Vellore
Ramanathapuram
Virudhunagar
Chengalpattu
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Ramanathapuram
Ramanathapuram
Madurai
Kanyakumari
Tiruvallur
Karur
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Tiruchirapally
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
8
-
-
2.98
489.00
87.92
3.24
4.43
8.95
6.84
16.38
13.69
0.49
950.00
162.00
2.07
410.00
328.00
1.76
129.00
544.00
400.00
4.00
6.52
0.96
5.74
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
-
-
353.00
Freshwater
10° 12’
76° 39’
1
2
869 *Oorankulam
870 *Oorva Kulam
871 *Oottukulam
872 *Ooty Lake
873 Oranda Urappanur
874 Orasur Big Tank
473.00
585.00
19.41
4.00
1,750.00
5.50
1.70
0.29
0.02
3.10
40.64
1.72
215.00
1.08
2.20
1.05
12.55
3
Vilavancode
Urappanur
Orasur
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
4
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Nilgiris
Madurai
Ramanathapuram
875
876
877
878
879
880
881
882
883
884
885
886
887
888
889
890
891
892
893
894
895
896
897
898
*Orathur Eri
Oriyur Tank
*Othapanai Kulam
*Othivilagam Eri
*Ottankulam
*Ottankulam
Ananthavattikulam
*Ottappanaikulam
Otteri Tank
*Paakkam Eri
P.Pudupatti
*Padalakulam
*Padanatapuli
*Padappankulam
*Paianur Eri
*Paikulam
*Pakkam Eri
Pakkam Hissa Tank
*Pakkam Peria Eri
*Pakkulam
*Palakulam (4 nos.)
*Palamudarkulam
Palar-Porandalar
Palaya Kanmudi
Palayamkottai
Madurantakam
Oriyur
Agasteeswaram
Cheyur
-
Otteri
Tiruttani
P.Pudupatti
Mudukulattur
Chengalpattu
Tiruvallur
Pakkam
Tiruvallur
Palani
Palaya
Palayamkottai
village
899 *Palayanoor Eri
Tiruttani
900 *Palchakulam
901 *Palikulam
902 *Palkondankulam (2 nos.) 903 *Palkulam (2 nos.)
904 *Palladikulam
905 *Pallakulam (2 nos.)
906 *Pallamarthandankulam
907 *Pallankulam
908 *Pallikaranai swamp
Saidapet
909 *Pallikondarkulam
5
6
7
3.42
4.50
6.48
11° 18’
76° 35’
15.00
10° 03’
77° 05’
185.00
700.00
272.00
11.90
9.00
6.84
1.28
Chengalpattu
Ramanathapuram
Kanyakumari
Tiruvallur
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Vellore
Tiruvallur
Virudhunagar
Kanyakumari
Ramanathapuram
Kanyakumari
Kanchipuram
Kanyakumari
Tiruvallur
Cuddalore
Tiruvallur
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Madurai
Pudukottai
Cuddalore
Tiruvallur
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Chengalpattu
Kanyakumari
8
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
10° 25’
-
77° 29’
-
-
-
1
910
911
912
913
914
915
916
917
918
919
920
921
922
923
924
925
2
*Palottarakulam
*Pambadikulam
*Panakulam
*Panankuzhikulam
*Panavilagathukulam
*Panavilaikulam
Pandalam Hissa Tank
*Pandarakonathupandarakulam
*Pandarakonathuputhukulam
*Pandarakulam
*Pandikanmoi Kanmoi
*Pandiyankulam
*Pandoor Eri
*Pandravedu Eri
*Pangulam
Paniyur Tank
13.15
159.00
40.00
624.00
2.09
88.00
7.13
1.51
46.00
144.00
121.00
2.17
27.50
2.31
518.00
154.00
110.00
85.00
3.91
3.45
3.91
10.77
2.02
65.78
4.25
20.24
8,000.00
8.66
3
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Pandalam
-
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
4
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Cuddalore
Kanyakumari
-
Kanyakumari
Mudukulattur
Tiruvallur
Pallipattu
Paniyur
Kanyakumari
Ramanathapuram
Kanyakumari
Tiruvallur
Tiruvallur
Kanyakumari
Madurai
926
927
928
929
930
931
932
933
934
935
936
937
938
939
940
941
942
943
944
945
946
947
948
5
-
*Pannikundukulam
*Panuookkonathuodakulam
*Panyankulam
Pappangulam
*Pappankottukulam
*Pappankulam
*Pappa Oorani
*Paracherykulam
*Parai Kulam
*Parakkakulam
*Parakkamangalathukulam
*Parakudykonathukulam
*Parakulam
Paralachi
*Parandur I & II
Paranur Tank
Parapalar
*Paraserikulam
Paravai
*Parayankulam
*Parikulam
*Parppanakulam
*Parthipanur Kanmoi
6
-
-
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Ladanendal
Ramanathapuram
Kalkulam
Vilavancode
-
Kanyakumari
Sivagangai
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Ramanathapuram
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Paralachi
Kanchipuram
Paranur
Palani
Paravai
Paramakudi
7
3.60
5.68
8.00
3.97
2.32
5.27
106.00
2.29
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Virudhunagar
Kanchipuram
Ramanathapuram
Madurai
Kanyakumari
Madurai
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Ramanathapuram
8
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
-
-
4.49
Freshwater
-
-
23.21
122.00
3.09
177.00
29.00
61.47
184.00
5.60
0.18
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
-
-
1.33
244.00
2.34
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
-
-
10° 25’
77° 42’
10° 03’
77° 05’
1
2
949 *Parumkalkulam
950 *Paruthaikulam (2 nos.)
951 *Paruthikuzhikulam
952 Paruthipalli Tank
953 *Pasupathikulam
954 *Pathirikulam (2 nos.)
955 *Pathirottukulam
956 *Pathiyakulam
957 *Pathukulam
958 *Pattakuzhikulam
959 *Pattankonathu Ezhukula
960 *Pattankonathukulam
961 *Pattanvilaikulam
962 *Pattikulam (2 nos.)
963 *Paulkulam
964 Pavoor Hissa Tank
965 *Pazhayanoor Eri
966 Peakulam
967 *Pechankulam
968 *Pechikulam
969 Pechiparai (Kodayar)
Reservoir
970 Peikulam
971 *Perakulam
972 *Peravoor Oorani
973 *Peria Eri
974 *Periakalakattur Eri
975 *Periakaraumbur Big &
Small
976 Peria Kollukudi Patti
4.43
1.00
5.80
3.20
209.62
10.45
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
2.02
1.04
148.00
683.00
114.00
22.66
134.00
4.35
4.85
27.51
214.00
3
Paruthipalli
Pavoor
Madurantakam
Kuzhithurai
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
4
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Salem
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Vellore
Chengalpattu
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Irurappaputam
Ramanathapuram
Tirunelveli
Kanyakumari
Ramanathapuram
Tiruttani
Ponneri
Tiruvallur
Tiruvallur
Tirupathur
Sivagangai
979
980
981
982
Tank
Periakulam
Periakulam
(Therukukaracheri)
*Periakulam (2 nos.)
*Perianerikulam
Periyakanmoi
Periyakkalkulam
983
984
985
Periyakulam
Periyakulam
Periyakulam
977
978
Kaliyanoor
South Karaseri
Tirunelveli
Tirunelveli
Maruthangadui
Keelathinivenkatanatha puram
Muruganeri
Villur
Sivagiri
Vasudevavallur
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Madurai
Tirunelveli
Theni
Madurai
Tirunelveli
7
11.23
1.21
2.15
132.00
0.62
8.80
5.61
3.38
36.01
1.36
1.13
1.09
0.66
1.29
53.04
131.00
11.29
14.87
1.49
1,515.00
8
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
-
328.00
24.64
2.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
-
-
206.00
53.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
10° 07’
78° 35’
13.70
Freshwater
-
-
129.00
115.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
-
-
57.61
Freshwater
5
08° 27’
6
77° 19’
-
10° 03’
-
77° 05’
-
10° 03’
77° 05’
10° 03’
77° 05’
09° 10’
77° 70’
1
2
986 *Periyakulam (2 nos.)
987 Periyaseval kulam
988 Periyoor Big Tank
989 *Perukulam
990 *Perumakulam (2 nos.)
991 *Perumal Lake
992 *Perumalpuram
Periakulam
993 *Perumankonathukulam
994 *Perumankulam (2 nos.)
995 *Perumbair Kandigai Eri
996 *Perumkottukulam
997 Perumkottur Periakulam
998 *Perumkulam (4 nos.)
999 *Perunchakulam
1000 *Peruneeliyarakulam
1001 Perungalathur Tank
1002 Perungattur Tank
1003 Perungulam
1004 *Perunkari Kanmoi
1005 Perunoani Reservoir
1006 *Peruuilaikulam
1007 *Peruvayal Kanmoi
1008 *Peruvilaikulam
1009 *Peunkulam
1010 *Peyottankulam
1011 *Peyottankulam
1012 *Peyottuvakulam
1013 *Pilakodukulam
1014 *Pilakudikulam
1015 Pilani Tank
1016 *Pillaiyarkoil Oorani
1017 *Pillaiyarkulam
1018 *Pillayaroothukulam
1019 *Pirakal Amkathukulam
1020 *Pirakalkulam
1021 *Pirakulam
1022 *Piramuttakulam
1023 *Piranthacherikulam
1024 *Piranthinaserikulam
1025 *Piranthnrikulam
1026 *Pirathankuzhikulam
68.63
138.00
115.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
116.00
148.00
200.00
3
Thennamanallur
Perumalpatti
Kullanchawadi
Thovalai
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
4
Kanyakumari
Madurai
Tirunelveli
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Cuddalore
Kanyakumari
Madurantakam
Perumkottur
Perungalathur
Perungattur
Perungulam
Paramakudi
Vagecolil
Kalkulam
Ramanathapuram
Kalambur
Ramanathapuram
Agasteeswaram
Agasteeswaram
Kalkulam
-
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Chengalpattu
Kanyakumari
Tirunelveli
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Madurai
Vellore
Tirunelveli
Ramanathapuram
Madurai
Kanyakumari
Ramanathapuram
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Ramanathapuram
Ramanathapuram
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
1027
*Poatnikulam
-
5
10° 03’
-
6
77° 05’
-
7
280.99
195.00
182.00
4.05
42.68
200.00
14.40
Kanyakumari
8
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
08° 22’
-
77° 22’
-
1.66
14.23
7.37
127.00
71.28
4.12
2.31
248.00
235.00
407.00
257.00
962.00
4.80
167.00
15.72
29.58
7.72
2.16
6.78
2.57
10.27
400.00
1.60
9.30
1.21
1.56
1.07
0.80
14.01
30.54
20.20
51.72
5.75
4.05
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
1
1028
1029
1030
1031
1032
1033
1034
1035
1036
1037
1038
1039
1040
1041
1042
1043
1044
1045
1046
1047
1048
1049
1050
1051
1052
1053
1054
1055
1056
1057
1058
1059
1060
1061
1062
1063
1064
1065
1066
1067
1068
1069
2
*Podaturpet Eri
*Poigaikulam
*Polaiyan Kulam
Pollagacherri Tank
*Ponamkurikulam
*Pondampuli Kanmoi
*Ponnagiramzhikulam
*Ponnanikulam
*Ponnankulam
Ponneri
Ponnu SamudramTank
Ponnur Tank
*Poochakulam
*Pookulam
*Pookuzhikulam
*Poolankulam (2 nos.)
*Poolankuzhikulam
*Poonakulam
*Pooncheri + Painur II Eri
*Poondi Reservoir
*Poonimangadu Eri
*Poonkottuvamakulam
*Poothondi Kanmoi
*Poothondi Oorani
*Poovilathur Kanmoi
*Porumkulam
*Porungankulam
*Porur Eri
*Pothiakulam
*Pothikulam Kanmoi
Pottaikulam
Pottaikulam
*Pottaikulam
*Pottakulam (7 nos.)
*Pottakuzhikulam (4 nos.)
*Pottithaliti Kanmoi
Poyyallur Tank
*Pthiramangalamputhulam
*Puachalkulam
Pudukottai
*Pudukotukulam
*Pudukulam (4 nos.)
3
Pallipattu
Thovalai
Agasteeswaram
Pollagacherri
Mudukulattur
Kuruvelappankoil
Arasiramani
Ponnur
Chengalpattu
Tiruvallur
Tiruttani
Ramanathapuram
Ramanathapuram
Mudukulattur
Saidapet
Thovalai
Mudukulattur
Karungulam
Kulayankarasal
Mudukulattur
Poyyallur
Pudukottai
-
4
Tiruvallur
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Cuddalore
Kanyakumari
Ramanathapuram
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Tiruchirapally
Salem
Vellore
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanchipuram
Tiruvallur
Tiruvallur
Kanyakumari
Ramanathapuram
Ramanathapuram
Ramanathapuram
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Chengalpattu
Kanyakumari
Ramanathapuram
Tirunelveli
Tirunelveli
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Ramanathapuram
Ramanathapuram
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Virudhunagar
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
1070 *Pudukuzhikulam
5
6
1
2
1071 Pudur Tank
1072 *Puduvilaithanikulam
1073 *Pulakudiykulam
1074 *Pulakulam
7
3.00
11.30
2.80
100.00
0.14
811.00
57.42
0.74
12.66
277.00
112.00
121.00
6.32
16.44
18.54
81.02
30.36
6.98
48.00
3,263.00
28.00
5.27
1.60
0.80
1,120.00
122.79
28.96
320.00
3.20
171.00
101.00
101.00
5.74
38.53
3.59
369.00
252.00
3.32
1.51
172.00
1.21
8.83
1.81
3
Pudur
-
Kanyakumari
8
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
4
Ramanathapuram
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
1075
1076
1077
1078
1079
1080
1081
1082
1083
1084
1085
1086
1087
1088
1089
1090
1091
1092
1093
1094
1095
1096
1097
1098
1099
1100
1101
1102
1103
1104
1105
1106
1107
1108
1109
1110
1111
5
-
*Pulankulam
*Puliangulam
*Puliankuruchi Kulam
*Pulimpallikulam (2 nos.)
*Pulimughutenkunjakulam
*Pulithikulam Kanmoi
*Pulivarikulam
*Puliveeramkulam
*Puliyankulam
*Puliyarakonathukulam
*Puliykatnathkulam
*Puliyoor
*Puliyoorkurichikulam
Puliyur Tank
*Pullakulam
*Pullancherikulam
*Pullukudi Kanmoi
Pullur Tank
*Pungarachellan Kulam
(2 nos.)
*Punkarichellamkulam
*Punnachakulam
*Punnarkulam
*Punniyakulam
*Purakkal Kulam
Purisai Tank
*Purushothamanerikulam
*Puthali
*Puthankulam
*Putharakulam
*Puthenkulam
*Putheri Periakulam
*Putherikulam
*Puthukulam (6 nos.)
*Puthukuzhkulam
Puthupalli Alam Swamp
*Puthur Kanmoi
*Puthuvettikulam
6
-
Thovalai
-
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Mudukulattur
Chengalpattu
Puliyur
Thiruvadanai
Pullur
Kalkulam
Ramanathapuram
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanchipuram
Kanyakumari
Ramanathapuram
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Ramanathapuram
Ramanathapuram
Kanyakumari
Vilavancode
Purisai
Uthiramerur
Mudukulattur
7
424.00
0.22
10.63
4.05
2.86
8.02
20.30
8.36
20.07
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Vellore
Kanyakumari
Kanchipuram
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Thanjavur
Ramanathapuram
Kanyakumari
8
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
-
-
10° 36’
79° 48’
1
2
1112 *Puyangankulam
1113 *Puzhal Eri (Red Hills)
1114 *Puzhukolikulam (2 nos)
1115 *Radathattikulam
1116 Radhanur Tank
1117 *Raja Singa Mangalam
Kanmoi
1118 *Rajendrakulam
1119 Ramalingapuram
1120 *Ramanathapuram Big
Tank
1121 *Ramankulam
1122 *Ramanpathoerkulam
1123 *Ramanpudurpandarakulam
1124 *Ramanputhoor Kulam
75.00
5.34
7.98
1.82
2.27
18.35
1.00
60.73
423.00
3.36
2.84
474.00
330.00
6.70
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
18.30
6.47
25.71
8.88
0.40
288.00
32.39
10.21
2.02
0.17
94.38
10.56
62.72
2.15
590.00
750.00
2.18
3
Saidapet
Radhanur
Thiruvadanai
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
4
Kanyakumari
Chengalpattu
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Ramanathapuram
Ramanathapuram
Ammapatti
Ramanathapuram
Kanyakumari
Virudhunagar
Ramanathapuram
-
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Agasteeswaram
Kanyakumari
1125
1126
1127
1128
1129
1130
1131
1132
1133
1134
1135
1136
1137
1138
1139
1140
1141
1142
1143
1144
1145
1146
1147
1148
5
-
*Ramapuram Big &
Small Tanks
*Ramapuram Kulam
*Ramasamudramkulam
Ravathanallur Large Tank
*Rayankulam
*Remkulam
*Rettai Eri (Madhavaram)
*S. Kavanur Kanmoi
*S. Keeraandel Kanmoi
*S. Thalvaikudi Kanmoi
*Sabayarkulam
*Sadayan Kulam
*Sakiyankottuvannankulam
Sakkandi Tank
*Sakkarakottai Kanmoi
*Salavakam Eri
*Saloor Eri
*Sambakulam
*Samiyarkulam
Samudram Eri
Sarvoorkulam
*Sasthankoilkulam
(2 nos.)
*Sathankulam
*Sathanparakulam
6
-
Tiruttani
Tiruvallur
Agasteeswaram
Ravathanallur
Saidapet
Paramakudi
Mudukulattur
Mudukulattur
Agasteeswaram
-
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Cuddalore
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Chengalpattu
Ramanathapuram
Ramanathapuram
Ramanathapuram
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Sakkandi
Ramanathapuram
Uthiramerur
Chengalpattu
Samudram
-
Ramanathapuram
Ramanathapuram
Kanchipuram
Kanchipuram
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Vellore
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
7
1.38
4,680.00
81.42
10.28
525.00
890.00
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
8
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
-
-
20.49
228.00
1,450.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
-
-
17.64
7.21
0.68
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
-
-
5.90
220.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
-
-
2.40
119.79
116.00
7.14
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
1
1149
1150
1151
1152
1153
1154
1155
1156
1157
1158
1159
1160
1161
1162
1163
1164
1165
1166
1167
1168
1169
1170
1171
1172
1173
1174
1175
-
-
10.12
542.00
560.00
163.00
194.00
17.38
4.90
1.51
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
-
-
310.00
1,195.00
37.00
2.00
5.55
1.38
168.00
5.04
8.71
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
-
-
13.25
1.79
3
2
Sathanur Reservoir
*Satharathankulam
*Savar Kanmoi
*Sayalkudi Kanmoi
Sayamalai Periakulam
Seenankudi Tank
Seerakulam Tank
*Seethapalkulam
Seeyamuthu Tank
*Semanur Big Tank
*Semanur Small Tank
*Sembakkam Eri
Sembanur Tank
Sembattur Periakulam
*Sembilankudi Kanmoi
Sengulam
Senjannattar Big Tank
*Serenserykulam
Sethupuram
*Sevilimedu
*Seyalur Kanmoi
Sholavar Reservoir
*Sholinganallur (Velaleri
& Tamarraikani tanks)
*Siloorkulam
*Sinianthiruthukulam
Siripuranthan Peria Eri
Sirunallur Tank
Mudukulattur
Mudukulattur
Sayamalai
Seenankudi
Seerakulam
Mattur
Mudukulattur
Mudukulattur
Chengalpattu
Sembanur
Sembattur
Paramakudi
Sengulam
S.R. Pattanam
Sethupuram
Kanchipuram
Mudukulattur
Pollachi
Saidapet
Freshwater
Freshwater
4
Tiruvannamali
Kanyakumari
Ramanathapuram
Ramanathapuram
Tirunelveli
Ramanathapuram
Tirunelveli
Kanyakumari
Ramanathapuram
Ramanathapuram
Ramanathapuram
Kanchipuram
Ramanathapuram
Pudukottai
Ramanathapuram
Madurai
Ramanathapuram
Kanyakumari
Virudhunagar
Kanchipuram
Ramanathapuram
Coimbatore
Chengalpattu
Siripuranthan
Sirunallur
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Tiruchirapally
Ramanathapuram
1176
1177
1178
1179
1180
1181
1182
1183
1184
1185
1186
1187
1188
1189
1190
Sirupandal Hissa Tank
Siruthavur Tank
Sivagambivar Tank
Sivarakottai Tank
*Somacharikulam (3 nos.)
Somasipadi Tank
*Sonaipriyakotaii Kanmoi
*Soorankudikulam
*Sooratnankulam
*Sottukulam
*Sripandarakonathukulam
*Sriperumbudur
Srirangarajapurma
*Stanley Reservoir
*Suchindrakulam
5
6
12° 20’
78° 54’
10° 03’
77° 05’
13° 00’
10° 03’
-
80° 10’
77° 05’
-
Sirupandal
Sivagambivar
Sivarakottai
Somasipadi
Mudukulattur
Sriperumbudur
Srirangarajapurma
7
1,255.00
6.32
910.00
216.00
127.00
253.00
180.00
60.73
412.00
1,105.00
472.00
12.00
612.00
247.00
733.00
117.00
460.00
2.45
168.00
752.00
526.00
250.00
22.33
1.69
133.00
285.00
192.00
7,772.00
688.00
182.00
2.68
258.00
Cuddalore
Chengelpettu
Ramanathapuram
Madurai
Kanyakumari
Vellore
Ramanathapuram
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanchipuram
Vellore
Kanyakumari
8
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
1
1191
1192
1193
1194
1195
1196
-
1197
1198
1199
2
Sunallur Tank
*Sundarakulam
*Sundarakuzhikulam
*Sundaranainarkulam
*Suriyanagaram Eri
*Suriyandiodai
Chettikulam
*Suvarakottukulam
T.Kalathur Tank
Tathampatti Big Tank
1200
1201
1202
1203
1204
1205
1206
*Thaattankulam
*Thachankulam (2 nos.)
*Thadakkakulam
*Thalakulam
*Thalavedu Eri
*Thalayachakulam
Thaliramarungoor
1207
1208
1209
1210
1211
*Thaltankonathkulam
Thaluthalai Tank
Thamaraikulam
*Thamaraikulam (6 nos.)
Thamathuvilayanpadiyankulam
*Thandalam Eri
Thanalur Tank
*Thananjayan Kulam
*Thanappiramanamkulam
*Thanarajayankulam
*Thandanayagamkulam
*Thanumalaiyankulam
Thathaneri Tank
*Thathiyarkulam
*Thattamvilaiathuvelenkulam
*Thattankulam
*Thattanpallakulam
*Thattarakulam
*Thavalikulam
1212
1213
1214
1215
1216
1217
1218
1219
1220
1221
1222
1223
1224
1225
180.00
1.53
1.06
5.04
0.65
50.30
183.00
15,346.00
299.30
3
Sunallur
Tiruttani
-
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
4
Vellore
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Tiruvallur
Kanyakumari
T.Kalathur
Tathampatti Big
Tank
Agasteeswaram
Tiruttani
Thaliramarungoor
Thaluthalai
Kalakadu
-
Kanyakumari
Tiruchirapally
Virudhunagar
Chengalpattu
Thanalur
Agasteeswaram
Thathaneri
-
Kanchipuram
Tirunelveli
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Madurai
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
-
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Tiruvallur
Kanyakumari
Ramanathapuram
Kanyakumari
Tiruchirapally
Tirunelveli
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
1226
1227
1228
5
-
Thavamkurichi Big Tank
*Thavittukulam
*Thazhakudiykulam
6
-
T. Kallupatti
7
1,364.00
2.13
5.94
3.15
68.00
1.36
Madurai
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
8
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
-
-
1.46
148.00
144.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
-
-
0.77
16.99
3.89
26.20
6.04
381.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
-
-
1.67
188.00
160.00
34.00
0.15
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
10° 03’
-
77° 05’
-
813.00
2.20
24.60
8.41
24.73
9.76
103.00
119.62
1.13
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
10° 03’
77° 05’
1
2
1229 *Thazhakulam
1230 *Thazhayankulam
1.71
40.63
3.89
2.16
125.00
2.74
18.96
3
Vilavancode
-
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
4
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
(2 nos.)
*Theeroallakulam
*Theeyanur Kanmoi
*Thellikulam
*Themgaipalam
Eswarankulam
*Themmadikonamkulam
Themmapatti Tank
Thengal Tank
1231
1232
1233
1234
1235
1236
1237
1238
*Thengankuzhikulam
(3 nos.)
*Theniadikonthathuthengadadi
Thenkarai
Thenkarai Periyakulam
1239
1240
1241
1242
1243
1244
1245
Thenmathur Tank
Thennampattu
*Thenneri
*Thenpuduvakudi
Kanmoi
1246 *Therkkalkulam
1247 *Therkulam
1248 *Therkumettukulam
1249 *Theroor Kulam
1250 *Thettankulam
1251 *Thevarakulam
1252 *Thevijakulam
1253 Theyyar Big Tank
1254 *Thirichanakulam
1255 *Thirukuzhikulam
1256 *Thirumanthakula
1257 Thirumurthi Reservoir
1258 *Thirunilai
1259 *Thirupathisaramkulam
1260 Thiruppakkottai Tank
1261 Thiruppalaikudi Tank
1262 *Thirupulivanam Eri
1263 Thiruthervalai Tank
1264 *Thiruthukuzhikulam
5
6
-
-
Mudukulattur
-
Kanyakumari
Ramanathapuram
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Themmapatti
Thirupparan
kundram
-
Kanyakumari
Ramanathapuram
Madurai
-
Kanyakumari
Alvarthirunagari
Thenkarai
Mullipallam
Thenmathur
Thennampattu
Sriperumbudur
Paramakudi
Tirunelveli
Madurai
Agasteeswaram
Theyyar
Udumalpet
Uthukkottai
Thiruppakkottai
Thiruppalaikudi
Uthiramerur
Thiruthervalai
7
3.20
6.74
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Vellore
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Coimbatore
Tiruvallur
Kanyakumari
Ramanathapuram
Ramanathapuram
Kanchipuram
Ramanathapuram
Kanyakumari
8
Freshwater
Freshwater
32.14
410.00
17.00
0.53
Kanyakumari
Vellore
Vellore
Kanchipuram
Ramanathapuram
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
-
-
2.03
256.00
182.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
-
-
5.89
Freshwater
-
-
0.87
Freshwater
10° 03’
77° 05’
466.00
111.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
-
-
1,892.00
146.00
720.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
-
-
1
1265
1266
1267
1268
1269
1270
2
Thiruvariman Tank
Thiruvengadam
Periakulam
*Thiruvenganerikulam
Thiruvetriyur Tank
*Thiruvikramaserikulam
Thiruvirundapuram
1271
1272
1273
1274
1275
1276
*Thittamathukulam
Thiumanickam
*Thiyagasoundarikulam
Thiyathur Tank
*Thodukuzhikulam
*Tholur Kanmoi
7.40
315.52
7.26
169.60
0.89
2.09
1.93
148.00
1.21
3.13
0.77
466.00
306.00
152.38
461.00
320.00
25.00
430.00
0.12
3
Thiruvariman
Thiruvengadam
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
4
Madurai
Tirunelveli
Thiruvetriyur
Thiruvirundapuram
Thiumanickam
Thiyathur
Paramakudi
Kanyakumari
Ramanathapuram
Kanyakumari
Virudhunagar
Kanyakumari
Madurai
Kanyakumari
Pudukottai
Kanyakumari
Ramanathapuram
1277
1278
1279
1280
1281
1282
Thondamandurai Tank
*Thondansassambu
Thorappadi Tank
Thottakudikulam
*Thottakulam
*Thottamangalam
Kanmoi
1283 *Thottipalamkulam
1284 *Thovalai Periakulam
1285 *Thudichikulam
1286 *Thudippankulam
1287 Thulakudi
1288 *Thulukankulam
(2 nos.)
1289 *Thumbavilaivivettuthiruthu
1290 Thusur Tank
1291 *Thuvaramkulam
(2 nos.)
1292 *Thuvarapallikulam
1293 Tiruchuli
1294 Tirupathur Large Tank
1295 Tiruppattur Big Tank
1296 *Tirurnoorthly
1297 Tnennagarm Tank
1298 *Tr. Bazaar Lake
1299 *Trirporur
Chekikadithangal
1300 Tripramadevi Tank
5
6
-
Thondamandurai
Thorappadi
Perumkotture
Thiruvadanai
Tiruchirapally
Kanyakumari
Vellore
Tirunelveli
Kanyakumari
Ramanathapuram
Thovalai
Cholapuram
-
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Virudhunagar
Kanyakumari
-
Kanyakumari
Thusur
-
Salem
Kanyakumari
Tiruchuli
Tirupathur
Tiruppattur
Tindivavam
Chengalpattu
Kanyakumari
Virudhunagar
Vellore
Ramanathapuram
Cuddalore
Nilgiris
Kanchipuram
Tripramadevi
7
129.00
105.00
Salem
8
Freshwater
Freshwater
-
-
37.11
752.00
4.36
197.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
10° 03’
-
77° 05’
-
14.17
183.00
11.42
132.00
0.42
202.00
112.00
4.86
165.00
103.00
0.47
92.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
-
-
3.48
2.50
1.37
5.02
188.00
81.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
-
-
0.43
Freshwater
-
-
136.00
13.83
Freshwater
Freshwater
12° 07’
11°18’
-
79° 42’
76°35’
-
1.66
328.00
115.00
478.00
182.00
100.00
3.00
1.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
-
-
183.00
3
Ukkal
Ulagani
Ulakudi
Unjanai
Uppoor
Uravayal
-
Freshwater
4
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Vellore
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Madurai
Virudhunagar
Kanyakumari
Ramanathapuram
Kanyakumari
Ramanathapuram
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Ramanathapuram
Kanyakumari
Uruvatti
Uthiramerur
Uthrabosamangari
-
Ramanathapuram
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanchipuram
Ramanathapuram
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
1
1301
1302
1303
1304
1305
1306
1307
1308
1309
1310
1311
1312
1313
1314
1315
1316
1317
1318
1319
1320
1321
1322
1323
1324
1325
2
*Uachankulam
*Udamboorkulam
*Udanparakulam
*Udappakulam (2 nos.)
Ukkal Tank
*Ukkikulam
*Ukulam
Ulaganikanmoi
Ulakudi
*Ulankulam
Unjanai Tank
*Uppanganerikulam
Uppoor Tank
*Urakulam (2 nos.)
*Uralinkulam
Uravayal Tank
*Urayikonathuthmarakulam
Uruvatti Tank
*Utharankulam
*Uthiradakulam
*Uthiramerur Eri
Uthrabosamangari
*Uttakulam
*Uttankuzhikulam
*Uttukulam
1326
1327
1328
*Vachankulam (2 nos.)
Vadagarai
*Vadakaithanikuzhi
(2 nos.)
1329 Vadakarai
1330 Vadakarai Tank
1331 *Vadakkankulam (3 nos)
1332 *Vadamadurai Eri
1333 Vadamavali Tank
1334 *Vadankulam
1335 Vadi
1336 *Vagalkulam
1337 Vaigai Reservoir
1338 *Vairavanendal Kanmoi
1339 *Vairavikonathukulam
1340 Vakkadai Hissa Tank
1341 Valamvoor Tank
5
6
10° 03’
77° 05’
-
Vadagarai
-
Kanyakumari
Madurai
Kanyakumari
Vadakarai
Sholavanthan
Uthukkottai
Vadamavali
Vadi
Periyakulam
Mudukulattur
Vakkadai
Valamvoor
7
2.02
4.86
19.82
12.95
184.00
6.07
11.50
102.00
144.00
0.70
334.00
10.58
447.00
7.21
5.36
272.00
2.26
Virudhunagar
Madurai
Kanyakumari
Tiruvallur
Ramanathapuram
Kanyakumari
Virudhunagar
Kanyakumari
Madurai
Ramanathapuram
Kanyakumari
Vellore
Ramanathapuram
8
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
10° 03’
-
77° 05’
-
256.00
1.62
2.59
218.00
172.00
2.83
2.04
6.88
8.58
138.00
0.62
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
10° 03’
77° 05’
187.00
303.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
10° 03’
-
77° 05’
-
3.15
27.00
316.00
2.16
660.00
1.26
2,419.00
875.00
7.59
130.00
414.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
1
1342
1343
2
*Valapuram
*Valasoundarikulam
(2 nos.)
*Valathur
*Valiakulam Puthukulam
*Valiyakulam (2 nos.)
Vallakulam
1344
1345
1346
1347
1348
1349
1350
1351
1352
1353
1354
1355
1356
1357
1358
1359
1360
1361
1362
1363
1364
1365
1366
1367
1368
1369
1370
1371
1372
1373
1374
1375
1376
1377
1378
1379
*Valliambalkuzhikulam
*Vallichirakulam
*Vallikulam
Vallioor Big
*Valluvapakkam Eri
*Valliykonamkulam
*Valukkaikulam Kanmoi
*Vambiyarkonathukulam
*Vanankulam
Vandinipatti Tank
*Vaniankulam
*Vaniyakuzhikulam
Vaniyambadi Tank
*Vaniyankulam (3 nos.)
Vanjivakkam Large Tank
Vanjivakkam Small Tank
*Vannankulam (4 nos.)
*Vannankuzhikulam
*Vannaparambukulam
*Vannikudy Kanmoi
*Varamarthandanputhukulam
*Variarkonathukulam
Varichiyur Tank
*Variyoor Puthukulam
*Vathikonathukulam
*Vattakudi Kanmoi
Vattanam Tank
*Vattarkulam
*Vattiaramankonathukulam
Vayakottukulam
*Vayalur Kanmoi
Vayalur Manaanikal
Tank
5
6
-
-
3
Sriperumbudur
-
4
Kanchipuram
Kanyakumari
Kanchipuram
Padikaswitham
Patti
Vallioor (North)
Madurantakam
Mudukulattur
Vandinipatti
Vaniyambadi
Vanjivakkam
Vanjivakkam
Ramanathapuram
-
Kanchipuram
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Virudhunagar
Varichiyur
Agasteeswaram
Ramanathapuram
Vattanam
-
Kanyakumari
Madurai
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Ramanathapuram
Ramanathapuram
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Mudukulattur
Vayalur
Kanyakumari
Ramanathapuram
Kanchipuram
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Tirunelveli
Chengalpattu
Kanyakumari
Ramanathapuram
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Ramanathapuram
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Vellore
Kanyakumari
Kanchipuram
Kanchipuram
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Ramanathapuram
Kanyakumari
7
13.00
72.30
8
Freshwater
Freshwater
308.00
Freshwater
1
1380
1381
1382
1383
1384
1385
1386
1387
-
-
23.81
70.79
237.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
-
-
2.23
14.17
33.60
166.00
217.00
0.52
76.00
1.80
0.30
543.00
5.37
0.64
136.00
5.45
194.00
152.00
9.43
1.35
15.93
464.00
41.01
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
-
-
1.83
109.00
57.40
1.65
289.00
2.84
0.02
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
-
-
1.44
95.00
210.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
2
Vayalur Peria Thameria
Tank
*Vayilakulam
*Vazhimarichankulam
*Vazhottukulam
*Vdayankonathuparayankulam
*Vedakulam
Vedal Tank
*Vedankangherykulam
3
Vayalur
4
Kanchipuram
-
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Vedal
-
Kanyakumari
Kanchipuram
Kanyakumari
1388
1389
1390
1391
1392
1393
1394
1395
1396
1397
1398
1399
1400
1401
1402
1403
1404
1405
1406
1407
1408
1409
1410
1411
1412
1413
1414
1415
1416
1417
1418
1419
*Vedanthangal Tank
*Vedunkulam
*Veepankulam
Veeracholam
*Veerakaraiappan Eri
Kulam
*Veerakeralkulam
*Veerakulam
*Veeramangalam Eri
*Veeramarthandan Kulam
Veeranam Big Tank
Veeranam Tank
*Veerapuli Kulam
*Veeraulikulam
*Veeravanur Kanmoi
*Veervilaiathkulam
*Veeyankulam
*Velachery Lake
*Velakulam
*Velanjeri Eri
*Velankattukulam
*Velankulam
*Velarakulam
*Velayaputhur Eri
*Velayankulam
*Velaydankulam
*Veliagaram Eri
Vella
*Vellaiyasanthikulam
Vellappan Eri Big Tank
*Vellathur Eri
*Vellavarakulam
*Vellichandaikulam
5
6
-
Veeracholam
Thovalai
Chengleput
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Virudhunagar
Kanyakumari
Pallipattu
Thovalai
Veeranam
Chidambaram
Thovalai
Mudukulattur
Velachery
Tiruttani
Madurantakam
Pallipattu
Vella
Poolankulam
Pallipattu
Kalkulam
7
172.00
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Tiruvallur
Kanyakumari
Tirunelveli
Cuddalore
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Ramanathapuram
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Tiruvallur
Kanyakumari
Tiruvallur
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Chengalpattu
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Tiruvallur
Ramanathapuram
Kanyakumari
Tirunelveli
Tiruvallur
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
8
Freshwater
-
-
20.24
4.09
8.94
0.71
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
12° 32’
-
79° 52’
-
1.59
143.00
4.55
30.00
4.64
8.15
173.00
25.50
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
11° 20’
79° 40’
1
2
1420 Vellimar Tank
1421 Vellur Peria Eri
1422 *Vemadikulam
1423 *Vembadykulam
1424 *Vembanur Kulam
1425 Vembakottai Tanks
1426 *Vembakottukulam
1427 *Vembanoorkulam
1428 *Vembedu
1429 *Vemkuzhikulam
1430 *Vempadipuduthiruthukulam
1431 *Vengal
1432 Vengaloor Tank
1433 Venkita samudram
1434
1435
1436
1437
1438
1439
*Vennathur Kanmoi
*Venthoni Kanmoi
*Veparavilakikulam
*Veppan Kanmoi
*Verakadu Eri
Vethilai Urani
4.45
45.14
26.00
9.70
169.00
2,357.00
6.10
75.83
610.00
1.75
2.60
30.35
3.95
41.00
22.50
3.50
3.02
136.00
1.33
1.50
150.00
3.01
127.00
55.00
5.58
10.50
3
Vellimar
Vellur
Kalkulam
Madurai
Ponneri
-
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
4
Ramanathapuram
Pudukottai
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Tiruvallur
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Tiruvallur
Vengaloor
Venkita
samudram
Ramanathapuram
Paramakudi
Ramanathapuram
Gummidipoondi
Vethilai Urani
Tiruvallur
Ramanathapuram
Madurai
Ramanathapuram
Ramanathapuram
Kanyakumari
Ramanathapuram
Tiruvallur
Virudhunagar
1440
1441
1442
1443
1444
Vettakudi Karavetti
Reservoir
*Vettangudi Tank
*Vettikonathukattukulam
*Vidarikulam
Vidayanarayam
1445
1446
1447
1448
1449
1450
1451
1452
1453
1454
1455
1456
1457
1458
Vidur
Vijayappanur Tank
*Vikramanarikulam
*Vilaikannarkulam
*Vilakkanar Kulam
Vilanaur Eri
Vilangadu Tank
*Vilangulathur Kanmoi
*Vilankakulam
*Vilankulam Kanmoi
*Vilathur Kanmoi
*Villaiyakulam
Villur Ovari Tank
Viragasmudram
5
6
9° 20’
77° 46’
-
Kilapalavoor
Tiruchirapalli
Tirupathur
Vidayanarayanam
Villupuram
Vijayappanur
Agasteeswaram
Vilanaur
Vilangadu
Mudukulattur
Ramanathapuram
Paramakudi
Villur Ovari
Watrap
7
411.00
130.00
1.90
3.68
2.10
4.38
67.50
1,179.00
4.13
0.80
Sivagangai
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Tirunelveli
Cuddalore
Madurai
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Pudukottai
Kanchipuram
Ramanathapuram
Kanyakumari
Ramanathapuram
Ramanathapuram
Kanyakumari
Madurai
Virudhunagar
8
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
10° 03’
77° 05’
425.00
118.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
10° 30’
78° 30’
173.00
544.00
1.47
200.00
118.00
8,630.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
10° 07’
-
78° 35’
-
18.40
2.15
2.87
478.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
12° 35’
79° 35’
10° 03’
77° 05’
1
2
1459 *Vishupurattukulam
1460 *Voyila Kulam
1461 *Vumbatharkulam
1462 Watrap Big Tank
1463 *Wdaancharikulam
1464 *Zillikulam
798.00
250.00
26.11
13.04
6.90
181.00
101.00
92.00
9.42
150.00
360.00
31.31
236.00
115.00
3
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
4
Kanyakumari
Agasteeswaram Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Watrap
Virudhunagar
Kanyakumari
Kalkulam
Kanyakumari
TRIPURA
S.No.
Name of the Wetland
1
2
NATURAL WETLANDS
1
Harijala
2
Khaurabil
3
*Rudra Sagar Lake
MAN-MADE WETLANDS
4
Gomti Reservoir
Name of the
Nearest
Village/Town
3
Name of the
District
4
Kakmaban
Kailashahar
Sonamura
South Tripura
North Tripura
West Tripura
Jatanbari and
Tirthamukh
South Tripura
5
-
34.
6
-
7
46.30
10.70
46.81
132.00
0.98
3.40
8
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
:
10,49,200 ha.
35.
Forest Area
:
6,29,400 ha. (60.02%)
36.
Total Wetland Area
Latitude
Longitude
(N)
(E)
Area
(ha.)
7
Ecological
Category
5
6
8
23° 28’
24° 22’
23° 29’
91° 25’
92° 00’
90° 01’
180.00
145.00
240.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
23° 25’
91° 52’
4,833.00
Freshwater
UTTAR PRADESH
S.No.
Name of the Wetland
1
2
NATURAL WETLANDS
1
*Alwar Jheel
2
Aranga
3
Badur Tal
4
*Chandu Tal
5
Dahre Jheel
6
Dhanari Jheel
7
Dudhwa National Park
(Wetlands in)
8
Garha Tal
9
*Gujar Tal
10
Gulari Tal
11
Hathiawa Tal
12
Joghra-Joghri
13
Kaisarganj Swamps
14
Kitham Lake
15
Kodia Tal
16
*Macpherson Lake
17
*Naukuchiatal
18
*Soraon Lake
19
Kakraha-Samrai Marshes
(winthin Dudhwa
National Park)
20
*Khurpatal
21
Nalkiyon Tal
22
Nohojeel
23
Noorpur Jheel
24
*Pahunj Reservoir
25
Pakri Tal
26
Paragpur Tal
37.
Name of the
Nearest
Village/Town
3
Name of the
District
4
Shahpur
Nawabganj
Maskanwa
Kishorganj
Adampur
Dhannari
Nepalese
border
Ratanpur
Khetsarai
Dashrathpur
Balrampur
Kaisarganj
Mahulaina
Niwan
Samrai
Allahabad
Gonda
Gonda
Basti
Hardoi
Bareily
-
Hardwar
Noh
Noorpur
Pakri Bazurg
Pragpur
Nainitol
Bijnore
Mathura
Budaun
Jhansi
Azamgarh
Gorakhpur/
Anandnagar
Balia
Jaunpur
Gorakhpur
Gorakhpur
Gonda
Bahraich
Gorakhpur
Allahabad
Nainitol
Faizabad
Kheri
(Lakhimpur)
:
2,38,56,600 ha.
38.
Forest Area
:
16,79,600 ha. (6.97%)
39.
Total Wetland Area
1
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
Latitude
(N)
Longitude
(E)
5
6
25° 25’
26° 58’
26° 57’
26° 15’
27° 15’
28° 12’
28° 21’-
81° 15’
82° 05’
82° 10’
84° 10’
70° 15’
78° 18’
80°30’-
54.00
320.00
320.00
230.00
210.00
107.00
-
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
25° 55’
24° 56’
27° 21’
27° 17’
27° 29’
27° 15’
27° 12’
27° 21’
25° 28’
29°19’
28° 05’
83° 40’
81° 14’
83° 37’
83° 28’
82° 06’
81° 30’
78° 4’
83° 33’
81° 50’
79°37’
80° 45’
170.00
88.00
150.00
250.00
100.00
110.00
100.00
120.00
45.00
8,000.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
29°25’
29° 55’
27° 50’
28° 03’
23°8’
26° 05’
27° 06’
79°27’
78° 13’
77° 35’
79° 20’
78°11’
83° 30’
83° 13’
14.00
250.00
110.00
108.00
518.00
300.00
255.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
2
Parbati Lake
Phaphamau-Dara Cant
Swamps
Pipraicha Tal
Ramgarh Talao
*Ratoi Tal
Salona Tal
*Samaspur Lake
Sardhwa-Pokhrawa
Saruva Tal
Area
(ha.)
7
Ecological
Category
8
3
Nawabganj
-
4
Gonda
Allahabad
Hata
Gorakhpur City
Tatoi
Azamgarh
Sola
Dashrath Pur
Gopalpur
Deoria
Gorakhpur
Mau
Azamgarh
RaeBareilly
Gorakhpur
Gorakhpur
36 Soraon Lake
Faizabad
37 Suraha Tal
Maritar
38 Thuthari Tal
Chauk
39 Ukhimath
Ukhimath
MAN-MADE WETLANDS
40 Adwa Bandh
Ahraura
41 *Aheerwan
42 *Bachhra Reservoir
43 Baghel Tal
Baghelkhurd
44 *Baghla Reservoir
Barica
45 *Bahausi
46 Bahgul Reservoir
Kichha
47 *Bakhira Lake
48 *Bansidah
49 *Bhadayal
50 *Bhaghar jheel
51 *Bhagnaiya
52 Chander Prabha Sagar Chakiya
53 *Chhata Lakes
Chhata
54 *Corbett National Park (Wetlands in)
55 *Dabri jheel
56 Dadri Reservoir
Halia
57 *Dahar Jheel
58 *Dahital
59 *Devasi Deval
60 Dhan Reservoir
Manikpur/Gadwari
61 Dungiabandh
Hadupur
62 *Gagnikhera
63 *Gambhirban
64 *Girital Lake
Kashipur
65 Gulhriya Bandh
Deori
66 *Haidergarh Jheel
Haidergarh
5
6
7
26° 55’
82° 08’
640.00
26° 28’
81° 54’
2,000.00
Balia
Gorakhpur
Chamole
Mirzapur
Mainpuri
Bahraich
Farrukhabad
Nainital
Basti
Sidharthnagar
Hardoi
Barabanki
Sidharthnagar
Varanasi
Bareilly
Mirzapur
Hardoi and Etawah
Allahabad
Mau
Banda
Mirzapur
Unnao
Azamgarh
Allahabad
Barabanki
8
Freshwater
Freshwater
26° 45’
27° 23’
26° 07’
26° 10’
27° 05’
27° 16’
27° 02’
25° 48’
27° 19’
30° 30’
83° 30’
83° 24’
83° 45’
83° 25’
82° 00’
83° 31’
83° 13’
84° 08’
83° 35’
79° 05’
250.00
650.00
800.00
200.00
800.00
200.00
300.00
90.00
1,570.00
200.00
200.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
24° 42’
82° 15’
1,667.00
Freshwater
1
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
27° 25’
28° 55’
26°52’30’’
24° 57’
27° 45’
29°25’-
81° 55’
79° 40’
85°5’30’’
83° 10’
77° 40’
78°45’-
27°19’
25° 12’
24° 56’
25° 10’
26°35’
79°59’
81° 05’
83° 00’
82° 00’
81°15’
110.00
140.00
140.00
250.00
410.00
2,000.00
1,583.00
49.00
200.00
80.00
60.00
1,656.00
3,000.00
-
140.00
2,700.00
500.00
54.00
140.00
797.00
150.00
80.00
43.00
7.28
240,240.00
100.00
2
3
*Khajua Lake
Mubarakpur
*Katerniaghat Pashu Vihar Nepalese
Sanctuary (Wetlands in)
border
*Keetham Lake
Agra
*Kishanpur Pashu Vihar
Nepalese
border
*Kuthala
*Lakh & Bahosi
Indergarh
*Lohsartal
*Madha-ki-jheel
Haidergarh
*Manjhira Impoundment at Katerniaghat
Girija Barrage
*Matatilla Reservoir
Matatilla
*Mohane
*Mohri-Sothna Jheel
*Moosa Khand Reservoir
Chakiya
*Mundiari
*Naraini Tal
*Nawabgani Priyadarshani Lucknow
Bird Sanctuary
Obra Bandh (Anicut)
Obra
*Patna
-
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Brackishwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
4
Azamgarh
Farrukhabad
Farrukhabad
Pratapgarh
Barabanki
Gorakhpur
Unnao
Hardoi and Etawah
Varanasi
Ballia
RaeBareilly
Mirzapur
Etah
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
Pili Reservoir
*Pyagpur Jheel
*Raini Tal
*Ratanpur
*Rewati
Rihand Reservoir
*Rohuatal
*Salontal
*Saman jheel
*Sangara
*Sarsai Nawar
*Sauj (Soj) Jheel
*Sheoja and Gaundial
Jheels
Shrinagar (Pawah) Tank
*Sikandarpur
Singrahna Tal
*Sitadwar Jheel
*Sonari
*Surha Lake
Trutharia Tank
5
6
28° 07’81°03’27° 10’
28° 21’
78° 2’
80° 20’
-
Rajdhani
Mahulaina
Chauk
Bijnore
Bahraich
Pratapgarh
Sitapur
Ballia
Mirzapur
Jaunpur
Azamgarh
Mainpuri
Barabanki
Etawah
Hardoi and Etawah
Hardoi and Etawah
Gorakhpur
Basti
Gorakhpur
Bahraich
Sitapur
Ballia
Gorakhpur
7
8
Freshwater
Freshwater
311.60
-
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
26°35’
28° 18’
81°15’
81°04
410.00
600.00
80.00
1,600.00
1,200.00
25°15’
26°56'
24° 59’
26° 50’
78°23’
79°17'
83° 17’
81°10’
13,893.00
48.00
300.00
1,625.00
250.00
45.00
600.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
25° 00’
29° 20’
27°25’
23° 55’
83° 00’
78° 48’
81°48’
82° 35’
1,859.00
108.45
200.00
2,800.00
40.00
900.00
150.00
45,757.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
-
-
Dhampur
Pipri
Sarsai
-
-
27°01’
27°05’
79°11’
79°11’
27° 21’
27°25’
25°48’-
83° 32’
81°48’
84°8’-
1
105
106
2
Utardaha Tank
*Upper Ganga River
(Brijghat to Narora
Stretch)
47.00
200.00
200.00
250.00
100.00
400.00
500.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
225.00
200.00
100.00
150.00
63.00
3,500.00
200.00
3
Utardaha
Brijghat to Narora
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
4
Allahabad
-
Name of the
Nearest
Village/Town
3
Name of the
District
UTTARANCHAL
S.No.
Name of the Wetland
1
2
NATURAL WETLANDS
1
*Arolital
2
*Badhanital
3
*Bhenital
4
*Bhikaltal
5
*Bhimtal
6
*Brahmatal
7
*Deoriatal
8
*Devtal
9
*Dodital
10
*Gandhisarovar
11
*Garudtal
12
*Gaurikund
-
4
Pauri
Tehri
Rudraprayag
Chamoli
Nainital
Chamoli
Chamoli
Chamoli
Uttarkashi
Chamoli
Nainital
Chamoli
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
*Hatyarital
*Hemkund
*Kagbhusandital
*Kedartal
*Khurpatal
*Mesartal
*Nainital
*Naukuchiatal
*Roopkund
*Sahstrabahu Lake
5
6
25° 20’
82° 10’
28° 33'
78° 12'
-
Nainital
Chamoli
Chamoli
Uttarkashi
Nainital
Tehri
Nainital
Nainital
Chamoli
Uttarkashi
8
Freshwater
Freshwater
7
900.00
26,590.00
:
53,56,600 ha.
2. Forest Area
:
34,66,200 ha. (64.79%)
Latitude
(N)
Longitude
(E)
Area
(ha.)
5
6
7
-
-
0.40
1.00
84.70
0.80
1.60
2.00
3.50
4.50
4.00
9.00
Ecological
Category
8
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
-
-
1
2
23
*Satttal
24
*Shymlatal
25
*Tambakund
26
*Taratal
27
*Vasukital
MAN-MADE WETLANDS
28
Aasan
29
Baigul
30
Baur
31
Dhauliganga
32
*Dhaura Reservoir
33
Kalagarh Reservoir (Part
of Corbet National Park)
34
Maneri
35
Nanak Sagar
36
37
38
Sarda Sagar
*Tehri
Tumaria Reservoir
0.85
73.80
37.00
3
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
-
4
Nainital
Champawat
Tehri
Pauri
Chamoli
Dhakala
Bijnore
Nanakmatta/
Sitaganj
Bilauri
Garhwal
Kashipur
Nainital
Plilbhet
Nainital
WEST BENGAL
S.No.
Name of the Wetland
1
2
NATURAL WETLANDS
1
Adh Soi
2
Ashi Dob
3
Balotali-Beel
4
Barabila Talao
5
Bochamari
6
Buxiganj-Nijiarap
5
6
Name of the
Nearest
Village/Town
3
Pachla
Kasimpur
Jatra Danga
Arai-Danga
Bowalia
Haldibari
7
Name of the
District
4
Malda
Malda
Malda
Malda
Malda
Cooch-Behar
8
62.27
3.80
4.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
70° 05’
38.00
2,995.00
1,295.00
1,200.00
42,000.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
29° 05’
79° 56’
76,000.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
28° 40’
30° 20’-30° 40’
29° 20’
80° 10’
78°15’-78° 40’
79° 04’
17,000.00
4,500.00
3,000.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Latitude
(N)
Longitude
(E)
5
6
25° 25’
25° 35’
25° 02’
25° 05’
25° 15’
26° 20’
88° 00’
87° 40’
88° 12’
87° 55’
87° 45’
88° 20’
1
7
-
-
29° 25’
8
9
2
Chalua Beel, Pulal Beel
and Baglai Beel
Goal Bod
Haliday Island
10
Hazar Takia Talao
Area
(ha.)
Ecological
Category
7
140.00
280.00
120.00
120.00
120.00
1,400.00
3
Sitagram
Bajanna
Namkhana
(Sunderbans)
Mobarak Pur
8
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
4
West-Dinajpur
Malda
24-Paraganas
Malda
11
12
13
14
15
16
Jaula Para
*Kalyani Lake
Kathambari Beel
Konar
*Langalhata Beel
Lothian
17
18
19
Madhai Pur Bheel
Risik Beel
Sajana Khali
20
*Salt Lakes Swamp
21
Sanak Beel
22
Singsar
23
Sundarbans Mangrove
24
Teesta Nadi
MAN-MADE WETLANDS
25
*Adra Lake
26
*Bakreswar
27
*Ballavpur
28
*Bansdaha Beel
29
*Bhaluka Beel
30
*Bhomra Beel
31
Brace Bridge Wetlands
32
*Churamon moranadi
Beel
33
*Datindighi
34
*Dhobi
35
Durgapur Barrage
36
*East Calcutta Wetlands
37
*Gnorsha
38
*Goldighi
39
*Guda Reservoir
40
*Haripur-closed Beel
41
*Haripur-open Beel
42
*Indira Beel
5
6
25° 40’
88° 00’
Madarihat
Odlabari
Kurpur Ganj
Kirnahar
Namkhana
(Sunderbans)
Malda Towr
Toofan Ganj
Gosaba
(Sunderbans)
Calcutta
Chandipur
Chandipur
Makheli Ganj
Jalpaiguri
Nadia
Jalpaiguri
Malda
Birbhum
24-Paraganas
Adra
Bakreswar
Bolepur
Dantan
Chakmanikya
Kastadanga
Southwestern
Calcutta
Itahar
Midnapore
S. Dinajpur
Nadia
-
Dubrajpur
Rajgram
Rampurhat
Haripur
Haripur
Indrabil
7
140.00
Howrah
Burdwan
Maldah
Maldah
Bankura & Puruliya
8
Brackishwater
Malda
Cooch-Behar
24-Paraganas
24-Paraganas
Malda
Malda
Cooch-Behar
North Dinajpur
25° 35’
21° 41’
87° 50’
88° 37’
120.00
350.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
25° 40’
25° 58’
22°57’
26° 50’
25° 25’
23° 45’
21° 25’
87° 01’
89° 00’
88°26’
88° 35’
88° 10’
87° 45’
88° 18’
140.00
6,096.00
13.00
136.00
280.00
2,000.00
3,800.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
25° 00’
26° 30’
21° 30’
88° 11’
89° 20’
88° 45’
100.00
9,952.00
36,236.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
Brackishwater
22° 30’
25° 35’
25° 20’
21°32’
26° 20’
88° 35’
87° 45’
88° 00’
88°85’
88° 55’
5,000.00
200.00
140.00
178,100.00
1,800.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Brackishwater
Freshwater
23° 42’
21°58’15”
26°10’20”
22°55’15”
22° 31’-
87° 01’
88° 17’-
250.00
0.60
202.00
17.00
35.00
45.00
494.20
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Brackishwater
26°45’15”
-
24.00
Freshwater
23° 28’
87° 18’
22°25’88° 20’
25°12’10”
25°12’10”
1
2
43
Jaldapara Wildlife
44
*Jamuna Bundh
21.60
600.00
12,500.00
5.00
1,859.00
21.00
30.00
80.00
3
Hasimara
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Brackishwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
4
Jalpaiguri
Bishnupur
45
46
47
48
Kangsabati
*Karkaria dighi
*Kings
*Krishna Bundh
Mukutmanipur
Tarapith
Bishnupur
49
50
51
*Kola Beel
*Kole Beel
*Kulaijurir
Bagdah
Somra Bazar
Bankadah
52
*Mahananda Reservoir
Fulbari
53
54
*Mirik Lake
*Lal Bundh
Mirik
Bishnupur
Bankura and
Puruliya
Bankura
Howrah
Bankura and
Puruliya
24-Parganas (N)
Hooghly
Bankura and
Puruliya
Darjeeling and
Jalpaiguri
Bankura and
Puruliya
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
*Leeram
*Loco Tank
*Narathaly lake
*Nehali Beel
*Patari Beel
*Prain Lake
*Protappur
*Purbasthali Lake
*Rabindra Sarovar Lake
64
*Rani Bundh
Asansol
Raiganj
Sukhdevpur
Protappur
Kasthashali
Southern part
of Kolkata
Joypur
65
66
*Sainthia Beel
*Saheb Bundh
Sainthia
Puruliya
67
68
69
70
71
*Santragachi
*Sarasanka Beel
*Subhas Sarobar lake
*Tilpara Barrage
*Wetlands of Hugli
District
*Wetlands of Haora
District
Santragachi
Dantan
East Calcutta
Suri
-
Bankura and
Puruliya
Bankura and
Puruliya
Midanpore
Hugli
-
Haora
72
Howrah
Jalpaiguri
North Dinajpur
S. Dinajpur
Howrah
Chupi
-
7
-
8
Freshwater
-
25.00
Freshwater
-
-
12,400.00
6.20
45.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
22°10”
23°7’28”
-
-
12.00
70.00
18.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
26°40’
88°15’
280.00
Freshwater
26°54’
-
88°26’
-
109.00
12.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
23° 41’
26°55’
26°55’10”
26°20’10”
-
87° 01’
89°55’
-
0.50
37,585.00
42.00
43.00
-
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
5
26°45’
6
89°20’
-
22°34’
88°23’
7.80
1,600.00
48.20
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
-
-
15.00
Freshwater
-
-
48.00
50.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
21°58’15”
22°34’
22°39’
88°24’
87°30’
12.75
17.00
16.00
179.75
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
22°13’
87°51’
125.08
Freshwater
ANDAMAN & NICOBAR
S.No.
Name of the Wetland
Name of the
Nearest
Village/Town
3
Name of the
District
1
2
NATURAL WETLANDS
1
Mangroves of Middle
Middle Andaman
Andaman
2
Wetlands in the Andaman
Andaman &
Islands and Nicobar Islands Nicobar
4
-
CHANDIGARH
S.No.
Name of the Wetland
1
2
MAN-MADE WETLANDS
1
Sukhna
Name of the
Nearest
Village/Town
3
Name of the
District
4
Chandigarh
Chandigarh
:
8,24,900 ha.
2. Forest Area
:
ha. (86.93%)
7,17,100
Latitude
(N)
Longitude
(E)
Area
(ha.)
5
6
12°15’
92°40’
23,395.00
Brackishwater
7°00'-15°00'
92°00'-94°00
115,000.00
Brackishwater
Ecological
Category
7
8
:
11,400 ha.
2. Forest Area
:
3,300 ha. (28.95%)
Latitude
(N)
Longitude
(E)
5
6
30° 45’
76° 45’
Area
(ha.)
7
170.00
Ecological
Category
8
Fresh water
LAKSHADWEEP
S.No.
Name of the Wetland
1
2
NATURAL WETLANDS
1
*Pilli Island
2
*Minicoy Lagoon
Name of the
Nearest
Village/Town
3
Name of the
District
4
Kavaratti
-
-
NEW DELHI
S.No.
Name of the Wetland
1
2
NATURAL WETLANDS
1
*Fatehpursikri Pond
2
Jamuna River
MAN-MADE WETLANDS
3
*Barhwasni
4
*Dhindala Joar
5
*Dhupeta
6
*Gohana Pond
7
*Juan
8
*Kheri-Dhamkan
Name of the
Nearest
Village/Town
3
Name of the
District
Agra
Eastern outskirts
of Delhi
-
Sonipat
Dhindala
Dhupeta
Gohana
Juan
Sonipat
4
Meerut
-
40.
: 3,200 ha.
41.
Forest Area
:
-
Latitude
(N)
Longitude
(E)
5
6
11°00’
8°17’
72°05’
73°04’
Area
(ha.)
Ecological
Category
7
8
1.21
2,180.00
Brackishwater
Brackishwater
:
1,48,300 ha.
2. Forest Area
:
8,500
ha. (5.73%)
1
9
10
11
Latitude
(N)
Longitude
(E)
5
6
28°30’-28°46’
77°22’-77°13’
7
2
Purkhaspur Ponds
Rithal
Rohat (Joar)
Area
(ha.)
3
Purkhaspur
Gohana
Sonipat
Ecological
Category
8
20,000.00
Freshwater
Freshwater
6.07
6.07
10.00
8.10
13.35
2.80
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
4
-
PUDUCHERRY
S.No.
Name of the Wetland
1
2
NATURAL WETLANDS
1
Dussoudon Lake
MAN-MADE WETLANDS
2
Bahour Lake
3
Oustri Tank (Oussudu)
5
-
6
-
Name of the
Nearest
Village/Town
3
Name of the
District
4
Puducherry
Puducherry
Puducherry
Puducherry
Puducherry
Puducherry
7
6.00
20.23
0.80
8
Freshwater
Freshwater
Freshwater
:
49,200 ha.
2. Forest Area
:
-
Latitude
(N)
Longitude
(E)
5
6
11° 55’
79° 50’
402.00
Fresh water
11° 57’
11° 57’
79° 45’
79° 45’
431.00
700.00
Fresh water
Fresh water
(- data not found)
Area
(ha.)
7
Ecological
Category
8
PAKHAL LAKE
Pakhal lake is a small, freshwater lake situated (17° 57’ N and 80° 00’ E) in
Warangal, 40 km east of Warangal, Andhra Pradesh; set in rolling hill country with
good forest cover. The lake was created in the 16th century by the construction of an
earthen dam which was renovated in 1918; it is fed by numerous ephemeral and semipermanent streams. The lake and its environs form the core area of the Pakhal
Wildlife Sanctuary. Although a relatively small lake (maximum extent 1500 ha),
Pakhal is of considerable significance as it remains in an undisturbed situation well
within a sanctuary. Laknavaram Lake (600 ha) is 20 km to the north, and both lakes
lie some 60 km west of the Godavari river. The entire area was once the hunting
preserve of the Nizam of Hyderabad.
Abiotic factors: Tropical monsoon climate, with an average annual rainfall of l225
mm
and a temperature
range
of 15–45°C.
Macrophytes: The
supports
a
luxuriant growth of
aquatic
and
•
emergent
marsh
PAKHAL LAKE
vegetation.
The
extensive
grasslands around
the
lake are composed
of
Apluda
mutica,
Echinochloa
colonum,
Eragrostis pilosa,
E.
tenella,
Source: Google Earth
Hackelochloa
granularis,
Heteropogon contortus and Vetiveria zizanoides. Dominant trees near the lake include
Barringtonia acutangula and Xeromphis uliginosa. The sanctuary protects extensive
tropical deciduous forest with a few evergreen species.
lake
Fishes: Fish species including Catla catla, Labeo rohita and Ophicephalus striatus.
Birds: The lake is known to support large concentrations of migratory waterfowl
during the winter months, but no details are available.
Mammals: The forested areas of the Sanctuary support Tiger Panthera tigris,
Leopard P. pardus and Sloth Bear Melursus ursinus together with a variety of
ungulates.
Land tenure: The lake and surrounding areas are state-owned.
Land use: Wildlife conservation. There is some livestock grazing and subsistence
agriculture within the sanctuary.
Conservation measures taken: Protected in the Pakhal Wildlife Sanctuary (86,205
ha), established in 1952.
Disturbances and threats: Several villages are situated within the sanctuary.
Grazing by domestic livestock and collection of firewood are significant problems.
Illegal fires are a frequent disturbance during the dry season.
Reference: Jain and Sastry (1983); Karpowicz (1985); WWF India (1993).
KOLLERU LAKE
A large, natural, shallow, freshwater lake (16° 30’–16° 45’ N; 81° 05’–81° 20’ E)
with associated marshes, situated between the Krishna and Godavari rivers, about 55
km east of Vijayawada and some 25 km northwest of the coastline, Andhra Pradesh.
Source: http://www.ramsar.org/
Geologically, the lake is of recent origin, having been formed by siltation from the
Krishna and Godavari rivers. The surface area of the lake is entirely dependent on the
volume of monsoon run-off, and is subject to wide fluctuations as water levels rise
and fall. At its maximum depth of 3 m during the rainy season, the lake can cover
some 90,000 ha; at 2 m it covers 67,500 ha, and at 1m only 13,500 ha. Over 30 canals
and streams enter the lake from the surrounding intensively cultivated farmland. The
major streams are the Budameru, Thammileru, and Ramileru, the remaining water
courses being mostly artificial. The lake drains into the Bay of Bengal through the
Upputeru river, which flows for a distance of 42 km. Although essentially a
freshwater lake, Kolleru sometimes receives a small amount of seawater through the
Upputeru river.
Abiotic factors: Tropical monsoon climate. Based on limnological properties, the
lake has been delineated into two aqueous environments, the eastern zone and the
western zone. The western zone is characterised by relatively high, dissolved oxygen
content, low pH, high temperature, and low transparency values. As the eastern zone
is farther from the river drainage points, the water temperature, transparency, and pH
are not affected so much by river water, but influenced largely by seasonal climatic
changes. On the whole, the pH varies from 7.2 to 8.2. Surface water temperatures
range from 24.2°C (December) to 31.6°C (June). There are only slight vertical
variations in temperature (maximum of 1.0°C), largely because of the abundance of
aquatic vegetation. The lake shows rather high values of total alkalinity, hardness, and
nitrates as compared with similar water bodies elsewhere in south India.
Macrophytes: The lake is covered by littoral vegetation, predominantly of
hydrophytes. It showed variation in different spots with emergent, submerged and free
floating aquatic macrophytes. The floating vegetation dominated by Ipomea aquatica
and Eichhornia crassipes occurred throughout the lake and formed dense mats. The
submerged weeds constituted by Ottelia alismoides, Vallisneria spiralis,
Ceratophyllum sp. were abundant in deeper parts of the lake and along ferry lines.
Nymphaea nouchali, N. stellata, Nymphoides hydrophylla and Salvinia cucullata were
moderately distributed in many parts of the lake. The notable feature of the lake
vegetation was the presence of extensive stands of Phragmites karka which occur in
vast stretches in many areas of the lake. Other weeds such as Cyperus sp.,
Paspalidium, Pistia, Alternathera and Typha were present in small patches in many
parts of the lake. Utricularia, Polygonum and Scirpus sp. were distributed in some
areas only.
The following macrophytes can be grouped under emergent vegetation: Phragmites
karka; Typha angustata Bory et chaub; Cyperus rotandus L; Scirpus articulatus Linn
and Paspalidium flavidum (retz) Camus.
Floating leaved Hydrophytes:
Species Name
Species Name
Alternathera sessilia
(L) R. Br.
Ipomea aquatica Forak
N. stellata wild
Nymphoides
hydrophylla (Lour)
O. Ktze
Nymphaea nouchali
Barm. F
Submerged Hydrophytes:
Species Name
Species Name
Ceratophyllum sp.
Ottelia alismodides
(L) Pers
Vallisneria spiralie
Utricularia sp.
Chara and Nitella
Hydrilla verticillata
Free floating Hydrophytes: They occurred in standing or slow flowing waters. 1.
Eichhornia crassipes (Mart) somls; 2. Pistia stratoites L; 3. Salvinia cucullata; 4.
Mats of Azolla, Spirodella and Lemna.
Amphibious plants: Polygonum glabrun, Sueda maritima
Fishes: The Lake supports a rich fish fauna including an endemic sub-species. Sixtytwo species of fishes belonging to 27 families have been recorded in commercial
catches from Kolleru Lake and the Upputeru River. These include
Species Name
Species Name
Amblyoharyngodon mols
E. suratensis
Anabas oligolepia
Heteropnoustes fossilis
A. testudinous
Hyporhamphus gaimardi
Anguilla bicolor
Kavei cakvasy
A. nebulosa
K. funvruata
Aplocheilus panchax
K. riguta
Barbus (Puntius) chola
Labeo bata
B. (Puntius) sarana
Lates calcarifer
B. (Puntius) seohore
Leiognathus equulus
B. (Puntius) ticto
Liza parsia
Caranx sexfasciatus
Lutjanus jahngarah
Catla catla
Macrognathus aculeatus
Cerres punctatus
Mastacembellus armatus
Chanda commersonii
M. pancalus
C. name
Mugil cephalus
C. ranga
Mystus cavasius
Channa maruila
M. qulio
C. punctata
M. vittatus
C. striata
Nandus nandus
Chanos chanos
Notopterus notopterus
Chela labuca
Ompok bimaculatus
Cirrhinus mrigala
O. pabda
C. reba
Oxygaster clupeoides
Clarias batrachus
55
Raabora daniconius
Closso obius giuris
56
Rhinomugil corsuls
Colisa fasciata
57
Rigtei (Osteivrana) citui
Cynoglossus puncticeps
58
Scatophagus argus
Danio devario
59
Therapon jarbua
Elops saurus
60
Wallago attu
Esomus danricus
61
Xenentodon cancils
Etroplus maculates
Birds: The lake harbors a variety of resident and migratory birds. Open build storks
are sighted from March to May every year near Bhujabalapatnam. The migratory
birds include Gargeney teals, Mallards, Flamingos, Adjutant storks, etc., and they
visit the lake from October to March every year. The wild ducks including Mallards,
Pintails and whistling teals, etc., are very large (more than 50,000) in numbers. The
importance of this lake remains a very important wetland for both resident and
migratory waterfowl, although its importance has declined in recent years. Pelecanus
philippensis formerly bred in large numbers but no longer does so. Kolleru Lake was
formerly a wintering area for huge numbers of ducks. The flocks of ducks have been
described as suggesting “smoke from a score of express trains running berserk”.
Large number of birds still occur in winter; in a partial census of the lake in January
1988, over 17,000 waterfowl were recorded, including 110 herons and egrets of five
species, at least 1000 open-bill storks (Anastomus oscitans).
Land tenure: State-owned
Land use: Fishing; the lake once supported an inland fishery of major importance,
but catches have declined drastically in recent years. Huge numbers of ducks were
once netted and trapped for sale in local markets, and some illegal duck hunting
continues. Large areas of the lake have been reclaimed for agriculture or converted
into aquaculture ponds.
Conservation measures taken: The lake up to +5’ contour has been declared as a
wild life sanctuary recently with a view to protect the flora, fauna and the ecosystem.
Conservation measures proposed: Kolleru conservation and management plan has
been prepared but could not be implemented for want for funding.
Disturbances and threats: The principal threat is the continued expansion of
agricultural activities in the area. Some 34,000 ha of the lake have been reclaimed for
agriculture in recent years, and this agricultural encroachment continues. A spurt in
the volume of agricultural and industrial effluents entering the lake is causing rapid
eutrophication, and pollution with pesticides is becoming a serious problem. Fish
ponds are being created in the shallow margins of the lake, and a large volume of
water is being extracted for irrigation purposes. Water inlets to the lake have been
bonded, reducing the inflow in summer when water requirements for agriculture are
high and availability is low. As the lake waters recede, exposed sections are
encroached upon for agriculture, further adding to the silt and pollutant loads.
Domestic ducks are bred in huge numbers around the lake shore, compounding the
eutrophication problem. Dissolved oxygen levels can now fall to as low as 5.6 mg per
litre in the western zone. The rapid intensification of agriculture in the region is also
resulting in increased rates of sedimentation, and the lake bed is now rising at the rate
of 2.5cm per year. Waterfowl are still trapped for sale in the markets of Bhimavaram
and Eluru, even though such hunting is officially prohibited.
Removal of aquatic vegetation, hunting, collection of birds eggs, over-fishing,
pollution with pesticides and noise, especially that generated by irrigation pumps, are
assumed to have caused the disappearance of the large pelican colony in the late
1960s. The lake was once known to be the largest pelican breeding site in the world
for the grey or spot billed pelican (Pelecanus philippensis), but the colonies declined
through the 1970s and disappeared completely by 1974. The conversion of extensive
areas (3750 ha in 1984 and steadily increasing since) for pisciculture, the
simultaneous growth of capture fisheries, establishment of transport facilities and
resulting anthropogenic pressures are now threatening the very existence of the lake.
Most of the fish culture tanks are managed by private entrepreneurs. The tanks
obstruct the free flow of water, especially during the monsoon. Manuring the tanks
with fertiliser is common, and pesticides are used to combat various diseases. In a
majority of cases, fertilisers and pesticides used are far in excess of the necessary
quantity. Waters drained from the tanks are rich in nutrients and are leading to
eutrophication of the lake, while the large quantities of pesticides (also used in paddy
fields within the lake area) are eliminating other aquatic life. Uncontrolled expansion
of capture fisheries is resulting in depletion of natural fish stocks. The introduced
exotic species Java tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) - a prolific breeder,
omnivorous, and not easily attacked by predatory fishes - is likely to establish firmly
in the lake ecosystem, competing with many wild species and even entering fish
tanks, leading to reduced returns for fish farmers.
Research and facilities: Environment Protection, Training and Research Institute at
Hyderabad have taken up some Research activities mainly for the monitoring of lake
water quality.
Past and Present status: The lake has been converting into a wetland and in large
parts, into land-mass, over the years. This natural process hastened by human
economic activity exploiting and depending on the freshwater of this vast area. Partly
due to the legal status extended to culture fishing and agricultural activity within and
around the lake spread in the last fifty years and partly due to the near – inelastic
demand for freshwater fish besides paddy from the Kolleru, the ecological
conservation of the area has become more a human than an aesthetic need.
A lack of regulation of the seaward flow of the Kolleru waters during monsoon is
progressively increasing the high-flood line, causing major flood problems in the
surrounding cities of Eluru and Gudivada, besides submerging second-crop paddy
lands and fish-tanks below the +5 ft. contour of the lake spread area. The lack of
regulation also causes drying up of the major inlets into the lake during the summer,
reducing the lake spread to about 10000 acres and that too in patches of shallow, weed
infested ponds, good mainly for animal washing and basket-fishing. The obstruction
to free flowing drainage is caused mainly by haphazard raising of culture – fishing
tank bunds and construction of three major roads within the lake spread, without
adequate cross drainage works. Intermittent floods during the monsoon, occurring
every four to five years due to the back – up of rainwater and agriculture run-off has
caused major economic losses. The State Government’s investments in constructing
upstream regulators to control river discharges, its recurring expenses on internal
channel works, weed clearance and flood damage works, the losses of submerged
crops, high water levels in the city of Eluru remaining static over 6 days at a time,
submersion of fish tanks even with bunds as high as 15 ft. loss of cattle feeding
grounds, mosquito menance and water borne diseases among the lake – people are
few of the yet to be quantified economic losses which need to be prevented.
Conversely, drying up of the lake in the summer due to poor drainage in the inflowing
systems, also creates the problem of increasing nutrient concentration affecting lake
water quality, fish and bird life adversely, thus slowly reducing the very basic natural
interdependence of life forms upon which human economic life relies. The
eutrophication phenomenon in the lake also affects ground water recharge, directly
causing drinking water scarcity in the surrounding bed villages, in the summer.
Finally, tidal inflows have tended to increase after the Upputeru has been widened and
reduced in length. Increased salinity levels during cyclonic tidal inflows, could
permanently damage the limnological quality of the Kolleru.
Surrounding areas: After the development of efficient ponds culture techniques
resulting in increased yield from fish ponds, marginal areas of the lake have been
converted into fish ponds. World Bank extended financial assistance to farmers for
the construction and management of the fish ponds. In the last decade nearly 20,000
hectare have been converted into fish ponds. This has resulted in the degradation of
the natural habitat in the lake proper over the years affecting the fishery. The area of
the lake has diminished and the breeding areas of the many species are affected.
Reference: Government of India (1987, 1989, 1990); Seshagiri Rao (1990); WWF
India (1993); Siddiqi and Chandrasekhar, (1996); Ramakrishniah et al. (1996);
Barman (2004); http://www.ramsar.org/ .
NEELAPATTU TANK
Neelapattu Tank is a small tank located 68 km south of Nellore, Andhra Pradesh (13°
50’ N; 79° 59’ E) and some of 160 ha at maximum flooding studded with
Barringtonia acutangula trees. The tank dries out completely during the dry season.
The remainder of the sanctuary comprises scrub forest.
Abiotic factors: Tropical monsoon climate.
Macrophytes:
The tank supports a dense growth of floating aquatics and a reed
Pseudoraphis aspera, and has large numbers of Barringtonia acutangula growing in
it.
Special floral values: The Barringtonia trees are of some interest.
Birds: The site was created to protect a large breeding colony of spot billed pelicans
(Pelecanus philippensis). Other breeding species include Anastomus oscitans and
Threskiornis melanocephalus.
Land tenure: State owned
Land use: The tank is used for fishing.
Conservation measures taken: The tank is protected in the Neelapattu Bird
Sanctuary (450 ha), established in 1976 by the State Government of Andhra Pradesh.
Disturbances and threats: None known
Socio-economic values: The breeding colonies of water birds are a popular attraction
for visitors at weekends, some people coming from far a field to observe the nesting
birds.
Reference: Karpowicz (1985); WWF India (1993).
PERALI POGURU BAPATLA WETLAND
The site is situated (15° 49’–15° 53’ N and 80° 27’–80° 40’ E) at the confluence of
Perali and Nallamada drains along the Bay of Bengal through the coastal mangrove
forest of the western part of the Krishna delta, Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh. From
the confluence to Nizampatnam (80° 32’–80° 40’ E), a creek on either side of the
mangrove forest is formed with narrow channels. Mudflats are extended near
Nizampatnam. The total area is about 1500 ha.
Abiotic factors: Climate is generally hot and humid. Temperature varies from 20°C
to 44°C.The region receives rainfall from southwest, and northeast monsoons and
cyclonic storms. The average rainfall is
1000 mm.
Macrophytes: Mangroves comprise the macrophytes. The common species of
mangrove are Avicennia officinalis, A. alba, Exocoecaria agallocha, Acanthus
ilicifolius, Suaeda maritima and Salicornia brachiata.
Birds: An important area for local and migratory birds. The following species have
been recorded from this area
Species Name
Species Name
Anas acuta
L. ridibundus
A. crecca
Plegadis falcinellus
Anser indicus
Recurvirostra avosetta
Ardea cinerea
Sterna albifrons
A. purpurea
S. aurantia
Charadrius
alexandrinus
C. dubius
S. caspia
Ciconia episcopus
Threskiornis
melanocephalus
Tringa glareola
Glareola lactea
Larus
brunnicephalus
Tadorna ferruginea
T. hypoleucos
Land tenure: The mangrove area is under the Forest Department, and the
surrounding area near the seashore is revenue land.
Land use: Grazing of livestock, agriculture, and prawn farming.
Disturbances and threats: Cattle grazing, human ingress, poaching of birds, prawn
culture, and movement of mechanized boats are some of the causes of disturbance.
Socio-economic values: The mangrove supports an important fishery.
Reference: WWF India (1993)
KRISHNA MANGROVES
The mangroves of Krishna delta, the second largest patch of mangroves in Andhra
Pradesh, situated (Lat. 15° 45’–16° 10’ N and Long. 80° 45’–81° 10’ E) in the
Krishna and Guntur districts. These are mostly under reserved forest category
confined to the marshy areas of the lower coastal plain and the mouth of the river
Krishna. The total area of the mangroves is about 27,661 ha. The Krishna river
emerges from the hills at Vijayawada, flows for about 96 kms downstream by forming
a delta before it eventually empties into the sea. The Hamsaladevi distributary is the
first to branch out 60 km downstream from Vijayawada near Avanigadda and flows
northward into the sea near Machilipatnam. Mangroves have been reported to be less
abundant there. The Gollamattapaya and Nadimeru distributaries branch out 25 km
down stream from Avanigadda, and flow northward to join the sea. The main Krishna
channel flows southward to join the sea near False Divi point. The abundance of
mangroves is also more along the main Krishna river than the other distributaries.
Mangroves are mainly prevalent around these three distributaries in tidal creeks,
channels, lagoons, tidal flats and mudflats. A perusal of the satellite imagery reveals a
number of geomorphic features in the Krishna delta the natural levees, meanders,
point bars, coastal dunes, beaches, spits, etc.
Abiotic factors: Tropical monsoon climate, with maximum temperature of 34°C and
minimum of 27°C. The salinity ranged from 23 to 32‰.
Mangroves and grasses: Mangrove forest dominated by Avicennia alba, A. marina,
A. officinalis, Rhizophora mucronata and Excoecaria agallocha, with the grasses by
Porteresia coarctata, Myriostachya wightiana, and Sarcolobus carinatus.
Agricultural land and Prosopis juliflora in adjacent areas.
Reptiles: The littoral zone adjoining the mangroves harbours the rookeries of three
species of marine turtles: Dermochelys coriacea, Eretmochelys imbricata and
Lepidochelys olivacea. These are thought to be the largest concentrations of marine
turtles in India south of the Mahanadi river, Orissa.
Birds: A very important area for both resident and migratory waterfowl, supporting
large concentrations of many species, notably herons and egrets, Mycteria
leucocephala and Phoenicopterus ruber. Approximately 500 P. ruber visit the area
each year between June and December.
Land use: Forest exploitation and fishing for finfish, prawns, and crabs. There are
several human settlements within the mangrove forest, and villagers from outside
enter the forest to collect wood. Surrounding areas are mainly under cultivation for
rice and pulses.
Conservation measures taken: The mangrove forest has been designated as
Reserved Forest. Logging was discontinued in 1976, and none has been carried out
since then.
Conservation measures proposed: It has been proposed that the Reserved Forest be
upgraded to a National Park, and that a vigorous programme of scientific research be
initiated. Research is required to prescribe the optimal exploitation of the resources so
that a sustained resource base can be maintained.
Possible changes in land use: Potential encroachment for salt production.
Disturbances and threats: The major problem is the dependence of local people on
mangroves for firewood. Expansion of agriculture in the hinterland is leading to
increased encroachment on the landward margin of the forests, and overgrazing by
cattle from neighbouring villages is becoming a problem. The proposed construction
of a new road from Nagayalanka town to Nagayalanka lighthouse would involve the
destruction of some of the mangrove forest. Major irrigation projects currently in
progress or planned in the catchment area of the Krishna River in Maharashtra and
Karnataka will alter the water regime and thus interfere with the processes of
sedimentation, primary production and nutrient cycling.
Socio-economic values: The mangroves are an important breeding and nursery area
for many fishes and crustaceans of economic importance, and act as a barrier to
coastal erosion. The area has considerable potential for wildlife tourism; if this could
be shown to provide an alternative source of income for the local people, further
destruction of the natural resources might be averted.
Research and facilities: Some research has been conducted on the mangrove
ecosystem.
References: Narendra Prasad (1987); WWF India (1993); Madhyastha et al. (2002);
Shashikala et al. (2005).
JEEDIMETLA LAKE (FOX SAGAR)
Fox Sagar lake commonly known as Jeedimetla tank, situated (18° 30’–18° 20’ N and
77° 30’–79° 30’ E) 1km west of Hyderabad–Nizamabad road at a distance of 15 km
from the Hyderabad city, Hyderabad district, Andhra Pradesh. The gross capacity of
the lake is ten million cubic meters when full and total area of this wetland is 4700 ha.
The lake holds water throughout the year but the level decreases from the mouth of
October due to letting out of water for irrigation. Lake is open on all three sides;
littoral region is shallow and retains water throughout. The catchment area has
vegetable fields, grape gardens and some agricultural lands cultivating dry crops like
Jowar, maize, etc. Jeedimath Industrial Estate, one of the fast growing industrial belts
is coming up with in a kilometer radius and therefore, the suburban growth depends
for its water requirement on the lake in future. In recent years, the lake margin is
utilized as dumping ground for the city garbage, and brick making industry, as a result
of this anthropogenic activity in the lake vicinity, water quality deterioration is
noticed affecting the biota of the lake ecosystem.
Abiotic factors: Tropical monsoon climate, with minimum temperature of 25°C and
maximum of 45°C. The pH ranged from 7.2 to 9.8.
Macrophyts: The following species have been recorded from this area.
Species Name
Species Name
Acanthospermum sp.
Amarantahus
spinosus
Argemone maxicana
Cyperus platystylis
Hydrilla veticillata
Blyxa octandra
Marselia quadrifolia
Cassia fistula
Paspadidinum
germinatum
Polygonum glabrum
Ceratophyllum
demusrssum
Chara sp.
Croton
bonplandianum
Jussiea repens
Potamogeton crispus
Tridax procumbens
Phytoplankton:
Species Name
Species Name
Anabaena
sphaerica
Closterium
acutum
C. monoliferum
Melosira sp.
Cosmarium
auriculatum
C. striatum
Oscillatorca sp.
Microcystis aeruginosa
Navicula sp.
Euglena acus
Selenastrum
acuminatum
Senedesmus
quadricauda var
bicaudatus
S. quadricauda var
longispina
Spirogyra hyaline
Euglena sp.
S. paludosa
Fragilaria sp.
Spirulina major
Hydrodictyon
reticulatum
Lyngbya gracilis
Vovox globator
Cyclotella sp.
Cymbella sp.
Zygnaema sp.
Zooplankton:
Protozoa - Euglena acus, E. viridis, Arcella gibbosa, Diflugia elegans, Diflugia
globosa, Paramaecium caudatum, Vorticella companula, Carchesium sp. and
Epistylis sp.;
Rotifera - Filinea longiseta, Anuraeopsis fissa, Brachyonus calcyflorus, Brachyonus
quadricaudatus and Keratella tropica;
Cladocera - Diaphanasoma sarsi, Moina micrura, Ceriodaphnia vetulus,
Simocephalus vetulus, Chydorus sphaericus and Alona pulchella;
Copepoda - Heliodiaptomus viduus and Mesocylops cf. Leucaartii;
Diptera - Chironomus, Aedes and Culex;
Odonata - Ischnura elegans, Ichtinogomphus rapax, Brachythemis contaminate,
Crocothemis servelia servelia, Pantala flavescens and Trithemis pallidinervis;
Hemiptera:
Species Name
Species Name
Anisops breddini
Microneta
quadristrigata
M. striata
A. exigera
Corixa heiroglyphica
Diplonychus
annulatum
D. molestum
Microvelia
senghlensis
Notonecta glauca
Plea frontalis
D. rusticus
P. pallescens
Geris spinolae
Ranatra filiformes
Heliochoris breviceps
R. gracilis
Laccotrephes
elongates
L. griseus
R. sordidula
Coleoptera - Hydatian fabricii, Cybister sp. and Rhantaticus.
Crustacea: Macrobrachium rosenberghii and Cardenia sp.
Mollusca:
Bellamya bengalensis, B. crassa, B. dissimilis, Gabbia orcula var
producta, Lymnaea acuminata, L. luteola and Indoplanorbis exustus.
Fish:
Species Name
Species Name
Amblypaharyngodon
mola
Channa gachua
Mystus vittatus
C. punctatus
Notopterus
notopterus
Puntius chola
Chela labuca
P. sophore
Clarias batrachus
P. ticto
Garra malya
Rasbora daniconius
Glossogobius giuris
Sarcotherodon
mosambicus
Wallago attu
Heteropneustes
fossilis
Lepidocephalichtyes
guntea
Amphibia: Bufo laurenti, Bufo melanogaster, Rana limnocharis and Rana
cyanophlyctis.
Avifauna:
Species Name
Species Name
Acridotherus tristis
Alauda gulgula
Eudynamys
scolopacea
Galerida cristata
Alcedo atthis
Halcyon smyrnensis
Ardea alba
Himantopus
himantopus
Hirundo rustica
A. cinerea
Ardeola grayii
Athene brama
Hydrophasianus
chirurgus
Merops orientalis
Bubulcus ibis
Milvus migrans
Caprimulgus
asiaticus
Centropus sinensis
Motacilla flava
Charadrius dubius
Mycterrenia
M. maderaspatensis
Chloropsis aurifrons
Clamator jacobinus
leucocephala
Neophron
percnopterus
Phalacrocorax niger
Coracias
benghalensis
Corvus
macrorhynchos
C. splendens
Podiceps ruficollis
Cypsiurus parvus
Pycnonotus cafer
Dendrocitta
vagabunda
Dicrurus adsimilis
Streptopelia
chinensis
S. decaocto
Dinopium
benghalenis
Egretta garzetta
Turdoides affinis
E. intermedia
Upupa epos
Eremopterix grisea
Vanellus indicus
Prinia socialis
Psittacula krameri
T. caudatus
Land use: Mainly used for irrigation and fishing.
Conservation measures taken: Andhra Pradesh State Government
Disturbance and threats: In recent years has been employed to dump city garbage
thereby causing deterioration in the water quality, affecting the fauna, flora and
human health. It was also observed, that a large number of Pariah kites (Milvus
migrans Boddaert) are hovering over the lake area, because of the abundant supply of
food from the city garbage piled up in the area, in turn may cause serious damage to
the air crafts (Airport is at an aerial distance of 3–4 km).
Socio-economic values: Its importance for water supply, the reservoir supports a
small fishery supplying local markets, and could, if appropriately managed, evolve
into a readily accessible and important centre for conservation education.
Reference: Ramakrishna (2000).
MANJIRA BARRAGE
Manjira Barrage is a water storage reservoir situated (17° 38’ N and
78° 05’ E)
50 km northwest of Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, formed by a barrage on the Manjira
river. The lake is about 2000 ha and has a varied shoreline with agricultural land
(chiefly rice paddies and maize fields) on two sides. There are filter beds behind the
earthen bund at the eastern end of the lake. Two small islands and extensive marshy
fringes, together with a variety of aquatic vegetation in the lake, provide considerable
ecological diversity. The maximum depth at the barrage is 16 m, the average depth
7.5–10.5 m. Parts of the lake are parched during the dry season. Together with Osman
Sagar, Himayat Sagar, and Nizam Sagar, Manjira Barrage forms part of a complex of
numerous small lakes west and northwest of Hyderabad.
Abiotic factors: Rather dry, tropical monsoon climate, with temperatures ranging
from 10°C to 41°C. The pH value is 8.5 and the alkalinity 184 mg per litre.
Macrophytes:
Extensive, marshy fringes and abundant aquatic vegetation with
species typical of the region. The islands were originally wooded, but these have
recently been cleared. The surrounding areas are mainly agricultural land with
scattered Acacia spp.
Reptiles: The marsh crocodile (Crocodylus palustris) which occurs at the reservoir is
the subject of a restocking programme.
Birds: The lake supports a rich avifauna typical of the undisturbed wetlands in this
region, and is an important wintering area for migratory waterfowl. Approximately
1650 waterfowl of 46 species, rather fewer birds than usual, were present in January
1987. They included 1.00 herons, egrets of seven species, and: 24 Pseudibis
papillosa, 53 Anser indicus, 450 Tadorna ferruginea, 60 Nettapus coromandelianus,
510 ducks of 12 other species, 50 Porphyrio porphyrio and 220 Fulica atra and small
numbers of 12 species of shorebirds.
Land use: The reservoir provides drinking water for the city of Hyderabad.
Conservation measures taken: The reservoir is protected as a crocodilian sanctuary
for the marsh crocodile (Crocodylus palustris). A restocking programme was initiated
in 1978, and by January 1987, 15 young crocodiles and been released.
Disturbances and threats: There is relatively little human activity in the area, but
some illegal hunting has been reported. The felling of trees on the islands has reduced
the, availability of nesting sites for large waterbirds.
Socio-economic values: The reservoir provides water supply for the surrounding
areas.
Research and facilities: Waterfowl censuses were carried out in January 1987.
Reference: van der Ven (1987); WWF India (1993).
LOWER MANAIR RESERVOIR
The reservoir is situated (18° 24’ N) in the Karimnagar, Andhra Pradesh and it was
constructed in 1986. The total area of the reservoir is about 8,103 ha and maximum
depth is 21.9 m. The capacity of the reservoir is 680.6 106m3 and annual inflow is 661
106m3.
Abiotic factors: Tropical monsoon climate. Temperature ranged from 28°C to 32°C
and pH varies between 8.3 and 9.2.
Fishes: Catla, Mrigal and Rohu.
Land tenure:
State-owned
Land use: The reservoir is used for irrigation and fishing
Conservation measures taken: None
Disturbances and threats: No information
Socio-economic values: Its importance for water supply. The reservoir supports a
Reference: Das et al. (2001).
HUSSAIN SAGAR LAKE
Hussain sagar is one of the oldest artificial tank situated (17° 20’ N and 78° 30’ E) in
Ranga Reddy district, Andhra Pradesh formed by constructing a bund, in the mid-16th
century, linking Hyderabad and Secunderabad. This lake is an ideal place for water
sports. The lake is fed by streams originating from the Musi river, and Faulksagar and
Kukatpally tanks. Hussain Sagar, which supplies drinking water to the residential
areas in Hyderabad city, is bounded by the tank bund and Indira Park to the east,
Sanjivayya Park to the north, Begumpet residential area to the west and the
secretariat/ commercial complex to the south. The total area of the lake is about
710ha. and catchment area is about 38,850 ha.
Abiotic factors: Temperature ranging from 25°C to 35°C. The water temperature is
between 24°C and 31°C and pH from 7.4 to 8.7.
Arthropods: Tendepis sp.
Molluscs: Bellamya bengalensis, Pila virens, Thiara scabra, Thiara lineata,
Lymnaea acuminata and Indoplanorbis exustus.
Birds: The lake supports a rich avifauna. The 1991 avifauna count included;
Land tenure:
Species Name
Species Name
Anas crecca
(360)
A. penelope
(160)
A.
poecilorhyncha
(240)
A. querquedula
(118)
Ardea cinerea
(6)
Ardeola grayii
(56)
Aythya ferina
(98)
Ceryle rudis (2)
Cypsiurus parvus (160)
Egretta alba (12)
E. garzetta (32)
Fulica atra (24)
Hirundo rustica (280)
Nettapus
coromandelianus (260)
Phalacrocorax niger (62)
Podiceps ruficollis (420)
State-owned
Land use: In addition to being a recreational spot, this lake is also a stock reservoir
for the State Government’s fish-breeding station, which utilises the lake for fish
culture. The surrounding areas of the lake are being developed for residential and
commercial buildings.
Conservation measures taken: Revenue Department
Disturbance and threats: Extensive human activity on account of water sports
(sailing and regattas at national level) and fish culture is the cause of disturbance to
birds. Being located in the heart of the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad,
the lake receives a huge amount of industrial effluents, municipal sewage, and
agricultural wastes. Fish kills were observed in May 1975. Subsequently, a study on
the pollution of the lake revealed that a heavy load of pollutants, containing soluble
and insoluble salts (nitrates, nitrites and phosphates of calcium), had entered the lake
prior to the month of May.
Socio-economic values: The lake is used for recreation by the citizens of the twin
cities of Hyderabad and Secunderbad. Fish is cultured in the lake.
Reference: Mishra and Saxena (1992); WWW India (1993); Prasad (1993);
Chandrasekar (1997); Naga Prapurna and Shashikanth (2002).
CORINGA WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary is a complex of mangrove swamps and coastal lagoons,
located in (16° 27’–16° 59’ N and 82° 01’–92° 22’ E) the Godavari Delta, 70 km
southeast of Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh. Most of the Sanctuary consists of
mangrove swamps, but there are several open shallow lagoons behind the shoreline in
the south and central sections of the delta. The northernmost part of the delta is the
northern tip of Godavari Point, a peninsula 20 km in length which encloses Kakinada
Bay (11,000 ha). The southernmost of the delta’s principal channels links up with the
Krishna Delta to the south. The total area of mangroves in the two deltas combined
may now be as little as 10,000 ha.
Abiotic factors: Tropical monsoon climate. During October and November,
freshwater floods large areas of the delta; the seasonal variation in salinity is thus very
high, ranging from 20–30 ppt during the hot, dry season (March-May), to less than 10
ppt during the rainy season.
Macrophytes: The mangrove forests of the Godavari and Krishna Deltas are unique
in India because of their stands of Sonneratia apelata and assemblage of Avicennia
species. Mangroves include species of Rhizophora, Aegiceras, and Excoecaria. The
grass Myriostachia wightiana is very common in both deltas, but practically unknown
elsewhere. Two principal halophytic communities occur: those growing on the river
banks and those growing on the ancient alluvial soils in the interior of the delta.
Birds: An important area for a variety of resident and migratory waterfowl. Species
known to occur include Pelecanus philippensis, presumably as a non-breeding visitor,
various species of heron, egret, stork, ibis, and Phoenicopterus ruber, the latter in
large numbers.
Reptiles: Attempts are currently being made to re-establish the estuarine crocodile
(Crocodylus porosus) in the area. Marine turtles occur within the sanctuary, but
details are lacking.
Mammals: Mammals include Lutra sp., Felis viverrina, and Canis aureus.
Land use: Fishing; subsistence agriculture on the landward edge of the Sanctuary.
Conservation measures taken: Protected within the Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary
(23,570 ha), established in July 1978. The Sanctuary was created partly for the reintroduction of the estuarine crocodile (Crocodylus porosus), using animals reared at
Hyderabad from eggs from the Andaman Islands. Three crocodiles, approximately 1.2
m in length were released in 1978. The Sanctuary is managed by the Divisional Forest
Officer, Kakinada. A management plan which has been drafted is now being
implemented.
Disturbances and threats: The principal disturbance in the mangrove forest is from
small-scale fishing operations. Expansion of the human population in the agricultural
hinterland and encroachment on the land-ward edge of the Sanctuary are continuing to
cause further problems for the management of the Sanctuary.
Socio-economic values: No information
Research and facilities: Preliminary surveys of the fauna and flora have been carried
out, and a management plan has been prepared for the Sanctuary.
Reference:
(1993).
Groombridge (1982); Kar (1984); Karpowicz (1985); WWW India
MUSI RESERVOIR
Musi reservoir situated (Lat. 17° 14’ N) in the Nalgonda, Andhra Pradesh and it was
constructed in 1963. The total area of this reservoir is 2507 ha. and maximum depth
of the reservoir is 15.3m. The capacity of the reservoir is 130.3 106m3 and annual
inflow is 87.7 106m3.
Abiotic factors: Tropical monsoon climate, with temperature ranged from 29.5°C to
30.0°C. The pH varies from 8.1 to 9.8.
Zooplankton: The reservoir has a fairly rich crop zooplankton and equally rich
bottom fauna consisting of larvae of chironomids and other dipterans.
Prawns: Macrobrachium malcolmsonii
Fishes: Tilapia and murrels (Channa striatus and C. punctatus)
Land use: Irrigation and Fishing
Pollution status: Presently, the reservoir is a polluted by sewage
KADAM RESERVOIR
The reservoir is situated in (19° 18’ N) the Adilabad, Andhra Pradesh and constructed
in 1958. The total area of the reservoir is about 2474 ha. and maximum depth is 28.4
m. The capacity of the reservoir is 215.3 106m3 and annual inflow is about 773.1
106m3.
Abiotic factors: Tropical monsoon climate, with temperature ranged from 28.5°C to
30.5°C and pH varies from 7.9 to 9.8.
Fishes: Fishes consists of mostly indigenous fishes which include the Mahseer, Tor
khudree.
Land tenure:
State-owned
Land use: The reservoir is used for irrigation and fishing.
MID-PENNAR RESERVOIR
The reservoir is situated (14° 52’ N) in the Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh and was
constructed in 1964. The total area is about 1703 ha and maximum depth is 30.4 m.
The capacity of the reservoir is 146.1 106m3 and annual inflow is 373.8 106m3.
Abiotic factors: Tropical monsoon climate. Temperature ranged from 28.8°C to
Zooplankton: It is rich in zooplankton.
Fishes: Puntius kolus, Labeo potail, Mystus seenghala were recorded.
Land use: The reservoir is used for irrigation and fishing.
SINGUR RESERVOIR
The reservoir is situated (17° 45’ N) in the Medak, Andhra Pradesh, and it was
constructed in 1989. The total area of this wetland is 16,534 ha and maximum depth is
23.6 m. The capacity of the reservoir is about 849.5 106m3 and annual inflow is 595.8
106m3.
Abiotic factors: Tropical monsoon climate, with temperature ranging from 25.5°C to
29°C. The pH varies from 8.0 to 9.2.
Fishes: Rohu, Mrigal and other fishes.
Land tenure:
State-owned
Land use: Water supply to Hyderabad city.
Socio-economic values: It is relatively a new impoundment meant for supply of
water to Hyderabad city.
SOMASILA RESERVOIR
The reservoir is situated in (14° 29’ N) the Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, and it was
constructed in 1988. The total area of this wetland is about
21,349 ha. and
maximum depth is 33.5 m. The capacity of the reservoir is 2208.4 106m3 and annual
inflow is 2562.5 106m3.
Abiotic factors: Temperature ranged from 29°C to 31°C and pH range from
minimum of 8.1 to 8.5.
Fauna: Catla and Mrigal show signs of good growth, while that of Rohu is poor.
Land tenure:
State-owned
Socio-economic values: The lake supports an important fishing industry and is a
valuable source of water for irrigation and domestic use.
WETLANDS IN INDRAVATI NATIONAL PARK
Indravati national park is situated on 19° 00’–29° 30’ N, 81° 00’–
82° 00’ E
along the Indravati River from Jagdalpur downstream to the region of Pusnar, Andhra
Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Orissa. The Indravati National Park consists of a broad
stretch of land along the Indravati River in Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and
Orissa, which has been reclaimed for rehabilitation purposes. Wetland habitats
include the river itself, spring-fed marshes and numerous tanks and pools in the clay
deposits in low-lying areas. The area of wetlands are unknown, however, the National
Park is 125,837 ha within a Tiger Reserve of 208,400ha.
Abiotic factors: Tropical monsoon climate, with the average annual rainfall
increasing from 1,270 mm in the west to 1,520 mm in the east. Temperatures range
from 11°C to 40°C.
Macrophytes: Aquatic plants in and around the tanks include Nelumbo nucifera,
Nymphaea spp, Trapa natans and Utricularia aurea, Isoetes coromandelina also
occurs. At Chapka and Jayathgiri, natural springs support a compact, closed swampy
vegetation with Calamus ratang, Flagellaria indica, Pandanus tectonius, Similax
prolifera and tall specimens of Equisetum debile. Most of the Park consists of tropical
mixed deciduous forest interspersed with grassy glades.
Birds: The wetlands are reported to be rich in water birds, but no details are
available.
Mammals: The National Park and Tiger Reserve support a wide variety of large
mammals including Panthera tigris, P. pardus, Bos gaurus, Cervus unicolor, Axis
axis, Sus scrofa, Canis lupus and Hyaena hyaena. The reserves contain the most
extensive potential habitat for wild Water Buffalo Bubalus bubalis in India, and
would be suitable for re-introduction of the Swamp Deer Cervus duvaucelli.
Land tenure: State owned.
Land use: The area is managed as a nature reserve.
Conservation measures taken: The wetlands are protected in the Indravati National
Park (125,837 ha), established in 1978. The Park is incorporated within the Indravati
Tiger Reserve (208,400 ha), established in 1982 under Project Tiger.
Conservation measures proposed: The Management Plan under Project Tiger aims
to relocate villages in central and northern parts of the reserve, develop water
supplies, and give effective protection against fire and poaching.
Disturbances and threats: There are some villages in the central and northern parts
of the Tiger Reserve.
Economic and social values: No information.
Research and facilities: Most of the research in the National Park and Tiger Reserve
has focussed on the larger mammals, and little if any work seems to have been carried
out on the wetlands.
Reference: Jam and Sastry (1983); WWF India (1993).
WYRA RESERVOIR
The location of the reservoir is Lat. 7° 11’ N, and was constructed in 1930 in the
Khamman, Andhra Pradesh. The total area of this wetland is about 1626ha. Maximum
depth is 18.6m. The capacity of the reservoir is 64.7 106m3 and annual inflow is 193.7
x 106m3.
Abiotic factors: Tropical monsoon climate, with temperature ranging from 29°C to
Zooplankton: Wyra has a good population of zooplankton and fairly rich bottom
fauna consisting of Tendepes and other dipteran larvae.
Fishes: Besides Catla and Rohu, addition of common carp should be considered for
stocking.
SRISAILAM RESERVOIR
It is a largest reservoir situated (16° 50’ N) in the Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh. The
reservoir was constructed in 1984. The total area of this reservoir is about 61,404ha.
and maximum depth is 102.1m. The capacity of the reservoir is 8721 106m3 and
annual inflow is 36449.9 106m3.
Abiotic factors: Temperature range from a minimum of 28.5°C and maximum of
Fishes: Major carps are being exploited in considerable quantities.
Land tenure:
State-owned
Socio-economic values: Its importance for water supply and supports a small fishery
supplying local markets.
POCHARAM RESERVOIR
Pocharam reservoir is situated on 18° 08’ N, 77° 57’ E on the Manjira River, 85 km
northwest of Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh. It is a large water storage reservoir on the
Manjira River, about 70 km downstream from Manjira Barrage. The reservoir is
situated in undulating hills with dry deciduous forest and scrub jungle. The lake varies
in extent from 15,000 to 20,000 ha depending upon the season and fluctuations in
rainfall. It reaches a maximum depth of about 6–7 m. The total area of the wetland is
20,000 ha
•
POCHARAM RESERVOIR
Abiotic factors: Rather dry tropical monsoon climate, with temperatures ranging
from 10–41°C and water is alkaline with a pH of 7.5–8.0.
Macrophytes: No information is available on the aquatic vegetation. The lake is
surrounded by cultivation with scrub jungle at 50–200 m from the shoreline.
Birds: The lake is known to support a wide variety of both resident and migratory
waterfowl, but little information is available. Over 10,000 waterfowl of at least 53
species were present in January 1987, including: 90 herons and egrets of 7 species;
Species Name
Species Name
Anas acuta (1,400)
Aythya ferina (400)
A. clypeata (760)
A. fuligula (840)
A. crecca (960)
A. nyroca (50)
A. penelope (800)
Grus grus (50)
A. poecilorhynchos
(1,200)
A. querquedula
(700)
A. strepera (300)
Netta rufina (180)
Anastomus oscitans
(50)
Anser indicus (620)
Rhynchops albicollis (9)
Nettapus
coromandelianus (630)
Platalea leucorodia (100)
Tadorna ferruginea (560)
Anthropoides virgo
(100)
Large numbers of shorebirds of at least 14 species were also present, but no count was
possible.
Land tenure: The reservoir is state owned.
Land use: Water supply for irrigation and domestic use. Forestry exploitation and
agriculture in surrounding areas.
Conservation measures taken: Part of the reservoir is included in the Pocharam
Sanctuary (12,964 ha), established in 1952 and managed by the Divisional Forest
Officer, Madak.
Disturbances and threats: Forestry activities in the watershed.
Socio-economic values: The reservoir provides an important water supply for the
surrounding areas.
Research and facilities: A mid-winter waterfowl census was carried out in January
1987.
Reference: WWF India (1993).
WETLANDS IN MAHAO (MEHAO) SANCTUARY
Mahao Sanctuary is located (28° 05’–29° 15’ N and 95° 40’–96° 03’ E) around the
valley of the Dri river, 65 km from Balipara Railway Station and 100 km northeast of
Dibrugarh, Dibang Valley district, Arunachal Pradesh, which flows almost due south
from the extreme northeastern corner of India to join the confluence of the Dihang
and Lohit rivers at 27° 55’ N, 95° 40’ E. Most of the Sanctuary is primary, tropical,
wet evergreen and semi-evergreen forest, but there are some areas of grassland and
seasonally inundated valley floors with riverine formations. The total area of this
sanctuary is about 28,150 ha.
Abiotic factors: Humid tropical to temperate climate, with an average annual rainfall
of
4,189 mm, most
of
which
occurs
during
May–
September.
duck
• WETLANDS IN MAHAO (MEHAO) SANCTUARY
lower
river.
Birds:
The
endangered whitewinged
wood(Cairina
scutulata)
still
persists in small
numbers along the
course of the Dri
Mammals: The
swamp
deer
(Cervus
duvaucelli) inhabits the Sanctuary.
Land use: No information
Conservation measures taken: The Mahao Sanctuary (28,150 ha) was established in
1980.
WETLANDS IN LALI SANCTUARY
Lali is a forest sanctuary situated (Lat. 27° 53’–28° 10’ N, 95° 23’–
95° 30’ E)
16 km southeast of Pasighat and 80 km northeast of Dibrugarh, East Siang district,
Arunachal Pradesh and the sanctuary is incorporating the lower reaches and
floodplain of the Dihang river just north of its confluence with the Lohit river.
Wetland habitats include riverine marshes, seasonally flooded grassland and riparian
forest. There are several islands in the river, the largest of which is about 500 ha in
area and the total area of this sanctuary is about 19,000 ha.
Abiotic factors: Humid, tropical monsoon climate; temperature range from 12°C to
33°C.
Macrophytes: Tropical, wet, evergreen forest with riverine forest and grasslands in
the valley bottoms.
Mammals: Swamp deer (Cervus duvaucelli) and Asian elephant (Elephas maximus)
utilise the valley floor wetlands.
Land use: Sanctuary
Conservation measures taken: The Lali Sanctuary (19,000 ha) was established in
1978.
Socio-economic values: The large number of birds visiting this area.
WETLANDS IN NAMDAPHA NATIONAL PARK
The Namdapha National Park situated (27° 23’–27° 39’ N and 96° 15’–96° 58’ E) on
the Burmese border, 90 km from Railway Station and 140 km east of Dibrugarh,
Tirap district of Arunachal Pradesh and the park is incorporates a great diversity of
ecosystems from riverine forest at the lowest elevations, through tropical, wet,
evergreen forest, moist evergreen forest, mixed deciduous forest, and hill evergreen
formations, to alpine barrens at over 4500m. Wetland habitats include the Miao river,
its tributaries, and associated marshes and riparian forests. The National Park is about
180,782 ha, including a core area of 69,500 ha.
Abiotic factors: Humid tropical to temperate climate, with an annual rainfall of
3000–4000 mm. The temperature range varies greatly, depending on altitude.
Macrophytes: Situated at the junction of three biotic provinces, the Park displays
very diverse terrestrial vegetation. Particularly relevant are large areas of north Indian,
tropical, moist deciduous forest on alluvial flats and along rivers and stream banks.
Extensive riverine formations, particularly along the Miao river, represent some of the
least spoilt low-land forests in India (73 species of lichens, 59 bryophytes, 112
pteridophytes, five gymnosperms, 801 angiosprems are only a few of the species
recorded in 60% of the area of this reserve).
Special floral values: Several rare and endangered species are found here. Two new
genera, four new species, four new species, and 14 new distributional records have
been recorded. There is a high level of endemism. Pinus merkusii and Abier delavavi
are found only here in India. Mishmi tita, of medicinal value, is also found in the
reserve.
Insects: A total of 14 species of beetles have been recorded in the national park
Molluscs: Five species of mollusk have been recorded.
Fishes: A total of 5 species of fish were recorded in the national park.
Amphibians: Three of amphibians have been recorded.
Reptiles: A total of 90 species of reptiles were recorded.
Birds: A total of 350 species of birds were recorded. The endangered white-winged
wood-duck (Cairina scululala) may stil occur along the Miao river at the lowest
elevations in the Park, although it is not known whether the species was ever truly
resident here.
Mammals: The fauna of the National Park remains virtually intact; more than 96
species of mammals. Wetland mammals include the fishing cat (Felis viverrina) and
common otter (Lutra lutra). It is the only reserve in India that is home to four of the
large cats: tiger, leopard, clouded leopard, and snow leopard. A new species, the
Namdapha flying squirrel, was discovered here for the first time in 1983.
Land use: Managed as a nature reserve
Conservation measures taken: The National Park (180,782 ha) was established in
1972 and is a Project Tiger Reserve.
Conservation measures proposed: There are plans to reintroduce the endangered
White-winged Wood-Duck Cairina scutulata into the Park from the Assam Valley
captive breeding projects. There is a proposal to extend the National Park by 25,000
ha to the north, into Lohit District. Provision should be made for a sanctuary buffer
zone of 10,000 ha along the western lowland border.
Disturbances and threats: The reserve is remote, inaccessible, with difficult terrain.
These factors prevent biotic pressures on the core and sustain the rich vegetation.
There are, however, incidents of poaching on the Indo-Burmese border.
Socio-economic values: Namdapha, a biosphere reserve, has a high biodiversity. The
area caters to very few tourists. The local Chakma tribals hunt in the reserve on
traditional and ceremonial occasions, but not on an excessive scale. They live in
harmony with the forests.
Reference: Government of India (1993); WWF India (1993).
BRAHMAPUTRA RIVER VALLEY
The Brahmaputra flood plain (25° 45’ N, 89° 50’ E) forms one vast wetland region,
particularly during years of above average rainfall, for example 1987. The area
stretches for over 600 kms from the frontier with Bangladesh (25° 45’ N, 89° 50’ E),
where the valley exceeds 90 km in width, to the point where its two principal
tributaries, the Lohit and Dibang, unite (27° 50’ N, 95° 40’ E). Here the valley has
narrowed to less than 50 km in width.
•
BRAHMAPUTRA RIVER VALLEY
Source: Google earth
The river itself already exceeds three km in width at the confluence of the Lohit and
Dibang, and widens to nearly 10 km at the Bangladesh border. In common with the
other great north Indian rivers, it changes course frequently, leaving permanent or
seasonal lakes and marshes in the abandoned channels. There are over 70 such lakes
of between 100 and 500 ha in area, but only five or six in excess of 500 ha. At several
points, the valley is significantly constrained by the northward projecting spurs of the
Naga and Shillong Hills, and it is here that the principal urban areas have become
established, e.g. Gauhati and Goalpara. The expansion of urban areas, industrial
activity and the intensification of agriculture are putting great pressure on the wetland
resources of the Brahmaputra. A number of sanctuaries have been established in the
valley, but as yet none has been created specifically for its wetland ecosystem. This
would seem to be an urgent priority. Six of the most important sites within the
Brahmaputra Valley are treated separately below; i.e. Deepar Bell, Beels of Assam,
Sareswar Beel, Wetlands in Manas national park and Wetlands in Laokhawa, Orange
and Sona Rupai sanctuaries.
DEEPOR BEEL
Deepor beel (26° 08’ N, 91° 39’ E) is a permanent, freshwater lake, in a former
channel of the Brahmaputra river, now to the south of the main river south-west of
Guwahati city, Assam. It is a large natural wetland having great biological and
environmental importance besides being the only major storm water storage basin for
the Guwahati city (Deka and Goswami, 1992). Geomorphologically, its origin and
development are intimately linked with the geologic and tectonic history of the
region, hydrology and channel dynamics of rivers and pattern and intensity of land
use in the area. It is commonly believed that the beel together with those adjoining it
represents an abandoned channel of the Brahmaputra system. The beel is located in a
broad U-shaped valley rammed between the steep highlands on the north and south.
The highlands lying immediately to the north and south of the beel are made up of
gneisses and schist’s of the Archaean age, whereas the beel and its lowland fringe is
underlain by recent alluvium consisting of clay, silt, sand and pebbles. At maximum
flooding, it is about four metres deep; during the dry season, the depth drops to about
one metre. The main sources of water are the Basistha and Kalmani rivers and local
monsoon run-off between May and September. The beel drains into the Brahmautra
river 5 km to the north, through the Khonajan channel. About half of the beel dries out
during the winter months, and at this time, the exposed shores are converted into rice
paddies to a width of up to one kilometer. The total area of the wetland is about 4,000
ha.
Abiotic factors: Humid, tropical monsoon climate with a prolonged monsoon season
from May to September, a relatively cool, dry winter, and a pre-monsoon period in
March-May with occasional storms. Temperatures range from 10.6º to 32.0ºC.
Macrophytes: The dominant aquatic plants include
Species Name
Species Name
Azolla pinnata
Eichhornia crassipes
Eleocharis
plantaginea
Nymphaea rubra
Ottelia alismoides
Pistia stratiotes
Ipomoea reptans
Lemna minor
Potamogeton
crispus
Sagittaria
sagittifolia
Spirodela polyrhiza
Nymphaea albea
Vallisneria spiralis
The giant water lily (Euryale ferox) also grows here. The lake shore vegetation
includes Eupatorium odoratum, Achyranthes aspera, Cyperus esculoentus Phragmites
karka, Vitex trifolia, Accium basilium, Saccharum spontaneum, and Imperata
arundinacea. Dominant tree species in the nearby deciduous forests include Tectona
grandis, Ficus bengalensis, and Bombax malabaricum. The giant water lilies (Euryale
ferox) are of considerable botanical interest and economic importance.
Phytoplankton: Phytoplankton is one of the major components of the lowest level of
the producers in the Deepor beel ecosystem. Again, the fluctuations of water regime
during summer and winter also influence the diversity and abundance of the lowest
level of the food web. The dominant species are represented by Oscillatoria sp. and
Microcystis sp. A total of 18 genera of phytoplankton are reported only from the core
area of the Deepor beel ecosystem. The population density of phytoplankton reaches
fairly high levels during winter season and re-treating monsoon but remain low during
summer season.
Zooplankton: Altogether 21 genera of zooplanktons were identified in Deepor beel,
the dominant species were from the groups of Cladoceran, Copepod, Rotifers and
Protozoans, such as, Paramecium sp., etc. (Chetry 1999). The beel is rich with high
zooplankton diversity during the pre-monsoon, monsoon and winter seasons.
Benthos: The important benthic fauna in the Deepor beel ecosystem includes Tubifex
sp., Nais sp., Pheritima sp., Dero sp., Limnodrillus sp., Chaoborus sp., Chironomus
sp., Bellemya sp., Bortia sp., Chaoborous sp., Culicoids sp., Dragon fly larvae, stone
fly larvae, Cybister larvae, Pyla globosa, Unio sp., etc.
Fishes: The diversity and concentration of indigenous fresh water fish species is very
high in Deepor beel area owing to the diverse habitat types and high productivity of
the wetland. Deepor beel is a permanent deep and shallow water wetland; hence, the
natural breeding of some of them takes place within the beel itself. According to
Chetry (1999), Deepor beel supports 50 different fish species under 19 families. The
rich fish fauna includes
Species Name
Species Name
Notopterus chitolus
Botia Dario
N. notopterus
Lepidocephalus guntea
Gadusia chapra
Aorichtys seenghala
Anabus testudineus
Mystus vitatus
Amblyphraygodon mola
M. tengra
Aspidoporaria morar
Ompok pabo
Puntius sophore
Wallago attu
P. ticto
Ailia colia
P. sarana
Clarias batrachus
P. conchonius
Heteropneustes fossilis
Catla catla
Xenentodon cancila
Labeo rohita
Monopterus cuchia
L. calbasu
Chanda nama
L. gonius
C. ranga
L. gonius
Glossogobius giuris
L. diagonelis
Colisa fasciata
Cirrhinus reba
Channa punctatus
C. mrigala
C. orientalis
Ctenopharyngodon idella
C. marulius
Hypophthalmiethys molitrix
C. striatus
Cyprinus carpio var communis
C. gachua
Rasbora daniconius
Mastacembalus armatus
R. bacaila
M. aculeatus
Barilius barila
Tetradon cutcutia
B. bola
Lepidocephalus gunted
Reptiles: There are no comprehensive study reports on Herpeto fauna in Deepor beel,
however, preliminary survey revealed the presence of at least 20 amphibian, 12
lizards, 18 snakes and 6 turtle and tortoise species in Deepor beel (Saikia 2000).
Birds: Deepor beel harbors a large number of terrestrial and aquatic birds, most of
which are either endemic, threatened and endangered. Altogether 219 bird species
have been recorded, of which 70 species are waterfowl (Saikia and Bhattacharjee
1987, Barman at et. 1996 and Saikia 2000 unpublished. Rostratula benghalensia and
Gallinago solitaria were reported in February 1988. Breeding species include
Nettapus coromandelianus, Gallicrex cinerea, Porphyrio porphyrio, and Metopidius
indicus. The species known to occur includes Little grebe– Tachybaptus ruficollis
(348), Great Crested Grebe–Podiceps cristatus (4), Blacknecked Grebe – P.
nigricollis (1), Spotbilled pelican – Pelecanus philippensis (5), Large Cormorant –
Phalacrocorax carbo (5), Little Cormorant – P. niger (1056), Indian Shag – P.
fuscicollis (1), Giant Heron – Ardea goliath (1), Pond Heron – Adreola grayii (261),
Little Egret–Egretta garzetta (216), Intermediate Egret–Egretta intermedia (195),
Cattle Egret– Bubulcus ibis (63), Great Egret– Casmerodius albus (86), Purple
Heron–Ardea purpurea (17), Grey Heron – A. cinerea (3), Black Bittern– Ixobrychus
flavicollis (1), Cinamon Bittern –
I. cinnamomeus (16), Yellow Bittern –
I. Sinensis (7), Black Crowned Night Heron -Nycticorax nycticorax (17), Asian
Openbill Stork – Anastomus oscitans (17), Lesser Adjutant Stork–Leptoptilos
javanicus (24), Greater Adjutant Stork–L. dubius (56), Blacknecked Stork –
Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus (1), Barheaded Geese– Anser indicus (11), Large
Whistling Teal – Dendrocygna bicolor (27), Lesser Whistling Teal – D. javanica
(3000), Ruddy Shelduck – Tadorna ferruginea (769), Indian Cotton Teal – Nettapus
coromandelianus (7), Eurasia Wigeon – Anas penelope (27), Gadwall – A. strepera
(500), Common Teal – A. crecca (1689), Spot billed Duck – A. poecilorhyncha (65),
Mallard – A. platyrhynchos (35), Northern Pintail – A. acuta (5349), Gargany – A.
querquedula (317), Northern Shoveler – A. clypeata (914), Red Crested Pochard –
Netta rufina (7), Common Pochard – Aythya ferina (1000), Baer’s Pochard – A. baeri
(1018), Ferruginous Duck – A. nyroca (609), Tufted Duck – A. fuligula (175), Water
Rail – Rallus aquaticus (11), White breasted Waterhen – Amaurornis phoenicurus
(22), Watercock – Gallicrex cinerea (3), Purple Swamphen – Porphyrio porphyrio
(60), Common Coot – Fulica atra (95), Pheasant Tail Jacana – Hydrophasianus
chirurgus (20), Bronze Winged Jacana – Metopidius indicus (90), Painted Snip –
Rostratula benghalensis (8), Oriental Partincole – Iglareola maldivarum (10),
Northern Lapwing – Vanellus vanellus (19), Grey-headed lapwing-V. cinereus (24),
Red-Wattled lapwing – V. indicus (24), Asiatic Golden Plover – Pluvialis dominica
(235), Little Ringed Plover – Charadrius dubius (150), Spotted redshank – Tringa
erythropus (305), Marsh Sandpiper – T. stagnatilis (150), Green Shank – T. nebularia
(10), Green Sandpiper – T. ochropus (10), Wood Sand Piper – T. glareola (20),
Spoonbilled Sandpiper – Eurynorhynchus pygmeus (1), Common Sand Piper – Actitis
hypoleucos (65), Solitary Snip – Gallinago solitaria (12), Pintail Snip – G. stenura
(12), Common Snip – G. gallinago (21), Little Stint – Calidris minuta (22), Black
Headed Gull – Larus ridibundus (8), Whiskered Tern – Chlidonias hybridus (4),
Indian River tern – Sterna aurantia (5) and Black bellied Tern – S. acuticauda (1).
Mammals: Wild Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) still visit the beel despite its
proximity to Guwahati.
Land tenure: The site is owned by the Fishery Department of the Government of
Assam. The surroundings are in private property, except for the Gorbhanga Reserve
Forest which is state-owned.
Land use: The wetland is used for fishery, domestic water supply, collection of
natural products, fodder and food supply, transport, and recreation. Traditionally, the
Beel provides fodder to cattle and food to the local people.
Conservation measures taken:
The Government of Assam vides Gazette
Notification No. FRW.1/80/26 declared 414ha of the beel area as a Sanctuary (Dipor
Beel Sanctuary). Shooting and bird-trapping are prohibited by law, but enforcement is
poor. The area is patrolled by the Fishery Department.
Conservation measures proposed: The newly constructed railway line through the
southern periphery of Deepor beel is a major threat to the ecosystem, particularly, in
view of encroachments, forest destruction, erosion, disturbance, etc. Therefore the
following measures should be taken:
•
Halting of trains should be avoided within the boundary of Deepor beel;
•
Land adjacent to the railway line should be kept free from any encroachment;
•
To keep the noise level down, suitable plantations should be raised on either
side of the line;
•
Any form of settlement should not be allowed within the low-lying parts of
Deepor beel (all through the Deepor beel) even if private owned land are
available;
•
Further destruction of adjacent hilly forest should not be allowed (destroyed
during construction of railway line) and eco-restoration should be initiated
immediately;
•
The effectiveness of the Deepor beel system as a storm water detention basin
for Guwahati city should be preserved and the increasing pressure of storm
runoff from the city to the beel should be lessened through creation of
additional storage capacity in the naturally depressed areas within the greater
metropolitan area;
•
Saikia and Bhattacharjee (1987) have proposed that the entire beel be notified
as a bird sanctuary;
•
Considering the urgency for solution of the water logging problem of the city,
the use of the Deepor beel system as a storm water reservoir should receive
high priority and other uses of the beel system should be so planned as to be
compatible with this overriding objective;
•
The city runoff which includes sewage should be treated before being
discharged into the Deepor beel system;
•
More area should be covered under Bird sanctuary which includes highland
within it, and other small naturally depressed areas also should be included
and proper plantation programme should be initiated to create breeding ground
of residential waterfowl;
•
Land cutting, brick making factory and industrial development should be
stopped within and in the surrounding areas of Deepor beel;
•
All forms of government settlements should be stopped immediately and the
area should be preserved as a natural state.
•
Development of bird related ecotourism for the benefit of local habitants and
for conservation education.
Socio-economic values: The wetland is used for fishery, domestic water supply,
collection of natural products, fodder and food supply, transport, and recreation.
Traditonally, the Beel provides fodder to cattle and food to the local people. Nymphea
nuts and flowers are sold on the local markets and they constitute valuable natural
crops. Ornamental fish, aquarium and medicinal plants are also collected, but they are
more commercial products. Seeds of Euryale ferox are a major source of income, as
they are annaully leased by the Government Revenue Department. Several studies
from the Gauhati University have taken place in the Beel. The surroundings are used
for settlement, cultivation of paddy, roads and railways, industries, a hospital and
educational institutions. Several natural products such as orchids of commercial value
and valuable trees (e.g. Shorea robusta) are collected in the neighbouring forests.
Poor people inhabiting the vicinity of the beel ecosystem, collect their required
protein in the form of fish and other animal meats. The people of southern boundary
communicate with the city people through the beel water by country boats.
Disturbance and threats: Adverse factors threatening the site include intensive
fishing activities, hunting on waterbirds, wide use of agrochemicals on the adjacent
lands, and eutrophication of the lake. Uncontrolled fishing practices are harmfull to
the wetland ecosystem and permanently (day and night) disturbing waterbirds. The
birds are also under pressure by being hunted and netted illegally. Agrochemicals
enter the lake by run-off, enhancing its eutrophication and its infestation with
Eichhornia crassipes. The surroundings are threatened by illegal forestry activities,
encroachment, and construction projects. In order to supply timber to the saw-mills,
the forests are being felled illegally resulting in increased erosion and causing rapid
siltation of the Beel. Settlements and permanent agriculture are steadily encroaching
the wetland and reducing the extent of the marsh vegetation. Construction projects
concerning a railway line, industrial development, settlements and a brick makingand soil cutting factory are a real threat to the wetland ecosystem.
Research and facilities: The beel has been studied in some detail by biologists from
the Animal Ecology Laboratory in the Department of Zoology, Gauhati University.
Importance: Deepor Beel is one of the largest and most important beels in the
Brahmaputra valley of lower Assam and is a representative wetland type found within
the Burma Monsoon Forest biogeographic region. The site supports IUCN red-listed
species such as the birds Pelecanus philippensis, Aythya baeri, Leptoptilos javanicus,
Haliaeetus leucogaster, and L. dubius and the mammal Elephas maximus. Deepor
beel is one of the staging sites on the migratory flyways and some of the largest
congregations of aquatic birds in Assam can be seen here, particularly in winter.
Highest number of single day count of waterbirds in Deepor beel recorded is 19,000
birds. Deepor Beel supports 50 fish species belonging to 19 families. These include
high concentration and diversity of indigenous freshwater species. Fish depend on the
wetland for food, spawning and nursery.
Management authority: Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Assam State, P.O.
Rehabari Guwahati- 8 (Assam)
Past and Present status: The intensive fishing activities, prevalent both by day and
night, causes a considerable disturbance and also there is heavy hunting pressure on
water birds. Large number of water birds are netted illegally during the winter
months (December to March) for sale in local markets. Pesticides and fertilizers are
widely used on adjacent agricultural land, and enter the lake in runoff. The fertilisers
have accelerated eutrophication, and infestation with Echhornia crassipes is now
becoming a serious problem.
Surrounding areas: The forests in the catchment area to the south are often being
felled illegally to supply timber for the sawmills, resulting in increased erosion, which
in turns, is causing rapid siltation in the beel. Settlements and permanent agriculture
are steadily encroaching on the wetland and reducing the extent of the marsh
vegetation. A government proposal to dig a canal from Guwahati city to the beel to
dispose of the city’s sewage would, if carried out, have disastrous effects on the
wetland ecosystem. The major threats are summarized as follows;
•
Construction of railway line along the southern boundary of the Deepor beel;
•
Industrial development within the peiphery of the beel;
•
Large scale encroachment and government as well as private settlement within
the Deepor beel area;
•
Allotting the government vacant land to private party by Government
settlement department;
•
Brick making factory and soil cutting within the beel ecosystem;
•
Hunting, trapping and killing of wild birds and mammals within and in the
adjoining areas of Deepor beel;
•
Unplanned fishing practice without controlling mesh size and using water
pump, etc.
The newly constructed railway line through the southern periphery of Deepor beel is a
major threat to the ecosystem, particularly, in view of encroachments, forest
destruction, erosion, disturbance, etc.
Reference: Saikia and Bhattacharjee (1987), Sarma et al. (1993), Dutta et al. (1993),
Boruah et al. (1992), Deka and Goswami (1992), Deka and Goswami (1993),
Government of Assam, 1990. Assam Pollution Control Board, Guwahati, 1989.
http://www.ramsar.org/ (Ramsar website).
BEELS OF ASSAM
Derelict and semi-derelict wetlands constituting apart of the Brahmaputra floodplain,
the beels are a vitally important fishery resource of Assam. There are about 1392
beels in the state Assam, the maximum number being in Nagaon district (289),
followed by Cachar (263), North Lakhimpur (153), and Jorhat (131). Together the
beels constitute over 80% of Assam’s lentic waters. Beels are of two types: lake-like
beels, which are wide, shallow, with an irregular shoreline and are connected to
rivers through channels; and oxbow beels, which are mostly parts of abandoned river
courses (although some may be connected to the main river system through channels),
are relatively narrow, long, and have a curved or serpentine shape. Districts North
Lakhimpur and Nagaon have the maximum number of oxbow beels while lower
Assam, comprising Goalpara, Dhubri and Kokrajar, has batteries of large, lake-like
beels with high fisheries potential. Some specific beels are; Tamaranga (57 ha,
Goalpara district); Dhir (689 ha, Dhubri district); Dipor (4000 ha, Kamrup district see entry on wetland site 70); Sareswar (1700 ha, Dhubri district - see entry on
wetland site 69); Dighali, Dora, Chandubi, and Salsala (250 ha, 463 ha, 311 ha, and
21 ha, respectively, Kamrup district). Beel morphometry is affected by incursion of
river water, degree of precipitation, and nature of catchment. The deposits of decaying
weeds at the bottom contribute to richness of the bottom soils in beels. The pH ranges
from 6.0 to 7.6; and water depth from 1m to 5.3 m.
Abiotic factors: Humid, tropical monsoon climate with a prolonged monsoon season
from May to September. A relatively cool, dry winter and a pre-monsoon period from
March to May with occasional storms. Temperatures range from 10.6°C to 32°C.
Macrophytes: The forms of many large beels have favoured extensive development
of marginal and submerged vegetation dominated by macrophytes. With high values
of light quality and quantity combined with appropriate temperature regime and total
alkalinity, the submerged macrophytes playa major role in determining plankton
productivity and primary productivity in beels. Owing to a high rate of accumulation
of nutrients, macrophytes compete with phytoplankton and, under macrophytedominated conditions, phytoplankton do not get enough nutrients for their growth. As
a result, phytoplankton, in general, is poor in beels. In Dhir beel, phytoplankton is
dominated by Chlorophyceae (Pediastrum, Spirogyra, Eudorina Mongeotia) and
Myxophyceae (Microcystis, Anabena, and Oscillatoria). Macrophytes include
Hydrilla verticillata and Vallisneria spiralis. Other species are Salvinia, Lemna,
Wolffia, Potamogeton, Najas, and Trapa. A conspicuous feature of the beels is the
unusually high proportion of detritus.
Zooplankton: Dominant zooplankton in Dhir beel includes Protozoans followed by
Copepods, Rotifers and Cladocerans. Due to high decomposition of organic matter at
the bottom, beels, in general, are rich in benthos. The macrobenthos in Dhir beel is
dominated by Gastropods (68.14%) and Pelecypods (19%).
Fishes: Fish fauna, however, have been studied. In beels that maintain connection
with the river, locally migratory fishes are of considerable significance. The Indian
major carps, particularly Catla and Rohu, depict such forms with Labeo gonius also
contributing significantly. Gravid fishes of these species enter the beel every year
during the monsoon months for spawning. Eutropichthys vacha and Gudusia chapra
migrate in large numbers to the beels during the monsoon and form a post-monsoon
fishery of considerable magnitude. Both juveniles and adults of the long-range
migrant, Hilsa ilisha are found in the beels (e.g. Dhir, Dora, and Son beels). The
fishery of Dhir beel is dominated by Gudusia chapra and other miscellaneous species
including minor carps followed by major carps, cat fishes, live fishes, and common
carp.
Birds: Not much information is available on the birds of Assam beels.
Land tenure: Some are state-owned (Departments of Flood Control, Irrigation,
Agriculture and Fisheries); others are privately owned.
Land use: The beels are exploited for their fishery resources.
Conservation measures proposed: At a workshop held on development of beel
fishery in Assam in April 1987 under the auspices of Assam Agricultural University,
Guwahati, it was recommended that the beels be managed for their vast fishery
resources; that no part of any beel be reclaimed for agriculture, housing, and industrial
purposes, and the wetland character should be maintained; that conservation measures
banning capture of brood fish and juveniles of prime food be enforced with strict
rigidity; and that pollution of beels by the release of domestic and industrial effluents
be prevented.
Disturbances and threats: Infestation by water hyacinth is a problem. Reclamation
for agriculture and urbanization, over-exploitation of fishery resources, and pollution
from domestic and industrial wastes and agricultural run-off are other problems.
Various government departments involved in the development of beels are unable to
coordinate their activities to formulate and implement a common strategy for beel
management.
Socio-economic values: Valuable for their fishery resources. In contrast to an
average annual fish production of c.6-7 kg per ha per year from Indian reservoirs, the
overall fish production from Assam beels is more than 100 kg per hectare per year.
Beel waters are also utilised for irrigation, domestic consumption, and bathing.
Research and facilities: Detailed environmental status of Assam beels has been
given by Bhuyan (1987). Biological investigations in Assam beels have been
undertaken by the Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute, Barrackpore, West
Bengal. Beel fishes have also been researched at the Assam Agricultural University,
Guwahati.
Reference: Jhingran (1991); Lahon (1983); Bhuyan (1987); Goswami (1985); Yadav
and Chaudhury (1984, 1986); Adhikari et al (1986); Yadav (1987); Yadav et al.
(1981, 1982, 1983).
SARESWAR BEEL
Sareswar beel (26° 20’ N, 90° 05’ E) is a shallow, freshwater lake with abundant
aquatic vegetation on the floodplain to the north of the Brahmaputra river in lower
Assam. The western edge of the wetland borders on the Rupshi and Bamunijoia
Reserved Forests. The southern, eastern, and western margins are cultivated, with
small villages scattered amongst the rice fields. At maximum flooding, the beel is
about four metres deep; during the dry winter season, the depth falls to about one
metre, and the exposed shoreline is converted into rice paddies. The total area of the
beel is about 1700 ha.
Abiotic factors: Humid, tropical monsoon climate typical of lower Assam
Macrophytes: The principal aquatic plants are Eichhornia crassipes, Vallisneria
spiralis, Hydrilla verticillata, Monochoria hastata, Trapa bispinosa, Sagittaria
sagittifolia and Pistia stratiotes. Forestry plantations to the west include species of
Shorea, Ficus, Tectona, Albizzia and Lagestroemia.
Fishes: The rich fish fauna includes
Species Name
Species Name
Anabas testudineus
Channa striatus
C. punctatus
L. rohita
Mystus seenghala
M. vitatus
Clarius batrachus
Notopterus chitala
Heteropneustes
fossilis
L abeo ceatatus
Ompok bimaculatus
L. gonius
Wallago attu
Puntius puntius
Birds: The lake supports a great diversity of resident and migratory waterfowl, and is
particularly important in winter. Both the lesser adjutant (Leptoptilos javanicus) and
greater adjutant (L. dubius) are regular in the winter months. A waterfowl census in
January 1987 recorded 36 species of waterfowl including: 270 Phalacrocorax niger,
100 Ardeola grayii, 12 Ixobrychus cinnamomeus, 13 Leptoptilos dubius, 7 L.
javanicus, 530 Dendrocygna javanica, 17 D. bicolor, 5 Gallicrex cinerea and 30
Porphyrio porphyrio and small numbers of eight other species of ducks.
Land tenure: The Lake and Reserve Forests to the west are State-owned; other
adjacent areas are privately owned.
Land use: Fishing, gathering of edible plants and fodder for domestic livestock, and
cultivation of rice during the dry season. The lake is famous for its large fish. Forestry
and agriculture in surrounding areas.
Disturbances and threats: The fishery is being over-exploited largely because there
are no restrictions on mesh size, and this is causing a decrease in fish populations.
Cultivation of the lake margins during the dry season destroys large areas of aquatic
vegetation, and there is some poaching of waterfowl.
Socio-economic values: The beel supports an important fishery and produces fish of
an unusually large size.
Reference: WWF, 1993. Directory of Indian wetlands, 263pp.
WETLANDS IN MANAS WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
Manas Wildlife Sanctuary (26° 37’–26° 50’N, 90° 15’–91° 15’ E) in the 35 km north
of Barpeta and 90 km northeast of Gauhati, Barpeta and Kokrajhar Districts, Assam.
The Wildlife Sanctuary spans the Manas River and is bounded to the north by the
international border with Bhutan and to the south by the populated region of North
Kamrup. Uninterrupted forest extends to the northeast and west. Wetland habitats
include a network of rivers with associated riverine marshes and the adjacent lowerlying swampy plains at l00–50 m. The entire area slopes gently from the north and is
drained by the Manas, Jongrong, Gyati, Ganuchara and other small rivers which flow
south into the Brahmaputra. Most of the permanent marshes and swamps are found in
the southernmost terai tract, where the water table is highest. The Wildlife Sanctuary
is contiguous with the 43,854 ha Manas Wildlife Sanctuary in neighbouring Bhutan.
The area of wetlands are unknown, however Wildlife Sanctuary is about 39,100 ha.
Abiotic factors: Humid tropical monsoon climate with an annual rainfall of 3,000–
4,500 mm, the great majority of which occurs during the monsoon from May to
September. The mean maximum summer temperature is 37°C and the mean minimum
winter temperature is 11°C.
Macrophytes: The rivers and numerous small pools support a wide variety of aquatic
plants. There are extensive grasslands in the western part of the sanctuary, with a
variety of trees and shrubs such as Dillenia pentagyna, Phyllanthus emblica, Bombax
ceiba and species of lerodendrum, Leea, Grewia, Premna and Mussaeuda. These
grasslands can be subdivided into wet alluvial and highland savanna. The dominant
vegetation elsewhere in the park is tropical moist and dry deciduous forests
characterized by Bombax ceiba, Sterculia villosa, Dillenia indica, D. pentagyna,
Careya arborea, Lagerstroemia parviflora, L. speciosa, Terminalia bellirica,
T.chebula, Trewia polycarpa, Gmelina arborea, Oroxylum indicum and Bridelia spp,
and tropical semi-evergreen forest dominated by species such as Aphanarnixis
polystachya, Anthocephalus chinensis, Syzygium cumini, S. formosum, S. oblatum,
Bauhinia purpurea, Ma/lotus philippensis, Cinnamonium tamala and Actinodaphne
obvata.
Reptiles: The Manas River still supports a small population of the endangered
Gharial Gavialis gangeticus.
Birds: The waterfowl of Manas have not been well studied but several uncommon
species are known to occur including Pelecanus philippensis, Leptoptilos javanicus
and L. dubius. Common residents include Phalacrocorax carbo, several species of
herons and egrets, Esacus recurvirostris, Vanellus duvaucelii, Charadrius dubius,
Sterna aurantia and S. melanogaster. Regular winter visitors include Ciconia nigra,
Tadorna ferruginea, Mergellus merganser and Ibidorhyncha struthersii. Other
noteworthy species associated with the wetlands include Pallas's Fish-Eagle, Swamp
Partridge, Bengal Florican and Crested Kingfisher (Haliaeetus leucoryphus,
Francolinus gularis, Houbaropsis bengalensis and Ceryle lugubris). There is an
extremely large winter roost of swallows and martins (Hirundinidae) on the southern
edge of the Sanctuary.
Mammals: The Wildlife Sanctuary supports an extremely varied mammal fauna
including several rare and threatened species. The Tiger Panthera tigris, Asian
Elephant Elephas maximus and Indian One-horned Rhinoceros Rhinoceros unicornis
are to some extent dependent on the wetlands, and there are several wetland and
grassland specialists such as Caprolagus hispidus, Lutra perspicillata, Felis viverrina,
Sus salvanius and Cervus duvaucelli. There is a residual population of the wild Water
Buffalo Bubalus bubalis, which is of considerable interest genetically.
Land tenure: State-owned.
Land use: Managed as a nature reserve. There is a buffer zone in which such
activities as the collection of firewood and gathering of fodder are permitted. Most
forestry operations ceased in 1950, and the last timber was extracted in 1964.
Conservation measures taken: The area was first declared a Reserved Forest in
1907; it was designated as a Wildlife Sanctuary (39,100 ha) in 1928, and has recently
been declared a World Heritage Site. The Sanctuary currently constitutes the core
zone for the Manas Tiger Reserve (283,712 ha), established under Project Tiger in
1973. In 1971, 2,000 ha were excised from the Sanctuary for a seed farm.
Conservation measures proposed: Following the recent successful breeding in
captivity of the Gharial Gavialis gangeticus, there are plans to re-introduce the
species in all the rivers in the area.
Disturbances and threats: Poaching, particularly of the rhinoceros population, is a
major problem within the Sanctuary, and there has been some encroachment by local
villagers and graziers. Burning in the dry season, hunting and extraction of timber and
firewood are practiced at a non-sustainable level in the buffer zone. The Kokla Ban
Seed Farm, run by the National Farm Development Corporation, continues to exist in
the core area of the Sanctuary.
Socio-economic values: The Sanctuary is visited by a small number of tourists each
year. The area has great potential for tourism and would doubtless become a major
international attraction of considerable economic value if access to Assam were made
easier.
Research and facilities: Some research was carried out on the vegetation of Manas
by the Botanical Survey of India in 1982/83. Surveys of the tiger and elephant
populations are regularly undertaken by Project Tiger. There are some facilities for
tourists in the Sanctuary, but in recent years, access to Assam has been difficult for
foreigners. A new hotel is being built on the southern boundary of the sanctuary at the
Barpeta Road entrance.
Reference: Jam and Sastry (1983); Karpowicz (1985); WWF India (1993).
SONE LAKE
Sone lake is situated in Karimganj district, Assam. The lake is 12.5 km long and 3.9
km wide, with a 35.4 km shoreline. The total area of the lake is about 46,104. The
maximum depth is 5.9 m (mean depth 0.29 m). The catchments of the lake has
ravines, slopes and hilly terrains, with loamy, sandy or gravelly soil in the plains and
fine-grained sandstones in the hilly region. The major inflow to the lake is the Singla
River, which originates from the Mizo Hills and drains a total catchment area of about
46.104 ha after flowing along a meandering course of about 63 km. The major
outflow of the lake is the Kachua River out of the northernmost side of the lake,
which drains the lake water into the Kushiyara River after a torturous path of about 19
km. The maximum rates of water discharge from the Singla and Kachua Rivers are
33.91 and 87.03 m3/sec. respectively.
Abiotic factors: Temperature varies from 7.7°C to 37.7°C, and rainfall from 0.0 to
76.0 mm.
Fishes: Seventy species belonging to 49 genera under 24 families have been
recorded. Mostly made up of Puntius chola followed by Labeo rohita, Wallago attu.
Land tenure: No information
Land use: The lake is used for fishing
Conservation measures taken: A hard-line approach to the management and
conservation of the aquatic resources of Lake Sone is to impose bans or restrictions on
angling activities such as closing a specific area to fishing, forbidding fishing during a
particular season, restricting the number of size of fishes caught, restricting the types
of fishing gear, promoting aquaculture practices, and supporting State and national
legislations protecting particular endangered species. While imposing restrictions, it is
essential to be adaptable and take into consideration the full spectrum of users of the
resource. Concomitant to administrative restrictions, encouraging results could be
obtained through mass education of the lake-users (particularly the fisher folk) by the
NGOs regarding harvest and conservation and management of the lake resources. The
potential health posed to the lake fishes by EUS is to be tackled through regular
monitoring of the lake environment and fish health, and by adopting quarantine
measures.
Socio-economic values: The wetland supports a locally important fishery and reedharvesting industry, and provides excellent opportunities for sport hunting and
scientific research.
Reference: Kar (1990), Devashish Kar et al. (1996).
WETLANDS IN LAOKHAWA, ORANG AND SONAI RUPAI SANCTUARIES
The wetlands are situated on 26° 15’–26° 40’ N, 92° 10’–92° 45’ E in the
Brahmaputra valley between Gauhati and Tezpur, Assam. Three small wildlife
sanctuaries on the flood plain of the Brahmaputra River, with areas of riverine swamp
and seasonally flooded grassland interspersed amongst tropical deciduous and semievergreen forests. The area of wetlands are unknown, however, Laokhawa Sanctuary
is about 7,014 ha, Orang Sanctuary is about 7,259 ha and Sonai Rupai Sanctuary is
17,500 ha.
Abiotic factors: Humid tropical monsoon climate, typical of the Brahmaputra Valley.
Macrophytes: Riverine marshes, swampy grassland and tropical deciduous and
genii-evergreen forest.
Birds: The wetlands are important for a wide variety of resident and migratory
waterfowl, but few data area available. In 1967, 36 nests of Leptoptilos javanicus
were found in Laokhawa Sanctuary. The Bengal Florican Houbaropsis bengalensis
occurs in Orang Sanctuary.
Mammals: All three sanctuaries support small populations of the endangered Indian
One-horned Rhinoceros Rhinoceros unicornis and Swamp Deer Cervus duvaucelli.
Land tenure: Presumably state owned.
Land use: No information.
Conservation measures taken: All three sites are protected as Sanctuaries
established in 1979, 1915 and 1934 respectively.
Disturbances and threats: No information.
Socio-economic and social values: No information.
WETLANDS IN KAZIRANGA NATIONAL PARK
Kaziranga national park (26° 35’-26° 45’N, 93° 05’-93° 40’E) is situated between the
Brahmaputra river and the Mikir Hills in Nowgong and Sibsagar districts, 23 km from
Bokaghat and 200 km ENE of Guwahati, Assam.
•
WETLANDS IN KAZIRANGA
NATIONAL PARK
It is the largest unspoiled area on the floodplain of the Brahmaputra river. This river
forms the northern boundary of the National Park. Numerous smaller rivers and
streams flow through the alluvial deposits, and relics of older channels remain as
shallow lakes or beels. There are at least nine such beels, measuring 50–150 ha in
area, within the Park. These permanent wetlands comprise 6% of the total park area.
Seasonally inundated grassland is the largest single type of habitat covering 66%. The
southern boundary is formed by the Mora and Diphu rivers, and the eastern boundary
by seasonal stream beds. The Mikir Hills rise to 1500 m south of National Highway
37, which cuts through the lower edge of the Park from southwest to northeast.
Annual flooding has prevented human settlement in the area, but the Park is bounded
on three sides by cultivation and settlement.
Abiotic factors: Tropical monsoon climate with an average annual rainfall of 2500
mm, most of which falls between April and October. Temperatures range from 10°C–
30°C.
Macrophytes: There are three main vegetation types: alluvial inundated grassland,
tropical wet evergreen forest, and tropical semi-evergreen forest. The grassland
predominates in the southwest, with tall elephant grasses on the higher ground and
shorter grassland surrounding the beels. Scattered trees, predominantly Bombax ceiba,
Dillenia indica, Careya arborea, and Emblica officianlis, are a conspicuous feature of
the grasslands. Tropical, wet evergreen forest predominates in the Kancharijhuri,
Panbari, and Tamulipathar sections, whilst semi-evergreen forests occur near Baguri,
Bimali, and Haldibari. Annual floods inundate the plains from June-October, and lowlying areas may be under water well into December. Some 50% of the taller grassland
is subjected to annual burning. Areas of recent alluvial deposition support extensive
patches of Saccharum spontaneum and Tamarix spp. Arundo donax and Phragmites
karka predominate generally, otherwise species of Erianthus are the most common
grasses. Andropogonous grasses less than a metre tall surround the beels, and form
the only open areas in the park. The interplay of floods and fires has maintained
Kaziranga in more or less its present form for thousands of years.
Mammals: The National Park contains 15 species of India’s threatened mammals,
and has the largest population of the Indian one-horned rhinoceros (Rhinoceros
unicornis) in the world. This population increased from only 12 members in 1908 to
over 1000 in 1982. The animals are concentrated mostly in the central, southern, and
western parts of the Park. However, the recent upsurge in poaching is causing a rapid
collapse in this population. The Park also constitutes the best remaining habitat for
wild water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) in India, and supports healthy populations of
Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) (780 in 1978), swamp deer (Cervus duvaucelli)
and tiger (Panthera tigris). The common otter (Lutra lutra) and Ganges river dolphin
(Platanista gangetica) are common in the rivers.
Birds: The numerous water bodies are rich in amphibians, fishes, and invertebrates
which support a substantial resident and migratory population of waterfowl. The first
breeding record for India of the greater adjutant stork (Leptoptilos dubius) was
reported at Kaziranga in 1970, and in 1983, four pairs were nesting. There is a small
breeding colony of Pelecanus philippensis near Kaziranga village, and Leptoptilos
javanicus is fairly common. Other residents include Anhinga melanogaster (very
common), at least eight species of herons and egrets, Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus,
Anas poecilorhyncha, Porphyrio porphyrio, Metopidius indicus, Vanellus duvaucelii,
Sterna aurantia, and S. melanogaster. Winter visitors include Ciconia nigra (up to
15), Anser indicus (up to 300), several thousand ducks, mainly Anas penelope, A.
strepera, A. crecca, A. acuta, Aythya nyroca and A. fuligula, Vanellus cinereus
(common), and a wide variety of other shorebirds, mainly Tringa spp. Other
noteworthy wetland species which still occur in reasonable numbers include the
eagles Haliaeetus leucoryphus and Ichthyophaga icthyaetus, pied harrier, (Circus
melanoleucos) Bengal florican (Houbaropsis bengalensis), swamp partidge
(Francolinus gularis), and Jerdon’s bush chat (Saxicola jerdoni).
Land use: A wildlife sanctuary and managed nature reserve.
Kaziranga National Park (42,996 ha) was
established in 1974 and designated a World Heritage Site at that time. Management
has been directed primarily toward protection of the rhinoceros populations. A
management plan is revised periodically. The Forest Department has built a number
of earthen platforms inside the park as a retreat for animals during floods.
Disturbances and threats: Poaching, particularly of the now seriously endangered
Rhinoceros unicornis, is a major problem for the conservation programme: as many
as 25 rhinoceroses were killed in the first six months of 1984. Lack of a buffer zone
around the sanctuary has led to conflict, especially over illegal grazing by domestic
livestock and crop-raiding by animals from the Park. Domestic buffalo have gone
feral in some localities and are interbreeding with, and thereby threatening the
survival of, wild populations. Domestic livestock transmit diseases to the wild
populations. There is a general inadequacy of finance, resulting in a shortage of antipoaching controls; the forest guards are poorly paid and there have been cases of staff
being involved with poaching operations. The Brahmaputra is gradually eroding a
portion of the northern boundary of the Park. Traffic is increasing every year on
National Highway 37 running through the southern edge of the Park, and settlement
on either side of the highway is widening the gap between the Park and the southern
hills. The greatest threat is the proposed railway running parallel to Highway 37.
Surveying and mapping are now complete. Following opposition to the railway, the
original proposal was modified to include the provision of three 30 m wide passes
under the railway line to allow animals, especially elephants, to continue their
seasonal migrations.
Socio-economic values: Kaziranga, one of the most famous wildlife sanctuaries in
Asia, has long been popular with tourists. The park would doubtless become even
more important for tourism if some of the restrictions on travel in Assam were
relaxed. Some 22,000 people visited the Park in 1983–84.
References: Bradley Martin et al. (1987); Jain and Sastry (1983); Karpowicz (1985);
WWF India (1993).
DIBRU FLOODPLAIN
Dibru floodplain is situated (27° 30’–28° 00’ N, 94° 55’–95° 40’ E) in Assam. A
complex of wide river channels, sand banks, riverine marshes, oxbow lakes, and
seasonally flooded grassland and swamp forest on the floodplain of the Brahmaputra
river downstream from the confluence of the Lohit and Dibang rivers. The Siang river
enters in the north, and the Dangri, Doom Dooma, and Dibru rivers in the south. The
whole area is extensively flooded during the monsoon, and there is a good supply of
water, both surface and subterranean, throughout the year. There are large tracts of
permanent swamp forest and seasonally flooded forest in the Dibrugarh and Saikhowa
Reserved Forests between the Brahmaputra and the Dangri/Dibru rivers. Frequent
changes in the course of the rivers have created a patchwork of transitional wetland
and forest types, and precluded permanent settlement over much of the area. The total
area of the floodplain is about more than 100,000 ha of riverine marshes and
floodplain wetlands in a strip up to 20 km wide along 80 km of river.
•
DIBRU FLOODPLAIN
Abiotic factors: Humid, tropical monsoon climate with an average annual rainfall of
4000 mm. The winters are relatively cool and dry. Mean temperatures range from
10°C in winter to 38°C in summer.
Macrophytes: A mosaic of swamp vegetation, grassland, swamp forest, and tropical
deciduous forest. Eichhornia crassipes in some of the ponds and streams. The area
supports a large variety of orchid species.
Fishes: The rich fish fauna includes rohu, ari, borali and a species of freshwater
prawn. The mahseer (Tor sp.) a popular sport fish, is common in some of the
tributaries.
Birds: The area is of special importance for the endangered white-winged wood-duck
(Cairina scutulata). The species seems to have disappeared from the Dibrugarh and
Saikhowa Reserved Forests in recent years, but still persists in the Doom Dooma
Reserved Forest to the southeast. A flock of eight C. scutulata has been observed as
recently as 1985 along the Doom Dooma river bordering the south and southwest side
of the Reserved Forest. The wetlands are also important for many resident and
migratory waterfowl, particularly Anatidae, and a variety of freshwater turtles and
mammals.
Land use: Fishing in the permanent water bodies, and extensive timber operations in
the forested sections. Adjacent areas are under cultivation, chiefly for rice.
Conservation measures taken: Most of the forest on the south bank of the
Brahmaputra is included within the Dibrugarh Reserved Forest (21,000 ha) and
Saikhowa Reserved Forest.
Disturbances and threats: Most of the forests have been heavily exploited for
timber, and little dense forest now remains. Fishing activities cause a considerable
amount of disturbance, and there is heavy grazing pressure from domestic livestock.
Peripheral areas are being reclaimed for agriculture, and there has been a considerable
amount of encroachment at the southwestern end of the Dibrugarh Reserved Forest.
Much of the Reserved Forest is now under threat because of a natural shift in the
course of the Brahmaputra river.
Socio-economic values: The wetland supports a large commercial fishery, and
provides a reliable source of water throughout the year. Because of its great natural
beauty and wealth of wildlife, the area has considerable potential for outdoor
recreation and tourism.
Reference: MacKenzie (1985)
KHABARTAL LAKE (KAWAR)
Khabartal lake (25° 35’ N, 86° 10’ E) is the largest freshwater lake in northern Bihar
and a fine example of the many excellent wetlands to be found in this part of the
Ganges floodplain. It has been identified as one of the sixteen lakes of the country for
its conservation and management mainly to protect migratory and non-migratory
birds. It lies between Burhi Gandak, old Bagmati, and Kare rivers. The nearest village
is Manjhaul. The lake was formed by a meander of the Gandak river, and is now a
residual oxbow lake, one of thousands in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. In years of high
rainfall, vast areas of these two states flood; discrete wetlands coalesce to form one
huge expanse of water, and at such times the wetlands of the Khabartal region may
cover hundreds of square kilometres. The floods leave behind deposits of sand, silt,
and clay in layers of varying thickness. In years of average rainfall, Khabartal gets
connected with Burhi Gandak (a tributary of the Ganga) and, with the nearby Nagri
Jheel and Bikrampur Chaurs, unite to form a lake of about 7400 ha. By late summer,
however, the water is confined to the deeper depressions, and only about 300–400 ha
of Khabartal remain flooded and cut off from the adjacent floodplains (chaurs). As the
water level recedes, over 2800 ha of the exposed mudflats are converted into rice
paddies. In 1951, a drainage channel was excavated to expose additional areas for
agricultural purposes, but the channel silted up in a few years, and the lake reverted to
its former condition. In recent years, further siltation of the overflow channel has
resulted in a slight increase in water levels throughout the lake. There is a permanent
island (Jaimanglagarh) of about 130 ha in the southeast corner of the lake. The soil is
sandy loam, and rich in humus. Water depth varies from 30 cm-400 cm.
Abiotic factors: Tropical monsoon climate typical of the middle Ganges plain, with
an a verge annual rainfall of 1100mm concentrated in the period July-September.
Temperatures range from 5°C to 45°C.
Macrophytes:
The lake supports a rich and diverse aquatic flora. These include
submerged Macrophytes; floating Macrophytes; emergent Macrophytes. These are
follows;
Species Name
Species Name
Royle
Vallisneria spiralis L.
Paspalum
scrobiculatum L.
Grangea
maderaspatana (L.)
Poir.
Xanthium
strumarium L.
Nicotiana
plumbaginifolia Viv.
N. tabacum L.
Caldesia oligococca
Buch.
Polygonum plebejum R.
Br
Peristrophae
bicaliculata
Cyanodon dactylon
Hygroryza aristata Nees
ex Wt.
Phyla nodiflora (L.)
Grume
Alternanthera
philoxeroides
Phragmites vallatoria
(L.) Veld.
Najas minor Allioni
Aeschynomene aspera
L.
Ipomoea aquatica
Forss.
Nymphoides indica (L.)
Kurz.
Nymphoides
hydrophylla (Lour.)
Kurz.
Oryza rufipogon Griff.
Utricularia aurea Lour
Utricularia exoleta R.
Br.
Aponogeton natans (L.)
Engl ex Krause.
Ottelia alismoides (L.)
Pers.
Polygonum barbatum L.
Leersia hexandra Sw.
Vetiveria zizanoides (L.)
Nash
Saccharum spontaneum
L.
Pseudographis
brunoniana
Hymenachne
acutigluma (Steud.)
Gilliland.
Hygrophylla spinosa
Andr.
Limnophila indica (L.)
Druce
Cyperus platylis R. Br.
Grisebach.
A. sessiles R. Br.
Cannabis sativa
Nymphaea nouchali
Burm.
Nymphaea
pubescens willd.
Ludwiga adsendens
Hara
Abutilon indica
Nelumbo nucifera
Gaerthen
Eichhorria crassipes
Solm-Laub.
Pistia stratiodes
Spirodella polyrhiza
(L.) Schl.
Coccinia indica
Eclipta alba (L.)
Hassk.
Spilanthus calva A.
P. decandole
Chenopodium album
L.
Commelina diffusa
Burman.
Fimbristylis
dichotoma Vahl.
Potamogeton crispus
P. nodosus
Azolla bipinnata R.
Br.
Salvinia natans (L.)
Allione
Ceratophyllum
demersum L.
Large areas of the lake surface have been invaded by Eichhornia crassipes. There are
many species of algae of the Cyanophyceae and Chlorophyceae. Vegetation is poorly
developed around the wetland area. The shoreline supports stands of Acacia arabica,
Borassus flabellifer and Cassia occidentalis. The common tree species include
Barringtona acutagula, Acacia nilotica, and Delbergia sissoo which provide an
excellent nesting and roosting site for avifauna.
Zooplankton:
zooplanktons.
Brancionus calyciflarus and Naupliius larvae are the dominant
Molluscs: The edible mollusc Pila globosa is particularly common.
Insects: Insects belonging to three orders Odonata, Ephemeroptera and Diptera are
found.
Benthic fauna: The benthic fauna consists of Bellamya bengalensis, Lamellidans
marginalis, etc.
Fishes:
The ichthyofauna of the lake is represented by Labeo rohita, Cirrhinus
mrigala, C. reba, Catla catla, Channa striatus, Channa punctatus, Heteropneustes
fossilis, Colisa fasciatus, Notopterus notopterus, and Anabas testudineus.
Birds: Khabartal is one of the most important wetlands for waterfowl in the Gangetic
plain, supporting huge numbers of migratory ducks and coots throughout the northern
winter as well as large concentrations of many resident species such as dabchick,
various herons and egrets, openbill stork, black ibis, whistling duck, cotton teal and
purple moorhen, little grebe, grey pelican, greylag goose, golden plover, and common
snipe. No comprehensive censuses have been carried out, but the fact that the local
duck-trappers were able to net at least 135,000 birds in one season (1984-85) gives
some indication of the large numbers of birds present. An analysis of 33,954 birds
trapped in the 1983-84 season revealed that 22.3% of the kill were Fulica atra, 16.5%
Anas acuta, 13.8% A. Crecca, 9.0% Porphyrio porphyrio, 5.4% Netta rufina, 4.6%
Aythya ferina, 4.2% Anas strepera, 3.9% A. clypeata, 0.05% Podiceps cristatus (168
birds). The remaining 19.8% (6700 birds) were listed as “other species” and
presumably included some Anas querquedula and Aythya nyroca, both reported to be
common at the lake. In January 1987, a partial census recorded: 100 Anastomus
oscitans, 50-60 Dendrocygna bicolor, 500 Anas crecca, 1500 A. acuta, 1000 A.
querquedula, 150 Netta rufina, 500 Aythya nyroca, 250 Porphyria porphyrio. Over 29
species of commercially valuable fish have been recorded.
Land tenure: State-owned; other areas are private-owned. It has been declared as a
protected area under section 37 of the Wild Life Protection Act 1972 by the
Government of Bihar and National Bird Sanctuary in 1989 by the Government of
India.
Land use: Water supply for irrigation and domestic purposes; fishing for major and
minor carps, and air-breathing fishes; grazing by livestock; navigation; some illegal
netting of migratory waterfowl for sale in local markets; harvesting of wild fruits and
wild rice; gathering of the edible mollusc Pila globosa. Some 2800 ha of the lake bed
are cultivated for rice during the dry season.
Conservation measures taken: The shooting and trapping of wild birds has been
prohibited by the State Wildlife Department since 1986. The wetland has been
declared a prohibited zone. Fishing is also banned in some zones of the lake.
Eradication of Eichhornia crassipes has commenced, but the results are as yet
unknown.
Conservation measures proposed: Implementation of the Wildlife Protection Act
(1972) would prohibit the trapping of birds by the Sahnis. A socio-economic survey
has been undertaken by the State Forest Department in order to ascertain their degree
of dependence upon the birds of Khabartal. It was concluded that the uncontrolled
trapping of birds should be stopped. Rehabilitation of trappers should be undertaken
by the Forest Department as follows:
1. A multiple resource utilization programme should be developed whereby
fishing,duck-farming, and the harvesting of crustaceans, molluscs and plants can be
thoroughly organized and sustained at a commercially viable level.
2. Netting equipment used by the 490 Sahni families engaged in bird-trapping should
be purchased by the Government.
3. Some of the adjoining ponds should be developed for pisciculture.
4. Any employment generated by these projects should be reserved exclusively for the
Sahnis.
5. Existing rice cultivation should be maintained unless it is patently inimical to the
birds’ ecological needs.
6. Any surplus land should be distributed among the Sahnis.
7. Local handicrafts and expertise should be identified and encouraged.
8. A dairy co-operative should be established nearby.
9. An integrated regional development programme should be initiated to benefit all
the local people.
The Forest Department survey also concluded that for the time being at least, no
further drainage should be undertaken at the lake.
Disturbances and threats: In spite of the government’s prohibitory measures, many
of the wetland’s natural resources are being heavily over-exploited. Shahi (1982)
estimated that 70,000 ducks, coots, and other waterfowl were netted at Khabartal in
the winter of 1981-82 and sold in the Manjhaul market. A State Forest Department
survey estimated that about 40,000 birds were trapped in the winter of 1983-84 (early
December to early March 1984), and at least 135,000 in the winter of 1984-85 (a
"good year"). There are fears that this ruthless exploitation in the past is now having a
deterimental effect on the waterfowl populations. Demands for water for irrigation are
increasing, the lake is over-fished, and the aquatic vegetation is heavily grazed by
domestic livestock. There is some contamination with pesticides and fertilisers used
by farmers in and around the lake, and infestation with Eichhornia crassipes has
become a serious problem in recent years. There are constant disputes between
farmers and fishermen over land use.. The drainage outlet of the Burhi Gandak river
has been blocked for the past few years, resulting in an increase in the water depth
throughout. A drainage scheme in the early 1950s failed because of rapid siltation at
the mouth of the drainage canal. However, the Drainage Division, Manjhaul, has
recently proposed another drainage scheme which would accelerate run-off after the
monsoon and make available a further 2630 ha of the lake bed for agricultural
purposes. This drainage scheme is still awaiting administrative approval. Expansion
of agriculture and cattle grazing is proving to be a serious problem. Natural habitats of
migratory birds have been adversely affected by human pressures.
Possible changes in land use: If the proposed conservation measures are
implemented, there would be an overall reduction in the exploitation of the natural
resources in an effort to achieve a sustainable level of resource utilization.
Socio-economic values: The lake is very important for its fisheries production during
the wet season and rice production during the dry season. A large proportion of the
inhabitants of the 15 villages around the lake are dependent on the wetland resources
for their livelihood. In particular, Khabartal played a significant role in the lives of
over 1300 Sahni families (7400 individuals) engaged in fishing. For about 490 of
these Sahnis, duck-trapping was the primary dry season occupation. The average
earnings from duck- trapping have been estimated at about
Rs. 1500 per family per
year. The small island of Jaimanglagarh in the southeast corner of the lake is of
historical importance and is visited by pilgrims from all over India. Local people
depend on the area for cattle fodder.
Management authority: The Bihar State Government declared the area as a
protected zone in 1986 under section 37 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. It was
declared a bird sanctuary in 1989 by the Government of India.
Research and facilities: The State Forest Department has made a preliminary study
of the lake ecosystem and has carried out a detailed socio-economic survey of the
Sahnis (Mishra and Negi, 1985). Shahi (1982) and the Forest Department have
attempted to assess the numbers of birds taken by the bird-trappers. A field study
team from the Bombay Natural History Society has initiated an ecological
investigation involving a bird ringing programme, and the State Government has
agreed to fund a long term research programme.
Reference: WWF India (1993); Mohammad Ali (1994); Nandan and Singh (2004).
MASANJORE RESERVOIR
Masanjore reservoir is situated (23° 40’–25° 18’ N, 86° 28’–87° 57’ E) in 30 km
away from Dumka (divisional headquarter of santal pargana) south Bihar. Masanjore
reservoir is one of the biggest and important freshwater reservoirs of India. This
reservoir is constructed across the Mayurakshi river at Masanjore of Santal Parganas.
The Mayurakshi river is the life-line of tribal dominated area of Santal Pargana which
originates from Trikuti hill range (Deoghar) and meandering over 1860 km in Bihar
and Bengal joins the Ganges at Murshidabad (West Bengal). Except monsoon, the
river does not carry and appreciable amount of water. Therefore, a storage i.e.
Masanjore reservoir, was considered to be the only means to conserve the water and
use it for irrigation throughout the year. Masanjore, where the river passes through a
narrow valley, was found to be an ideal site for a dam. Thus, a big dam (2150 feet
long) was built in 1956 by the munificence and technical co-operation of Canada and
so it is also called “Canada Dam”. The total area of the reservoir is 27 sq.miles.
Abiotic factors: Tropical monsoon climate, with maximum temperature of 30.6°C
and minimum of 19.2°C and pH varies from 7.3 to 8.2.
Phytoplankton:
Species Name
Species Name
Agmenellum sp.
Lemna sp.
Anabena sp.
Microspora sp.
Ankistrodesmus sp.
Mongeota sp.
Arthrospira sp.
Navicula sp.
Azolla sp.
Nechamandra sp.
Ceratophyllum sp.
Nitella sp.
Chaetophora sp.
Nostoc sp.
Chara sp.
Nymphia sp.
Chlorosarcina sp.
Pediastrum sp.
Cladophora sp.
Phormidium sp.
Closteriopus sp.
Pinnularia sp.
Closterum sp.
Pistia sp.
Commelina sp.
Potamogeton sp.
Cosmarium sp.
Protococcus sp.
Cylindrospermum sp.
Rumex sp.
Cymbella sp.
Scenedesmus sp.
Cyperus sp.
Scirpus sp.
Dentella sp.
Sphaerocystis sp.
Diatoma sp.
Spirogyra sp.
Diatomella sp.
Staurastrum sp.
Eichhornia sp.
Synedra sp.
Eleocharis sp.
Ulothrix sp.
Epithemia sp.
Utricularis sp.
Fragilaria sp.
Vallisneria sp.
Gomphasphaeria sp.
Volvox sp.
Hydrilla sp.
Wolfia sp.
Hydroryza sp.
Xanthium sp.
Ipomoea sp.
Zygnema sp.
Zooplankton: Keretella sp., Filinia sp., Testudinella sp., Brachionus forficula, B.
angularis, B. calyciflorus, Asplanchna sp., Polyarthra sp., Cyclop sp., Mesocyclop
sp., Moina sp., Cypris sp. and Diaptomus sp.
Macroinvertebrate:
Species Name
Species Name
Amphiops sp.
Laccophilus sp.
Anisops sp.
Laccotrephes sp.
Baetis sp.
Lestes sp.
Berosus sp.
Lithocerus sp.
Canthydrus sp.
Cordulegaster sp.
Macrobranchium
Eretes sp.
Mesogomphus sp.
Corixa sp.
Mesovelia sp.
Cybister sp.
Micronecta sp.
Dinentus sp.
Orectochilus sp.
Enallagma sp.
Pantala sp.
Enochurs sp.
Paratelphusa sp.
Guignotus sp.
Plea sp.
Hydacticus sp.
Potamorcha sp.
Hydrocoptus sp.
Ranatra sp.
Hydrometra sp.
Rhantaticus sp.
Hydrophilus sp.
Sandracothes sp.
Hyphydrus sp.
Zyxomma petiolatum
Ioschnura sp.
Mollusca: Pila sp., Lymnaea sp., Gabbia sp., Indoplanorbis sp. and Gyraulus sp.
Fishes:
Species Name
Species Name
Barilius sp.
Macrognathus sp.
Botia sp.
Mastacembalus sp.
Catla sp.
Monopterus sp.
Chanda sp.
Mystus sp.
Channa sp.
Nandus sp.
Cirrhina sp.
Neomacheilus sp.
Clarias sp.
Notopterus sp.
Colisa sp.
Ompak sp.
Gadusia sp.
Oxygaster sp.
Glassogobius sp.
Pseudoxygaster sp.
Goniolosa sp.
Puntius sp.
Heteropneustes sp.
Rasbora sp.
Labeo sp.
Wallago sp.
Land use: Now-a-days, this reservoir is also used for hydroelectricity generating
centre.
Conservation measure taken: No information
small fishery supplying local markets and also used for hydroelectricity generating
centre.
Reference: Arvind Kumar and Singh (1998).
RESERVOIRS OF CHOTA NAGPUR PLATEAU
The reservoirs situated on Lat. 22° 00’–25° 3’ N and Long. 85° 47’– 87° 50’ E in
Dhanbad and Hazaribagh districts, on the Chota Nagpur plateau, Bihar. The four
important reservoirs on the Damodar river constitute a part of the Damodar Valley
Corporation (DVC) Multipurpose Project. The drainage area of the reservoirs/dam is:
Tilaiya: 98420 ha; Konar: 99210 ha; Maithon: approcimately 600,000 ha; and
Panchet: approcimately 100,000 ha the total area of these reservoir are Tilaiya 5957
ha; Konar 2590 ha; Maithon 10619 ha and Panchet 15281 ha.
•
RESERVOIRS OF CHOTA NAGPUR
PLATEAU
Abiotic factors: Tropical monsoon climate, with an average annual rainfall is about
1163 mm.
Macrophytes: Wide range of phytoplankton species is reported.
Birds: A large number of migratory birds such as ducks and coots visit these
reservoirs, and several species of resident birds have also been observed. No
waterfowl censuses seem to have been conducted.
Land tenure:
The reservoirs are stone-owned.
Land use: The reservoirs are used for fishing, power generation, irrigation and flood
control.
Conservation measures taken: The Damodar Valley Corporation has undertaken
programmes for mechanical destination, and afforestation for preventing soil erosion.
Disturbances and threats: All the four reservoirs are seriously threatened by
siltation. Brick manufacturing units located in the catchment of Tilaiya dam are
contributing to increased sedimentation of the reservoir. These problems are feared to
pose a threat to the vegetation.
Socio-economic values: Valuable for their fishery resources, power generation,
irrigation and flood control.
Research and facilities: Several water management, reservoir conservation, and
hydro-engineering research studies have been carried out on the reservoirs.
Reference: Bannerjee (1990); Jain, Naegamvala and Sahasrabudhe (1973)
CHAURS OF NORTH BIHAR AND WEST BENGAL
The wetlands of this extensive region of northern India are dependent upon six major
tributaries of the Ganges flowing from the central Himalaya to the plains between the
Nepalese border and the Ganges itself. From the Great Gandak river in the west to the
Mahananda river in the east, the northern part of the Ganges plain is studded with
innumerable, small, freshwater lakes or “chaurs” with a profuse growth of aquatic
vegetation. The vast majority are oxbow lakes, marking the historical courses of the
Baya Nadi, Burhi Gandak, Sapt Kosi, and Mahananda rivers. Most are between 100
ha and 200 ha in area, but some are much larger and a few exceed 1000 ha. The
chaurs are inundated by overflow from the rivers and local monsoon run-off.
Typically, they have a maximum depth of 1.5m during the monsoon and dry out
completely during summer (March-June). Chaurs are particularly abundant in the
southeast of the region, around Khabartal (site 64), and there are more than 14,000 ha
of these wetlands in Darbhanga district alone. Some of the main chaurs in the
Khabartal region are Nagri Jheel, Bikrampur Chaur, Rajakpur Chaur, Chalki Chaur,
the Chakka/Matihari chaurs, the Malipur/Brahampur chaurs, Rajor Chaur, the
Dasin/Turki chaurs, the Korai Sajanpur Chaurs, and the Dunhi Chaurs.
Abiotic factors: Tropical monsoon climate with an average annual rainfall of about
1000 mm and temperatures in the range 5–45° C. Most of the rain falls during the
monsoon in July-October. The pH values range from 7.6 to 7.9.
Macrophytes:
During the wet season, the chaurs support a great abundance of
aquatic vegetation. The emergent vegetation is dominated by Cyperus rotundus with
Hygroryza sp., Oryza sativa, scirpus articulatus, S. littoralis, and Paspalidium
geminatum. Free-floating plants include Eichhornia crassipes, Pistia stratiotes,
Lemna minor, spirodela polyrhiza, Azolla pinnata, and Trapa bispinosa. Rootedfloating plants include Ipomoea aquatica, I. rubens, Enhydra fluctuans, Eclipta
prostata, Jussiaa repens, Nymphaea sp., Euryale ferox, and Bacopa monieri.
Submergent species include Potamogeton crispus, Hydrilla verticillata,
Ceratophyllum demersum, Vallisneria spiralis, and Najas graminea. Rai and Datta
Munshi (1982) recorded 80 species of phytoplankton representing Cyanophyceae,
Chlorophyceae, and Bacillariophyceae. As the chaurs dry out, the exposed mud
becomes covered with several creeper grasses. Surrounding areas are almost entirely
under cultivation for rice and other crops.
Birds: The area is known to be extremely important for waterfowl, particularly
wintering Anatidae, but no census data are available. Whilst individually none of the
chaurs may be especially important, taken together they are critital to the survival of
hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of ducks throughout the northern winter.
Land tenure:
No information
Conservation measures taken: No information
Land use: This region of Bihar has become the centre of waterfowl netting in India.
The Sahnis, traditionally a landless group of fishermen, have taken up waterfowl
trapping on a massive scale to supplement their income during the dry season. The
ducks, coots, and other waterfowl are trapped at night with fine nylon nets. The
practice is particularly common in the Darbhanga, Parnea, and Saharsa region around
Khabartal.
Disturbances and threats: Hunting pressure is extremely heavy in some areas, and
it is possible that the large harvests are having a detrimental effect on waterfowl
populations. Shahi (1982) has estimated that about 50% of the ducks visiting the
Manjhaul area each winter are taken by the duck-trappers.
Socio-economic values: The annual harvest of waterfowl provides a valuable source
of food and income for a large number of local people. The maintenance of this rich
renewable resource will be dependent on the implementation of adequate controls on
harvesting levels. Most of the smaller chaurs have little, if any, value for agriculture
or pisciculture.
Research and facilities: The ecological characteristics of the chaurs of North Bihar
have been studied by Rai and Datta Munshi (1982).
References:
(1982).
Abdulali and Savage (1970); Rai and Datta Munshi (1982); Shahi
RAVISHANKAR SAGAR RESERVOIR
Ravishankar Sagar reservoir (20° 34’ N, 81° 34’ E), named after Late Pandit
Ravishankar Shukla, former Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, came into being as a
result of damming the river Mahanadi, originating in Pharsia village in Southeastern
corner of Raipur district of Madhya Pradesh. The reservoir has a total catchment area
of 3670 sq.km and is the largest reservoir in Chhattisgarh. It has a gross storage
capacity of 909.3 mcm. The reservoir water level fluctuates between FRL of 348.70
m and DSL of 336.21 m. The maximum and mean depths of the reservoir at FRL are
32.0 m and 10.0 m respectively. It has water spread area of 9540 ha. The shoreline
and shore development of reservoir are 102.4 km and 2.96 respectively. The volume
development of reservoir being less than 1 (0.94) indicates convex shape of the basin.
The reservoir extends 25 km in length and 15 km in breadth. The erection of Gangrel
dam was initiated in 1973 and consequently the Mahanadi was impounded in 1978 to
emerge out as Ravishankar Sagar reservoir.
•
RAVISHANKAR SAGAR RESERVOIR
Abiotic factors: Tropical monsoon climate. The temperature varies from 19 to 35°C
in atmosphere and 21 to 29.5°C in water. The pH values ranged between 7.6 and 8.4.
Phytoplankton:
Species Name
Species Name
Actidesmium
Melosira
Actinastrum
Meridian
Amphora
Merismopedia
Anabaena
Microcystis
Ankistrodesmus
Microspora
Basicladia
Navicula
Ceratium
Nitzschia
Chroccoccus
Nostoc
Closterium
Oscillatoria
Cocconeis
Pandorina
Coelastrum
Pediastrum
Coelosphaerium
Peridinium
Cosmarium
Phormidium
Crucigenia
Pinnularia
Cyclotella
Rhopalodia
Cymbella
Spirogyra
Desmidium
Spirulina
Diploneis
Staurastrum
Fragilaria
Surirella
Gomphonema
Synedra
Gomphosphaeria
Treubaria
Gonatozygon
Ulothrix
Gyrosigma
Volvox
Zooplankton:
Species Name
Species Name
Copepods
Cyclops
Diaptomus
Nauplii
Filinia
Hexarthra
Keratella
Lecane
Cladocerans
Monostyla
Acroperus
Mytilina
Bosmina
Notholca
Ceriodaphnia
Ployarthra
Chydorus
Synchaeta
Daphnia
Trichocerca
Diaphanosoma
Macrothrix
Moina
Sida
Rotifers
Asplanchna
Brachionus
Colurella
Conochilus
Diplois
Epiphanes
Protozoans
Arcella
Centropyxis
Difflugia
Euglena
Euglypha
Trinema
Urostyla
Anostracans
Eubranchipus
Pristicephalus
Fishes:
Species Name
Species Name
Amblypharyngodon
mola
Aorichthys aor
Aspidoparia morar
Lepidocephalus
guntea
Macrognathus
pancalus
Mastaccembelus
armatus
Mystus bleekeri
Barilius barila
M. cavasius
B. bendelisis
M. vittatus
Catla catla
Nandus nandus
Chanda nama
Nemacheilus sp.
Channa sp.
Notopterus
notopterus
Ompok bimaculatus
A. seenghala
C. striatus
Chela laubuca
Cirrhinus mrigala
Osteobrama cotio
cotio
O. vigorsii
C. reba
Parluciosoma
Danio devario
daniconius
Pseudambassis
ranga
Puntius ambassis
Esomus danricus
P. phutunio
Garra gotyla gotyla
P. sarana sarana
Glossogobius giuris
P. sophore
Gudusia chapra
P. ticto
Labeo bata
Rhinomugil corsula
L. calbasu
Salmostoma bacaila
L. fimbriatus
S. phulo
L. gonius
Wallago attu
L. rohita
Xenentodon cancila
Clupisoma sp.
Land use:
The main purpose of constructing the reservoir was irrigation and
partially hydel but presently the reservoir water is also being used for drinking
purpose and to meet out the demand of Bhilai Steel Plant, located nearby in district
Durg.
Socio-economic values: The reservoir is used by the local people for irrigation,
fishing, and the water is used for drinking and hydel purpose.
Reference: Desai and Shrivastava (2004).
MANDOVI - ZUARI ESTUARINE COMPLEX
Mandovi - Zuari Estuarine Complex is situated (15° 30’ N, 73° 50’ E) on the north
shore of Dona Paula Bay, Goa. A large estuarine complex on the west coast of
peninsular India, comprising the Zuari and Mandovi rivers, their tributaries, and the
inter connecting Cambarjua canal. They contain 90% of the mangroves of Goa. The
remaining mangroves are along Chapora, Talpona, Galgibag, and Tiracol estuaries.
The estuaries are divided by extensive intertidal mudflats and adjacent rice paddies.
Panjim and Old Goa are situated within this complex.
•
MANDOVI-ZUARI ESTUARINE COMPLEX
The estuarine complex is a central part of the coastal ecosystem of Goa. Mandovi and
Zuari are perennial rivers which rise from the Western Ghats, traverse a distance of 61
km and 66 km, respectively, before joining the Arabian Sea at the Aguada and
Marmagao Bays. The drainage of the rivers is predominantly northwest and northnorthwest, following the regional trend, and eastwest, coinciding with major faults;
fractures, or joints. The system is influenced by inflow of seawater to a considerable
distance inland. Salinity varies with the seasons: during the monsoons the inflow of
fresh water increases. Zuari is the largest estuary, containing 9 ha of mangroves. The
upstream region is narrow (0.5 km) and subjected to intense wave action. Mandovi
estuary and Cambarjua canal have 7 ha and 2 ha of mangroves, respectively,
occurring along the banks. Mandovi has greater freshwater influence than the other
estuaries. Chorao Island, which has now been declared a reserved forest and bird
sanctuary, is situated in the Mandovi estuary.
Abiotic factors: Humid, tropical monsoon climate. Average annual rainfall is about
3000 mm. Temperatures vary from 21°C to 34°C.
Macrophytes: About 20 species of mangrove, predominant ones being Rhizophora
mucronata, Sonneratia alba, and Avicennia officinalis. Other dominant species are R.
apiculata, S. caseolaris, Kandelia rheedii, Bruguiera gymnorhiza, B. parviflora,
Aegiceras corniculatum, Excoecaria agallocha, Derris heterophylla, and Acanthus
illicifolius. Some species such as K. candel and S. caseolaris are becoming rare on the
west coast.
Fishes: The estuary is an important spawning ground for various crustaceans and
molluscs, together with many species of fish, the major ones being Meretrix sp.,
Crassostrea sp., Penaeus sp., Scylla serrata, and Mugil cephalus. The commonly
cultivated species are Penaeus monodon, P. indicus, and Metapenaeus monoceros.
Birds: The site is also an important staging and wintering area for migratory ducks
and shorebirds. Anas acuta occurs in particularly large numbers, e.g. over 30,000
were present in January 1987. The ducks roost on the estuary during the day and feed
in surrounding rice paddies at night. Other waterfowl present in January 1987 in
cluded: 100 Egretta gularis, 100 7 E. garzetta, 25 E. alba, 150 Tringa totanus, 30 T.
nebularia, 50 Actitis hypoleucos.
Land tenure: Partly government-owned and partly under private ownership.
Land use: Traditional methods of utilisation are for fishing, fish farming, fodder
collection, timber, and medicines.
started by the Forest Department.
A mangrove afforestation programme has been
Possible changes in land use: The Konkan Railway, which is being constructed
through coastal Goa, will be cutting across the estuarine complex. This is likely to
impact the coastal wetland ecosystems of Goa.
Disturbances and threats: Contamination from industries upstream, city wastes, and
sewage is increasingly threatening the estuary. Mining activities are causing silting of
the estuaries. The mangroves are being cut for fuel and green manure.
Socio-economic values: The region’s large inshore fishery is partially dependent
upon Mandovi estuary as a spawning and nursery ground for many commercially
important fishes.
Research and facilities: A mid-winter waterfowl census was carried out in January
1987. The National Institute of Oceanography, Goa (NIO), is undertaking extensive
research on mangroves. Hydrobiological observations of the fisheries were made in
1968-69 by Dehadrai. WWF INDIA has undertaken an environmental impact
assessment of the Konkan Railway alignment through coastal Goa.
Reference: WWF India (1992; 1993).
CHORAO ISLAND
Chorao Island is located (15°30’N, 73°50’E) at the confluence of the Mapusa river
flowing in from the north, and the Mandovi river from the south, Goa. The low-lying
areas of the island support mangrove swamps. The central part of the island is hilly,
the altitude ranging from 20 m to 93 m. A road runs some distance into the island. A
ferry connects the island to the mainland. The total area of the island is 250ha.
Abiotic factors: Humid, tropical monsoon climate. The average annual rainfall is
about 2500 mm, mostly occurring during June and September. The salinity varies
from 0.94–29‰.
Mangroves:
Common mangrove species include Rhizophora apiculata, R.
mucronata, Sonneratia alba, Kandelia candel, Avicennia marina, and A. officinalis.
Birds: The avifauna include migratory and residential species, such as lesser adjutant
stork, painted stork, pintail, common teal, cotton teal, garganey, spotbill, shoveller,
little grebe, white-necked stork, black-necked stork, egrets, herons, bittern, and
fishing eagle. Other fauna include bats, jackals, water snakes, marsh crocodiles, etc.
Fishes: Common fish species are Mugil cephalus, M.persica, Chanos chanos, and
Lates calcifer.
Conservation measures taken: The island has been declared a bird sanctuary which
is named after the late Dr. Salim Ali. Afforestation work is being undertaken.
Land use: Some areas are being brought under fish culture.
Possible changes in land use and proposed development projects: About 24 ha of
the island are to be converted into a fish farm.
Disturbances and threats: Some poaching of birds has been reported. Fish culture
operations are to commence.
Socio-economic values: The island is a tourist attraction.
Special floral values: The mangrove species Kandelia candel, which is on the brink
of extinction elsewhere, is found here in abundance.
Research and facilities: The National Institute of Oceanography, Dona Paula, Goa,
has been conducting extensive research on the mangroves of Chorao Island.
CARAMBOLIM LAKE
Carambolim lake is a quadrilateral-shaped lake, situated (15° 23’ N,
73° 50’ E)
Tiswadi (Ilhas) Taluka, 12 km west of Panaji, Goa. The lake is an occupying an area
of 72 ha of which the centra 140 ha are water-laden and the surrounding 30 ha is
lateritic soil, supporting grassland used for grazing cattle. Grass cover is extensive,
particularly towards its northern end. Situated about 5–10 m above sea level, the lake
lies between the estuarine zone of the Mandovi and Zuari rivers. The water depth is
1.5–3 m, depending on the season. The lake has undergone rapid siltation over the
years. The effect of tidal variations is absent since the lake is 10 km inland from the
estuaries. The lake is very significant from the scientific and natural history aspects. It
is a wintering area for the Coccilellid predator which preys on pests of the rice crop
grown around the wetland. In the rainy season, the lake gets filled up through drains,
emptying into it. Just before the rains, sluice gates which bund the water at the
southern end are opened to drain the water out of the lake, thereby facilitating fishing
operations.
Abiotic factors: Temperature ranges from 20°C to 33°C. Annual average rainfall is
about 2500 mm; water temperature is between 15° and 20°C.
Macrophytes: Wild varieties of rice, along with other monocots and dicots, are
cultivated around the lake. Several species of algae, such as Euglena,
Chlamydomonas, Phormidium, Oscillatoria, Anabana, Nitzschia, Pinnularia, and
Spirogyra, are found in the lake. Most of these species are detoxifiers of regular
pesticides which are of chlorinated hydrocarbon origin. Species of Chlorella and
Euglena play an important role in sewage treatment. Chlorella is also a rich source of
Vitamin B and is consumed by local people. The wetland is enclosed by an
embankment on which coconut, jackfruit, mango, cashew nut, and teak are grown.
Lateritic soil around the wetland is ideal for the growth of several varieties of
graminae and herbs.
Special floral values: Nympheaceae are abundant. The lack of mosquitoes in the
lake and its vicinity is believed to be due to the abundant growth of the algae-Chara
sp., (Chlorophyceae). Research has proved Chara to be a natural pest controller.
Insects: The abundance of insect fauna around the wetland makes it a natural field
insectory.
Birds: About 120 species of bird (migratory and local) have been reported to be seen.
Some of these are: small-green barbet, crimson-breasted barbet, golden-backed
woodpecker, wire-tailed swallow, red-rumped swallow, house swallow, golden oriole,
black drongo, common myna, jungle myna, Indian tree pie, house crow, jungle crow,
common iora, goldfronted chloropsis, goldmantled chloropsis, red-whiskered bulbul,
red-vented bulbul, white-cheeked bulbul, jungle babbler, flycatcher, paradise
flycatcher, crowned leaf warbler, magpie robin, Indian robin, pied bush chat, stone
curlew, yellowcheeked tit, Indian tree pipit, paddy field pipit, yellow wagtail, grey
wagtail, large pied wagtail, pied wagtail, Tickell’s flower pecker, plaincoloured
flower pecker, purplerumped sunbird, house sparrow, baya, blackheaded bunting,
shoveler, brahminy duck, pond heron, steppe eagle, buzzard, dab chick. Nearly eight
species of fish are found in the lake.
Land tenure: Formerly “Comunidade” property governed by Comunidade Code of
1961. This was later superceded by The Land Tenure Act, 1964. At present, the
surrounding area is governed by the Agricultural Tenancy Rules, 1975.
Conservation measures taken: Since 1991, the lake is under the Forest Department
for providing special protection to the migratory birds arriving here from Siberia and
Kashmir. Two forest guards are posted during this season to keep off poachers.
Land use: Fishing in the lake; agriculture, and grazing in the surrounding area.
Disturbances and threats: A major threat to this lake is the proposed Konkan
Railway line which, according to the construction plan, will cut across Carambolim
Lake. The noise produced by the moving trains may affect the behaviour of migratory
birds which visit the lake, though there is still some doubt among scientific authorities
about the precise conditions spelling this danger and the extent to which the birds
would be thwarted. Moreover, organic and other wastes generated by the railway
infrastructure and resultant human activity, as well as run-off from the railway
embankment, will increase siltation and eutrophication of the water body. Another
threat is the proposed construction of a highway in the vicinity of the lake.
Socio-economic values: The lake is inhabited by about 5-6 species of freshwater fish
and several crustacean species. The waters are annually auctioned for fishing in the
month of April. Nympheaceae flowers are picked for sale.
Reference: WWF India (1993); Shanbhag et al. (2001).
GREAT RANN OF KACHCHH
The Great Rann is a vast saline plain stretching eastwards from the eastern edge of the
Indus delta, 340 km to longitude 71° 15’ E. Isolated hill ranges within the salt waste
rise to over 500m elevation. India's frontier with Pakistan passes through the northern
edge of the Rann; its western boundary is the Arabian Sea; to the south lies the
peninsula of Kachchh, and to the north and east the great Thar Desert. It is linked by a
narrow channel to the Little Rann which, in turn, is linked to the Gulf of Khambhat
through the marshy depression in which Nalsarovar survives as a freshwater remnant
of the sea that once covered all three sites. The Arabian Sea formerly isolated present
day Saurashtra and Kachchh into islands; a combination of tectonic uplift, silt
deposition by the southerly water courses of the Indus, and aeolian input has caused
the marine recession. The total area of the wetland is about 700,000 ha.
The modern Great Rann is now flooded only between May and October when sea
water, driven by high winds and tides from the Arabian Sea and monsoon run-off
from the hills of Gujarat and Rajasthan, mix together over the plains. For the
remainder of the year, the Rann is a vast expanse of sun-baked mud and sand with
halite and gypsum efflorescences. During years with low rainfall or drought no
freshwater, or very little, enters the Great Rann and the tidal sea water has high
salinity. In such years water starts evaporating and seeping underground quite fast,
leaving the surface dry sooner than in other years. Vegetation is more or less confined
to the “bets”, areas of relatively salt-free land a few metres higher than the plains and
several hundred hectares in extent. These become true islands during the monsoon
and support grasses and a few shrubby bushes. At its western extremity, the Rann
merges into the southern part of the Indus Delta, a region of numerous low-lying
muddy islands, tidal creeks, mangrove swamps, and extensive intertidal mudflats.
Abiotic factors: Dry, tropical monsoon climate with an average annual rainfall of
less than 300 mm concentrated in July, August, and September. Temperatures range
from about 7°C in winter to well over 40°C in summer.
Macrophytes: Areas with low salinity support grassland with many grass species,
notably Dichanthium annulatum, Sehima nervosum, Cenchrus ciliaris, C. setigerus
and Panicum antidotale, and the occasional Acacia nilotica, and Capparis sp. In the
more saline areas, Salvadora persica and Tamarix dioica are widespread.
Mangroves: The mangroves in the coastal zone are mostly poor and disturbed; the
dominant species is Avicennia alba. Peripheral to the Rann, the climax vegetation was
probably a low xerophytic scrub dominated by stunted Acacia spp., and Euphorbia
spp., together with the introduced Prosopis juliflora.
Fishes: The small fish Cyprinodon dispar is very common in the Rann.
Birds: The Asian population of the lesser flamingo (Phoenicopterus minor) is
centred on the Great Rann of Kachchh. Very little information is available on the
numbers, movements, and breeding of the population. One estimate suggests that a
few tens of thousands of birds are involved. Large numbers of young immature birds
are frequently reported, and it is assumed that the breeding colony of the greater
flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber) in Indian territory was at Pachham Island in the
centre of the Great Rann. Numbers have declined drastically this century; the
population was estimted at some 200,000 adults in 1945 and 400,000 in 1960, but
only 18,000 breeding pairs were located in 1970, and the Pachham site has since been
abandoned. It is likely that the birds still breed somewhere in the Rann, but the precise
location of the colony is unknown. Pelecanus onocrotalus and Recurvirostra avosetta
have also been found breeding in the past, and may still do so. The Rann is an
important staging area for migratory waterfowl, particularly Anatidae and shorebirds,
during their southward passage into the peninula of India in autumn. Large numbers
of birds remain throughout the winter when conditions permit, e.g. during a brief visit
to the Rann in late February 1980, de Block recorded: 1200 Pelecanus onocrotalus,
600 Phalacrocorax carbo, 10 Ciconia nigra, 6000 Phoenicopterus ruber, 300 Anas
acuta, 8000 Fulica atra.
The coastal mudflats and mangroves swamps in the west support breeding colonies of
Ardeola grayii, Egretta gularis, E. alba, and Ardea cinerea, and are known to be of
great importance for shorebirds, gulls, and terns, but no census data are available. In
years of low rainfall or drought, no birds visit the area due to high water salinity.
Mammals: The Great Rann is a critically important refuge for the Indian wild ass
(Equus hemionus khur); a threatened subspecies of the Asiatic wild ass. Other
mammals include the chinkara gazelle (Gazella dorcas) and wolf (Canis lupus).
Land tenure:
State-owned
Land use: The grasslands are extensively grazed by domestic livestock. There is a
permanent military presence on both sides of the international frontier.
Conservation measures proposed: A proposal was made for the establishment of a
Flamingo Sanctuary to protect the breeding colony of flamingos at Pachham Island
(Flamingo City), but the site has been abandoned by the birds.
Disturbance and threats: There is excessive grazing by camels in the salt marshes
and mangrove swamps. The pressure of military personnel and equipment on the
northern edge of the Great Rann is having an adverse effect on several wildlife
species, and hunting of the larger species has become a major problem. Prosopis
julifora, an introduction from Mexico, has been planted extensively and may well
pose a serious threat to the indigenous flora. Wild asses (Equus hemionus khur)
occasionally graze in peripheral croplands.
Research and facilities: Occasional visits have been made to the flamingo colony,
and the Wild Asses have received considerable attention, but much of the area
remains difficult of access and is poorly known.
Reference: WWF India (1987); WWF India (1993).
NALSAROVAR LAKE AND SURENDRANAGAR RESERVOIRS
Nalsarovar lake (22° 47’ N, 72° 03’ E) and Surendranagar reservoirs (22° 30’–23°
12’ N, 71° 25’–72° 05’ E) is situated in Surendranagar and Ahmedabad districts, 60
km southwest of Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Saurashtra is separated from the mainland of
Gujarat by a narrow depression which links the Gulf of Khambhat with the Little
Rann of Kachchh. Tectonic uplift, increased sedimentation, and aeolian infill have
reduced this former estuary to a series of saline flats and a large freshwater lake,
Nalsarovar, with extensive marshes. The terrain is uniformly flat, and the lake very
shallow. Nalsarovar is unique in Saurashtra by virtue of the extensive reed-beds and
marshes that surround it. The lake is fed entirely through the rivers Bhogavo,
Bharmani, and the catchment run-off dependent upon monsoon rainfall; it dries out
completely in years of low rainfall (e.g. 1986), and even in wet years, is almost dry by
early summer. The total area of the Nalsarovar lake is about 11,500ha (Bird Sanctuary
12,082 ha). During very heavy monsoons, the water may be as much as two metres
deep over most of the area. There are 360 islands, 36 of which are fairly large,
scattered in the lake. Most of these islands remain submerged during the monsoon and
are exposed when the water level recedes: Salinities range from fresh in winter to
slightly brackish in summer. The other major wetlands of Surendranagar district are
artificial water storage reservoirs surrounded by cultivation, scrub, desert, or upland
habitats. The principal reservoirs are Sukhbhadar (up to 2 m deep), Moti Moladi (30
cm deep), Muli (3.5 m. deep, retaining water longer than most others), Thoriani (over
3 m deep, usually retaining water even in very dry years), and Sayala (1 m deep, the
only reservoir with extensive emergent vegetation). To the north of Surendrangar, the
two other important wetlands, Brahmani and Kharaghoda, are not well documented.
•
NALSAROVAR
L
Abiotic factors: Dry, tropical monsoon climate, with rainfall from the southwest
monsoon concentrated in July, August, and September. Average annual rainfall is
about 400 mm.
Macrophytes: Hydrophytes including Chara, Potamogeton, Najas, Vallisneria,
Nymphaea, Limnanthemum, Lemna, Wolfia, and Hydrilla. The temporary water
bodies are characterised by a rich growth of Xanthium strumarium, Solarnum
surattense, and Tephrosia purpurea. The semi-aquatic and marshland zones hold
Ammania bacciferu, A.multiflora, Bergia sp., Alternanthera sessileis, Cyperus sp.,
Scirpus sp., Polygonum plebeium, and Marsilea aegyptiaca. Surrounding agricultural
land supports crops of cotton, cereals, pulses, and groundnuts. The few trees in the
region include Prosopis juliflora, P. spicigera, Salvadora persica, Salvadora
oleoides, and Acacia nilotica among others.
Birds: In years of adequate rainfall, all these wetlands are important for a wide
variety of waterfowl, notably pelicans, flamingos, ducks, cranes, Fulica atra, and
shorebirds. The numbers of ducks have, however, been decreasing at a fairly steady
rate since the 1880s. The region is now perhaps most important for its wintering
cranes. Over 30,000 Anthropoides virgo were observed in central and eastern
Saurashtra in the winter of 1984, the majority of these birds roosting at Muli, Sayala,
and Nalsarovar. Grus grus also occurs in large numbers at several sites. Both species
spend most of the day at the lakes, flying out to feed on agricultural land at dawn and
dusk. Large numbers of great cormorant (Phoenicopterus ruber), occasionally
frequent Kharaghoda and Nalsarovar. Pelicans appear in substantial numbers if water
conditions permit; white pelican (Pelecanus onocrotalus) is relatively common and
widespread, and up to 100 Dalmatian pelican (P. crispus) have been recorded at
Nalsarovar, but only a few P. philippensis have been observed. The importance of all
these wetlands has been severely reduced by the worsening cycle of drought years
with fewer and fewer years of adequate rainfall in the past two decades. In wet years,
over 20,000 Anatidae winter at Nalsarovar but few, if any, appeared in the winters of
1975-76, 1984-85, 1985-86 and 1986-87. In January 1980, the Lake hosted: 350
Plegadis falcinellus over 1,000 Tachybaptus ruficollis 40 Platalea leucorodia 40
Anser anser, 100 Tadorna ferruginea, 3000 Nettapus coromandelianus, 5000 Anas
crecca, 5000 A. acuta, 6000 A. querquedula, 2000 A. clypeata, 1500 Aythya fuligula,
60000 Fulica atra, 100 Glareola lactea, 400 Limosa limosa, 200 Gallinago gallinago
300 Calidris minuta and many other species in smaller numbers; this was evidently a
year of adequate water. By contrast, in January 1987 the Lake was completely dry and
held only three birds. The other five major sites, Thoriani, Sayala, Sukhbhadar, Muli,
and Moti Moladi, still retained some water in January 1987, and held a total of 2550
waterfowl, including: 70 Pelecanus onocrotalus, 8 P. crispus, 180 Platalea
leucorodia, 240 Phoenicopterus ruber, 62 Anser indicus, 230 Tadorna ferruginea, 6
Grus antigone, 180 Anthropoides virgo, and 11 Rynchops albicollis and a small
number of a wide variety of shorebirds.
A waterfowl census in 1991-92, after a year of plentiful rainfall, recorded a total of
over 200,000 birds, including the following: Grebes mainly Tachybaptus ruficollis:
738, Pelicans: 42,877, including Pelecanus onocrotalus (37583), P. crispus (4364),
and P. philippensis (643), Ducks and geese: 25,074, including A. crecca (1384), A.
clypeata (6028), A. acuta (1406), and Tadorna ferruginea (625), Herons and egrets:
8010, Ibises and spoonbills: 12,062, including Platalea leucorodia (6244), Plegadis
falcinellus (2742), and Pseudibis papillosa (1933), Flamingos: 10,413, including
Phoenicopterus roseus (8715), Cranes: 32,548, including Anthropoides virgo (16362)
and Grus grus (1165), Shorebirds and waders: 63,836, including Limosa limosa
(13,996) and Actitis hypoleucos (8028), Mammals include the Indian wild ass, nilgai
and blackbuck
Land tenure: Nalsarovar Lake is state-owned.
Land use: The principal activities at Nalsarovar are fishing, grazing by domestic
livestock, cutting of aquatic vegetation for fodder, and outdoor recreation. The
sanctuary has a small population mostly of Padhar tribals who are dependent on the
Lake for their livelihood. They fish during the monsoon and winter, and graze cattle
on the dried-up river bed in summer. The Lake is a popular boating and picnic area
for people from Ahmedabad. The other wetlands provide a source of water for
irrigation and domestic use. In 1987, parts of the exposed bed of Nalsarovar Lake
were being cultivated.
Conservation measures taken: Nalsarovar Lake is protected in the Nalsarovar Bird
Sanctuary (12,082 ha), established in April 1969. A core zone of approximately 100
ha is kept free from all disturbances. A management plan (1990-2000) for the
Sanctuary has been prepared. The other wetlands are unprotected.
Conservation measures proposed: Nalsarovar Lake has been proposed for
designation as a Wetland of International importance under the Ramsar Convention.
WWF-India and Lavkumar Khacher have made a number of recommendations
concerning the management of the sanctuary. These include: (a) the establishment, by
the State Government, of a special committee to investigate the problems at
Nalsarovar; (b) the establishment of a special education and tourist centre at the
existing recreation complex; (c) the designation of boating lanes and demarcation of
disturbance-free zones; (d) strict protection of all the major islands, particularly
during the breeding season; (e) the construction of fully equipped observation hides;
and (f) the planting of Acacia nilotica trees on some of the islands to provide nesting
sites for large waterbirds. Any master plan for the sanctuary should include the
surrounding villages so that the welfare of the sanctuary can be clearly linked to the
welfare of the local people.
Disturbances and threats: The burgeoning human population of Gujarat is placing
increasingly heavy demands on all natural resources, and the wetlands, in particular,
are suffering from excessive exploitation. The marsh vegetation at Nalsarovar is
heavily over-grazed by domestic livestock and is cut for fodder and fuel. Illegal
shooting and trapping feature at several of the wetlands, including Nalsarovar, and
visitors from urban areas cause considerable disturbance, particularly at weekends.
The common crane (Grus grus) and demoiselle crane (Anthropoides virgo) make
substantial depredations on the groundnut and pulse crops, and this has given rise to
some resentment among local farmers. Fishing activities at Nalsarovar, together with
the increasing use of boats by visitors, can be a major cause of disturbance to the
birds.
Socio-economic values: Nalsarovar Lake is visited by large numbers of local tourists
every winter. The local people operate boats for tourists. With proper management,
the Bird Sanctuary could become one of the finest reserves for waterbirds in India,
attracting significant numbers of foreign tourists as well. Fishing, cattle grazing,
extraction of aquatic vegetation, and the use of neighbouring water bodies for
irrigation, transport, and domestic use are the other uses of the wetlands.
Research and facilities: Preliminary faunal and floral surveys have been carried out
at Nalsarovar Lake, and several waterfowl censuses have been made. The Gujarat
Tourist Department established a recreation complex at the lake, and this has
subsequently been handed over to the Forest Department.
LITTLE RANN OF KACHCHH
The Little Rann (23° 10’–23° 45’ N, 70° 45’–70° 45’ E) is usually described as a flat,
saline waste or salt-impregnated wilderness. It lies to the southeast of the Great Rann
and along a line of marine recession between the Indus Delta and the Gulf of
Khambhat. During the southwest monsoon (July to September), large areas are
inundated by up to two metres of water, much of which is pushed up from the Gulf of
Kachchh by strong westerly winds. The saltflats dry out almost entirely during the
prolonged dry season. Saline areas are relieved by areas of slightly higher ground with
salt-free soil supporting stunted, scrubby vegetation. There are about 30 of these little
hillocks, or “bets”, of varying sizes in the Little Rann. In years of ample rainfall, the
flood water overflows into the Nalsarovar depression to the southeast. Soil conditions
are saline to hypersaline. The total area of the wetland is about 495,300ha.
Abiotic factors: Dry, tropical monsoon climate, with an average annual rainfall of
less than 300 mm concentrated in July and August. The maximun temperature is
about 42°C, the minimum temperature about 12°C, and the average relative humidity
25%.
Macrophytes: The vegetation consists of xerophytic shrubs and thorny scrubland
between open saline flats devoid of vegetation. There are virtually no trees and most
of the vegetation is confined to the higher ground and transitional zones, these areas
totalling approximately 33,000 ha. The 'bets' support a slightly richer flora than
elsewhere. Some of these formerly supported mature stands of Acacia nilotica,
Prosopis spicigera, Salvadora persica, and S.oleoides, but most of the large trees
were felled and converted into charcoal in the 1950sand 1960s. Small shrubs of S.
persica, Tamarix dioica, and the alien mesquite (Prosopis juliflora) are common in
several areas, together with Suaeda fruticosa, Salsola barysoma, and Haloxylon
salicornicum. Gramineae and Cyperaceae are better adapted to the hydromorphic
conditions and include Aleuropus lagoporides, Cenchrus setigerus, C. ciliaris.
Sporobolus marginatus, S. helveticus and Cyperus rotundus.
Mammmals: The Little Rann supports a sizeable population the Indian wild ass
(Equus hemionus khur) which has gradually increased, under protection, from about
800 animals in the late 1960s to 1989 in 1983; but the asses are subjected to a
considerable amount of disturbance and remain very wary. The Rann formerly
supported large populations of nilgai (Boselaphus tragocamelus), chinkara (Cazella
gazella) and blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra), but these have been decimated in recent
decades by illegal hunting.
Birds: The region is still of considerable importance for a wide variety of waterfowl
such as pelicans, herons, egrets, storks, spoonbills, ducks and shorebirds. Thousands
of common cranes (Grus grus) winter in the area, and large numbers of flamingos
both (Phoenicopterus ruber and Phoenicopterus minor) are present when water levels
are suitable. A breeding colony of the Lesser Flamingo (P. minor) has recently been
discovered in the Little Rann at Surajbari. The mouth of the Banas river is an
important staging area for migratory shorebirds, and large concentrations of ducks,
mainly Anas crecca, A. poecilorhyncha. A. acuta, A. querquedula, and A. clypeata,
have been observed during the migration periods.
Land tenure: The Little Rann is state owned; surrounding areas are partly stateowned and partly private.
Land use: Grazing by domestic livestock. Parts of the Sanctuary are leased out by
the Government to salt manufacturers, and salt production is now an occupation all
along the periphery of the Rann. There is also limited cultivation of millet in the less
saline areas.
Conservation measures taken: The entire area has been declared a Wildlife
Sanctuary by the Government of Gujarat to protect the population of wild ass (Equus
hemionus khur).
Disturbances and threats: There is almost no effective control in the Wild Ass
Sanctuary, and no clear demarcation of its boundaries. As a result, the area has been
exposed to a variety of abuses. Large herds of domestic cattle are driven into the Rann
to graze on the ‘bets’, and most of the indigenous trees are now heavily browsed and
lopped. Local villagers enter the Sanctuary to collect firewood and make charcoal,
and some areas have been ploughed for agriculture. Large areas of native vegetation
have been replaced with plantations of the exotic mesquite (Prosopis juliflora), and
this has now invaded the ‘bets’. A considerable amount of disturbance is caused to
wildlife by jeeps and motorcycles driving at will across the flats, and the wild asses in
particular are deliberately chased by tourists. Illegal shooting and trapping are
common and the populations of some of the larger mammals have been decimated. A
rapid expansion in salt production, although not in itself harmful to wildlife, has led to
a multiplication of other forms of disturbance.
Socio-economic values: The Little Rann of Kachchh, if managed efficiently, could
not only remain an important salt-producing area, but could once again become a
great wildlife sanctuary with tremendous potential for tourism.
Reference: WWF India (1987); WWF India (1993).
SOUTHERN GULF OF KACHCHH
The Gulf of Kachchh is a large inlet of the Arabian Sea, about 60 km wide at its
widest and tapering northeastwards for 170 km. The Marine National Park and
Marine Sanctuary are situated along the southern shore of the Gulf from Okha (22°
30’ N, 69° 00’ E) eastwards to the vicinity of Khijadia (22° 30’ N, 70° 05’ E). A vast
area of intertidal mudflats, salt marshes, and seasonally inundated coastal flats extend
northeastwards along Wagardhrai Creek to about 23° 15’ N, 70° 40’ E. Information
from this area, a transitional zone between the Gulf and the Little Rann of Kachchh, is
lacking. The National Park and Marine Sanctuary include 42 islands and a complex of
fringing reefs backed by mudflats and sandflats, coastal salt marsh, and mangrove
forest at various stages of exploitation. The towns of Okha, Salaya, Vadinar, Sikka,
and Jamnagar, which have developed along the southern edge of the Gulf, exert
considerable influence over it. The major islands (from west to east) are Beyt,
Chusnas, Bhaidar, Nora, Ajad, Chauk, Dhanibet, Karumbhar, Goos Reef, Moouada,
Pirotan, Jindra, and Chhad. The Gulf is rightly famous for its coral formations which
are now the only living reefs between the Arabian Gulf and the Laccadives. The reefs
are generally restricted to areas exposed to strong tidal currents, and living reefs are
confined to the northern and western sides of the islands where the currents are
strongest. They are most extensive near Poshitra Point and on Boria Reef (western
part of the Gulf). The extent and variety of coral formations have been declining over
the recent geological past as tectonic uplift has diverted the flow of the Indus away
from the Gulf of Kachchh and thereby substantially reduced freshwater input. The
deterioration of the reefs has accelerated noticeably in recent times. The total area of
the Gulf of Kachchh is about 735,000 ha, Marine National park, is about 16,289 ha
and Marine Sanctuary is 45,592 ha.
about 300 mm concentrated in July and August. The mean maximum temperature is
40°C, and the minimum 7°C.
Macrophytes:
Over 108 species of algae (70 fairly common and 38 rather rare)
have been recorded in the Gulf of Kachchh. Twenty-nine species of green algae
(Chlorophyceae), 30 species of brown algae (Phaeophyceae), and 49 of red algae
(Rhodophyceae) have been identified. The Gulf contains some of the best mangrove
forests on the west coast of India, but large areas have been totally cleared, or at least
seriously degraded, by exploitation for domestic and commercial use. In the last 20
years alone, 95% of mature trees have been cut down. Only four islands, Ajad,
Bhaidar, Pirotan, Kharachusa, and a small area on the mainland near Okha still
support true mangrove forest. These areas have been protected by sacred traditions of
the goodwill of local people. Elsewhere in the Gulf, the mangroves have been reduced
to low bushes with a maximum height of two metres. The principal species are
Avicennia alba, Rhizophora mucronata, and Ceriops tagal.
Coralreefs: A total of 32 hard (Scleractinavian) and 12 soft (Alcyonarian) corals
have been recorded.
Fishes: About 150 species of fishes and 27 species of prawns have been recoreded.
Reptiles: The marine turtles Chelonia mydas and Lepidochelys olivacea breed on
islands in the Gulf, but both are threatened by the fishermen of the Wagher
community. Several species of snake occur, particularly in the mangrove scrub, and
one species of banded sea snake has been recorded.
Birds: An Oxford University Expedition to the Gulf in 1984 focussed attention on
the avifauna, and discovered large concentrations of many species, particularly
migratory shorebirds. No overall census was possible, but a high-tide roost of 10,000
shorebirds was located on Pirotan Island, and a similar number were found on all the
other islands that were visited during the survey. The most numerous species were
Charadrius mongolus (over 3000 at Pirotan and 6000-9000 on Bhaidar), Arenaria
interpres (1500 at Pirotan and many more on Bhaidar), and Calidris ferruginea
(3000-4000 on most of the islands). Other common shorebirds included Haematopus
ostralegus (roosts of 50 at Goos Reef and 25 at Pirotan), Pluvialis squatarola,
Charadrius leschenaultii, Limosa limosa. L. lapponica, Numenius phaeopus (120 at
Pirotan), N. arquata (flocks of up to 50), Tringa totanus (200-300 on Bhaidar and 150
at Pirotan), Xenus cinereus (300 at Pirotan and larger numbers on Bhaidar), Calidris
alba (200 at Pirotan), C. minuta, Limicola falcinellus, and Philomachus pugnax (2000
at Pirotan). A particularly significant population of the crab plover (Dramas ardeola)
occurs in the Gulf of Kachchh (over 5000 individuals in February /March 1984), and
the species may well breed here. The great knot (Calidris tenuirostris) and Indian
skimmer (Rynchops albicollis) have been recorded in winter.
Other waterfowl observed in February/March 1984 included: Pelecanus onocrotalus,
P. crispus, P. philippensis, Egretta gularis, Sarkidiornis melanotos and over 2200
other ducks mainly (Anas clypeata), hundreds of gulls, (mainly Larus ichthyaetus, L.
brunnicephalus and L. argentatus), and smaller numbers of the terns Gelochelidon
nilotica, Hydroprogne caspia and Sterna albifrons.
Many of the islands in the southern part of the Gulf support sizeable breeding colonies
of Phalacrocorax niger, Anhinga melanogaster, Nycticorax nycticorax, Ardeola
grayii, Butorides striatus, Egretta gularis, E. alba, Ardea cinerea, Mycteria
leucocephala, Threskiornis melanocephalus, and Platalea leucorodia. The coastal salt
marshes and salt evaporation ponds are used by many of these birds, along with
hundreds of Phoenicopterus ruber, Phoeniconaias minor, Himantopus himantopus
and Recurvirostra avosetta. In a first comprehensive study of waterbirds ever made in
the Gulf by scientists of Saurashtra University as part of a WWF INDIA sponsored
project (1984-89), 86 species of waterbirds were recorded in the salt-works, and 80
species on the islands and coast along the Gulf. Most of the species found in the Gulf
and the saltworks were common. The cattle egret, black ibis, ruddy shelduck, eastern
golden plover, yellow wattled lapwing, eastern knot, sanderling and eastern little stint,
were recorded in the Gulf but not in the salt-works. The avocet, blacktailed godwit,
blackwinged stilt, temminck's stint, pheasant-tailed, jacana and whitewinged black
tern, which were recorded in the salt-works were not observed in the Gulf. The
avocet, great crested grebe and rednecked phalarope were found in the salt-works and
not in the coastal waters in the Gulf, though they are known to use the coast
elsewhere. The salt-works were a breeding habitat for four species of birds, all of
them ground-nesting, namely, little tern, blackwinged stilt, Kentish plover and
redwattled lapwing. All the salt-works lacked trees and most lacked a good growth of
mangrove within their boundaries. The islands and coast provided a habitat for 11
species of tree-nesting waterbirds, namely, painted stork, grey heron, large egret,
Indian reef heron, night heron, pond heron, white ibis, black ibis, darter, little
cormorant, spoonbill and six species of ground-nesting waterbirds, namely lesser
flamingo, little tern, Saunder's tern, great stone plover, Kentish plover, and red
wattled lapwing. During the study, a number of species previously not known to occur
in the area, or that are very rare on the west coast, were reported; these include eastern
knot, eastern little stint, ringed plover, whitewinged black tern, brownwinged tern,
slenderbilled gull, and sandwich tern.
Mammals: The dugong (Dugong dugon) is present in small numbers, this being the
only population on the west coast of India. The WWF INDIA sponsored project
recorded the presence of immature-sized individuals and herds of up to 15
individuals, indicating that there are resident animals that breed in the Gulf. The
cetaceans Sousa plumbea and Neophocaena phocaenoides occur in the Gulf, but no
data are available on their status.
Land tenure: Largely state-owned; there are some private holdings on Beyt and
Ajad Islands.
Land use: Until the early 20th century, Jamnagar was the centre of the one of the
biggest pearl fisheries in the world, exploiting the eastern Gulf islands. A windowpane oyster fishery was developed at Okha in 1910, but uncontrolled exploitation has
led to a temporary ban on the collection of all oysters in the Gulf. Fishing remains an
important source of income and employment, although catches have declined
markedly in recent years. For many years, the Digvijay Cement Corporation dredged
sand from an area of 1600 acres (648 ha) in the Gulf, but this has now ceased. There
are several salt-works along the southern shore; the largest, at Okha, has over 20,000
ha of salt pans. The Gulf of Kachchh is one of the best natural harbours in India; an
oil terminal has been built at Vadinar Island to accommodate very large oil tankers
(300,000–400,000 tonnes). There is an offshore single-buoy mooring system from
which the oil is pumped ashore. Several new industries have been established in the
area in recent years. Beyt and Ajad islands are permanently inhabited, and there is a
lighthouse on Pirotan with permanent staff.
Conservation measures taken: Some 45,792 ha of the Gulf of Kachchh were
declared a Marine Sanctuary in 1980, and a further 16,289 ha were declared a Marine
National Park in 1982. A survey of the extent of the coral formations formed the basis
for the delineation of the Park boundaries. The protected areas were established in
response to the serious pollution and degradation of the mangrove/ coral reef
ecosystem that now threatens the future of the Gulf. The cutting of mangroves has
been prohibited, and the collection of pearl and window-pane oysters temporarily
banned. Since the establishment of the National Park, the cement industry has been
fined for dredging outside its legal boundaries. Some 60 ha of Pirotan Island have
been replanted with mangroves by visiting school parties.
Disturbances and threats: The many disturbances and threats to the Gulf of
Kachchh are summarized by Palmes and Briggs (in press). Uncontrolled exploitation
has severely depleted the stocks of oysters. The dredging of sea sand to supply the
cement industry had a deleterious effect on the coral reefs. Unsubstantiated reports
suggested that there was some direct dredging of coral reefs, while considerable
damage was caused to the reefs, both directly and indirectly, through increased
sediment load. Fish catches in the Gulf are declining because of damage to the reefs
and uncontrolled exploitation of the mangrove forests. Large areas of mangroves have
been damaged by local people gathering firewood and fodder for their livestock.
Renewed growth of the mangroves near the salt pans is severely constrained by the
needs of the largely itinerant salt workers for firewood. During the drought years of
1985-87, pressures increased on the mangrove areas. In late 1987, the government
gave local people permission to collect mangrove foliage for fodder. This precipitated
a massive increase in the cutting of mangroves, and it is anticipated that by the end of
1988 not a single tree will have escaped unscathed.
In some areas, the residues from the salt evaporation process are damaging the coastal
fauna and flora. There are no facilities to cope with oil spillage at Vadinar Island;
minor spills have already been reported, and the danger of a major spillage cannot be
ignored. There are various sources of pollution along the coast, chiefly from light
industries in the various towns, and a new fertiliser factory has been established at
Sikka. Additionally, a considerable amount of municipal waste is dumped in the Gulf
from barges. A proposal has recently been made to build a tidal barrage across the
mouth of the Gulf to produce power for the region. If this plan is carried out, the
changes in tidal regime would almost certainly spell disaster for the coral reefs and
mangrove/mudflat ecosystem, and adversely affect the fishing industry and
indigenous wildlife populations.
Socio-economic values: The Gulf supports a major fishery which is largely
dependent on the mangrove/mudflat ecosystem and coral reefs. The great variety of
fishes available in local markets indicates the wealth of these waters. The value of the
mangrove swamps as breeding and nursery grounds for commercially valuable fishes,
molluscs, and crustaceans exceed their value as firewood and fodder. Similarly, the
long-term values of the living coral formations far outweigh their short- term value as
a source of cheap limestone for the cement industry. Developments in education,
conservation, and tourism will undoubtedly help the socio-economic expansion of the
region if managed in an appropriate manner. Wildlife tours to the Gulf began in 1985
and have helped to publicize the importance of the Gulf outside India.
References: WWF INDIA (1987, 1991, 1993)
WETLANDS OF KACHCHH PENINUSLA
The Kachchh Peninsula (22° 45’–23° 45’ N, 68° 40’–71° 00’ E) situated on the
Kachchh Peninsula, north of the Gulf of Kachchh, Gujarat. It is a region of relatively
high relief comprising sheets of lava intersected by trap dykes. Much of the low-lying
country has saline soils. The region extends for about 230 km from east to west, and
up to 70 km from north to south. Natural lakes are very scarce in this semi-arid and
rocky environment. As a consequence, numerous water storage reservoirs (tanks)
have been constructed over the centuries to permit the cultivation of groundnuts,
pulses, cereals, and cotton. At least 60 of these reservoirs exceed 100 ha in area.
Many wetlands, mostly in artificial, ranging in size from 5 ha to approximately 1000
ha, in a region of 1,500,000 ha. Virtually all the water courses flowing out of the
Chaduva Katrol Range (the central spine of the Kachchh peninsula) are dammed at
some point along their relatively short path to the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Kachchh, or
inland salt wastes of the Great and Little Ranns. There are several small estuaries
along the south and west coasts of Kachchh and a few larger areas of saline and
brackish marshes, particularly along the Wagardhrai Creek which connects the Gulf
of Kachchh with the Little Rann. Some of the best known wetlands are the Bhimasar
and Sinai Lakes, Dewisar Tank, Rudarmata Dam and Ninghar Dam, Kukma Village
Tank and Lair Dam, Don Dam Reservoir, Topansar Tank, and Vijaysagar Dam.
about 400 mm concentrated in July, August and September. In periods of below
average rainfall, most of the wetlands remain dry, or virtually dry, for the entire year.
Macrophytes: None of the Kachchh wetlands manifest the rich profusion of aquatic
and emergent plants so typical of the wetlands of lower Sindh in Pakistan. Species of
Typha, Juncus, and Phragmites occur at some of the lakes, but are intensively grazed
by domestic livestock and cut for fodder. Most of the peripheral vegetation,
particularly tamarisk (Tamarix dioica), has been cut for fuel. Many of the tanks are
therefore decidedly bare of vegetation, compounding the appearance of aridity with
the processes of desertification. The saline tracts and river beds support sparse
woodland composed of Salvadora persica, S. oleoides, Tamarix spp., and Calotropis
procera. The flora of surrounding areas is generally xerophytic. Thorn forest is
presumed to be the climax vegetation but it is everywhere degraded into various
stages of scrub.
Birds: Some of the larger lakes, e.g. Rudarmata Dam, are important for pelicans and
cormorants. Anastomus oscitans, Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus, Threskiornis
melanocephalus, and Pseudibis papillosa appear at many of the tanks, and up to 150
Mycteria leucocephala have been reported at Vijaysagar. In addition, Pelecanus
onocrotalus, Phalacrocorax carbo, Mycteria leucocephala, Pseudibis papillosa,
Platalea leucorodia, Phoenicopterus ruber, ducks, Grus grus, Anthropoides virgo,
Fulica atra and shorebirds, gulls and terns were also found.
Conservation measures taken: Ninghar Dam (23° 08’ N, 69° 55’ E) was once
maintained as a hunting preserve and in the 1930s, was considered to be the best area
for duck, hunting in Kachchh.
Land use: The tanks were built to supply water for irrigation and domestic use. They
have also been heavily exploited for firewood and fodder. As the tanks dry up, they
are often brought under cultivation and, after a series of dry years, cultivation of the
lake beds inevitably evolves into semi-permanent agricultural operations. Many of the
tanks are centres of spiritual and physical recreation.
Disturbances and threats: Excessive exploitation of the aquatic and peripheral
vegetation exacerbates the deterioration of the tanks induced by lack of water. Overgrazing and cutting of natural vegetation in the catchment area is accelerating the
processes of desertification.
Socio-economic values: The wetlands provide a source of firewood and fodder to the
local inhabitants, but harvests have consistently exceeded sustainable levels and, as a
result, yields have fallen. Many of the lakes are scenically attractive and are the sites
of temples.
Research and facilities: Some mid-winter waterfowl counts were carried out in
February 1975 and in January 1987.
References: WWF India (1993).
NANDA ISLAND
Nanda island is situated (23° 33’ N, 71° 05’ E) in Kachchh district, Gujarat, 10 km
southwest of Adesar (Kachchh district) and 5 km off Piparala (Banaskantha district),
Gujarat. The Little Rann is a vast stretch of salt-affected, barren wasteland covering
an area of 3,88,500 ha, frequently flooded to a depth of 0.30–0.91 m. Numerous rivers
pour their silt-laden waters annually into this Rann from the north, south, and east.
The Banas, Rupen, and Saraswati rivers drain into the Rann from the east and
northeast, and Machhu, Brahmani, Kankavati, Phulka, and Chandrabhaga from the
south. The Rann is partially drained through a narrow creek to its west. The land is
also affected by the ingress of tides. This water is driven by the strong southwest
winds beyond the head of the Gulf of) Kachchh. Most of the Rann is dry by the end of
November or middle of December. Nanda Island is a part of the Rann. The island
remains above high flood water level during the monsoon. With the departure of the
monsoon, the flood waters dry up, leaving behind a hard, flat surface covered with
salt which makes the ground shine dazzling white.
Abiotic factors: Mean annual rainfall is about 320 mm. Rainfall is highly erratic.
The maximum temperature was recorded in summer and minimum in winter.
Macrophytes:
Flat, barren area without vegetative cover. There is some algal
growth in stagnant water. On the island the main vegetation is Prosopis juliflora,
Salvadora oleoides, Salvadora persica, Capparis aphylla and Melia azadirachta, in
addition to agricultural crops such as castor, cotton, jowar, and bajra. Grasses and
thorny vegetation also found.
Birds: A very important place for resident and migratory birds. A waterfowl count in
1991 recorded the following:
Species Name
Species Name
Anas acuta (7)
Larus ridibundus
(2800+)
Mycteria
leucocephala (40+)
Numenius arquata
(11)
Pelecanus oncrotalus
(3200)
Phoenicopterus minor
(175)
Platalea leucorodia
(200+)
Tringa nebularia (1)
Anas clypeata (47)
Ardea cinerea (50+)
Egretta gularis (5)
Egretta intermedia
(50+)
Fulica atra (1000+)
Himantopus
himantopus (620)
Hydroprogne caspia
(100)
Larus brunnicephalus
(380+)
Tringa totanus (1)
The Island is inhabited by herds of wild ass (Equus hemionus khur), red antelope, and
blackbuck.
Land use: A part of the island is under seasonal cultivation.
Conservation measures taken: It is a part of the Wild Ass Sanctuary.
Possible changes in land use and proposed development projects: Salt production
may start here in the near future.
Disturbances and threats: Some disturbance to the migratory birds by fishermen
and salt transporters from the Rann.
Socio-economic values: Many of the local people are dependent on the area for fish.
References: IWRB (1991); WWF India (1993).
GULF OF KHAMBHAT
An extensive area of estuarine habitats around the periphery of the Gulf of Khambhat.
Gulf of Khambhat is situated (20° 35’–22° 20’ N, 72° 05’–72° 55’ E) from the region
of Talaja on the west coast to the head of the Gulf at Khambhat, and south on the east
coast for about 200 km to Valsad, Gujarat. The Tapi, Narmada, Mahi, Sabarmati, and
several other rivers have deposited alluvium over large areas as the marine recession
has united Saurashtra with the mainland of Gujarat. There are extensive areas of
intertidal mud and sand flats, coastal salt marshes, and degraded mangrove
associations, particularly in the deltas of the Mahi and Sabarmati rivers. One of the
largest areas of intertidal mudflats (3000 ha) is located immediately to the north of
Ghogha, near Bhavnagar. There are some coral reefs around small islets in the
western part of the Gulf.
about 800 mm. The monsoon commences in June or July and ends in September, but
the rainfall is erratic in occurrence, duration and intensity. The winters are generally
cool and dry, with minimum temperatures around 10°C. The pre-monsoon period in
March-June is very hot, with temperatures reaching 45°C.
Mangroves and associates: Formerly extensive tracts of mangrove forest, but now
probably less than 20,000 ha. The forests are heavily utilised, and have been reduced
to an open, scrub type of forest, with few trees exceeding 3m in height. Individual
trees of Avicennia marina, a species highly valued by the local inhabitants, have a
bushy, mutilated appearance with multiple vegetative shoots. Species of
Rhizophoraceae are now rare and have disappeared completely from most sites. Thus,
the zonation of mangrove forests in the Gulf is very simplified: a seaward band of
Avicennia marina gives way to a back-mangal consisting of Salicornia brachiata,
Suaeda fruticosa, and Atriplex stocksii, and a Caespitose grass, Urochondra setulosa,
which appears at the extreme eastern limit of its distribution.
Reptiles: Two species of marine turtles, Chelonia mydas and Lepidochelys olivacea,
nest in large numbers along the coast and on Piram Island.
Birds: Parasharya (1984) has recorded 62 species of waterbirds in the area. The
coastal marshes and mudflats provide feeding areas for large numbers of herons,
egrets, storks, and ibises which breed in groves of trees in nearby towns and villages,
such as Bhavnagar, Gogha, Khambhat, Bharuch, and Surat. The New Port of
Bhavnagar harbours one of the largest colonies of Egretta gularis in the world,
approximately 1000 pairs in 1980, 1981, and 1982. Other common breeding species
include Nycticorax nycticorax, Ardeola grayii, Bubulcus ibis, Egretta garzetta, E.
alba, Mycteria leucocephala, Threskiornis melanocephalus, Pseudibis papillosa, and
Platalea leucorodia. The heron colonies in this area are one of the few places where
E. gularis and E. garzetta nest side by side and interbreed.
The extensive mudflats and sandflats such as those at Ghogha support very large
numbers of migratory shorebirds, gulls, and terns, together with large feeding flocks
of Phoenicopterus ruber and Phoeniconaias minor. The most abundant shorebirds are
Recurvirostra avosetta, Charadrius mongolus, C. leschenaultii, Tringa and Calidris,
and Limicola falcinellus. Numerous of crab plovers (Dromas ardeola) winter in the
area, and a few Indian skimmers (Rynchops albicollis) have been reported. Large
roosting flocks of Grus grus and Anthropoides virgo are often present.
Land use: Fishing in the Gulf. The mangrove woodland is heavily utilised by the
local population; the leaves and fruits of Avicennia marina are fed to cattle, and
camels graze the landward edge of the forest. In some coastal villages and towns, the
mangroves are the only source of firewood and the main source of green fodder. Salt
extraction industries are located at several points around the Gulf.
Disturbances and threats: Levels of exploitation continue to increase to meet the
demands of an increasing human population in the region. The mangroves have
already been over-exploited to the point at which much of the value of the resource
has been lost. Coastal towns and several large cities in the catchment area are a major
source of pollution.
Socio-economic values: The mangroves constitute an important source of fuel and
fodder, and presumably provide essential breeding and nursery grounds for many
commercially important species of fishes, molluscs, and crustaceans. Despite their
degraded condition, the forests remain vitally important for the survival of many
coastal villages and towns.
Research and facilities: Parasharya (1984) has studied the waterbirds of the Gulf of
Khambhat for his Ph.D. at Saurashtra University.
Reference:
Gole (1984b); Parasharya (1984); WWF India (1993)
KHIJADIA LAKES
A group of three, shallow, freshwater lakes and extensive marshes adjacent to a large
area of saltpans and salt marsh on the south shore of the Gulf of Kachchh. During the
1930s, a barrage was constructed between Jamnagar and Navlakhi (43 km to the east)
to reclaim coastal salt marsh for agricultural land. Only seven kilometres of the
barrage, in the Khijadia area, have been maintained in working order. The principle of
the barrage was to desalinate the salt marsh by preventing tidal inundation and to use
the monsoon rains to fertilise the soil with the rich silts washed down by the flood
waters. As the salinity decreased in the 1940s and 1950s, the lakes were colonised by
aquatic plants, and extensive reed-beds developed. By this time, however, the need for
fresh water had become more important than the requirement for agricultural land,
and plans to drain the area were abandoned. Instead, four pumping stations were
installed at the east of the main Khijadia Lake to supply fresh water to nearby
villages.
The lakes and marshes are fed by monsoon run-off in several seasonal streams.
Khijadia salt pans, which lie to the north and east of the barrage, extend into a large
area of salt marsh between the barrage and the sea. A deep channel connects the
outflow from the lakes with a tidal channel running down to the sea. By the end of the
monsoon, the flood waters may reach 2 m in depth and cover over 1000 ha; as the dry
season advances, the area of open water decreases, exposing extensive mudflats,
especially at the eastern end of the lake. At low water levels, salt water seeps under
the barrage from the Gulf during high tides. Studies conducted in February and March
1984 revealed no contamination of the water with salt, a pH of 7, a noticeable green
algal bloom, and a steady rate of water loss of 0.8-0.9 cm per day. Two of the three
lakes are bunded with a motorable road along one side, and the third is dammed by a
larger structure of cement, stones, and earth. In 1985 and 1986, all three lakes dried
out in the summer months (March to June) as a result of inadequate monsoon rainfall.
Abiotic factors: Dry, tropical monsoon climate, with rainfall concentrated in July
and August. The mean maximum temperature is 40°C, and the minimum 7°C.
Macrophytes: The principal emergent species include Typha angustata, Scirpus sp.,
Cyperus sp., and Saccharum spontaneum. Submerged aquatic plants include Hydrilla
verticillata, Vallisneria spiralis, and Najas minor. Screens of Prosopis juliflora have
been planted along the bunds. There is some scrubby mangrove in the adjacent salt
marsh, but all the mangrove trees have been cut down. Avicennia marina still thrives
in the channels, but grazing camels and constant cutting prevent any recovery to full
tree height. The natural vegetation in surrounding areas includes Acacia nilotica,
Capparis decidua, and Phoenix sp.
The endemic Cyperus dwarakensis is found near Dwarka (Kamnaar); similarly
Tephrosia jamnagarensis is endemic to the area.
Birds: An extremely important staging and wintering area for a wide variety of
waterfowl. Almost 200 species of birds have been recorded in the Sanctuary,
including some 94 species of waterbirds. Waterfowl observed during a survey in
February/March 1984 included:
Species Name
Species Name
Ardea cinerea
Egretta alba
Philomachus pugnax
Platalea leucorodia
Fulica atra
Himantopus
himantopus
Limosa limosa
Mycteria
leucocephala
P elecanus crispus
Porphyrio porphyrio
Recurvirostra
avosetta
Tachybaptus ruficollis
Threskiornis
melanocephalus
Pelecanus
onocrotalus
2000 small shorebirds and 600 gulls (Larus spp.), 8500 ducks (mainly Anas penelope,
A. crecca, A. acuta, and A. clypeata), and 600 terns (mainly Chlidonias hybridus,
Gelochelidon nilotica, and Sterna aurantia). Other counts in recent years have
included:
Species Name
Species Name
Anas poecilorhyncha
Anthropoides virgo
Aythya ferina
Aythya fuligula
Grus grus
Phalacrocorax spp.
Phoeniconaias minor
Phoenicopterus
ruber
Rynchops albicollis
Aythya nyroca
Egretta gularis
Several species of waterfowl breed in the area, including Tachybaptus ruficollis,
Porphyrio porphyrio, Fulica atra, Hydrophasianus chirurgus, and Himantopus spp.
Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus is a regular visitor. At least four pairs of Podiceps
cristatus bred in 1984; this is a very uncommon breeding species in India south of the
Himalaya. The area is also important for migratory swallows and martins
(Hirundinidae), wagtails (Motaccillidae) and various other small passerines.
Reptiles: Canis aureus and Felis chaus are common, and various freshwater turtles
are known to occur. Little information is available on the other fauna of the Bird
Sanctuary.
Land tenure: Partly state-owned (Forest Department and Revenue Department) and
partly under private ownership; surrounding areas are mainly privately owned. Private
land in and around the Bird Sanctuary is soon to be transferred to the Forest
Department.
Land use: Many visitors come to observe birdlife in the Sanctuary. The Khijadia
Lakes provide water for irrigation and domestic use, while salt is extracted from the
two neighboring salt works: As water levels recede, local villagers cultivate
vegetables on the exposed beds of the lakes. Cattle and other domestic livestock graze
the edge of the reed-beds, and up to 150 camels graze the adjacent salt marsh at neap
tides.
Conservation measures taken: The main lakes (604.9 ha) have been declared a Bird
Sanctuary where hunting is prohibited, and the local WWF Group (Jamnagar) and
Maharajah Jamsaheb have taken an interest in preserving the wildlife. There is no
effective management as yet, but efforts are being made to fence the area, and a
forestry official is available to control the cutting of firewood, illegal grazing, and
poaching.
Conservation measures proposed: It has been suggested that the area should be
managed primarily as a nature reserve, partly because of its excellent location close to
the city of Jamnagar. Continuing efforts will be made to exclude cattle and other
livestock by fencing the area, and plans have been made to dredge part of the lakes so
that they will retain more monsoon floodwater.
Disturbances and threats: Increased grazing could cause deterioration of the reedbeds, but unchecked reed growth would be undesirable from a wildlife management
point of view. The volume of fresh water extracted by the pumping stations must be
monitored to avoid excessive depletion of reserves. If too much water is extracted, the
lakes will become saline, the reed -beds will be destroyed, and the value of the lake as
a source of fresh water will be lost. As Jamnagar is one of the fastest growing towns
in Gujarat, urban expansion and pollution may pose a threat in the near future.
Socio-economic values: Of great importance both as a source of water and as a
grazing area for Khijadia and other local villages. The lack of alternative grazing sites
makes the reed-beds especially important. The Sanctuary could become an excellent
nature reserve attracting many visitors; it has great potential for scientific research,
and could be developed as an educational centre for school children and college
groups.
Research and facilities: Several waterfowl censuses have been carried out, and more
detailed research on the avifauna has been undertaken by T. Mundkur et al. and an
Oxford University Expedition to the Gulf of Kutch in February/March 1984 (Palmes
and Briggs, in press).
KANKAVATI AND SAPDA DAMS
Kankavati irrigation reservoir was constructed in 1983, near Fall village on the
Jamnagar-Rajkot of highway along Kankavati river. It is an earthen dam, 12.3 m high,
2274m along and has a storage capacity of 6.8 cubic metres. The total area of the
reservoir is 435 ha. Sapda dam is a 1828 m long earthen dam, constructed in 1987 on
the banks of Ruparei river near Sapda village. The waterspread area of the reservoir is
about 193ha. The catchment area of the dam is 5180 ha. Maximum water depth is
7.88 m.
Abiotic factors: Average rainfall, 570 mm. Hot winds blow throughout the summer
season, and the rate of evaporation is high. Maximum temperature is 42°C and
minimum temperature, 8°C.
Birds: A good roosting site for wintering waterfowl, specially demoiselle crane
(Anthropoides virgo) and ducks. Among the bird species observed in the area are
Species Name
Species Name
Anas crecca
Hydroprogne caspia
Anas penelope
Limosa limosa
Ardea cinerea
Aythya ferina
Mycteria
leucocephala
Podiceps rufficollis
Bubulcus ibis
Pseudibis papillosa
Dendrocygna bicolor
Egretta alba
Sarkidiornis
melanotos
Sterna aurantia
Fulica atra
Tringa stagnatilis
Himantopus
himantopus
Land tenure: State-owned; surrounding areas are under private ownership.
Land use: Water from both the reservoirs are used for irrigation the cultivated tracts
in the surrounding regions. The waters are also utilized for fisheries.
Disturbances and threats: Overfishing is a problem. Farming in the areas along the
reservoirs exposed during winter when the water level decreases, disturbs the roosting
migratory waterfowl.
Socio-economic values: The reservoirs provide the nearby villages with water for
irrigation and are used for fishing. Seasonal cultivation along the shores also provides
occupation.
Reference: Dodhia (1990); WWF India (1993).
PARIEJ AND KANEVAL RESERVOIRS
Pariej and Kaneval situated (22° 33’ N, 72° 38’ E) near Kheda, 50 km south of
Ahmedabad, Gujarat are water storage reservoirs on the plains to the north of the Gulf
of Khambhat. Pariej lies in a natural depression and is surrounded by an embankment;
it has a circumference of about nine kilometres. Kaneval, with a circumference of at
least 15 km, is considerably larger and contains several small islands. Both lakes are
rich in aquatic vegetation, unlike most other wetlands in Gujarat. The total area of the
Pariej reservoir is about 500 ha and Kaneval is 1500 ha.
about 800 mm concentrated in July, August and September.
Macrophytes:
Both lakes are known to support an abundant growth of aquatic
vegetation; including beds of Typha sp., no other details are available.
Birds: Both lakes are of great importance for wintering waterfowl, particularly ducks
and Fulica atra, and assume special significance in years when Nalsarovar is dry: In
January 1975, Pariej held almost 25,000 waterfowl, including 235 Pelecanus
onocrotalus, 95 Platalea leucorodia, 125 Phoenicopterus ruber, 8750 ducks (mainly
Anas penelope, A. strepera, A. crecca, A. acuta, and A. clypeata) and 15,000 Fulica
atra. Only 2000 birds were seen at Kaneval, but these included 18 Sarkidiornis
melanotos and 148 Grus antigone. A waterfowl census in mid January 1987 recorded
over 28,000 waterfowl; 17,000 at Kaneval and 11,500 at Pariej. These included: 420
Tachybaptus ruficollis, 19 Podiceps cristatus, 27 Pelecanus onocrotalus, 6 P.
philippensis, 920 Phalacrocorax niger, 140 Mycteria leucocephala, 130 Plegadis
falcinellus, 80 Anser anser, 810 Dendrocygna javanica, 200 Nettapus
coromandelianus, 105 Anthropoides virgo, 85 Porphyrio porphyrio, 23,200 Fulica
atra, 245 Himantopus himantopus and 300 Glareola lactea but only 1190 dabbling
ducks (Anas spp.).
Land tenure:
The islands in Kaneval Reservoir are privately owned.
Land use: Water supply for irrigation and domestic use. The trapping of ducks and
coots on a large scale at Kaneval, and to a lesser extent at Pariej. At Kaneval, the birds
are netted at night with mistnets. During the winter season, some 100-150 birds are
trapped every night, and these sell for Rs. 10 each in the local markets. At Pariej,
small numbers of birds are caught with nylon nooses. There is also some fishing at
Pariej, and the islands at Kaneval are under cultivation.
Disturbances and threats:
Large numbers of waterfowl, are trapped for local
consumption, particularly at Kaneval, and this may be having a detrimental effect on
the populations. There is also some shooting at both sites. The disappearance of the
breeding colony of Mycteria leucocephala at Kaneval has been attributed to the
disturbance from hunting, and other human activities.
Socio-economic values: The reservoirs are an important source of fresh water, and
Pariej supports a small fishery. The annual harvest of ducks and coots provides a
useful source of protein, but will require careful management if it is to be maintained
on a sustainable basis.
Research and facilities: Waterfowl counts were carried out in 1975 and again in
1987.
Reference: van der Ven (1987); WWF India (1993).
WETLANDS OF SABARKANTA AND BANASKANTA DISTRICT
Sabarkanta and Banaskanta district is situated (23° 21’ N–23° 59’ N and 71° 20’–73°
20’ E) in the Gujarat. The site includes a few tanks, reservoirs, and small dams. These
are Temba talav, Jamwada dam, Soneth dam, Morwada village tank, Futa talav,
Dhansura talav, Hathmati reservoir, Lodra dam, and Dhambolia talav.
Abiotic factors: Semi-arid to dry with extreme temperatures; maximum temperatures
go up to 44°C, the minimum temperature is 8.4°C or less. Weather is very hot and
oppressive in the latter part of the summer season. Average annual rainfall is 670 mm.
Macrophytes: Trees include teak, mango, Prosopis juliflora, Acacia arabica, Melia
azadirachta, Salvadora persica, S.oleoides, Capparis aphyla, Zizypus spp. The
surrounding areas are used for cultivating jowar, bajra, sesamum, maize, gram, cotton,
mustard, wheat, etc.
Birds: The following birds were recorded at the sites during January 1991: Little
grebe (20), grey heron (1), black ibis (18), greylag goose (8), comb duck (4), Eurasian
wigeon (25), spotbill duck (6), northern pintail (345), common pochard (30), common
coot (781), ruff (50), Indian river tern 3, black-winged stilt (38), black-tailed godwit
(100), Indian pond heron (1), median egret (2), purple heron (1), Indian cotton teal
(26), lesser whistling teal (200), and northern shoveller (30).
Land tenure: Panchayat owned
Land use: Surrounding land is used for agriculture.
Disturbances and threats: Poaching of birds is reported.
Socio-economic values: Water from the tanks is used for irrigating the surrounding
agricultural fields and for domestic purposes.
References: Asian waterfowl census (IWRB 1991); WWF India (1993).
AJWA, VADHWANDA AND PAVAGADH LAKES
Ajwa (22° 24’ N, 73° 24’ E), Vadhwana (22° 11’ N, 73° 29’ E) and Pavagadh (22°
29’ N, 73° 22’ E) lakes are water storage reservoirs with some associated marshes, in
the vicinity of Vadodara in mainland Gujarat. These three lakes are thought to be
representative of the large number of small wetlands in eastern Gujarat and southern
Rajasthan. Numerous ancient tanks and semi-natural lakes extend northwards in a
broad band from the Narmada river (which enters the Gulf of Khambhat at 21° 40’ N)
all the way into Rajasthan. In general, these lakes support more aquatic vegetation
than lakes further west in Gujarat. The total area of the Ajwa lake is 300 ha,
Vadhwana lake is 400 ha and Pavagadh lake is 100 ha.
•
AJWA RESERVOIR
•
VADHWANA RESERVOIR
about 800 mm. The monsoon commences in June or July and ends in September. The
winters are cool and dry, with minimum temperatures around 10°C; the pre-monsoon
period in March-June is very hot, with temperatures reaching 45°C.
Macrophytes: The lakes support a rich growth of aquatic vegetation. The dominant
emergents include Ammania baccifera, A. multiflora, Bergia sp., Alternanthera
sessilis, Cyperus sp., Scirpus sp., Polygonum plebeium, and Marsiliea aegyptiaca.
Floating and submerged aquatic plants include species of Chara, Potamogeton, Najas,
Vallisneria, Nymphaea, Limnanthemum, Lemna, Wolffia, and Hydrilla.
Reptiles: Six marsh crocodiles (Crocodylus palustris) were observed on an island in
Ajwa Lake during this survey.
Birds: Thought to be a critical wintering area for waterfowl, particularly ducks,
Fulica atra, and some shorebirds. In the winter of 1974-75, following a rather poor
monsoon, Ajwa and Vadhwana were two of the richest wetlands for waterbirds in the
whole of Gujarat. Over 27,500 waterfowl were recorded during a brief survey in
February 1975, including:
Species Name
Species Name
Anas acuta (3,050)
Calidris minuta (200)
Anas clypeata
(2,300)
Anas crecca (2,300)
Fulica atra (8,270)
Anas penelope
(3,050)
Anas
poecilorhyncha
(230)
Anas querquedula
(440)
Anas Strepera (300)
Limosa limosa
(2,850)
Nettapus
coromandelianus
(340)
Philomachus pugnax
(1,600)
(115)
(450)
Anastomus oscitans
(40)
Aythya farina
(1,100)
Land tenure:
Grus antigone (22)
No information
Land use: The lakes are used by local people as a source of fodder and as a grazing
area during the long, dry season. They supply water to the town of Vadodara, and for
irrigation.
Disturbances and threats: No recent information. Grazing pressure was reported to
be very heavy at Ajwa and Vadhwana in February 1975.
Socio-economic values:
No information.
Research and facilities: A waterfowl survey was carried out in 1975, but no recent
information is available.
Reference: Koning and Koning-Raat (1975); WWF India (1993).
WETLANDS OF CENTRAL AND EASTERN SAURASHTRA
Saurashtra, the larger of Gujarat’s two peninsulas, extends from the port of Dwarka
(22° 15’ N, 68° 58’ E) 250 km eastwards to the Gulf of Khambhat. The peninsula is
generally rather flat, relieved in some areas by low hills rising to a peak at 1117 m.
Much of the region is very fertile, and agricultural fields dominate the landscape. The
peninsula has a radial drainage pattern flowing out of the central highlands. All the
significant wetlands are water-storage reservoirs created by damming small rivers and
streams. Gopa Kumar and Nageswara Rao (1987) have listed 108 dams, 617
Checkdams, and 694 percolation tanks in the districts of Rajkot (837 sites),
Bhavangar (403 sites), and Amreli (179 sites) alone. A further 96 checkdams and 30
percolation tanks are currently under construction in these three districts. About 55 of
the reservoirs exceed 100ha in area, and several exceed 1500 ha. Veri reservoir, with
an area of approximately 2800 ha, is the largest. The most important reservoirs
include Lalpari, Randhanda, Nyari, Aji, Veri, Sardhar, Eshwaria, and Alansagar in
Rajkot district; Hargovind, Ramdhari, Valavad and Shankar Talao in Bhavangar
district; and Hiran Lake and Madhuvanti Dam in Junagadh district .
Although most of the reservoirs are shallow (less than 2-3 m), some have maximum
depths exceeding 12-15 m water levels fluctuate widely and, as a result, the reservoirs
generally lack abundant aquatic vegetation. Maximum water depths are achieved in
late September after the monsoon which, in good years, commences in June or July
and continues up to the beginning of October. As the water level falls, some of the
reservoirs, particularly in the vicinity of Rajkot, become brackish. The great majority
dry out completely in years of poor rainfall, and in the recent succession of drought
years, many of the wetlands thoughout Saurashtra have been dry all year round. Hiran
Lake, in the Gir National Park, and Madhuvanti Dam to the west have remained in
good condition, as they benefit from the better vegetation in the Park and hence the
greater number of perennial streams.
Abiotic factors: Dry, tropical monsoon climate with an average annual rainfall
ranging from about 800 mm in the southeast to 500 mm, or less, in the northwest. The
monsoon starts in June or July and ends in September, but the rainfall is erratic in
occurrence, duration, and intensity. The winters are generally cool and dry, although
sporadic rainfall may occur. Minimum temperatures do not normally fall below about
5°C. The pre-monsoon period in March-June is very hot, with temperatures reaching
45°C, and dust storms are frequent.
Macrophytes: The absence of vegetation at most of the Saurashtra wetlands is a
fairly recent phenomenon; in the past, a variety of sedges and grasses formed a broad
margin around the lakes, and there were extensive reed-beds at some sites. Only small
patches of this marsh vegetation now remain, for example, at Veri, where there are
still significant reed-beds. Shankar Talao, well vegetated until 1965, is now barren. A
number of the reservoirs have rocky or masonry margins with no emergent
vegetation whatsoever and a few are situated in urban areas, with dwellings reaching
down to the edge of the water. Most of the reservoirs are surrounded by agricultural
land or barren flats. In the upland areas, there are remnants of the dry, tropical, thorn
forest which once covered the peninsula; this is best exemplified by the forests of the
Gir National Park.
Birds: Collectively, the wetlands of Saurashtra constitute an extremely important
breeding, staging, and wintering area for a very wide variety of waterfowl. Gopa
Kumar (1985) lists 138 species of waterfowl and five species of kingfishers
(Alcedinidae) for the region. Common and widespread residents include
Species Name
Species Name
Amaurornis akool
Glareola lactea
Amaurornis
phoenicurus
Himantopus
himantopus
Anas poecilorhyncha
Ixobrychus sinensis
Anastomus oscitans
Ardeola grayii
Mycteria
leucocephala
Phalacrocroax
carbo
P. niger
Bubulcus ibis
Platalea leucorodia
Charadrius dubius
Pseudibis papillosa
Chlidonias hybridus
Sterna albifrons
Egretta alba
S. aurantia
E. garzetta
Tachybaptus
ruficollis
Vanellus indicus
Ardea cinerea
Esacus recurvirostris
Gelochelidon nilotica
The region is a major wintering area for pelicans, flamingos, ducks, cranes, and
shorebirds, some species occurring in huge numbers. Numerous Pelecanus
onocrotalus have been reported at many wetlands, notably at Alansagar, and P.
crispus occurs in small numbers at several sites. Both flamingos, Phoenicopterus
ruber and Phoeniconaias minor, appear as non-breeding visitors, the former often in
very large numbers, e.g. at Veri in 1983. Several species of ducks winter in large
numbers throughout the region, Anas penelope, A. crecca, A. acuta, A. clypeata, and
Aythya ferina being the commonest. Tadorna ferruginea is widely distributed in small
numbers, but Anser indicus is only an occasional visitor. Many of the wetlands
provide secure roosting sites for large concentrations of Grus grus; over 15,000
individuals were observed in January-February 1983, mainly at Veri, Valavad,
Ramdhari, and Hargovind. The region is also of major importance as a wintering area
for the demoiselle crane (Anthropoides virgo). The wintering population in the early
1980s was estimated at about 30,000 birds. Roosts with over 1000 birds were located
at Shankar Talao, Alansagar, Randharda, Aji, Lalpari, and Nyari in January-February
1983, and a pre-migratory gathering of 20,000 was observed at Lalpari in March
1985. Grus antigone is rather scarce, although 22 were seen together in the Rajkot
area in 1985. Many species of shorebirds occur on migration and in winter, the most
abundant being Himantopus himantopus, Recurvirostra avosetta, Limosa limosa,
Calidris minuta, and Philomachus pugnax.
Even in the winter of 1986-87, a year of extreme drought, there were important
concentrations of waterfowl in Saurashtra. Censuses at nine sites in January 1987
recorded over 11,000 waterfowl of about 70 species, including:
Species Name
Species Name
Anthropoides virgo
(4,820)
Ardea cinerea (80)
Ciconia episcopus (16)
Ciconia nigra (8)
Ephippiorhynchus
asiaticus (10)
Grus grus (900)
Limosa limosa (550)
Mycteria leucocephala
(35)
Pelecanus Crispus
(13)
Pelecanus
onocrotalus (320)
Philomachus pugnax
(1,040)
Phoenicopterus
ruber (200)
Platalea leucorodia
(140)
Pseudibis papillosa
(250)
Rhynchops albicollis
(18)
Sarkidiornis
melanotos (40)
Hiran Lake within Gir National Park supports the largest known population of the
marsh crocodile or mugger (Crocodylus palustris) at one site: an estimated 60
individuals in 1978. The surrounding forests support the last wild population of the
Asiatic lion (Pantheraleo persica): there were 205 in 1970.
Land tenure: Most of the reservoirs are state-owned, and most of the surrounding
areas are privately owned.
Conservation measures taken: Shooting is prohibited at most of the wetlands. Hiran
Lake is protected in the Gir National Park (35,948 ha), established in 1974. At some
wetlands, particularly Hiran Lake, the population of Crocodylus palustris has been
augmented by animals reared in captivity. A captive-rearing programme was initiated
in 1975, and by January 1987,145 animals had been released in the National Park.
Land use: The lakes provide fresh water for irrigation and domestic use. Some of the
lakes are still a source of firewood and fodder, but in most cases these resources have
been eliminated by over-exploitaion. In recent years, the exposed beds of some of the
lakes have been cultivated on a semi-permanent basis (e.g. at Lalpari, Nyari, and
Randharda). Surrounding areas concentrate on grazing and the cultivation of
groundnuts, pulses, mustard, and other crops.
Disturbances and threats: The major problems stem from the apparently increasing
unreliability of rainfall in this sem-arid region. As the periods of drought intensify, so
the pressures on the wetlands increase and the vegetation, particularly, suffers further
degradation. Illegal hunting occurs at some lakes (e.g. Veri). The expansion of Rajkot
may soon cause excessive pollution to those lakes nearest the city.
Socio-economic values: Water supply and recreation.
Research and facilities: Koning and Koning-Rahat (1975) conducted waterfowl
censuses at 18 reservoirs around Rajkot, Jasdan, and Bhavangar in February 1975,
and Gole (1984b) surveyed ten lakes in January and February 1983. Gopakumar
(1985) studied the wetlands of Saurashtra and their birds for an M.Sc degree at the
Department of Biosciences at Saurashtra University. His research, carried out between
July 1983 and June 1984, included a study of avian population dynamics at three
representative reservoirs near Rajkot. Further waterfowl censuses were carried out at
nine lakes in January 1987.
Reference: Gopakumar (1985); Gopakumar and Nageswara Rao (1987); Joel (1986);
Khacher et al. (1987); WWF India (1993).
WETLANDS OF KUTCH PENINSULA
Kutch Peninsula situated on 22° 45’–23° 45’N, 68° 40’–71° 00’ E in the north of the
Gulf of Kutch, Gujarat. The Kutch Peninsula is a region of relatively high relief
comprising sheets of lava intersected by trap dykes. Much of the low-lying country
has saline soils. The region extends for about 230 km from east to west, and up to 70
km from north to south. Natural lakes are very scarce in this semi-arid and rocky
environment. As a consequence, numerous water storage reservoirs (tanks) have been
constructed over the centuries to permit the cultivation of ground nuts, pulses, cereals
and cotton. At least 60 of these reservoirs exceed 100 ha in area. Virtually all the
water courses flowing out of the Chaduva Katrol Range (the central spine of the
Kutch peninsula) are dammed at some point along their relatively short path to the
Arabian Sea, Gulf of Kutch, or inland salt wastes of the Great and Little Ranns There
are several small estuaries along the south and west coasts of Kutch and a few larger
areas of saline and brackish marshes, particularly along the Wagardhrai Creek which
connects the Gulf of Kutch with the Little Rann. Some of the best known wetlands are
the Bhimasar and Sinai Lakes, Dewisar Tank, Rudarmata Dam and Ninghar Dam,
Kukma Village Tank and Lair Dam, Don Dam Reservoir, Topansar Tank and
Vijaysagar Dam. In periods of below average rainfall, most of the wetlands remain
dry or virtually dry for the entire year. The monsoon has failed several times in the
past decade and as a result, most of the tanks have held very little water in recent
years. Many wetlands of Kutch Peninsula are mostly artificial, ranging in size from 5
ha to c.1,000 ha, in a region of 1,500,000 ha.
Abiotic factors: Dry tropical monsoon climate with an average annual rainfall of
about 400 mm concentrated in July, August and September.
Macrophytes: None of the Kutch wetlands manifests the rich profusion of aquatic
and emergent plants so typical of the wetlands of lower Sind in Pakistan. Species of
Typha, Juncus and Phragmites occur at some of the lakes, but are intensively grazed
by domestic livestock and cut for fodder. Most of the peripheral vegetation,
particularly tamarisk Tamarix dioica, has been cut for fuel. Many of the tanks are
therefore decidedly bare of vegetation, compounding the appearance of aridity with
the processes of desertification. The saline tracts and river beds support sparse
woodland composed of Salvadora persica, S. oleoides, Tamarix spp. and Calotropis
procera. The flora of surrounding areas is generally xerophytic. Thorn forest is
presumed to be the climax vegetation but it is everywhere degraded into various
stages of scrub.
Land tenure: No information.
Land use: The tanks were built to supply water for irrigation and domestic use. They
have also been heavily exploited for firewood and fodder. As the tanks dry up, they
are often brought into cultivation, and after a series of dry years, cultivation of the
lake beds inevitably evolves into semi-permanent agricultural operations. Many of the
tanks are centres of spiritual and physical recreation.
Conservation measures taken: Ninghar Dam (23° 08’ N, 69° 55’ E) was once
maintained as a hunting preserve, and in the 1930s, was considered to be the best area
for duck hunting in Kutch.
Disturbances and threats: Excessive exploitation of the aquatic and peripheral
vegetation exacerbates the deterioration of the tanks induced by lack of water. Overgrazing and cutting of natural vegetation in the catchment area is accelerating the
processes of desertification.
Socio-economic values: The wetlands provide a source of firewood and fodder to the
local inhabitants, but harvests have consistently exceeded sustainable levels, and as a
result, yields have fallen. Many of the lakes are scenically attractive and are the sites
of temples.
Birds: In years of average or above average rainfall, the region is a very important
wintering area for migratory waterfowl, particularly Anatidae. Some of the larger
lakes, e.g. Rudarmata Dam, are important for pelicans and cormorants. Anastomus
oscitans, Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus, Threskiornis melanocephalus and Pseudibis
papillosa occur at many of the tanks, and up to 150 Mycteria leucocephala have been
reported at Vijaysagar. However, during a waterfowl survey of five tanks in January
1987, following three consecutive years of drought, only small numbers of birds were
recorded. These included: 20 Pelecanus onocrotalus; 75 Phalacrocorax carbo; 33
Mycteria leucocephala; 24 Pseudibis papillosa; 36 Platalea leucorodia; 130
Phoenicopterus ruber; 700 ducks of 12 species; 50 Grus grus; 150 Anthropoides
virgo; 680 Fulica atra and 275 shorebirds of 16 species, and 150 gulls and terns of
eight species.
Research and facilities: Some mid-winter waterfowl counts were carried out in
February 1975 and in January 1987.
Reference: Gole (1984b); Karpowicz (1985); Koning and Koning-Raat (1975);
Luthin (1984); WWF India (1993)
LITTLE RANN OF KUTCH
Little Rann of Kutch (23° 10’–23° 45’ N, 70° 45’–71° 45’ E) southeast of the Great
Rann of Kutch and 130 km west of Ahmadabad, Gujarat. The Little Rann is usually
described as a flat saline waste or salt impregnated wilderness. It lies to the southeast
of the Great Rann and along a line of marine recession between the Indus Delta and
the Gulf of Khambhat. During the Southwest Monsoon (July to September), large
areas are inundated by up to two metres of water, much of which is pushed up from
the Gulf of Kutch by strong westerly winds. The salt flats dry out almost entirely
during the prolonged dry season. Saline areas are relieved by areas of slightly higher
ground with salt-free soil supporting a stunted, scrubby vegetation. There are about 30
of these little hillocks, or “bets”, of varying sizes in the Little Rann. In years of ample
rainfall, the flood water overflows into the Nalsarovar Depression to the southeast.
Soil conditions are saline to hypersaline. The total area of the wetland is about
495,300 ha.
Abiotic factors: Dry tropical monsoon climate with an average annual rainfall of less
than 300 mm concentrated in July and August. The maximum temperature is about
42°C, the minimum temperature about 12°C, and the average relative humidity 25%.
Macrophytes: The vegetation consists of xerophytic shrubs and thorny scrubland
between open saline flats devoid of vegetation. There are virtually no trees and most
of the vegetation is confined to the higher ground and transitional zones, these areas
totaling some 33,000 ha. The bets support a slightly richer flora than elsewhere. Some
of these formerly supported mature stands of Acacia nilotica, Prosopis spicigera,
Salvadora persica and S. oleodes, but most of the large trees were felled and
converted into charcoal in the 1950s and 1960s. Small shrubs of S.persica, Tamarix
dioica ssp indica and the alien mesquite Prosopis juliflora are common in several
areas, together with Suaeda fruticosa, Salsola barysoma and Haloxylon salicornicum.
Gramineae and Cyperaceae are better adapted to the hydromorphic conditions and
include Aleuropes lagoprides, Cenchrus setigems, C. ciliaris, Sporobolus marginatus,
S. helveticus and Cyperus rotundus.
Land tenure: The Little Rann is state owned; surrounding areas are partly state
owned and partly private.
Land use: Grazing by domestic livestock. Parts of the Sanctuary are leased out by the
Government to salt manufacturers, and salt production now occurs all along the
periphery of the Rann. There is also a little cultivation of millet in the less saline
areas.
Conservation measures taken: The entire area has been declared a Wildlife
Sanctuary by the Government of Gujarat to protect the population of Wild Ass Equus
hemionus khur.
Conservation measures proposed: There is a proposal to upgrade the sanctuary and
to declare it a Biosphere Reserve. There is an urgent need to improve the level of
wardening in the sanctuary, and to develop an integrated management plan for the
entire area. Lavkumar Khacher has recommended the establishment of a composite
sanctuary incorporating the Great and Little Ranns of Kutch, and the development of
an imaginatively radial programme for their effective management.
Disturbances and threats: There is almost no effective control in the Wild Ass
Sanctuary, and no clear demarcation of the boundaries. As a result, the area has been
open to a variety of abuses. Large herds of domestic cattle are driven into the Rann to
graze on the bets, and most of the indigenous trees are now heavily browsed and
topped. Local villagers enter the sanctuary to collect firewood and make charcoal, and
some areas have been ploughed up for agriculture. Large areas of native vegetation
have been replaced with plantations of the exotic mesquite Prosopis juliflora, and this
has now invaded the bets. A considerable amount of disturbance is caused to wildlife
by jeeps and motorcycles driving at will across the flats, and the Wild Asses in
particular are deliberately chased by tourists. Illegal shooting and trapping are
common in the sanctuary, and the populations of some of the larger mammals have
been decimated. A rapid expansion in salt production, although not in itself harmful to
wildlife, has led to a great increase in other forms of disturbance.
Socio-economic values: The Little Rann of Kutch, if managed efficiently, could not
only remain an important salt producing area, but could once again become a great
wildlife sanctuary with tremendous potential for tourism.
Birds: The region is still of considerable importance for a wide variety of waterfowl
such as pelicans, herons, egrets, storks, spoonbills, ducks and shorebirds. Thousands
of Common Cranes Grus grus winter in the area, and large numbers of flamingos
(both Phoenicopterus ruber and Phoeniconaias minor) are present when water levels
are suitable. A breeding colony of the Lesser Flamingo P. minor has recently been
discovered in the Little Rann at Surajbari (Mundkur et al., in press). The mouth of the
Banas River is an important staging area for migratory shorebirds, and large
concentrations of ducks, mainly Anas crecca, A. poecilorhyncha, A. acuta, A.
querquedula and A. clypeata, have been observed during the migration periods.
Mammals: The Little Rann supports a sizeable population of the Indian Wild Ass
Equus hemionus khur. The population has gradually increased under protection from
about 800 animals in the late 1960s to 1,989 in 1983, but the asses are subjected to a
considerable amount of disturbance and remain very wary. The Rann formerly
supported large populations of Nilgai Boselaphus tragocamelus, Chinkara Gazella
gazella and Blackbuck Antilope cervicapra, but these have been decimated in recent
decades by illegal hunting.
Research and facilities: Some ornithological research was carried out in the area by
the late Dharmakumarsinhji. Biologists from Saurashtra University are currently
studying the recently discovered breeding colony of Phoeniconaias minor, and
carrying out research on the ecology of Gazella gazella and Boselaphus
tragocamelus.
Reference: Abdulali and Savage (1970); Ali (1945); Blasco (1977); Fernandes
(1987); Gole (l984b); Karpowicz (1985); WWF India (1993).
SOUTHERN GULF OF KUTCH
Southern Gulf of Kutch situated on 22° l5’–23° l5’ N, 69° 00’–70° 40’ E in the
southern shore of the Gulf of Kutch in Saurashtra, Gujarat. The Gulf of Kutch is a
large inlet of the Arabian Sea about 60 km wide at its widest and tapering
northeastwards for 170 km. The Marine National Park and Marine Sanctuary are
situated along the southern shore of the Gulf from Okha (22° 30’ N, 69° 00’ E)
eastwards to the vicinity of Khijadia (22° 30’ N, 70° 05’ E). A vast area of intertidal
mudflats, salt marshes and seasonally inundated coastal flats extends northeastwards
along Wagardhrai Creek to about 23° 15’ N, 70° 40’ E. Information from this area, a
transitional zone between the Gulf and the Little Rann of Kutch, is lacking. The
National Park and Marine Sanctuary include 42 islands and a complex of fringing
reefs backed by mud and sand flats, coastal salt marsh and mangrove forest at various
stages of exploitation. The coral formations are now the only living reefs between the
Arabian Gulf and the Laccadives. The towns of Okha, Salaya, Vadinar, Sikka and
Jamnagar have developed along the southern edge of the Gulf and exert considerable
influence over it. The major islands (from west to east) are Beyt, Chusnas, Bhaidar,
Nora, Ajad, Chauk, Dhanibet, Karumbhar, Goos Reef, Moouada, Pirotan, Jindra and
Chhad. The Gulf is rightly famous for its coral formations but their extent and variety
have been declining over the recent geological past as tectonic uplift has diverted the
flow of the Indus away from the Gulf of Kutch and thereby substantially reduced
freshwater input. This deterioration of the reefs has accelerated noticeably in
historical times. The corals are most extensive in the western part of the Gulf,
particularly near Poshitra Point and on Boria Reef. The total area of Gulf of Kutch is
735,000 ha, Marine National Park is about 16,289 ha and Marine Sanctuary is 45,592
ha.
Abiotic factors: Dry tropical monsoon climate with an average annual rainfall of
about 300mm concentrated in July and August. The mean maximum temperature is
40°C, and the minimum 7°C.
Macrophytes: Over 100 species of algae have been recorded in the Gulf of Kutch in
the past, but in recent years only 74 species have been found.
Mangroves: The Gulf contains some of the best mangrove forests on the west coast
of India, but large areas have been totally cleared or at least seriously degraded by
exploitation for domestic and commercial use. In the last twenty years alone, 95% of
mature trees have been cut down. Only four islands, Ajad, Bhaidar, Pirotan and
Kharachusa, and a small area on the mainland near Okha still support true mangrove
forest. These areas have been protected by sacred traditions or the good will of local
people. Elsewhere in the Gulf, the mangroves have been reduced to low bushes with a
maximum height of two metres. The principal species are Avicennia alba, Rhizophora
mucronata and Ceriops tagal.
Invertebrates and fishes: The coral reefs, mudflats and mangrove swamps support a
great variety of invertebrates, fishes and birds. A total of 32 hard (Scleractinavian)
and 12 soft (Alcyonarian) corals have been recorded, along with over 150 species of
fishes. Species diversity is probably highest amongst the sponges and worms, but only
preliminary investigations on most phyla have been carried out so far. Rarities include
an unusual Echiurid. Great range extensions have recently been discovered amongst
brittlestars and sponges, revealing an overlap between the marine faunas of the
Arabian Gulf and South India.
Reptiles: The marine turtles Chelonia mydas and Lepidochelys olivacea breed on
islands in the Gulf, but both are threatened by the fishermen of the Wagher
community. Several species of snakes occur, particularly in the mangrove scrub, and
one species of banded sea snake has been recorded.
Birds: An Oxford University Expedition to the Gulf in 1984 focused attention on the
avifauna, and discovered large concentrations of many species, particularly migratory
shorebirds. No overall census was possible, but a high-tide roost of 10,000 shorebirds
was located on Pirotan Island, and similar numbers were found on all the other islands
that were visited during the survey. The most numerous species were Charadrius
mongolus (over 3,000 at Pirotan and 6,000–9,000 on Bhaidar), Arenaria interpres
(1,500 at Pirotan and many more on Bhaidar), and Calidris ferruginea (3,000–4,000
on most of the islands). Other common shorebirds included
Species Name
Species Name
Calidris alba (200 at
Pirotan)
C. minuta
Numenius arquata
(flocks of up to 50)
N. phaeopus (120 at
Pirotan)
Philomachus pugnax
(2,000 at Pirotan)
Charadrius
leschenaultii
Haematopus ostralegus
(roosts of 50 at Goos
Reef and 25 at Pirotan)
Limicola falcinellus
Limosa lapponica
Pluvialis squatarola
Tringa totanus (200300 on Bhaidar and
150 at Pirotan)
Xenus cinereus (300
at Pirotan and larger
numbers on Bhaidar)
L. limosa
A particularly significant population of the Crab Plover Dromas ardeola occurs in the
Gulf of Kutch (over 5,000 individuals in February/March 1984) and the species may
well breed here. The Great Knot Calidris tenuirostris and Indian Skimmer Rynchops
albicollis have been recorded in winter. Other waterfowl observed in February/March
1984 included: 500 Pelecanus onocrotalus; 50 P. crispus; 3 P. philippensis; up to 20
Egretta gularis; 40 Sarkidiornis melanotos; and over 2,200 other ducks mainly Anas
clypeata, hundreds of gulls, mainly Larus ichthyaetus, L.brunnicephalus and L.
argentatus, and smaller numbers of the terns Gelochelidon nilotica, Hydroprogne
caspia and Sterna albifrons.
Many of the islands in the southern part of the Gulf support sizeable breeding colonies
of Phalacrocorax niger, Anhinga melanogaster, Nycticorax nycticorax, Ardeola
grayii, Butorides striatus, Egretta gularis, E. alba, Ardea cinerea, Mycteria
leucocephala, Threskiornis melanocephalus and Platalea leucorodia. The coastal salt
marshes and salt evaporation ponds are used by many of these birds, along with
hundreds of Phoenicopterus ruber, Phoeniconaias minor, Himantopus himantopus
and Recurvirostra avosetta.
Mammals: The Dugong Dugong dugon is present in small numbers, this being the
only population on the west coast of India. The cetaceans Sousa plumbea and
Neophocaena phocaenoides occur in the Gulf, but no data are available on their
status.
Land tenure: Largely state owned; there are some private holdings and Beyt and
Ajad Islands.
Land use: Until the early 20th century, Jamnagar was the centre of one of the biggest
pearl fisheries in the world, exploiting the eastern Gulf islands. A window-pane oyster
fishery developed at Okha in 1910, but uncontrolled exploitation has led to a
temporary ban on the collection of all oysters in the Gulf. Fishing remains an
important source of income and employment, although catches have declined
markedly in recent years. For many years, the Digvijay Cement Corporation dredged
sea sand from an area of 1,600 acres (648 ha) in the Gulf, but this has now ceased.
There are several salt works along the southern shore; the largest, at Okha, has over
20,000 ha of saltpans. The Gulf of Kutch is one of the best natural harbours in India;
an oil terminal has been built at Vadinar Island to accommodate very large oil tankers
(300,000-400,000 tons). There is an offshore single-buoy mooring system from which
the oil is pumped ashore. Several new industries have been established in the area in
recent years. Beyt and Ajad islands are permanently inhabited, and there is a
lighthouse on Pirotan with permanent staff.
Conservation measures taken: Some 45,792 ha of the Gulf of Kutch were declared a
Marine Sanctuary in 1980, and a further 16,289 ha were declared a Marine National
Park in 1982. A survey of the extent of the coral formations formed the basis for the
delineation of the Park boundaries. The protected areas were established in response
to the serious pollution and degradation of the mangrove/coral reef ecosystem that
now threatens the future of the Gulf. The cutting of mangroves has been prohibited,
and the collection of pearl and window-pane oysters temporarily banned. Since the
establishment of the National Park, the cement industry has been fined for dredging
outside its legal boundaries. Some 60 ha of Pirotan Island have been replanted with
mangroves by visiting school parties.
Conservation measures proposed: It has been widely proposed that the salt
extraction companies should be obliged to restore mangrove forests wherever
possible, and should be held responsible for the well-being of the forests surrounding
their operations. A plan to restock mangrove forests with seedlings has failed to gain
financial or political support, yet with proper legislation and cooperation, a
sustainable yield of mangrove products and a secure coastal fishery could be
achieved. A distinguished local Islamic leader is persuading visitors to plant
mangrove seedlings as part of their pilgrimage to Pirotan. The Gulf of Kutch has been
recommended on several occasions for designation as a Wetland of International
Importance under the Ramsar Convention.
Possible changes in land use: Depending upon administrative decisions and
Government resolve, the Gulf of Kutch could become an important centre for
environmentally sensitive development. However, it would seem likely that more,
rather than fewer, ontentioul illuel will arise as more pressure is exerted on the area by
industrial enterprises and an increasing human population in the hinterland.
Disturbances and threats: The many disturbances and threats to the Gulf of Kutch
are summarized by Palmes and Briggs (in press). Uncontrolled exploitation has
severely depleted the stocks of oysters. The dredging of sea sand to supply the cement
industry had a serious deleterious effect on the coral reefs. Unsubstantiated reports
suggested that there was some direct dredging of coral reefs, while considerable
damage was caused to the reefs both directly and indirectly through increased
sediment load. Fish catches in the Gulf are declining because of damage to the reefs
and uncontrolled exploitation of the mangrove forests. Large areas of mangrove forest
have been cleared to make room for new saltpans, and the remaining mangroves have
been damaged by local people gathering firewood and fodder for their livestock.
Renewed growth of the mangroves near the salt plans is severely constrained by the
needs of the largely itinerant salt workers for firewood. During the drought years of
1985-87, pressures increased on the mangrove areas. In late 1987, the Government
gave local people permission to collect mangrove foliage for fodder. This precipitated
a massive increase in the cutting of mangroves, and it is anticipated that by the end of
1988 not a single tree will have escaped unscathed. In some areas, the residues from
the salt evaporation process are having a damaging effect on the coastal fauna and
flora. There are no facilities to cope with oil spillage at Vadinar Island; minor spills
have already been reported, and the danger of a major spillage cannot be ignored.
There are various sources of pollution along the coast, chiefly from light industries in
the various towns, and a new fertilizer factory has been established at Sikka.
Additionally, a considerable amount of municipal waste is dumped in the Gulf from
barges. A proposal has recently been made to build tidal barrage across the mouth of
the Gulf to produce power for the region. If this plan is carried out, the changes in
tidal regime would almost certainly spell disaster for the coral reefs and mangrove/
mudflat ecosystem, and have a serious adverse effect on the fishing industry and
indigenous wildlife populations.
Socio-economic values: The Gulf supports a major fishery which is dependent to a
very large extent on the mangrove/mudflat ecosystem and coral reefs. The great
variety of fishes available in local markets indicates the wealth of these waters. The
value of the mangrove swamps as breeding and nursery grounds for commercially
valuable fishes, molluscs and crustaceans, far outweighs their value as firewood and
fodder. Similarly, the long-term values of the living coral formations far outweigh
their short-term value as a source of cheap limestone for the cement industry.
Developments in education, conservation and tourism will undoubtedly help the
socio-economic expansion of the region if managed in an appropriate manner.
Wildlife tours to the Gulf began in 1985 and have helped to publicize the importance
of the Gulf outside India.
Research and facilities: The Maharajah of Baroda recruited James Hornell to
undertake the first comprehensive study of the Gulf in 1908-1909. Several general
surveys have been carried out in recent years, and an Oxford University Expedition
made a detailed study of the Gulf in February and March 1984. Biologists from
Saurashtra University are currently conducting research into the natural resources of
the Gulf and their levels of exploitation. A field study centre and nature interpretation
cum tourist headquarters are now being developed on Pirotan Island.
Reference: De Block (1981); Fernandes (1987); Frazier and Mundkur (in prep);
Hussain (1987a); Karpowicz (1985); Naik et al. (1985); Silas et al. (1985); Yadava
(1985); WWF India (1993).
LAY KUSH TIRATH
Lay Kush Tirath situated on 29° 55’ N, 76° 00’ E in 95 km WNW of Karnal,
Haryana. It is a small freshwater lake and associated marshes on the rolling plains of
northwestern Haryana. The total area of the wetland is 8 ha.
Abiotic factors: Dry tropical monsoon climate typical of the Upper Ganges Plain.
Flora: No information.
Birds: An important area for both resident and migratory waterfowl, notably
Ardeidae, Ciconiidae, Anatidae and Gruidae.
Conservation measures taken: A reserve was established in May 1974, but the
status of protection is unknown.
Socio-economic values: The area is a site of religious significance.
SULTANPUR JHEELS
A group of shallow freshwater lakes and associated marshes on rolling cultivated
plains southwest of Delhi, Haryana. The lakes and marshes flood during the monsoon
and, in years of adequate rainfall, retain water until at least March or April. Some of
the Jheels, including the main lake in the Bird Sanctuary, have been increased in size
by the construction of embankments (bunds). A large area of seasonally flooded sedge
marsh extends north from the main lake. In recent years of low rainfall, only a few
small pools have remained by mid-winter, some 30 cm in depth. The total area of the
Jheels is 13,727 ha including a core are of 144 ha containing the main lake (346 ha).
Consequently, pumping of groundwater is undertaken each year to maintain some
waterfowl habitat. Surrounding areas are cultivated, heavily grazed, and for the most
part rather degraded. The land slopes gently northwards through a region of
innumerable stabilised sand dunes; the climate and soils are not conducive to the
existence of permanent water bodies, and thus saline flashes predominate by late
winter even in years of normal monsoon rainfall.
Abiotic factors: Ganges Monsoon climate with scanty rainfall, very similar to that of
Delhi. The monsoon rains have been well below average in several recent years.
Macrophytes: There are small areas of Typha sp., and Phragmites sp., around
several of the Jheels, and some emergent vegetation within the lakes, particularly in
the core area. Extensive sedge marshes, particularly to the north of the main lake,
form a loose mosaic with areas of dry grassland. The natural vegetation of the region
is semi-arid scrub, but 78% of the buffer zone is under cultivation.
Birds: In years of adequate rainfall, a very important wintering area for a wide
variety of waterfowl, notably pelicans, ducks, geese, and cranes. Waterfowl observed
during a brief survey in January 1986 included: 450 Pelecanus onocrotalus, 15
P.crispus, 150 Phalacrocorax carbo, 70 herons and egrets of seven species, 35
Mycteria leucocephala, 200 Platalea leucorodia, 150 Phoenicopterus ruber, 100
Anser anser, 350 A. indicus, 120 Grus grus, 500 Fulica atra, 50 Chlidonias hybridus,
and over 12,000 ducks of 12 species (mainly wigeon, gadwall, common teal, shoveler,
pochard) and small numbers of shorebirds of 20 species. Noteworthy species recorded
in small numbers included white necked stork, white ibis, black ibis, spoonbill, comb
duck, sarus crane, purple moorhen, painted snipe. As many as 250 Pelecanus crispus,
300 Platalea leucorodia, 200 Phoenicopterus ruber and 800 Grus grus have been
reported in other winters, and Anthropoides virgo has been recorded on migration.
Following the failure of the monsoon in 1986, the wetland was much reduced in size,
and less than a thousand waterfowl were present in January 1987. No information is
available on the breeding birds. The trees planted on islands in the main lake are still
too small to support sizeable numbers of breeding herons and storks, but the situation
will doubtless improve as the trees mature. Many species of raptors occur in the area,
including the Imperial eagle, greater spotted eagle, and tawny eagle and marsh harrier
(Circus aeruginosus).
Land tenure: The core area (144 ha) is state-owned (State Wildlife Department);
surrounding areas are under private or village panchayat control.
Land use: The core area is managed primarily as a waterfowl reserve and tourist
attraction. The buffer zone encompasses 17 revenue villages. Local villagers graze
their livestock within the Sanctuary, and gather aquatic vegetation for thatch and
fodder, although this has become illegal since the area was declared a National Park.
Conservation measures taken: A core area of 144 ha, including the main lake, was
declared a Bird Sanctuary by the Haryana State Government in April 1971. In 1991,
Sultanpur was upgraded to National Park status. The Park is administered by the
Wildlife Department and adjoining tourist complex by the Haryana Tourism
Development Corporation. The Park is under the control of the Divisional Forest
Officer, Gurgaon, assisted by a Range Officer, an Inspector of Wildlife, and their
staff. All hunting has been prohibited within a radius of 10 km of the core area.
Acacias have been planted on islands in the main lake to attract breeding birds.
Conservation measures proposed: A study by the Environmental Services Group of
WWF India (Fernandes 1987) has suggested several possible management approaches
which take into account the prevailing land-use practices and the local resource needs
of the area. These include: (a) better demarcation of the buffer zone, which should
include the catchment area of the wetlands; (b) the planting of salt tolerant species
such as Tamarix sp. and Sesbania bispinosa at the wetlands; (c) reafforestation in
surrounding areas with ground cover and deep rooted trees to stabilize the soil. This
vegetation would reduce surface run-off velocity, thereby reducing siltation, and
would serve as wind breaks reducing the amount of wind blown sand and silt. The
vegetation would help to reduce the rate of evapo-transpiration, thereby maintaining
the water in the wetlands for a longer period, and would also provide shelter and
nesting habitat for water birds. The Environmental Services Group also recommended
that land-use patterns in surrounding areas be modified; there should be a change in
cropping patterns to rotational and mixed cropping, and in areas where dry farming
takes place, permanent cropping should be promoted, e.g. Zizyphus spp., Vigra spp.,
Cajanus cajan, Psidium guava and Morus alba. Livestock grazing should be
prohibited near the wetlands, and social forestry should be encouraged in order to
prevent the unscrupulous cutting of trees for fodder and fuel. All industrial activities
should be banned and steps taken immediately to reclaim the quarried areas for social
forestry and agriculture. Pisciculture might be encouraged at some of the wetlands,
and additional grazing land should be provided through planting to reduce overall
grazing pressure.
Disturbances and threats: Small numbers of cattle and water buffalo are grazed
within the Sanctuary, but there is no fishing or human activity on the lake itself. There
is a high level of disturbance from tourist activity, particularly when water levels are
low and the birds are concentrated in a small area. Siltation caused by soil erosion in
the catchment area is increasing. The excavation of sand for nearby lime and brick
industries also poses a serious threat to the Sanctuary. Land-use practices in the
catchment - expanding settlements, and construction of farmhouses and other
buildings have impeded the natural flow of water into the lake, with the result that the
wetland is drying up. Monsoon failure and siltation on account of windblown dust
settling in the lake have accentuated the problem. Except for a brief spell after the
rains, pools of water have to be artificially maintained by pumping up groundwater.
Many of the surrounding waterbodies have been reclaimed for cultivation.
Socio-economic values: Situated only 45 km from centre for outdoor recreation,
notably bird-watching, and provides excellent opportunities for scientific research and
conservation education.
Reference:
1990.
WWFINDIA (1987, 1992, 1993); Wetlands of India – A Directory,
BHATEGAON DAM
Bhategaon dam is situated (19° 25’ N, 77° 25’ E) in the Parbhani district,
Maharashtra. Bhategaon pond is perennial natural water body used for culture of
Indian major carps, which received rainwater from surrounding hills. The catchment
area of pond is 15.54 sq.km, annual utilization
2.07 sq.km and total water spread
area is about 46.94 ha. The length of the earthen dam is 452 m and maximum flood
lift 1.50 m, while top width of wall is 360 m.
Abiotic factors: Tropical monsoon climate. The water temperature varies from 18 to
29°C. The pH values ranged from 7.1 to 8.8.
Phytoplankton: Oscillatoria, Microcystis, Diatoma sp., Synedra, Euglena sp.,
Hydra, Cattalis, Typha, Potamogeton.
Zooplankton: Amoeba cyst, Paramoecium, Rotifera sp., Daphnia pulex, D. vosea,
Diaphanosoma, Cyclops scutifer, Diaptomus sp., Mesocyclops sp.
Mollusca:
ferrica.
Lemadian corrionus, Indonia caerules, Thaira tuberculata, Limpet
Crustaceans:
Barytelphusa cunicularies and Insect larvae
Chironomidae; Dobensofly – Margarati)
(Chironomus-
Land use: The dam is used for fishing and domestic purpose.
Conservation measures proposed: No information
domestic use.
The lake supports an important fishing industry and
Reference: Kadam et al ., (2005); Ugale and Hiware, (2005).
JAGATUNGA SAMUDRA RESERVOIR
Jagatunga Samudra reservoir is one of the ancient, perennial water bodies, situated
near (18° 15’–19° 55’ N, 77° 40’–70° 15’ E) Kandhar town, Nanded district,
Maharashtra.
33°C. The pH values ranged from 7.1 to 10.18
Fauna: No information
Land use: Domestic purpose and irrigation
Socio-economic values: The reservoir water is fir for irrigation, fish culture, cloth
washing unfit for drinking.
Reference: Hiware and Ugale, (2002).
JAYAKWADI RESERVOIR
Jayakawadi reservoir is situated in (19° 30’ N, 75° 20’ E) Aurangabad district, 180
km northeast of Pune, Maharashtra. A large water-storage reservoir, some 56 km long
and up to 27 km wide, formed behind the Jayakwadi Dam on the uppermost reaches
of the Godavari river. The shoreline supports little emergent vegetation. Seven
seasonal streams and two perennial or near-perennial streams feed the lake. In years
of normal monsoon rains, the reservoir fills up in September and October to a
maximum depth of 32 m. The water spread area is about 40,000 ha at maximum
extent. The surroundings are generally rather arid, with irrigated areas of cotton,
pulses, and other crops. The reservoir was declared a bird sanctuary in 1986; however,
the boundary of the sanctuary has not yet been demarcated and neither has any staff
been recruited.
•
JAYAKAWADI RESERVOIR
Abiotic factors: Semi-arid, tropical monsoon climate, with an average annual rainfall
of 359 mm, a maximum temperature of 44°C, and a minimum temperature of 10°C.
pH value of 8.0 has been recorded.
Macrophytes: The aquatic vegetation includes species of Chara, Spirogyra,
Hydrilla, Potamogeton, and Vallisneria. Argemone mexicana occurs in surrounding
areas.
Fishes: The lake is reported to be rich in fishes, freshwater molluscs and crustaceans.
Birds: In years of adequate rainfall, the reservoir is an important wintering area for
migratory waterfowl. In January 1987, following several years of low rainfall,
relatively few birds were observed; these included:
Species Name
Species Name
Anas Penelope (810)
Gelochelidon
nilotica (90)
Glareola lacteal
(385)
Anastomus oscitans (17)
Aythya ferina (200)
A. fuligula (1650)
A. nyroca (50)
Ciconia episcopus (11)
Nettapus
coromandelianus
(80)
Phalacrocorax niger
(220)
Tachybaptus
ruficollis (106)
Threskiornis
melanocephalus (38)
FuIica atra (3750)
The reservoir is a very important roosting site for demoiselle cranes (Anthropoides
virgo); some 3085 were recorded in January 1987.
Land tenure: The reservoir is state-owned; surrounding areas are privately owned.
Land use: Fishing and water supply for irrigation and domestic use; agriculture and
plantation forestry in surrounding areas.
Conservation measures taken: The reservoir was gazetted as a Bird Sanctuary in
November 1986. Hunting, including both trapping and shooting, is prohibited.
Conservation measures proposed: There are plans to plant trees around the edge of
the lake.
Disturbances and threats: Trapping and shooting of birds continue to a limited
extent, despite the ban on hunting.
Socio-economic values: The waters of the lake supply neighbouring agricultural land
and urban area.
Research and facilities: Some waterfowl censuses have been carried out.
PANZARA DAM
Panzara dam located (20° 55’ 1” N, 74° 5’ 30”E) near Pimpalner town of Tal-Sakri,
Dhule district, Maharashtra. The dam was constructed in the year 1966. The reservoir
has water spread area about 6478 ha.
Abiotic factors: Tropical monsoon climate. The mean water temperature is 26.27°C.
The mean pH value is 7.86.
Algae: A total of 23 genera were recorded. These are follows;
Species Name
Species Name
Anabaena
Oocystis
Chlamydomonas
Oscilatoria
Cocconies
Pandorina
Coelastum
Pediastrum
Cosmarium
Phormidium
Cymbella
Pinnularia
Euglena
Scenedesmus
Fragillaria
Spirogyra
Lyngbya
Spirulina
Microcystis
Surirella
Navicula
Synedra
Nitzschia
Reference: More and Nandan, (2003); More and Nandan, (2001)
SIDDHEWADI RESERVOIR
Siddhewadi reservoir is situated (16° 46’–17° 1’ N, 73° 42’–72° 4’ E) near Ped
village, about 30 km from Tasgaon, sangli district, Maharashtra. This is an medium
irrigation reservoir. It is constructed during the year 1972–1977 having height of 421
meters. The water spread area of the reservoir is about 200.48. The reservoirs store
rain water received from adjoining catchments area through smaller channels. The
substratum is almost hard with rocky nature.
in atmosphere and 20 to 32°C in water.
Phytoplankton: A total of 27 species were recorded. These are follows;
Species Name
Species Name
Anabaena spp.
Nitzchia spp.
Anguillula spp.
Nostoc spp.
Apanotheca stagnina
Oscillatoria chlorine
Arthrospira spp.
Pharaddium spp.
Beggiatoa spp.
Pinnularia spp.
Cladophora spp.
Entrophysalis granulose
Rhizochloris
mirabilis
Scenedesmus
acuminatus
Spirochaetes spp.
Gleothece confluence
Spirogyra spp.
Lygnbya majuscule
Stauronesis spp.
Merismopedia
tenuissima
Microcystis aeruginosa
Strastrum spp.
Microspore spp.
Tribonema spp.
Closterium spp.
Tabellaria spp.
Navicula mutica
Land use: The reservoir is used for fishing and irrigation
small fishery supplying local markets.
Reference: Hiware and Ugale, (2002)
PED RESERVOIR
Ped reservoir is situated (16° 46’–17° 1’ N, 73° 42’–72° 4’ E) near Ped village, about
30 km from Tasgaon, sangli district, Maharashtra. This is medium irrigation reservoir.
It is constructed during the year 1970–1974 having height of 747.45 meters. The
water spread area is about 33.20 ha. The reservoirs store rain water received from
adjoining catchment area through smaller channels. The substratum is almost hard
with rocky nature.
in atmosphere and 24 to 31°C in water.
Species Name
Species Name
Anabaena spp.
Nitzchia spp.
Apanotheca stagnina
Chlorella spp.
Pharaddium spp.
Clathrocystis spp.
Pherimidium spp.
Closterium spp.
Pinnularia spp.
Coelosphalerium spp.
Gleocapsa spp.
Scenedesmus
acuminatus
Spaeracystis spp.
Hydrodicyton spp.
Spirogyra spp.
Hyella caespitosa
Tetraspora spp.
Lygnbya majuscule
Tribonema spp.
Navicula mutica
Land use: The reserved is used for fishing and irrigation
Reference: Hiware and Ugale, (2002)
DHOM RESERVOIR
Dhom reservoir is situated (17° 5’–18° 11’ N, 73° 33’ E) in the Dhom village, Satara
district, Maharashtra. The Dhom dam is constructed on the river Krishna primarily for
the irrigation purpose. It is irregular in shape and has a masonry work 241 m at the
dam site and is constructed 10 km downstream of the origin of the river and is
surrounded by hills. The stored water is mainly used for irrigation. It has a catchment
area of 217.55 km2. Total submerged area is 2021 ha. stored water is primarily used
for irrigation. The length of the reservoir is 2237 m in earthen and 241 m in masonry.
The storage of clam is 382.32 mm3 in Gross,
335.10 mm3 in live and 47.22 mm3
in dead.
29.5°C. The pH values ranged from 6.5 to 8.17.
Phytoplankton:
Species Name
Species Name
Amphora
Monoraphidium
Ankistrodesmus
Navicula
Anomoeoneis
Nitzchia
Chlorella
Pandorina
Closterium
Peridinium
Cocconeis
Phacus
Cyclotella
Phormidium
Cymbella
Pinnularia
Diatoma
Raphidiopsis
Elakatothrix
Scenedesmus
Eudorina
Spirogyra
Fragilaria
Staurastrum
Mastogloia
Surirella
Melosira
Synedra
Meridion
Tetraedron
Merismopedia
Ulothrix
Microcystis
Zooplankton: Keratella sp., K. serrulata, Notholca sp., Nauplius (copepodes),
Brachionus calcyflorus, Monostyla sp.
Land use: The reservoir is used for irrigation purpose.
Reference: Khatavkar and Trivedy (1993); Trivedi (1993)
AMBEDKAR TANK
Ambedkar tank is situated on Lat. 16° 42’ N and Long. 74° 14’ E in the north-eastern
out skirts of Kolhapur city, very near to the bank of Panchaganga river and Kolhapur
sugar mill, Maharashtra. The age of this ware body is considered to be about 100
years. It was initially a stone querry which was later given rectangular shape after
constructing walls around, and a garden all along one side of the water body. The total
water spread area is about 12,000 m2. Major source of water to this water body is rain,
domestic sewage from the surrounding human settlements and the cloth washing
wastewater.
Macrophytes: Eichhornia crassipes and Pistia stratiotes
Fishes: Tilapia mosambica
Land use: The reserved is used for irrigation
Pollution status: The water body is highly polluted with organic matter as is
apparent from the foul smell and colour of the water. The major sources of pollution
is the entry of sewage and cloth washing waster from the surrounding areas. A heavy
silting has been reported from the water body, and for this reason, the sediments were
removed thrice in 1962, 1972 and 1986 by municipal authorities. Morphologically the
water body is rectangular with a maximum length of 150 m and a maximum breadth
of 80 m. The area of this water body at the full capacity is 12,000 m2. The maximum
depth of this water body has been reported to be about 20 feet. An outline map
showing the contours, sampling site and surrounding areas.
Reference: Khatavkar and Trivedy (1993).
EKRUK RESERVOIR
The Ekruk is a oldest reservoir, situated in the Solapur district, Maharashtra. It was
constructed in 1871. The total area is about 1842 ha. The length of the reservoir is
2134 m and depth is 21.45 m.
Fishes: Fishes are regularly stocked and harvested by owners.
Land tenure: State-owned (During the past few years the reservoir given on lease to
private parties for fishing).
Land use: The reserved is used for irrigation and fishing
Reference: Sakhare (2001); Khatavkar et al. (2004).
RANKALA LAKE
Rankala lake is situated (16° 42’ N, 74° 14’ E) in the western part of the city on
Kolhapar-Goa road, Maharashtra. The lake is flanked by hills and agriculture on
western and southern sides. East and North sides were compounded by stony walls. A
beautiful picnic resort has been developed around the lake with recreational boating.
The place is commonly known as “Rankala-Chaupati”. The length of the dam is 3.6
km. The water from the Rankala irrigate 283 ha of the land. The lake with an area of
1.05 m2, 4.06 m2, mean depth 4.26x106m3 capacity and about 4450 m shore is about
110 years old. There seems to be no big industry in the catchment area. The lake is
fed only from the run-off in the catchment area. Large amount of organic matter is
brought through the run-off and lake itself is subjected to tremendous human activity.
Macrophytes: Hydrilla veticillata, Chara sp., Nymphaea stellata and Eichhornia
crassipes.
Land use: The lake is used for irrigation purpose.
valuable source of water for irrigation.
Pollution Status: The most important being recreation, large scale clothe washing,
human bathing, cattle wading and also the disposal of offerings on the religious
occasions. Another important source of pollution is the disposal of raw sewage
through some small drains, through it seems to be very minor and irregular.
HINGNI RESERVOIR
Hingni reservoir is situated in the Solapur district, Maharashtra. Hingni (Pangaon) the
second important reservoir in the district and was constructed in 1976 near village
Pangaon and Hingni. The depth of the reservoir is 21.87 m and length is 2134 m. The
total area is about
1006 ha.
Fishes: The major fishery of the reservoir is supported by Channa marulins,
Mastacembelus armatus, Ambassis spp., Mystus spp., etc.
Land use: The reserved is used for irrigation and fishing
Reference: Sakhate (2001).
HADI MANGROVE WETLAND
It is situated (16° 08’ 38” N, 73° 28’ 36” E) on the upland area (10-40 m) between the
creek and the creek arm, which is extended southwards to Kandalgaon, Maharashtra.
The tidal amplitude in this region is around 2 m.
Abiotic factors: The temperature range between 18°C to 35°C and relative humidity
ranges from 50 to 90%. The average rainfall is 2000–3000 mm during the months of
June to September and the mean salinity ranges from 5–3%.
Mangroves: The fringing areas are dominated by Rhizophora mucronata and
Avicennia officinalis. In addition, mangroves like Rhizopora apiculata, Avicennia
marina, Sonneratia alba and Excoecaria agallocha occur frequently. A rare
population of Kandelia candel has also been encountered from this region. In the
oligohaline zone (salinity less than 5%) Aegiceras corniculatum grows in abundance.
Land use: Forest exploitation and fishing for finfish, prawns, and crabs.
coastal erosion.
Reference: Kumaran et al. (2004)
JAWALGAON RESERVOIR
Jawalgaon reservoir is situated on Solapur district, Tuljapur-Vairag road about 27 km
from Tuljapur, Maharashtra. The reservoir was constructed in the year 1977 at village
Jawalgaon. The length of the reservoir is
1230 m and depth is 21.71 m. The total
area of the reservoir is about 858 ha.
Fishes: About 23 species have been recorded. These are follows;
Species Name
Species Name
Catla catla
Mystus cavassius
Chanda nama
M. seenghala
C. ranga
Notopterus chitala
C. gachua
N. notopterus
Channa marulius
Ompak bimaculatus
Cirrhinus mrigala
Puntius kolus
C. reba
P. sarana
Cyprinus carpio
P. sophore
Glossogobius giuris
giuris
Hypopthalmicthys
molithrix
Labeo calbasu
P. ticto tict
Rhinomugil corsula
Wallago attu
L. rohita
Socio-economic values: The reservoir supplies water for irrigating about 4,451 ha of
area.
Reference: Sakhare (2001).
SHAMBHU LAKE
It is a famous place of pilgrimage situated in a book of the Shikhar Shingnapur hills,
Maharashtra. The hill, crowned by a temple of Mahadev to which the village owes its
celebrity, appears at a distance like the points of a very obtuseangled cone. The hills
which surround the town look bare and wretched. The rains too are so light and
intermittent in this part of the Satara District that little difficulty would be experienced
in visiting Shingnapur even during the mansoon. It is ‘T’ shaped, the cross of the ‘T’
stretching north and south and shoot stem to the west. The catchment area of the
reservoir is largely occupied by bare hills and very few agricultural fields. There are
only few human settlement present. Except for the openings, the water body is
completely enclosed by walls. The walls are highest and strongest at the openings
before mentioned where they constitute a masonry dam to the streams which could
otherwise pour their waters away from those hills in a south easterly direction. The
wall at this part was about 3 m – out of the water, and therefore probably 7 m high
atleast. Its breadth here, as everywhere also, it about 1.5 m while nowhere does the
masonry appear to have given way. The flood mark of the water appears at 1.2 m
from the wall top, and the leakage from the waterbody is high. On the south where
lies the village is a set of bathing ghats or steps. These, with the solid and square built
houses of the village which give it almost a fortified appearance, have very
picturesque aspect viewed from the north end of the pond. The wall is everywhere
studded with projecting stones to enable bathers or others to climb up and down. At
the east and is a sluice through which water is let out to garden lands, while in the
north east corner and the centre of the north bank are two waterlifts by which water is
drawn from wells dug in the sides of the lake.
Macrophytes: Myriophyllum and Potamogeton
Land use: The lake is used for drinking purpose.
Socio-economic values: The local villagers are dependent on the lake for fish,
drinking water, and other domestic needs.
Pollution status: There is no industry in the village and whatever waste are
generated are only in the form of domestic sewage. There is neither an organized
systems of sewage collection nor any septic tank.
YAMAI LAKE
Yamai lake is situated on Lat. 17° 33’ N and Long. 74° 23’ E at Aundh which fall in
khatav taluka, Satara district, Maharashtra. The area is in the rain shadow of
Sahayadri ranges of Western ghats. It experiences comparatively quite low rainfall.
The village Aundh is a famous place of Pilgrimage and lies in a basin of small hills
entirely sheltered from the north and east. It has been a state ruled by the Pant
Pratinidhi family. The water body is rectangular with an area of 8316 m3, a length of
108 m and breadth of 77 m. The maximum depth of the water body is about 3 m.
There are bathing ghat on one side and masonry steps on the three sides for access of
the people to the water. The water body is completely bound by stoney walls, having
inlet towards north and outlet towards east. There are no macrophytes in the water
body. Water is usually dark green in appearance. The water body is surrounded
mainly by the human settlements and temples on two sides while the remaining sides
have agricultural fields in close proximity. The main source of the water is rain and
the over flow from the adjacent pond. The main source of water to the adjacent pond
is from an ephemeral river called Nanni river, originating from a nearby hills, which
flows through agricultural fields. The overflow from this pond is the main water
source of Yamai lake.
Abiotic factors: Tropical monsoon climate
Land use: The lake water is used for domestic purpose.
Socio-economic values: The village peoples are used bathing and washing purpose
Pollution status: There is no direct entry of any waste in the lake but cloth-washing
and bathing is common. At the time of festival when a large number of people (about
70,000 to 80,000) take holy dip in the water, the water body is subjected to intensive
human activity.
UJJINI RESERVOIR
Ujjini is a large reservoir of the Maharashtra state is constructed across river Bhima in
1978. The total water spread area of the reservoir is about 29,000 ha. and maximum
depth is 10.7 m.
Fishes: The reservoir was stocked with fingerlings of Indian major carps at two
numbers of them per hectare.
Reference: Sakhare (2001).
NATHSAGAR RESERVOIR
Nathsagar reservoir is one of the major irrigation projects in Maharashtra state. It has
been constructed across the river Godavari, a major river in southern India. The
catchment area of Nathsagar dam is 21750 km2 and impounding gross storage of dam
is 2909 million cubic meters. The submergence area of dam is 35000 ha. The
maximum height of this dam is 37 meter. This project has rehabilitated 107 villages.
Nathsagar is one of the largest shallow wetland habitats which was traced by the
migratory birds, 10-12 years ago. Now due to favorable environmental factors, ample
food and safeness, this habitat is at the peak in fetching the birds from November to
February every year.
Fishes: A total of 66 species were recorded. These are follows:
Species Name
Species Name
Amblypharyngodon mola
Muraena anguilla
Aorichthys aor
Muraenesox bagio
A. seenghala
Mystus armatus
Barilius bendelisis
M. tengara
Branchydanio rerio
Nandus nandus
Catla buchanani
Nemacheilus aureus
C. catla
N. botia
Channa marulius
C. orientalis
Ompak bimuculatus
C. punctatus
Osteobrama bhimensis
Chitala chitala
O. cotio
Cirrhinus cirrhosus
Osteochilichthys
godavariensis
Pangasius pangasius
C. mrigala
Clarius batrachus
Ctenopharyngodon idellus
Parasilorhynchus
tentacularis
Plotosus lineatus
Cyprinus carpio carpio
Poecilia reticulate
Danio aequipinnatus
D. fraseri
Pseudeutropinus taakree
taakree
Puntius chola
D. malbaricus
P. dorsalis
D. rerio
P. fraseri
Esomus danricus
P. jerdoni
Eutropiichthys vacha
P. melanostigma
Gambusia affinis
P. sahyadriensis
Gara gotyla gotyla
P. sarana sarana
G. mullya
P. sophore
Glossogobius giuris giuris
P. ticto
Glyptothorax conirostrae
poonaensis
Rasbora daniconius
Hypothalmichthys molitrix
Salmostoma clupeoides
Labeo calbasu
S. novacula
L. rohita
Silonia childreni
Mastacembelus armatus
Thannichthys sandkhol
Monopterus cuchia
Wallago attu
Rohtee ogilbii
Land use: The reserved is used for irrigation for agriculture
small fishery supplying local markets, and could, if appropriately managed.
Reference: Khedkar (2005).
WADALI LAKE
Wadali lake is situated (20° 55’ N, 77° 48’ E) on the southeast of the Amravati
University campus, Amravati, Maharashtra. The lake is surrounded by open hills
towards East which drain water during monsoon. The lake also receives waste water
from the Wadali Zoo and forest quarters from South and additional drainage is also
from S.R.P. Camp from the North side. The catchment area of the lake is about
1.5 km2 and water spread area is 1,99000 m3. The lake shows varied depth from 0.2 m
to maximum 3.06 m.
Macrophytes: The macrophytic flora was dominated by Hydrilla, Vallisnaria,
Ceratophylum and Chara spp.
Crustacean: Macrobrachium kistnensis, Macrobrachium malcomsoni and Caridina
nilotica. Paratelphusa macanni; P. cunicularis and P. hydrodromus.
Insects:
Species Name
Species Name
Aedes sp.
Laccotrephes
Anisops sardea
Caenis perpusilla
Corixa sp.
maculates
Lepidiapharius
kashmirensis
Lestes spp.
Culex sp.
Limnometra
fluviorum
Lithocerus indicum
Cybister limbatus
Macrogomphus
Cybister rugulosus
Matrona
Diplonychus rusticurn
Mesovelia onentalis
Donacia sp.
Microvelia dileta
Eretes sticticus
Plea pallula
Herbrus pusillus
Ranatra elongata
Hydrometra vitttata
Sandracottus festiviis
Hyphoporus sp.
Land tenure: Private-owned
Land use: Human activities like washing of clothes and vehicles are predominant on
south and west shore of the lake.
Disturbances and threats: The area of lake is bound by marginal weeds and vegetal
coverage on which domestic animals graze adding their excreta into the water.
Socio-economic values: The lake water is used for bathing and washing by local
inhabitants.
Pollution status: Lake water polluted by domestic animals.
Reference: Meshram (2003).
YELDARI RESERVOIR
The Yeldari reservoir (19° 43’ N, 76° 45’ E), a purely hydro-electric project, was
constricted in the year 1962 in the hilly area of Jintur tashsil, Parbhani district,
Maharashtra. The reservoir is included in the Survey of India top sheet map
no.564/10. The area around the reservoir comprises forest covered hills. The reservoir
having catchment area of 7,330 sq.km. The maximum level of reservoir is 462.380 m.
•
YELDARI RESERVOIR
Phytoplankton: The following phytoplankton species are recorded in this reservoir;
i.e.
Species Name
Species Name
Anabaena sp.
Navicula mutica
Arthrospira spp.
Nitzchia sp.
Chlorella vulgaris
Nostoc spp.
Cladophora sp.
Oedogonium sp
Closterium sp.
Oscillatoria chlorina
Cosmarium
microsporum
Cyclotella operculata
Pandorina morum
Cymbella turgida
Phormidium sp.
Eudorina sp.
Pinnularia viridis
Fragilaria sp.
Scenedesmus sp.
Gomophonema gracile
Lygnbya majuscule
Spirogyra
margariata
Stichococcus sp.
Melosira sp.
Synedra ulna
Pediastrum duplex
Microcystis areuginosa
Ulothrix zonata
Microspora sp.
Volvox sp.
Species Name
Species Name
Brachionus calyflorus
Euchianis dilate
B. diversicornis
Filina longiseta
Alona rectangular
Indialona ganapati
Biapertura karma
Keratella tropica
Brachionus flacatus
Lecane bulla
Candocypria osborni
Ceriodaphnia cornuta
Mesocyclops
hyalinus
M. leukarti
Cyclocypris globosa
Moina micrura
Cyclops viridis
Nauplius larva
Cypris sp.
D. sarsi
Neodiaptomus
lindbergi
Phylladiaptomus
annae
Stenocypris sp.
Diaptomus marshianus
Trichocera porellus
Zooplankton:
Diaphanosoma excisum
Land use: The reservoir is used for irrigation
Reference: Sakhare and Joshi (2006).
NANDUR MADHAMESHWAR
The reservoir is situated (20° 01’ N, 74° 07’ E) at the headwaters of the Godavari
river, 35 km east of Nasik, Nasik district, Maharashtra. Nandur Madhameshwar is a
large water-storage reservoir (1500–2000 ha) created by the construction of a dam at
the confluence of the Godavari and Kadva rivers in 1907. The reservoir fills with
monsoon run-off during July-September and may overflow in years of heavy rainfall.
Water is released from the reservoir at fixed intervals from October to April. Huge
amounts of silt have been deposited over the last 80 years; consequently much of the
lake is now marshland or very shallow water. There are three large islands covered
with reed-beds and sedge marshes. As the dry season progresses, the Godavari river
becomes the main water-course once again. An ancient temple (Madhameshwar) is
situated on the banks of Godavari river below the dam. The presence of about 23
small lakes within a radius of 25 km of the reservoir adds to the overall importance of
the region.
•
NANDUR MADHAMESHWAR
Abiotic factors: Semi-arid, tropical monsoon climate with a average annual rainfall
of 500 mm. Summer temperatures range from 25°C to 43°C, winter temperatures
from 4°C to 26°C.
Macrophytes: Almeida (1983) lists 463 species of plants, including over 80 species
of aquatic plants; The latter include
Species Name
Species Name
Azolla pinnata
P. geniculatum
Cryptdcorine spiralis
Phyla nodiflora
Cyperus spp.
Polygonum glabrum
Echiinochloa colnum
P. plebeium
Potamogeton crispus
P. pectinata
Hygrophila auriculata
P. perfoliata
Ipomoea aquatica
Rumex dentatus
I. fistulosa
Spirodela polyrrhiza
Marsilea minuta
Typha angustata
Ottelia alismoides
Paspalidium flavidum
Zeuzine
strateomatica
The surrounding areas are intensively cultivated for sugarcane, wheat, jawar, and
vineyards, and the landscape is almost devoid of trees.
Fishes: Over 20 species of fish have been recorded in the reservoir, including
Species Name
Species Name
Aspidoparis morar
Barilius bendelisis
Mastacembelus
armatus
Mystus cavasius
Channa ranga
Ompok bimaculatus
Chela clupeoides
Cirrhina reba
Parasilorhynchus
prateri
Puntius amphibius
Danio malabaricus
P. fraseri
Gawa mullya
P. sarena
Labeo boggut
P. ticto
L. calbasu
Rasbora daniconius
Birds: At least 235 species of bird are known to occur, of which 85% are migratory.
The reservoir is particularly important as a staging and wintering area for migratory
waterfowl. Up to 15,000 waterfowl have been recorded in winter, and even more are
reported to be present during the migration seasons. A waterfowl census in January
1987 recorded aIn1ost 12,000 waterfowl, including:
Species Name
Species Name
Anastolmus oscitans
(100)
Anthropoides virgo
(700)
Ardeola grayii (290)
Bubulcus ibis (210)
Calidris minuta (500)
Ciconia ciconia (40)
Egretta alba (60)
E. garzetta (200)
Fulica atra (2000)
Glareola lactea (800)
Himantopus himantopus
(600)
Limosa limosa (700)
Nycticorax
nycticorax (25)
Phalacrocorax niger
(750)
Platalea leucorodia
(80)
(115)
Pseudibis papillosa
(110)
Tadorna ferruginea
(60)
Threskiornis
melanocephalus (40)
Tringa Nebularia
(300)
T. tetanus (300)
Other Tringa sp.
(1200)
Other ducks (2500)
Mammals: Mammals known to occur in the area include the Fishing Cat (Felis
viverrina)
Land tenure: Some 1758 ha is under the State Irrigation Department; 21,867 ha
under the Revenue Department; 8177 ha under private ownership and 55 ha under
Forest Department.
Land use: The reservoir supplies water to the local villages for irrigation and
domestic use. Cattle are grazed along the edge of the reed-beds, and reeds are
harvested each year. There is a little fishing in the open waters. Surrounding areas are
used for agriculture.
Conservation measures taken: A non-hunting area of 2380.6 ha was established in
September 1983. The area, including the reservoir, was declared a Bird Sanctuary in
February 1980, although lands under the State Revenue and Irrigation Departments
have not been transferred to the sanctuary authorities. There are 11 villages (yet to be
settled) within the Sanctuary. Plantation has been done on 55 ha of land under the
Forest Department.
Conservation measures proposed: Proposals for the development and management
of the Bird Sanctuary include the eradication of Eichhornia crassipes and
Parthenium, demarcation of the boundaries, construction of observation towers and
footpaths, creation of a fish pond, construction of a museum, information centre and
accommodation facilities, and purchase of boats to enable visitors to approach the
birds. An immediate requirement is the planting of Acacia, Ficus and Neem trees on
the islands and bunds to provide nesting and roosting sites for large water birds.
Possible changes in land use: There are plans to replace the old dam with a new one
and dredge out parts of the lake to restore its original capacity. The fishery could be
expanded, particularly if dredging is carried out.
Disturbances and threats: The main disturbance to the ecosystem at present is the
large-scale removal of aquatic vegetation for fodder and fuel. Fishing is sometimes
excessive, and grazing by domestic livestock may cause disturbance to waterfowl
populations. A sugar refinery near the reservoir is a. possible source of pollution. The
replacement of the old dam, with a new dam and extensive dredging could have
catastrophic effects on the aquatic vegetation and wildlife of the reservoir. No
development plans, nor any security and management staff have yet been sanctioned
for the sanctuary.
Socio-economic values: The reservoir supports a great diversity of wildlife, and has
considerable potential for tourism; indeed, the area has been called the “Bharatpur of
Maharashtra”. Under appropriate management, the area could become a major centre
of nature-oriented tourism.
Research and facilities: Survey teams from WWF India and the Bombay Natural
History Society carried out avifaunal surveys from 1982 to 1984. The Nasik Bird
Protection Society has continued these studies since then. The flora has been
investigated by M.R. Almeida of the Bombay Natural History Society.
Reference: Abdulali and Savage (1970); Almeida (1983); Daniel (1985); Mohan
(1984); Rane (1983).
PUNE-SHOLAPUR RESERVOIRS
A number of small water-storage reservoirs constructed on the headwaters of the
Krishna and Bhima rivers in Maharashtra. Compared with the ancient percolation
tanks of the Deccan plateau, these reservoirs are generally of relatively recent origin,
and some are a little more than 100 years old. About 20 tanks exceed 100 ha in area.
They fill during the monsoon but become progressively drier and more brackish as the
dry season advances. Most flood to a maximum depth of 3–6 m in September and
October; some dry out completely by January or February while others retain up to 1
m of water until April or May. Canal systems and overflow channels have created
seepage lagoons, and areas of marshland exist where waterlogging occurs. Some of
the more important reservoirs are:
1. Hipparga Tank, near Sholapur: a small tank which floods to a maximum depth of
4 m in September and October, and has a pH value of 8.0.
2. Mayani Tank, near Satara: a small tank which floods to a maximum depth of 3 m
in September and October, and dries out completely by January or February.
3. Varvand Tank 60 km east of Pune: a large tank with a maximum depth of 3 m
and pH value of 7.0; extensive grassy flats are exposed at low water levels.
4. Shirsuphal (Victoria) Tanks, 70 km east of Pune: two large tanks with rocky
shorelines and an adjacent small Typha marsh fed by seepage from the tanks.
5. Patas Tank, 40 km east of Pune: a small tank of about 50 ha with abundant
submerged vegetation and surrounded by grassy flats and mudflats.
6. Matoba Tank, northwest of Pandharpur: a large tank which floods to a maximum
in July and is usually dry by May.
Abiotic factors: Semi-arid, tropical monsoon climate, with an annual rainfall of 300400 mm, most of which falls in August and September. The maximum temperature in
summer is 41°C, and the minimum in winter 10°C.
Macrophytes: The lakes support a rich growth of Vallisneria sp., Hydrilla sp.,
Potamogeton sp., and a variety of algae. Emergent and peripheral vegetation includes
Scirpus sp., Typha sp., and Cyperus sp. The adjacent landscape is dominated by
xerophytic vegetation, with species of Zizyphus, Capparis, Prosopis, Acacia, and
Cassia auriculata. Many crops including cotton are grown in the valleys.
Birds: The region, as a whole, is of considerable importance to migratory waterfowl,
particularly in winter. The reservoirs support large populations of cormorants, herons,
egrets, storks, ibises, flamingos, ducks, cranes, and rails. Significant numbers of Anser
indicus winter at Hipparga Tank in some years and there are particularly large
roosting concentrations of Anthropoides virgo at several tanks (e.g. 10,000 at
Shirsuphal Lake in January 1986). Phoenicopterus ruber also sometimes occurs in
very large numbers. Mayani Tank is important for wintering ducks of the genus
Aythya. A wide variety of shorebirds are observed on passage and in winter,
especially Himantopus himantopus, Charadrius dubius, C. alexandrinus, Limosa
limosa, species of Tringa, Actitis hypoleucos, Gallinago gallinago, Calidris minuta,
and C. temminckii. Sterna aurantia breeds at several of the lakes.
In January 1987, waterfowl counts at seven localities (Pashan, Hipparaga, Mayani,
Varvand and Matoba Tanks, and riverine marshes at Kavdi and Mula Mutha)
recorded over 13,300 waterfowl of 58 species. These included: 140 Tachybaptus
ruficollis, 140 Phalacrocorax niger, 300 herons and egrets of 7 species, 37 Mycteria
leucocephala, 85 Anastomus oscitans, 24 Ciconia episcopus, 45 Threskiornis
melanocephalus, 70 Plegadis falcinellus, 150 Platalea leucorodia, 250
Phoenicopterus ruber, 315 Tadorna ferruginea, 420 Anas Penelope, 360 A. crecca,
400 A. poecilorhyncha, 2,300 A. acuta, 415 A. querquedula, 310 A. clypeata, 1760
Aythya farina, 31 Sarkidiornis melanotos, 780 Anthropoides virgo, 115 Porphyrio
porphyrio, 2700 Fulica atra, 130 Hydrophasianus chirurgus, 740 Himantopus
himantopus, 230 Glareola lactea and 800 other shorebirds of 18 species.
Land tenure: State-owned; surrounding areas are mostly privately owned.
Land use: The reservoirs supply water for irrigation and domestic use. Fishing takes
place at some of the lakes. Surrounding areas are used for grazing and agriculture.
Conservation measures taken: Shooting has been prohibited at all the reservoirs,
but no other conservation measures have as yet been taken.
Conservation measures proposed: There are plans to make the largest reservoir into
a Bird Sanctuary.
Socio-economic values: Obviously important in a semi-arid environment as a source
of water for irrigation, and domestic and industrial use. Some of the reservoirs support
small fisheries.
Research and facilities: Limnological studies and waterfowl counts have been
undertaken by the Ecological Society of Pune, and the population of Phoenicopterus
ruber has been investigated by WWF India.
RATNAGIRI MANGROVES
The Ratnagiri Mangroves (Bhatye: 16° 58’ N, 73° 17’ E; Kalbadevi: 17° 2’ N, 73°
16’ E; Are: 17° 4’ N, 73° 17’ E) region comprises the three estuaries Bhatye,
Kalbadevi, and are, located near the city of Ratnagiri, Maharashtra. Anthropogenic
pressures are heavy at the mouth of Bhatye estuary/ Kajvi river (forming the southern
boundary of Ratnagiri city) while the upstream areas are relatively less disturbed,
Human activity is also intense at the mouth of Kalbadevi estuary from where a large
channel of water descends southward, forming the Shirgaon creek, which supports a
large number of mangrove species. The smallest of the three estuaries, is relatively
less inhabited and supports more extensive vegetative cover than the other two. Daily
tides flood the vegetation, affecting soil salinity. Bhatye, Kalbadevi and are estuaries
occupy
80.65 ha, 62 ha, and 71.37 ha, respectively.
Abiotic factors: Tropical monsoon climate. Average annual rainfall is 2000 mm.
Temperature vary from 12.5° C to 36° C.
Macrophytes: Woody mangroves cover the area.
Species Name
Species Name
Dominant Species
Aegiceras corniculatum
Avicennia marina
Ceriops tagal
R. mucronata
Sonneratia alba
Subdominant
Species
Bruguiera
gymnorrhiza
Derris heterophylla
Excoecaria agallocha
Kandelia candel
Rhizophora apiculata
Lumnitzera
racemosa
A. officinalis
Acanthus ilicifolius helps as a biomonitor of sewage pollution. Rhizophora apiculata
is found only along Bhatye estuary (Kajvi river). There are a total of 28 mangrove
species, including mangrove associates. Mangrove species such as Bruguiera
gymnorrhiza, B. parviflora, Avicennia marina var resinifera, Kandelia candel, and
Cynometra sp., found in Ratnagiri are on the verge of extinction.
Birds: Birds in the estuary include egrets, herons, sandpipers, plovers, oyster
catchers, kingfishers, lapwings, stilts, and moorhens, Fish species include
Species Name
Species Name
Ambasis
gumnocephalus
Batrachus grunniens
E. fasciata
Caranx boops
Gobius criniger
Gerres poeti
Chateossus nasus
Chorinemus toloo
Hippocampus
guttulatus
Mugil carinatus
Chrysophrys haffara
Naucratus ductor
Echeneis naucratus
Platycephalus
macracanthus
Sardinella melanura
Equula dussumieri
Land tenure: Most of the area is privately owned or under the control of the State
Revenue Department. Some parts are under the Forest and Fisheries Departments.
Land use: The estuarine areas are exploited for fishes, crustaceans, and molluscs, as
well as used for navigation. Forest resources are utilized for timber, fuelwood, fodder,
and grazing.
Conservation measures taken: Dominant mangrove species have been declared
protected under the Forest Act.
Disturbances and threat: Human and cattle pressures have seriously threatened the
mangroves, especially of Bhatye and Kalbadevi estuaries. Sewage pollution is
affecting the primary productivity and regeneration of mangroves.
Socio-economic values: Tall poles of Sonneratia are used as timber. All other
species are used as firewood, and Avicennia officinalis is used also as fodder. Large
quantities of prawns, molluscs, crabs, and fish are harvested. The water ways are used
for navigation.
LOKTAK LAKE
Loktak lake (24° 26’ N, 93° 49’ E), the biggest natural wetland in the North-eastern
region of India (Manipur), is a large expanse of water on the West of the river Imphal.
The catchment area of the lake is about
980 sq. kms. And water spread area is
about 26,600 ha. Run-off from this catchment is drained into the lake mainly through
seven streams which originate primarily in the northern and western flanks of the
lake. Thick floating mats of weeds covered with soil called ‘phumids’ are a
characteristic feature of this lake. Invasion of lake area by water hyacinth has created
severe programs resulting in deterioration of the lake ecosystem. The main fish fauna
present in the lake is minnows and minor carps. In the Southeastern region of this
lake, there is Keibul Lamjao National Park which is the habitat of the brow antlered
deer (Cervus eldi eldi) locally called Sangai which is a threatened species.
Abiotic factors: Tropical monsoon climate, with an average annual rainfall of 1183
mm; temperature ranges from 0° to 35°C. The driest months are February and March.
Flora: A total of 28 species were recorded. These are follows;
Species Name
Species Name
Anabaena circinalis
Limnothrix redeckei
A. doliolum
A. flos-aquae
Microchaete
loktakensis
Microchaete tenera
A. laxa
Nostoc carneum
A. oscillarioides
N. ellipsosporum
A. torulosa
N. punctiforme
A. variabilis
N. rivulare
Calothrix clavata
N. spongiaeforme
Cylindrospermum
gorakhpurense
Cylindrospermum
sphaerica
C. tropicum
Phormidium lucidum
P. subfuscum
Gloeotrichia raciborskii
Plectonema notatum
Hapalosiphon
hibernicus
Hormidium moerlianum
Rivularia manginii
P. stagnina
Tolypothrix tenuis
Land use: It is a source of water for hydro-power generation, irrigation and drinking
water supply.
Conservation measure taken: The wetland has been identified as one of the sites
for conservation under Indian National Wetland Programme. The State Government
has also constituted a Loktak Development Authority for development of the wetland
area on sound ecological basis.
Disturbance and threats: The damming of the lake in 1983 (by the Ithai Barrage)
caused the local extinction of several native fish species from the lake and the loss of
extensive areas of rice cultivation, increasing the pressure on adjoining land which
was already intensively cultivated. Local people can no longer use traditional fishing
techniques developed for use in shallow water, and have even resorted to poisoning
fish. The lake is undergoing rapid eutrophication caused by the inflow of domestic
sewage, and fertilisers/pesticide runoff. This has been accelerated by the damming of
the lake, which has restricted water circulation. Over-fishing is a problem, and
waterbirds are intensively hunted and sold in Imphal. Increasing siltation has been
caused by deforestation and shifting cultivation in the catchment area, involving the
cutting and burning of forest for only three or four seasons of rice cultivation.
Socio-economic values: There are many rural and urban settlements around the lake,
with the total human population on and around the lake estimated at approximately
100,000. Local populations depend heavily on Loktak lake for food, animal feed,
fibre, fuel and shelter. Fishing is the predominant activity. Tourism plays an
increasingly important role in the region. The planned activities in the future include
the construction of a 126 km dyke encircling the lake, dredging of a major portion of
the lake, encouragement of further human settlements, establishment of large fish
culture pens in the middle of the water, destruction of a number of hillock islands and
the installation of a large number of sluice gates, culverts and canals.
Importance: Loktak Lake is an ancient lake and plays an important role in the
economy of the Manipur State. Without the lake, the valley would be subjected to
high floods during monsoon and drought during the dry season. It is a source of water
for hydropower generation, irrigation and drinking water supply. The livelihood of the
surrounding rural population is largely dependent upon the fish of the lake. The site is
an important wintering and staging area for waterbirds. In the southeastern region of
this lake, there is Keibul Lamjao National Park that is the only refuge for the highly
endangered Manipur brown-antlered deer (Cervus eldi eldi). Other endangered
species include Python molurus.
Research and facilities: Yadava and Varshney (1982) have studied the ecological
and socio-economic importance of Logtak Lake and other wetlands in Manipur. The
region has been closed to most outsiders for many years, and little recent information
is available on the wildlife.
Source: WWF India (1993); http://www.ramsar.org/ (Ramsar site); Hosetti (2002);
Jugeshor Singh and Pebam Rocky (2004).
SANAPAT LAKE
Sanapat lake (24° 40’ N, 93° 51’ E) is one of the thirteen major lakes in Manipur,
situated in the Bishnupur district. Sanapat is a Oblongata shape lake. The average
length is 1500 m and average breadth is 540 m. The lake, a sub-basin of Loktak lake
(one of the Ramsar sites of global importance). The lake is shallow and its depth
varied between 1.2–2.6 m during rainy season. The total area of the lake is 81 ha.
Abiotic factors: Tropical monsoon climate, temperature ranges from 16°C to 25.3°C.
The pH values varied from 5.8 to 7.2.
Macrophytes: Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera)
Land use: Marginal paddy cultivation.
Disturbances and threats: The mountain lake is deteriorating rapidly in recent years
due to diverse pressures from the surroundings catchments and their longevity is
certainly under threat. Sanapat lake with its diverse environmental problems has
affected the lake significantly. Marginal paddy cultivation should be checked and the
use of chemical fertilizers be minimized. As Sanapat lake has its unique scenic beauty
and huge biodiversity, ecotourism can be one of the options which provides
alternative income to the local community and in turn conserve the lake ecosystem.
Socio-economic values: Lotus grown in the lake is a good economy for the local
people. Paddy cultivated in margin of the lake.
Pollution status: The lake is mostly surrounded by human settlement, except hills in
the south western side.
Source: Alka Jain et al. (2005).
KEIBUL LAMJAO NATIONAL PARK
Keibul Lamjao National Park is situated in (24° 40’ N, 93° 57’ E) 15 km south of
Imphal, Manipur. Keibul Lamjao is a large expanse of swamp with floating mats of
vegetation (phumdi) covering much of its surface. The swamp lies at the northeast
comer of the Loktak Lake basin, and is connected with Loktak Lake by a channel.
Within the National Park, the only waterway that is open all year round is artificially
maintained to enable boats to reach Pabot Hill in the north. The phumdi is composed
of decaying vegetation and varies in thickness from 0.33 m to 1.33 m. It floats on the
water with about one-fifth of its thickness above the surface, and is capable of
supporting the weight of large mammals. The water is acidic, and varies in depth from
1.0 m to 1.5 m. At low water levels in February and March, the peripheral areas of
phumdi come to rest on the ground. With the onset of monsoon, majority of the Park
is covered with water and, three or four days later, the phumdi rises to the surface
once again. Severe flooding washes away large amounts of the floating vegetation.
This habitat, often referred to as “too deep to be marsh, too shallow to be a lake” is
unique in India. Three hills, Pabot, Toya and Chingjao, rise out of the swamp and
provide a refuge for the large mammals during the wetter periods. The total area of
the Keibul Lamjao National Park is formerly 4000 ha, recently reduced to 2160 ha
Abiotic factors: Tropical monsoon climate with an average annual rainfall of 1183
mm. Most of the rain falls in July and August, and the driest months are February and
March.
Macrophytes: There are two types of phumdi, phumdi ataoba (floating) and phumdi
aruppa (sinking). The ataoba consists of reeds, grasses, and other plants growing on a
mat of dead and decaying vegetation floating on the lake surface. Phumdi aruppa
consists of mats of vegetation which have sunk to the bottom of the lake and support a
rich emergent growth of reeds and grasses. In 1960, the composition of the phumdi
was estimated to be as follows: 45% Phragmites karka, 25% Erianthus ravennae,
15% Saccharum munja, 5% S. latifolium, 5% Alpinia allughas and 2% Saccharum
procerum and 3% other species, including Zizania latifolia, a plant much relished by
swamp deer (Cervus eldi). The floating phumdi gets thicker and heavier each year, the
accumulation being greatest at the edge of the swamp. During a series of dry years,
the edges of the phumdi become hard ground and the area of the swamp thus
decreases. Eichhornia crassipes has recently appeared in the open water areas of the
swamp, where species of Polygonum and Trapa also occur. The three small hills in
the Park were formerly wooded, but are now almost barren.
Special floral values: The phumdi association of Phragmites, Saccharum, and other
species is a unique ecosystem within India.
Birds: The swamp doubtless supports a wide variety of waterbirds, but no
information is available. The fish fauna includes Channa striatus, Channa punctatus,
Cyprinus carpio, Wallago attu and Puntius sophore.
Mammals: The Keibul Lamjao swamp is the last refuge of the nominate subspecies
of the Manipur brow-antlered deer (Cervus eldi), locally known as “Sangai”. The
subspecies was once thought to be extinct in the wild, but a small herd was discovered
in Keibul Lamjao in 1950. By 1975 this population had dwindled to only 14
individuals. Under protection, however, the mammals living in the swamp include
sainbar (Cervus unicolor), hog deer (C. porcinus), common otter (Lutra lutra), the
civets (Viverra civetta, Viverricula indica), and wild boar (Sus scrota).
Land tenure: Largely state-owned, with lands belonging to the Thang, Brel, and
Maril tribes almost dividing the sanctuary into two parts. Surrounding areas are
privately owned.
Land use: Prior to the establishment of the National Park in 1977, grass-cutting was
officially permitted during the dry season, but this has now ceased. The grasses were
used for thatching and for the production of mats, hats, and other decorative articles.
Grazing, mostly by buffaloes, was a prominent feature of both the northern and
southern parts of the Park and caused some habitat degradation. All agricultural and
fishing rights within the Park ceased in 1977, but fishing, although now illegal,
continues on a small scale in the open water areas. Surrounding areas are almost
entirely under rice cultivation
Conservation measures taken: Keibul Lamjao was declared a Sanctuary in 1954;
and officially gazetted in 1966. The 4000 ha Sanctuary was upgraded to a National
Park in March 1977. However, because of strong opposition to the National Park from
local villagers, the Park was reduced to its present 2160 ha in Apri11987. The Park is
managed by the Forest Department of the Manipur Government. By 1978, the
Government of India had spent Rs. 719,000 on construction works, including a
perimeter fence of 2281 m to prevent people and domestic livestock from entering the
reserve where it is most vulnerable. A cattle-proof trench has been dug along 870 m
of the boundary; seven canoes have been purchased and four check points have been
established at strategic places in the Park. The Department of Environment,
Government of India; is financing a conservation programme for the endangered
Manipur brow-antlered deer (Cervus eldi eldi), and an army helicopter has been
leased to carry out census work. The Park is under the supervision of a full-time
Assistant Conservator of Forests. Additional staff includes an assistant veterinary
surgeon, a ranger of forests, field assistant, three foresters, four forest guards, and
eight others.
Conservation measures proposed: There is a need to ensure that the legal
provisions against poaching, fishing, encroachment, grazing, and other detrimental
activities are properly enforced. The maintenance of the grassy swamp may require
periodic burning. A proposal has been made for the establishment of a second
sanctuary across the Manipur river at Khoidum Lamjao. This is the only other
significant patch of swamp remaining in Manipur, and would be suitable for reintroduction of Cervus eldi eldi.
Disturbances and threats: Even though the Sanctuary has been upgraded to
National Park status, levels of exploitation by the local inhabitants remain high.
Illegal grass-cutting still constitutes a major disturbance in some areas, and the
continued presence of domestic livestock poses a threat to the brow-antlered deer.
Emmeria wassilewskyi, a protozoan disease common in local cattle, afflicts the deer
population. Poaching has been a major problem, particularly during the dry season in
March-May. The shortage of reserve staff at Keibul Lamjao prohibits the
implementation of effective conservation measures. Surrounding areas are intensively
farmed, and the use of insecticides, herbicides, and fertilisers is increasing. There
have been reports of water pollution derived from nearby human settlements, and the
run-off of agro-chemicals needs to be monitored. Inevitably, deforestation and
subsequent soil erosion in the water catchment area are affecting the water regime and
water quality. The Loktak Dam, which will maintain a constant water level in the
swamp, is likely to have a severe impact on the entire ecosystem of Keibul Lamjao.
The possible effects of the dam on the hydrology and ecology of one of the most
complex wetland systems in India has yet to be thoroughly investigated. There has
been strong opposition to the National Park amongst local people since its
establishment. In a violent demonstration against enforcement measures in 1979,
villagers set fire to dry grasses, check-posts, staff quarters, and the observation tower
within the swamp. As a result of the continued opposition, 1840 ha were excised from
the National Park in April 1987. The high level of local antipathy persists, placing
land-use predictions in considerable doubt.
Socio-economic values: The swamp is of considerable scientific interest as a unique
habitat within India and the last refuge for Cervus eldi eldi.
Research and facilities: The Zoological Survey of India and the Botanical Survey of
India have carried out various investigations in the National Park, and Ranjitsinh
(1978 & 1982) has studied the Cervus eldi population. The populations of large
mammals are now censused annually.
Reference: Singh (1980); Yadava and Varshney (1982); WWF India (1993).
PHUMLEN, KHARUNG, AND IKOP LAKES
Three major lakes, namely, Phumlen, Kharung, and Ikop, located close to one
another, remain inundated in most seasons of the year. These lake is situated (24°
15’–25° 30’ N, 94° 0’–94° 15’ E); km south of Imphal city, Thoubal district,
Manipur. Kharung is fed by two rivers, Heirok and Sekrnai, from the east, and a small
channel, Soirei, from the west. There are three outlets-Thongyai, Thongjil and
Natekkhong-on the southwestern side. Morphometric features of Kharung lake
include maximum length 7.2 km; maximum breadth 6.15 km; shoreline length 32.1
km; maximum depth 2.65 km; mean depth 2.65 m; and total volume 35.3 cubic
metres. Ikop Lake is surrounded by agricultural land on the north, west and east. The
Lake has three feeder streams and outlets. Morphometric features include maximum
length 7.4 km; maximum breadth 4.95 km; shoreline length 25.7 km; maximum depth
3.6 m; mean depth 2.08 m; and total volume 34.79 cubic metres. Phumlen is an
extensive lake with three perennial streams on the west and two other streams on the
north. Shallow peripheral areas on the east, west, and north have been reclaimed for
agriculture. The deepest part is on the southern side. The major portions of the Lake
are occupied by floating phumdi. Morphometric features include maximum length
9.75 km; maximum breadth 5.45 km; shoreline length 37.35 km; maximum depth
3.51 m; mean dep!pc2.io m; and total volume 66.94 cubic metres.
Abiotic factors: Sub-tropical monsoon climate with annual rainfall ranging from 975
mm to 2646 mm. Temperature ranges from 0° C to 36.5° C.
Macrophytes: Vegetation of the lakes is represented by floating emergent,
submergent, and marginal macrophytes. Dominant species found in the lakes are
Species Name
Species Name
Alisma plantago
aquatica
Alpinia nigra
Ceratophyllum
demersum
Paspalum
scrobiculatum
Polygonum
barbatum
Sagittaria
sagittifolia
Salvinia sp.
Setaria pallidefusca
Jussiaea repens
Utricularia stellaris
Lemna sp.
Zizania latifolia
Marsilea quadrifolia
Special floral values: Altogether 213 plant species have been collected and identified
from these lakes, including some of food and medicinal value.
Reptiles: Among the reptiles, Python molurus is a rare species.
Birds: About eight species of migratory ducks: common teal, gadwall, common
pochard, red-crested pochard, ferruginous duck, brahminy duck, and shoveller visit
the Lake every year between October and February.
Mammals: Among mammals, stoat/ermine (Mustela erminea) is a rare species. Sus
scrota, Felis chaus, Vulpes vulpes, Cuon alpinus and Arctonyx collaris are
noteworthy.
Land use: Agriculture, fishing, fish farming.
Conservation measures taken: The deeper parts of the lakes have been reserved by
the State Government as fishery reserves.
Socio-economic values: These lakes are exploited for their fishery resources. Some
aquatic plants are harvested for consumption and other uses.
WARD’S LAKE
The lake has had many names like Hopkinston’s Tank, Elliot’s Lake, Ward’s Lake,
Nan Palok (in Khasi) and Laath Saab ko Talao (In Nepal), situated (25° 34’ N, 91°
32’ E) in the heart of Shillong, Khasi Hills district, Meghalaya. The origin of the lake
though the date is not known was the initiation of digging by a convict, when water
was struck that the district authorities took over and extended the digging to the
present lake. The idea of using this lake for recreation with a small park all around it
goes to the credit of the then Chief Commissioner, William E. Ward 1893 after whom
the lake id presently known. The lake has a maximum length of 333 meters and
maximum breadth of 75 metre with a shore line of 1,284 metre. The maximum depth
is 6 metre with a mean depth of 3.4 metre.
The lake receives water through two inlets, both perennial, one from the South end of
the lake and the other from the west. There is only one outlet at the North end. This
outlet is controlled by sluice gates for allowing excess water to flow away during peak
monsoon. It is therefore that the water level does not change appreciably throughout
the year, the inlet from the south end is primarily water from of the hills streams
which traverses from the upper hills to reach Ward’s Lake and then flow away as hill
streams. The inlet at the west end of the lake is water of the drains and canals of
Shillong. The latter therefore is allowed to flow first into the isolated pond which
serves as a sedimentation tank from where the decanted water flows into the major
lake. In addition, the lake receives surface run-off waters from the adjoining slopes of
the hills.
Abiotic factors: Tropical monsoon climate. The temperature varied from 13.4°C to
25°C in atmosphere and 10.9°C to 23.6°C in water. The pH values ranged from 5.7 to
6.9.
Macrophytes:
Species Name
Species Name
Anthoxanthum odoratum
Nymphaea nauchali
Axonopus compresus
Osmunda regalis
Cardamine hirsute
Oxalis corniculata
Centella asiatica
O. corymbosa
Cynodon dactylon
Paspalum dilatatum
Davallia imersa
Pinus kesiya
Denothera rosea
Plantago major
Eleochariis congesta
Poa annua
Emilia sonchifolia
Pogonatherum crinatum
Eragrostris gangetica
Polygonum hydropiper
E. nigra
P. orientale
Erigeron karvinskianus
P. punctatum
Erigeron sp.
Potentilla mooniana
Eurya acuminats
Pteris vittata
Galinsoga parviflora
Ranunculus contoniensis
Gnaphalium luteoalbum
Richardsonia sp.
Hedychium caronarium
Rotala rotundifolia
Hydrilla vertricillata
Selaginella
Hydrocotyle javanica
Sonchus asper
Hypocharis radicata
Sonchus sp.
Imperata cylindrical
Sphaeroearyum sp.
Juncus prismatocarpus
Thuja oreientalis
Kyllinga brevifolia
Trifolium repens
Lindernia cordata
Utricularia bifida
Lipocarph chinensis
U. caerulea
Nasturtium indicum
Utricularia sp.
Phytoplankton:
Species Name
Species Name
Amphipleura
Melosira
Anacystis
Meridion
Ankistrodesmus
Merismopedia
Aphanocapsa
Micrasterias
Botryococcus
Microcystis
Ceratium
Navicula
Chlamydomonas
Nitzschia
Chrysococcus
Oocystis
Closterium
Oscillatoria
Coelastrum
Pandorina
Coelosphaerium
Pediastrum
Cosmarium
Peridinium
Cyclotella
Phacus
Desmidium
Pinnularia
Diatoma
Scenedesmus
Dictyosphaerium
Selenastrum
Dinobryon
Spirogyra
Eudorina
Staurastrum
Euglena
Synedra
Gloeobotrys
Synura
Gloeocapsa
Tabellaria
Gloeocystis
Tribonema
Gymnozyoa
Ulothrix
Hormidium
Westella
Kirchneriella
Zooplankton:
Asplanchna, Brachionus, Cephalodella, Epiphanes, Keratella,
Lecane, Lepadella, Polyarthra, Proales, Testudinnela and Trichocerca (Rotifera);
Bosmina, Chydorus, Daphnia, Diaphanosoma, Simocephalus (Cladocera);
Centropyxis, Difflugia (Protozoa); Cyclops and Diaptomus (Copepoda); Cypris
(Ostracoda).
Reference: Alfred, Thapa.
UMIAM RESERVOIR
Umiam reservoir is located (25° 39’ 30” N, 91° 54’ 12” E) in Ri-Bhoi district,
Meghalaya. This reservoir was commissioned in 1964 for hydal power generation as
phase-I of the Umiam-Umtru hydal power project. The total area of the reservoir is
250 ha. Maximum depth of this reservoir is 50 m.
•
UMIAM RESERVOIR
Abiotic factors: Tropical monsoon climate. The temperature varied from 23.4°C to
33.4°C in atmosphere and 4.1°C to 21.1°C in water. The maximum pH value of 7.8
was recorded.
Phytoplankton: Microcystis aeruginosa, Anabaena sp., Spirulina sp., Ceratium
hirundinella, Dinobryon sociale and Phacus sp.
Land use: The reservoir is used for Hydal power generation
Socio-economic values: It is very importance for Hydal power generation
Reference: Sharma and Lyngdoh (2003).
UPPER KOLAB DAM
Upper Kolab dam is situated (18° 47’ N, 82° 27’ E) at Koranga village, 15 km from
Jeypore town, Orissa. The project got the approval of Government of India in 1975.
Construction work started in 1978. The total area of the dam is about 15,380 ha. (3600
ha forest area, 9,180 ha of private land and 2600 ha of government land were
submerged under the reservoir).
Land use: The dam is used for irrigation and power house.
Socio-economic values: The dam supports an important fishing industry and is a
valuable source of water for irrigation and power house.
Reference: Biswanath Sahu (1993).
CHITRAKONDA DAM
Chitrakonda Dam is one of the Machkund-Sileru river system, situated in the Orissa.
The river system carries 3.28 million acre foot of annual surface run-off with
maximum flood discharge of 3,23,000 cu.sec. The dam is a joint project with the
Government of Andhra Pradesh. The construction of the projects were completed in
1972. The total area of the dam is about 17,180 ha. (Forest land 8,328 ha, private land
5,039 ha, Government land 3,813 ha).
Land use: The dam is used for irrigation
BHITARKANIKA MANGROVE
The word ‘Bhitarkanika’ is derived from Oriyan language- ‘Bhita’ means inside and
‘kanika’ refers to the kingdom. In those days, the king of kanika used to go often for
hunting into the Bhitarkanika forest endowed with animals. Bhitarkanika mangrove is
situated (20° 39’ N, 86° 54’ E) in the deltaic region of Brahmani and Baitarani rivers
in the Kendrapara district, Orissa. The Bhitarkanika Mangrove represents one of the
finest remaining patches of mangrove forests along the entire Indian coast; besides
these, Sanyal et al. (1999) had reported about 20.0 km2 mangrove areas from the
mouth of the river Subarnarekha. The Bhitarkanika mangrove in the Orissa coastal
areas in the 3rd important mangrove area in India, i.e., after Sundarbans and Andaman
& Nicobar Islands. Mangrove areas of the Orissa coast are both dense and sparse,
which are estimated through Satellite imagery as 108.5 km2 and 84.4 km2,
respectively. The mangroves in Orissa state are distributed in three zones, viz., (i)
Mangroves of the Mahanadi Delta, (ii) Mangroves of the Brahmani – Baitarini Delta
and (iii) Mangroves of the Balasore coast. There are totally about 70 species of
mangroves and associated plant species so far recorded in Bhitarkanika. About 53%
of the area is covered by forest and the remaining 47% by the estuarine impoundment.
The recent extent of mangrove forest cover estimated by the Forest Survey of India is
219 sq.km.
Abiotic factors: The climate of the area is tropical. In general there are three main
seasons prevalent in this region. Summer begins from February and extends up to
June. The rainy season usually starts in June and extends upto October. November to
January is the winter season. The annual rainfall ranges from 920 to 3000 mm. and
the main rainy months are August and September. In winter the temperature dips
down to 10°C minimum and in summer the maximum temperature reaches up to 40°
C. Wind velocity becomes 40 km per hour during the monsoon which ranges between
15 to 25 km per hour in winter. The area is prone to severe cyclonic storms twice
almost every year during April to May and October to November and also, there are
occasional tidal bores. The humidity of the area varies between 35 to 95%.
Macrophytes: Principal vegetation on these dunes includes Ipomea pescaprae,
Hydrophylax maritima, Spinifex littoreus, Launaea sarmentosa and Gisekia
pharnaceoides.
Mangroves: Fifty-eight species of mangroves have so far been recorded in India of
which 55 are found in Bhitarkanika (Bannerjee and Rao, 1990). Compared to the
Sunderbans, India's largest tract of mangrove forest, Bhitarkanika represents a wide
diversity of mangrove flora. The Heritiera formation of Champion and Seth (Type
4B/TS-4, 1968) comprising the brackish water association of Heritiera, Cynometra,
Aglaia, Cerbera, and Intsia is not found in the present Sunderbans of Indian territory
but are well represented in Bhitarkanika. Rhizophora stylosa, Sonneratia griffithii and
Heritiera littoralis have been recorded new for Indian mangroves from Bhitarkanika
(Bannerjee and Rao, 1990). This association is unique only to Bhitarkanika
mangroves. In Bhitarkanika a variety of wild rice (Porteresia coarctata) grows
abundantly in tidal mud flats. Based on the genetic strain of this wild rice several
saline and flood resistant varieties of rice have been developed. This has led to a
tremendous economic impact making it very important. The dominant mangrove
species in this region are
Species Name
Species Name
Avicennia officinalis
Cerbera manghas
Merop angulata
Rhizophora
apiculata
R. mucronata
Sonneratia apetala
Heritiera fomes
H. littoralis
Xylocarpus
granatum
X. mekongenesis
Kandelia kandel
X. molucensis
Pure formations of many of these tree species occur in the inner estuarine bank
Reptiles: Bhitarkanika harbours one of the largest populations of endangered
saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) in India and is globally unique in that 10%
of the adults exceed 6 m length. Nearly 700 saltwater crocodiles inhabit the rivers and
creeks of Bhitarkanika today (Kar and Pattnaik, 1999). The eastern boundary of
Bhitarkanika supports the largest nesting ground of the endangered olive ridley sea
turtle in the world (Bustard, 1976). Nearly half a million olive ridleys on an avereage
nest every year along the Gahirmatha coast of Bhitarkanika (Dash and Kar, 1990).
The water monitor lizard (Varanus salvator) otherwise rare in most part of India,
commonly occurs here. Besides water monitor, two other species namely common (V.
bengalensis) and yellow (V. flavescens) monitors are also sympatric here (Biswas and
kar, 1981). Notable among other reptiles of Bhitarkanika are king cobra
(Ophiophagus hannah), Burmese python (Python molurus bivittatus), banded krait
(Bungarus fasciatus), common krait (Bungarus caeruleus) and golden tree snake
(Chrysopelia ornata).
Birds: Extremely high congregations of migratiory waterfowls are observed in the
coastal wetlands around Satbhaya village and in the Bhitarkanika forest block of the
Sanctuary during December and January. The mangrove forests of Bhitarkanika
harbours one of the largest congregation of breeding water birds in the country
(Subramanya, 1996). Eleven species of Ciconiiformes are known to nest in this multi
species nesting colony (Pandav, 1997). The breeding birds in this mixed species
colony are
Species Name
Species Name
Anastomus oscitans
(Asian Openbill)
Anhinga melanogaster
(Darter)
Egretta garzetta
(Little Egret)
Mesophoyx
intermedia
(Intermediate Egret)
Nycticorax
nycticorax (Blackcrowned Night
Heron)
Phalacrocorax niger
(Little Cormorant)
Threskiornis
melanocephalus
(Black-headed Ibis)
Ardea cinerea (Grey
Heron)
A. purpurea (Purple
Heron)
Bubulcus ibis (Cattle
Egret)
Casmerodius albus
(Great Egret)
The endangered Lesser Adjutant Stork (Leptoptilos javanicus) also breeds in
Bhitarkanika. Six species of kingfishers, Black-capped (Halcyon pileata), Whitebreasted (H. smyrnensis), Brownwinged (H. amauroptera), Collared (Todirhamphus
chloris) Common (Alcedo atthis) and Pied (Ceryle rudis) are sympatric here.
Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary has recently been identified as an important bird area
(IBA) of the country.
Mammals: Bhitarkanika is also home for several mammals. Five species of marine
dolphins have been recorded from the area. The commonest species encountered in
this area is the Indo-pacific humpbacked dolphin (Sousa chinensis). The other four
species of marine dolphins that are found in the coastal waters off Gahirmatha are
Irrawady dolphin (Orcaella brevirostris), Pantropical spotted dolphin, Common
dolphin (Delphinus delphis) and Finless black porpoise (Neophocaena phocaenoides).
Notable among the other mammalian fauna of Bhitarkanika are Striped Hyena
(Hyaena hyaena), Fishing cat (Felis viverrina), Jungle cat (Felis chaus), Smoothcoated otter (Lutra perspiciliata), Common palm civet (Paradoxurus
hermaphroditus), Small Indian civet (Vivericula indica), Indian Porcupine (Hystrix
indica), Wild boar (Sus scrofa), Spotted deer (Cervus axis) and Sambar (Cervus
unicolor).
Land tenure: The site is owned by the state and its surroundings also by private
Land use: The wetland is used for non-urbanized settlements; rice growing; water
regulation; aquaculture and irrigation.
Conservation measures taken: The very first step towards conservation of
Bhitarkanika has been its declaration as a wildlife sanctuary. Bhitarkanika is one of
the earliest protected areas of Orissa being declared as a wildlife sanctuary in 1975. A
separate wildlife division with headquarters at Chandbali was created in 1980 to
effectively manage this area. The headquarters of the division later shifted to Rajnagar
in 1991. The Gahirmatha Marine (Wildlife) Sanctuary on the eastern boundary of
Bhitarkanika was notified in 1997. Bhitakanika National Park was notified in 1998.
Comprehensive Management Plan involving the Protected Areas and surrounds is
now under preparation. While this is being done, specific species conservation
measures have been initiated and are summarised below. The wetland has been
accorded international importance by its designation as a Ramsar Site in 19.08.2002.
•
Saltwater crocodile conservation program: Bhitarkanika was declared as a
wildlife sanctuary primarily to protect its endangered saltwater crocodile
population. In 1975 and integrated Government of India and FAO/UNDP project
was launched to protect and restock the saltwater crocodile population in
Bhitarkanika with
Dr. H. R. Bustard as its Technical Advisor. A
rearing centre was established at Dangamal for this purpose. This has achieved
tremendous success in rearing and rehabilitating the species and the population of
estuarine crocodile in the wild is estimated to be nearly 700 (Kar and Pattnaik,
1999). Fishing has been completely stopped in Bhitarkanika River and associated
creeks and the project has resulted in rejuvination of large tracts of mangrove
forests.
•
Sea turtle project: The Gahirmatha coast which forms the eastern boundary of
Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary harbours the largest known nesting population of
olive ridley sea turtle in the world. After its discovery in 1974 (Bustard, 1976), the
wildlife wing of the Orissa Forest Department established Gahirmatha Marine
Turtle Research and Conservation Centre at Habalikhati-on-sea near the nesting
beach and took up study on the ecology and nesting biology of sea turtles.
Immediately after the nesting beach came under protected area status, egg
collection was banned and through the combined efforts of Orissa and West
Bengal forest departments, the road and rail transport of sea turtles from Orissa
was stopped.
•
The death of olive ridley sea turtle because of intense fishing activities increased
during later part of nineties and concerns were expressed from various quarters
over this high sea turtle mortality. In order to provide adequate protection to the
sea turtles in the coastal waters the Gahirmatha Marine (Wildlife) Sanctuary was
notified in 1997 taking 20 km wide coastal stretch from south of Wheeler Islands
spanning 35 km to the south. The sanctuary area is patrolled by Forest Department
and Coast Guards and number of fishing vessels violating the Wildlife Protection
Act, 1972 are being seized and prosecuted.
•
Mangrove conservation: Although Bhitarkanika is the 4th largest stretch of
mangrove forest in mainland India, the diversity of mangrove species is at its
maximum in Bhitarkanika. This area has been included in the national mangrove
network and has started receiving support from Government of India for its
conservation. The “Kalibhanjdia Island” has been identified to be designated as
the Mangrove Genetic Research Centre. Afforestation of depleted mangrove
patches have started in different pockets after removal of encroachments due to
prawn culture.
Conservation measures proposed: Most important intervention required to save this
magnificent wetland is to properly delineate the boundary of the diversity rich zones.
At present the mangrove area encompasses large number of villages which clearly fall
out side the forested areas. However, large tracts of forest lands still remain
undemarcated, which requires to be demarcated and reserved. All protected reserve
forests (PRF) once demarcated in the field and final notification of these PRFs
announced will benefit management of the area. All newly accreted islands and
mudflats needs to be declared as Reserve Forests. Settlement of all forest blocks
should be completed within a specified time frame. Any part of the sanctuary where
the mangroves have vanished or depleted due to anthropogenic intervention and
creeks have been dyked need to be freed and planted up with suitable species of
mangroves.
A shift in house construction strategy, which do not need forest products for
construction or repairs needs to be promoted. They need to be trained in the new
technique of construction using local non-forest materials. Social and farm forestry
needs to be encouraged in the surrounding villages for meeting the need of forest
material without much dependence on mangroves. Eco-development initiatives to be
taken up in a big way to reduce people’s dependence on the forest and wetland.
Ecofriendly aquaculture need to be encouraged in the area to reduce the fishing
pressure on the surrounding rivers. A regional policy on migration of people from
other areas need to be developed to prevent further growth in migrating population in
the region. Political and administrative will are crucial to prevent such inflow of
people.
Recent developmental activities on the periphery of the Bhitarkanika region has put
tremendous pressure on this wetland. A moratorium in construction of roads, jetties
and harbors in the sanctuary or its fringes to reduce their adverse impact, needs to be
considered. Wherever they exist, movement of vehicles or number of mechanised
boats should be properly regulated to minimize the disturbance.
Tourism in the sanctuary need to be regulated in order to reduce pressure on particular
patches. All arrangements to accommodate the tourists should be located away from
the sanctuary and a proper eco-tourism plan for the park need to be developed.
Disturbance and threats: Due to the rich aquatic life people moved into the area
resulting in a densely populated and agriculturally prosperous alluvial flat land. The
site is threatened by construction of saline embarkments for aquaculture and
consequently elimination of mangroves, clearing of the mangrove forest for
agriculture including irrigation, intensive fishing in the peripheral river systems,
exploitation of mangroves for house construction, fencing and fuel wood, as well as
poaching of wild animals. Successful conservation measures increased the crocodile
population but also the man-crocodile conflict. The surroundings harbour sizeable
populations of migratory waterbirds but many of these wetlands lack protection. With
the recent change in land use pattern, the coastal wetlands and agricultural fields are
increasingly being converted into brackish water prawn-culture ponds, resulting in
hypersaline land and a loss of wintering ground for migratory waterbirds. The
abundant Asian Openbill is loosing its feeding ground (the mollusc Pila globosa
living in paddy fields). Pressure on the surroundings has increased due to migration
and settlement of people from West Bengal.
Socio-economic values: There is a major influx of tourists to Bhitarkanika during
winter and tourism during rest part of the year is moderate. The influx of tourists to
the area has generated employment for local inhabitants. For recreation and tourism
facilities of rest houses and Dormitory are available at Dangmal, Ekakula and
Habalikhati.
Mangrove ecosystems have traditionally been sustainably managed by local
populations for the production of food, medicines, tanins, fuel wood and construction
materials. Most of the villagers living around Bhitarkanika derive benefits from the
mangrove forests in one way or the other. The entire fishing industry in the area that
provides employment to local communities is dependent on the rivers and the coastal
waters adjoining the mangrove forests. The area is commercially important for fishes
(Hilsa illisha, Lates calcarifer, Mystus gulio and Mullet sp.), for prawns (Penaeus
indicus and P. monodon), and for honey (3,000 –
5,000 kg in Feb.–May),
traditionally collected by the local community of ‘Dalei’. In addition to the fishing
industry, plant species provide employment for the locals: the grass Myriostachia
wightiana and the climber Flagellaria indica are used for basket and rope making, the
abundant palm Phoenix paludosa for thatching. Research activities take place, e.g.
functioning of the mangrove ecosystem, botanical surveys, studies on rice as food
supplier, wildlife monitoring (incl. a saltwater crocodile and marine turtle centres),
and peoples dependency on the mangroves. Bhitarkanika mangroves harbour wild
strains of Paddy, that is tolerant of long duration saline inundation and has significant
genetic research value for the staple rice-eating community of east-coast of India.
Importance: Bhitarkanika Mangroves are representing one of the finest and largest
contiguous remaining patches of mangrove forests along the Indian coast. Of India's
58 recorded species of mangroves, 55 species are found. The dense coastal forests
provide vital protection for millions of people from devastating cyclones and tidal
surges. Gahirmatha beach is said to host the IUCN red-listed, largest known Olive
Ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea) nesting beach in the world, with half a
million nesting annually. The coastal waters are a major mating area for migratory
turtles. Furthermore, the site hosts the vulnerable Grey Pelican (Pelecanus
philippensis), and the nationally highest density of endangered saltwater crocodiles,
with nearly 700 Crocodylus porosus. One of the largest Indian heronries counts more
than 20,000 nesters. The area regularly supports 30,000 birds with a maximum of
50,000 in 1995. The site hosts 174 bird species of which 82 species breed. It is also a
wintering habitat for 57 species of waterbirds. It is also the east coast's main nursery
for brackish water and estuarine fish.
Management authority: Divisional Forest Officer; Mangrove Forest Division
(Wildlife) Rajnagar, Orissa.
Past and present status: Bhitarkanika is surrounded by thickly populated and
agriculturally prosperous alluvial flat land. This part of mangrove forest surrounded
by rivers and criss-crossed creeks is very rich in aquatic life. Taking advantage of this
people have moved in to this area in large number resulting in creation of new
settlements and increase in population of the old settlements. The ever increasing
human population has been a major threat to this wetland resulting in the following
disturbances:
a. Construction of saline embarkments for aquaculture and destruction of mangroves
b. Clearing of the mangrove forest for agriculture.
c. Intensive fishing activities in the peripheral river systems.
d. Exploitation of mangroves for house construction, fencing and fuel wood.
e. Poaching of wild animals.
Nearly two and half decades of successful conservation measures have resulted in an
increased crocodile population in Bhitarkanika and its associated river systems. Along
with the increase in human and crocodile population, and biotic interference in and
around the park, has led to an increased man-crocodile conflict. So far, there have
been 35 instances of human casualties in the area because of crocodiles (Kar and
Patnaik 1999). Besides these casualties, there have been numerous accounts of attack
both on human beings and livestock by crocodile in the area. There is also a growing
feeling of over abundance of crocodiles in the area among the local communities. Of
late, this successful conservation measure is becoming a victim of its own success
resulting in an increased human crocodile conflict.
Surrounding areas of the wetland: The wetlands adjoining the mangrove forests of
Bhitarkanika harbour a sizeable population of migratory waterfowl in winter.
However, many of these wetlands do not come under the jurisdiction of Bhitarkanika
Wildlife Sanctuary and lack protected area status. With the recent change in land use
pattern (evident after 1993) all along the Orissa coast, the coastal wetlands and the
agricultural fields adjoining these wetlands are increasingly being converted into
brackish water prawn culture ponds. Conversion of the coastal wetlands around
Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary has resulted in a loss of wintering ground for the
migratory waterfowl. The Asian Openbill, which constitutes a significant percentage
of breeding birds in the heronry, feeds exclusively on molluscs Pila globosa, in the
paddy fields surrounding the sanctuary. With the conversion of these paddy fields to
prawn culture ponds, the Asian Openbills are facing a loss of their feeding grounds.
This, in the future, may affect the breeding behaviour of these birds in the heronry and
may be detrimental for the survival of Asian Openbills in the long run.
Research and facilities: Ever since its establishment as a wildlife sanctuary,
Bhitarkanika is in the focus of various research activities relating to the mangrove
ecosystem and its function, vegetation of the mangroves, endangered animals
inhabiting the mangrove forest and peoples dependency on the mangrove forest.
Bhitarkanika was declared as a wildlife sanctuary in April 1975 primarily to protect
the endangered saltwater crocodile from the brink of extinction. Because of poaching
and loss of habitat the saltwater crocodile population in Bhitarkanika was reduced to a
mere 35 adult and sub-adult individuals (Kar and Bustard. 1989). In 1975 the
Government of Orissa established a saltwater crocodile research and conservation
centre at Dangamal. Through the rear and release program nearly 2,500 crocodiles of
1m length have been restocked in Bhitarkanika and the present population is around
700 individuals of both size classes (Kar and Patnaik, 1999). The average density of
crocodiles (other than hatchlings) in Bhitarkanika has increased from 0.87
individuals/km in 1976 (Kar and Bustard, 1976 and 1991) to 5.0 individuals/km in
1998 (Kar and Patnaik, 1999). The breeding population of saltwater crocodile in
Bhitarkanika is well established now and more than 40 breeding females have been
recorded in the area (Pandav, 1998).
Along with the saltwater crocodile head start program, the Government of Orissa in
1976 established the Gahirmatha marine turtle research centre at Habalikhati to study
the world's largest nesting population of Olive ridley sea turtles. A long term tagging
program was taken up by the Orissa Forest Department in 1977 and this programme
has broadened our present knowledge on the sea turtles nesting at Gahrimatha (Dash
and Kar, 1990). The Olive ridley nesting population at Gahiramtha was monitored by
the Wildlife Institute of India between 1995 and 1999. Nearly 9,000 Olive ridleys
were tagged during this period and several of these tagged turtles have been recovered
from the western coast of
Sri Lanka.
The most detailed botanical survey of Bhitarkanika mangroves has been carried out
by the Botanical Survey of India, Calcutta and the result of this survey has been
published in the form of a book (Bannerjee and Rao, 1990). The study by Bannerjee
and Rao (1990) revealed the presence of 55 of the 58 recorded Indian mangrove
species in Bhitarkanika. The mangrove plant community in Bhitarkanika is
characterised by an abundance of species flowering from February to April, during
which period there is a seasonal migration of bees into the area. The pollination
biology of some of the mangrove species have been studied by Pandit (1997).
Research and monitoring has been a regular activity of the wildlife wing of the Orissa
Forest Department in Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary. Some of the regular research
activities of the wildlife wing in Bhitarkanika includes the annual census of saltwater
crocodile, nesting olive ridley sea turtle at Gahirmatha and census of the colonial
nesting birds in the heronry.
Reference: Banerjee and Rao (1990); Biswas and Kar (1981). Bustard (1976);
Chadha and Kar (1999); Dash and Kar (1990); Kar and Bustard (1989); Kar and
Bustard (1991); Kar and Patnaik (1999); Lopex and Mundkur (1997); Pandav (1997);
Pandav (1998); Pandit (1997); Subramanya (1996); http://www.ramsar.org/ (Ramsar
website).
HIRAKUD RESERVOIR
Twenty five kilometers from the end to end, Hirakud (21° 32’ N,
83° 52’ E) is
the world’s longest main stream dam over the river Mahanadi and one of the major
dam in India. River Mahanadi drains an area of 141, 600 km2 of which 46.5 per cent
lie in Orissa. Its main tributaries are Seonath, Hasdeo, Mand, Jonk, Ib, Ong and Tel –
the last two join the river downstream of the Hirakud Reservoir. Its construction
started in 1951 and its reservoir started impounding water from monsoon of 1956. The
total length is 4800 m.
•
HIRAKUD RESERVOIR
Abiotic factors: Tropical monsoon climate. The water temperature ranged from 21 to
30°C and pH values from 7.3 to 8.5.
Phytoplankton:
Species Name
Species Name
Actinaustraum sp.
Melosira sp.
Amphora sp.
Anaebaena orientalis
Meoismopedia
glauca
Microsystis sp.
Anaebaena sp.
Navicula sp.
Ankistrodesmus felcatus
Nitzschia sp.
Anthrospira sp.
Nostoc sp.
Chlamydomonas
globosa
Chlorolla vulgaris
Oscillatoria amoena
Crucigenia sp.
O. simpliccisima
Cyclotella sp.
Pandorina sp.
Cymbella sp.
Pediastrum sp.
Diatoma elongata
Phacus sp.
Dispora cunciformes
Phormidium sp.
Eudorina sp.
Sienedesmus sp.
Euglena sp.
Spirogyra sp.
Fragilaria sp.
Spirulina sp.
Frustulia sp.
Surirella sp.
Gyrosigma sp.
Synecocchus sp.
Kirchnerilla sp.
Synedra ulna
O. orientalis
Melosira ambiguna
Zooplankton: Rotifera (Brachionus sp., Keratella sp., Asplancha sp., Polyarthra sp.)
Cladocera (Daphnia sp., Bosmina sp., Moina sp.); Copepoda (Mesocyclops sp.,
Cyclops sp., Nauplii sp.).
Land use: It is a multipurpose dam meant for irrigation, flood control (down stream
delta) and power generation.
Socio-economic values: Irrigation for 2,64,228 ha. (Khari-1,55,428 ha; Rabi1,08,800 ha). Power installed is 270 mw. The water can be used for drinking after
preliminary treatment.
Reference: Dash et al. (1993).
RENGALI DAM
Rengali dam is situated (21° 17’ N, 85° 02’ E) in the Dhenkanal district, Orissa.
Brahmani is the second largest river in Orissa. It carries 70.50 million acre foot of
mean annual run-off with maximum flood discharge of 8,00,000 cu.sec. The delta
region is subjected to frequent flood. The reservoir spreads over 414 sq.km area and
stores 4.4 lakh hectare meter at RL 120 meter and 5.15 lakh hectare meter at RL 125
meter.
•
RENGALI DAM
Land use: The dam is used for irrigation and fishing.
Socio-economic values: The dam supports an important fishing industry and is a
SATKOSHIA GORGE SANCTUARY
Satkoshia Gorge Sanctuary is situated in (20° 33’ N, 84° 50’ E) the
105 km west
of Cuttack, Orissa. A 22 km stretch of the Mahanadi river in the Satkoshia Gorge
between Tikerpara and Barmul. The river is very slow-flowing for much of the year
and contains many deep pools, even during the dry season. Numerous sand bard and
gravel beds are exposed at low water levels. The total area of the Sanctuary is 79, 552
ha.
•
SATKOSHIA GORGE SANCTUARY
Reptiles: Until recently, the Satkoshia Gorge section of the Mahanadi river supported
one of the significant populations of the endangered gharial (Gavialis gangeticus) in
India. The last wild hatchlings were seen in 1974, and no eggs have been laid since
the 1976 breeding season. A major efforts, however, being made to restore the
population with animals reared in captivity from eggs collected elsewhere.
Land use: The wetland is used for Sanctuary.
Conservation measures taken: The Satkoshia Gorge Sanctuary was established in
1976 to protect a population of the endangered gharial (Gavialis gangeticus). Some
107 captive-reared individuals were released into the river between 1977 and March
1980 to augment the vestigial wild population. The animals are strictly protected
within the Sanctuary.
Research and facilities: There has been a considerable amount of research centered
around the Gharial project.
Reference: Groombridge (1982)
CHILKA LAKE
Chilka lake is (19° 28’–19° 54’ N, 85° 06’–85° 35’ E) in Puri and Ganjam districts,
Orissa. Chilka, the designated Ramsar site, is the World’s second largest
brackishwater lagoon, is about 64.5 km long (NE – SW) with a width varying from
18.5 km in the northern part to 5 km in the souther sector. Chilka is a shallow lake
separated from the Bay of Bengal by a long sandy ridge not less than 200m wide. The
range in water depth is from 0.9–2.6m in the dry season to 1.8–3.7m in the rainy
season.
In the north, the Daya and Bhargavi rivers flow into the lake and, with some eight
other rivers, annually discharge about 375,000 cusecs of freshwater carrying some 13
million metric tonnes of silt into the lake. The lake is connected to the Bay of Bengal
via a channel through the sand ridge in the north-east. The opening point of this
channel with the lake is known as Magarmukha (Mouth of the Crocodile). The
important islands found lake are the Nalabana, Kalijai Hill, Krushnaprasadrah (Old
Parikuda), Badakuda, Sanakuda, Kanthapantha, Nuapara and Honeymoon. The lake
has been divided into four separate zones namely the southern, central and northern
sectors and the outer channel area. The total area of this lake is 116,500 ha. in
monsoon and 89,100 ha. in summer.
and minimum of 17.5°C was recorded. Salinity ranged from 0.1 to 36‰ and pH
values form 6.8 to 9.7.
Algae: Enteromorpha, Gracillaria, Spirogyra, Cladophora and Polysiphonia, Najas
sp., stoneworts Chara sp., Nitella sp. and
Hydrilla sp. Potomegeton spp.
Amphibians: True Frogs-Rana cyanophlyctis, Rana tigerina, Rana limnocharis,
Rana breviceps, Polypedates maculatus, Microhyla ornata, Bufo melanostictus
Fishes: Hilsa ilisha, Mugil macrolepis, Mystus gulio, Lates calcarifer, Polynemus
tetradactylus, Glossogobius giuris, Cyprinus carpio, Ctenopharyngodon idella,
Gerres setifer and Mystus gulio.
Reptiles: Soft-shelled Turtles-Lissemys punctata punctata; Lizards-Hemidactylus
brooki, H. frenatus, H. leschenaulti, Sitana ponticeriana, Calotes versicolor,
Psammophilus blanfordanus, Mabuya carinata, Mabuya bibroni, Barkudia insularis,
Varanus bengalensis; Snakes-Blind Snakes (Ramphotyphlops braminus, Typhlops
porrectus, Typhlops acutus), Boas (Eryx conicus), File Snakes (Chersydrus
granulates), Colubrid Snakes (Ptyas mucosus, Boiga trigonata, Dendrelaphis tristis,
Xenochrophis piscator, Enhydris enhydris, Cerberus rhynchops), Cobras and Kraits
(Bungarus caeruleus, Naja naja naja), Sea Snakes (Enhydrina schistosa, Hydrophis
obscurus), Vipers (Vipera russelli).
Birds:
Species Name
Species Name
Anas acuta
E. intermedia
A. clypeata
Fulica atra
A. crecca
A. querquedula
Himantopus
himantopus
Larus
brunnicephalus
Limosa limosa
A. strepera
Netta rufina
Anastomus oscitans
Ardea cinerea
Nettapus
coromandelianus
Pelecanus
philippensis
Phalacrocorax niger
Ardeola grayii
Phoeniconaias minor
Aythya ferina
A. fuligula
Phoenicopterus
ruber
Podiceps cristatus
Calidris ferruginea
Porphyrio porphyrio
C. minuta
Tachybaptus
ruficollis
Tadorna ferruginea
A. penelope
Anser indicus
Charadrius mongolus
Chlidonias hybridus
Egretta alba
Threskiornis
aethiopica
Tringa erythropus
E. garzetta
T. tetanus
Land tenure: State-Owned. Measures are being implemented to declare the area a
sanctuary under the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972. It already has sanctuary status
under Orissa Forest (Shooting) Rules 1972. Designated as a Ramsar site on accession
in October 1981.
Land use: A great deal of human activity takes place at Chilika. More than 9000
fishing boats operate on the lake, and there are over 15 mechanised ferries
transporting people between various points. Aerial operations reveal that at least 25%
(4000 ha in 1991) of the littoral zone of Chilika lake has been taken over for prawn
culture operations. A huge number of cattle and water buffalo graze in and around the
lake, and local villagers gather reeds and grasses for thatching purposes. A small, but
growing, number of naturalists and tourists have been attracted to the sanctuary in
recent years. The drainage basin (over 43000 ha) is heavily populated. Forests, mostly
deciduous stands of Shorea, Dillenia and Pterosperumum species, cover the upper
reaches of rivers draining into Chilka, between 300 m and 600 m altitude. They are
largely over-felled and over-grazed. Stone quarrying in the hilly terrain is common.
Cultivated areas lie mostly in the fertile, alluvial flat lands to the north of Chilka and
at place extend right up to the lake. Some 1600 ha of the lake have been reclaimed for
rice cultivation. The lucrative prawn fishery of the lake has transformed the fish
landing points into large commercial centres. Rambha and Barkul along the lake are
tourist centres. Apart from the towns, the shore has 122 fishing villages with a total
population of around 100,000 while the surrounding area has about 273 villages.
Conservation measures taken: The entire lake was given "Sanctuary" status in 1973
under the Orissa Forest (Shooting) Rules 1972. Measures are now being implemented
to declare the area a Sanctuary under the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972. The lake was
designated as a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention in
October 1981. A core area has been delineated around Nalban Island where fishing
and grazing will be banned. Hunting is prohibited throughout the lake, and night
fishing has been banned since 1986. The lake is under the control of the State Wildlife
Department. The number of staff has recently been increased and is headed by a
Divisional Forest Officer.
Conservation measures proposed: An integrated study of the problems facing
Chilka Lake is urgently required. The area is too vast to permit rigorous control over
land use, and the great number of people dependent upon the lake will have to be
accommodated in any conservation strategy for the area. Fishing will be allowed to
continue at present levels, except in the Nalban core area, but the introduction of
motorized fishing vessels is to be prohibited throughout the lake. The Fisheries
Department has submitted a series of proposals to regulate the size of fishing nets,
declare parts of the lake fish sanctuaries, and earmark seasons for certain species, but
these have yet to be implemented.
Socio-economic values: The lake supports a major fishery for finfish, prawns and
other crustaceans with an estimated 6000 MT of fish taken annually. There has been a
steady drop in the total fish landings with only 42170 MT being taken in 1990–91.
About 22% of the catch consists of prawns, followed by mullets. Only a relatively
small quantity are consumed by local fishermen. Most of the fish landed is exported
primarily to fish markets in Calcutta. A net revenue of over Rs.70 million is taken by
the Government from 24 revenue villages along the lake shore, the majority of this
revenue coming from prawn catches. The State Government receives an annual
income of Rs. 1 million from the fishing leases. The lake has enormous potential for
scientific research, outdoor recreation, and tourism, and the State Government is
developing the area as a tourist attraction. The site has a rich birdlife with over 150
recorded migratory and resident species. It has one of the largest concentrations of
migratory waterfowl in India including large flocks of ducks (Anatinae), geese
(Anserinae), flamingos Phoenicopterus sp., pelican Pelecanus sp., plover Charadrius
sp., gulls Larus sp. and terns Sterna sp.
Pollution status: The area is threatened by pollution from domestic and industrial
waste. The large number (400) of buffalos on Nalban Island is disturbing the
avifauna.
Research and facilities: The Bombay Natural History Society has made some
investigations at the lake, and conducted bird ringing programmes at Nalban Island in
February–March 1981 and February–April 1984. A total of 4,546 waterfowl of 56
species were ringed during the two seasons. The State Government has indicated to
the Society that it will finance a long term research station at Chilka under the
supervision of the Society.
Reference: http://www.ramsar.org/ (Ramsar website); Abbsai (1997); Rath and
Adhikary (2005).
ROPAR RESERVOIR
Ropar wetland is situated (31° 01’ N, 76° 30’ E) near Ropar City, 45 km northwest of
Chandigarh City, in Ropar and Nawanshahr districts, Punjab. This reservoir at Ropar
(manmade wetland) was formed due to the construction of Ropar head regulator in
1952. Before that, small headwork was constructed during the year 1882, on the right
side of river Sutlej near Ropar Town so as to supply water to Sirhind Canal. With the
construction of main barrage during the year 1952 water was also diverted into
another canal - Bist Doab Canal. The reservoir level is maintained at Reduced Level
(RL) 873.50 feet above Main Sea Level (MSL) compared to the bed level at RL
857.00 feet above MSL. Depth of water varies from half meters to 6 meters in the
Reservoir area. Shallow water features exist along both the sides of the river located
within the wetland area. The annual average inflow during 2000 has been reported to
be 3677400 cusecs. Per day incoming water at Ropar Wetland from River Sutlej is
10215 cusecs out of which 2460 cusecs flows into the rivers downstream of Ropar
Reservoir. 7346 cusecs water is released into Sirhind Canal and 490 cusecs is released
into Bist Doab Canal per day. Upstream of Ropar Wetland 850 cusecs is diverted
through Bhakra Main Line.
Abiotic factors: Climatically this area falls under semi-arid zone of Punjab with
mean annual rainfall of 1518 mm.
Trees: A total of 19 species of trees were recorded. These are follows;
Species Name
Species Name
Acacia catechu
F. religiosa
A. modesta
Mangifera indica
A. nilotica
Melia azadirachta
Albizzia lebbek
Moringa oleifera
Azadirachta indica
Morus indica
Bombax ciba
Prosopis juliflora
Cassia fistula
Salix willow
Dalbergia sissoo
Syzygium cuminii
Eucalyptus tereticornis
Zizyphus jujube
Ficus Bengalensis
Bushes and Grasses: A total of 14 species were recorded. These are follows;
Species Name
Species Name
Adhatoda vasica
Arundo doanx
Cannabis sativa
Erianthus munja
Eulaliopsis binnata
Heteropogon
contortus
Lantana camara
Carissa spinarum
Chrysopogon fulvus
Cymbopogon maritini
Saccharum
spontaneum
Typha elephantine
Dodonaea viscosa
Zyzyphus mauritiana
Fishes: A total of 21 species of fishes were recorded. These are follows;
Zoological Name
Ambasis nama
A. ranga
Local
Name
Shisha
Machi
Shisha
Machi
Status
Ornamental
Value
Commercial
Value
Aorichthys
seenghala
Catla catla
Ceenopharyngodon
idelle
Channa punctatus
C. striatus
Cirrhinus mrigala
Colisa fasciata
Sangarha
Commercial
Thal
Grass
Carp
Dolla
Curd
Mori
Kanghi
Commercial
Commercial
Cyprinus carpio
communis
C. carpio spacularis
Common
Carp
Mirror
Carp
Kalbans
or Dhai
Gid
Kunni
Seerha
Rohu
Sam
Labeo calbasu
L. dero
L. dyocheilus
L. gonius
L. rohita
Mastacembelus
armatus
Puntius sarana
P. ticto
Wallago attu
Puthi
Ticher
Mali
Commercial
Commercial
Commercial
Ornamental
Value
Commercial
Commercial
Commercial
Commercial
Commercial
Commercial
Commercial
Commercial
Commercial
Wild
Commercial
Amphibia (Frogs): Rana tigrina (Indian tiger frog), Rana limnocharis (Indian rice
frog), Rana breviceps (Indian burrowing frog), Bufo melanostictus (Common toad).
Reptiles: A total of 18 species of reptiles were recorded. These are follows;
Zoological Name
Tortoises
Chitra indica
Geoclamys hamilton
Lizards
Calotes versicolor
Mabuya macularia
Ophiodactylus
tridactylus
Uromastix hardwicki
Varanus monitor
Snakes
Echis carinatus
Eryx johnii johnii
Fungarus caerulens
Leptotyphlops
blandfordi
Lycodon striatus
Common Name
Girgit (blood
sucker)
Sanda
Phoorsa
Johns sand boa
Common Indian
Krait
Wolf snake
Naja naja
Phython molurus
Psammophis leithi
Ptyas mucosus
Typhlops porrectus
Vipera russelli
Cobra
Indian python or
ajgar
Sand snake
Rat snake
Blind snake
Russel's viper
Birds: A total of 49 species of local birds, 11 species of migratory birds, 3 species of
rare birds and 54 species of common birds were recorded in this wetland.
Zoological Name
Local Birds
Accipiter badius
A. nisus
Aeriodotherco
giniginianus
A. tristis
Alcedo atthis
Ardea alba
Ardeola grayii
Athene brama
Aythya ferina
Bubo bengalensis
Bubulcus ibis
Calidris minuta
Caprimulgas indicus
Ceryle rudis
Charadrius dubius
Coracia benghalensis
Dicrurus adsimilis
Elanus caeruleus
Francolinus
francolinus
F. pondicerianus
Fulica atra
Gallinula chloropus
Gullus gallus
Halcyon smyrnensis
Haliastur indus
Himantopus
himantopus
Lanius cristatus
Lanius excubitor
L. schach
Oriolus oriolus
Common Name
Shikra
Sparrow hawk
Bank myna
Common myna
Small blue
kingfisher
Large egret
Pond heron
Spotted owlet
Common Pochard
Great hornedowl
Cattle egret
Little stint
Jungle nightjar
Pied kingfisher
Little ringed
plover
Indian roller
King crow or
Drongo
Blackwinged kite
Black partridge
Grey partridge
Coot
Moorhen
Peafowl
Whitebreasted
kingfisher
Brahminy kite
Blackwinged stilt
Brown shrike
Grey shrike
Rufousbacked
shrike
Golden oriole
Pandion haliaetus
Perdicula asiatica
Pitta brachyura
Podiceps niger
Porphyrio porphyrio
Psittacula eupatria
P. krameri
Pycononotus cafer
Sterna aurantia
Streptopelia chinensis
S. decaocto
Sturnus contra
Tockus birostris
Treron phoenicoptera
Tringa hypoleuces
Tyto alba
Upupa epops
Vanellus indicus
V. malabaricus
Migratory Birds
Anas acuta
A. clyopeata
A. penelope
A. platyrhynchos
A. poeccilorhyncha
A. steopera
Aythya ferina
Circus aeruginosus
Hydrophasianus
chirurgus
Netta rufina
Tadorna ferruginea
Rare Birds
Dinopium benghalense
Megalaima
haemacephala
M. zeylanica
Other Birds
Acrocephalus
stentoreus
Alauda gulgula
Ammomanes
Osprey
Jungle bush quail
Pitta
Little Cormorant
Purple moorthen
Green Large
parakeet
Roseringed
parakeet
Red vented
bulbul
River tern
Spotted dove
Ring dove
Pied myna
Grey hornbill
Blue rock pigeon
Common
sandpiper
Barnowl
Hoopoe
Redwattled
lapwing
Yellow wattled
lapwing
Pintail
Shoveller
Wigeon
Mallard
Spotbill duck
Gadwall
Common pochard
Marsh harrier
Pheasat tailed
jacana
Red Crested
pochard
Ruddy shelduck
Goldenbacked
woodpecker
Crimsonbreasted
barbet
Green barbet
Ashy grey
warbler
Skylark
Rufoustailed
phoenicurus
Anthus similis
A. trivalis
Apus affinis
Certhia himalayana
Cisticola juncidis
Clamator jacobinus
Copsychus saularis
Corvus
macroryhynchos
Cuculus varius
Cypsiurus parvus
Dendrocitta vagabunda
Dicaeum agile
Embeviza
melangcepala
Estrilda amandava
Eudynamys scolopacea
Galerida cristata
Hirundo daurica
H. rustica
H. smithii
Megalaime asiatica
Megalurus palustris
Meolphus lathami
Mirafra erythroptera
Motacilla alba
M. caspica
M. citreola
M. flava
Muscicapa thalassina
Oenantive fenschi
Orthotomus sutorius
Parus major
Paseer domesticus
P. manyar
P. pyrrhorstus
Pericrocotus
crinnamomeus
finch-lark
Rock pipit
Tree pipit
House swift
Tree creeper
Streaked fantail
warbler
Pied crested
cuckoo
Mag-pie robin
House Crow
Common hawkcuckoo
Palm swift
Tree pie
Thickbiled flower
pecker
Blackheaded
bunting
Red munia
Koel
Crested Lark
Redrumped
swallow
Swallow
Wire-tailed
swallow
Purple sunbird
Striated marsh
warbler
Crested bunting
Red-winged bush
lark
White wagtail
Grey wagtail
Yellow head
wagtail
Yellow wagtail
Verditer
flycatcher
River pied chat
Tailor bird
Grey tit
House sparrow
Streaked weaver
bird
Jungle sparrow
Small minivet
Phonicurus ochruros
Ploceus phillipinus
Prinia socialis
P. subflava
Sanocoloides fulicata
Saxicola caprata
S. leucura
S. torguata
Tichodroma muraris
Tophrodornis
pondicarianus
Turdoides caudatus
T. earlei
T. malcolmi
T. striatus
Turdus merula
T. ruficollis
Black red start
Weaver bird
Ashy wern
warbler
Plain wern
warbler
Indian robin
Pied bush chat
White tailed stone
chat
Stone chat
Wall creeper
Wood shrike
Common babbler
Striated babbler
Grey babbler
Jungle babbler
Black bird
Blackthroated
thrush
Land tenure: The site belongs to the government of Punjab and surrounding areas
are mostly privately owned.
Land use: The reservoir is an important source of water for irrigation, industry and
domestic use in remote places via Sirhind and Bist Doab Canals.
Conservation measures taken: Ever since the recognition of Ropar Wetland as a
Wetland of National Importance by the Ministry of Environment & Forests, Govt. of
India (MEF, GOI), the Punjab State Council for Science & Technology has initiated
efforts to take up conservation programmes involving the state executing departments.
Proposals for this purpose are formulated and submitted to the MEF, GOI on annual
basis. The Ministry has so far provided Rs. 12.70 lac to the State Government for
various activities. Activities undertaken include plantation in 10 ha area, water quality
monitoring, fencing in strategic locations and public awareness. A TV and VCR has
been provided to the district administration for generating public awareness through
local Environment Protection Society. The district administration has constructed an
Information Centre-cum-Watch Tower for generating mass awareness and promote
public participation in the wetland conservation programmes. This information centre
comprises of a porch (14'x15'), Hall (32'x15'), Room (16'x10'), Toilet (6'x9') and high
rise watch tower. One public awareness programme was also organised at wetland site
to infuse grass root level gatherings in our conservation measures.
Conservation measures proposed: Ropar Wetland essentially has tremendous
ecological values. But the ecosystem is threatened on many counts, which include
excessive siltation as a result of the erosion from the adjoining nude hills. Interference
to the avifauna is also a matter of concern. Immediate steps, particularly, afforestation
and soil conservation in the highly erosion prone catchment areas in the vicinity of
this wetland, fencing of strategic areas and awareness of general public are required to
be initiated. The State Govt. has already constructed an Information Centre and Watch
Tower for stimulating and sensitising public to understand environment in general and
wetlands in particular. This Centre, however, requires to be strengthened with basic
facilities like books, blow-ups, binoculars, small telescope, video films, etc. Details of
the conservation and management and awareness steps alongwith the financial
requirements are given hereunder:1. Survey and Mapping: A preliminary survey of Ropar Wetland Ecological Zone
has been done by the Deptt. of Town and Country Planning, Punjab. However, to
undertake long term conservation and management programmes and to protect this
wetland it is desirable to conduct detailed survey, including remote sensing survey,
and prepare comprehensive maps. Subsequently the steps for its notification may be
taken up. A sum of Rs. 11.34 lac is required for undertaking plane table and contour
surveys. Work has been started to survey the area.
2. Afforestation and Soil Conservation: Since this wetland is located right in the lap
of badly damaged and absolutely nude erosion prone Shivalik Foothills, thousands of
tonnes of silt gets transported into this wetland and further down every year. This
excessive siltation is not only reducing the extent of lake but also is transforming the
functioning of this ecological system. It has been planned to check silt loading in a
phased manner by undertaking plantation and soil conservation work. This work will
be initiated first in the vicinity of the wetland. The Deptt. of Forests & Wildlife,
Punjab shall take up plantation of indigenous species in 50 ha area. Funds to the tune
of Rs. 40.00 lac are required for this purpose. Council is also proposing to take up
concrete grid support plantation at strategic locations and arial seeding on inaccessible
hills.
3. Fencing and Wildlife Development: The Deptt. of Wildlife, Govt. of Punjab has
proposed to erect chain-link fence to protect certain strategic areas of the wetland.
This will help in checking the excessive exploitation of vital wetland resource and
prevent encroachments of the wetland area. Funds to the tune of Rs. 30.00 lac are
required for raising fence during the ninth five year plan. Wildlife Deptt. also
proposes to provide wooden nests of different shapes. Recent experiments in some
western countries shows that landing of some important birds in wetlands also
depends upon the clues and signatures supporting the occurrence of some related birds
in that habitat. Since the birds are important ecological components of any ecosystem
the results of such experiments may help in artificially encouraging the landing of
birds. Punjab State Council for Science & Technology proposes to install suitable
number of plastic birds initially at Ropar and Kanjli Wetland marshes. For this
purpose Rs. 50,000/- will be required during first two years of the 9th Five Years
Plan.
4. Monitoring of Water Quality: Quality of water determines the ecosystem health of
wetlands. Preliminary studies undertaken by Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB)
under MINARS programme of the Ministry of Environment & Forests, Govt. of India
has found that water quality is of 'A' category at Nangal, when the river makes its turn
into Punjab and deteriorates to 'D' downstream of Ropar reservoir. The deterioration
of water quality is mainly due to the industrial effluents from Nangal Fertilizer
Limited, Punjab National Fertilizer Corporation, Naya Nangal; Ropar Thermal Plant,
United Paper Mills, Zenith Paper Mills, etc. Without the immediate curative and
preventive measures, water quality of this wetland, particularly the areas located
downstream of Ropar Barrage, may deteriorate still further. Such measures can be
better planned and executed if detailed base line data regarding pollution levels and
their source is available. For this purpose, it is essential to undertake extensive
pollution monitoring studies of point and non-point source along the river. PPCB
undertook studies during 1998-99 and had reported that water quality in the reservoir
and its upper areas mainly fall in Class ‘A’ to ‘C’ but it deteriorates to Class ‘D’ in the
downstream area where industrial effluents join the river (PPCB, 2000). The PPCB
would continue to undertaken such studies at five river monitoring stations. Besides
physico-chemical analysis of important parameters, biological estimations as well as
pesticide residue analysis will be undertaken. An amount of Rs. 9.25 lac is required
for five years for undertaking the above said studies.
5. Restoration of Storage Capacity of Reservoir: The Irrigation Department, Punjab
has observed that lot of silt deposition is taking place in the lake thereby reducing the
lake storage capacity considerably. The Irrigation Deptt. plans to undertake operations
to remove silt from the reservoir at an approximate cost of Rs. 98.00 lac for five
years.
6. Conservation and Development of Fisheries: This wetland had been a major
source of fisheries ever since. However, the contractors have over exploited this
resource although some regulation measures are being implemented by the
Department of Fisheries, GOP. Since the fisheries form an important and integral part
of food web and human food chain, it is essential to sustainably maintain this fragile
relationship between the Fish level and the other biotic resource like birds and
primary producers. Regular release of fish species is highly essential for this purpose.
To upkeep the fish level it may also be essential to set up some fish seed farms nearby
and renovate the existing ponds. Besides, some other infrastructure associated with
the project is required to be developed. An amount to the tune of Rs. 25.00 lac is
required in this regard.
7. Research Studies: To analyse the biotic components, foodchain sequence in our
wetlands and potential threats to these places and their components, and to make longterm conservation strategies, the research studies on aquatic ecosystems of Punjab are
being promoted by the State Science & Technology Department. Certain future
programmes for wetland conservation will definitely depend upon the research
database. Punjabi University Patiala undertook studies on aquatic ecosystems of
Punjab particularly for evaluating the food chain structure. Studies on biodiversity of
this wetland and limnological parameters besides habitat characteristics and economic
valuation of Ropar Wetland resource are priority areas of research as are described
hereunder:
a) Hydrology and productivity: wetland quality depends closely on water quantity
and quality. However, decisions regarding dam construction and river
embankments are made with little thought on their impact upon the productivity of
rivers and flood plains. The effects of degradation or improvement of wetland
may not be felt instantaneously or in immediately surroundings. It may be felt at
later dates and in far away areas. Detailed studies, therefore, need to be carried
out to study the impact of the wetland on hydrogeology of the area.
b) Fisheries and sustainable use of wild life Population: Due to heavy pressure on the
wetland areas on account of various factors like encroachment for agriculture,
pollution, etc. the impact on faunal populations is catastrophic. It is clear that
unless solid argument based on hard scientific data is presented for maintenance
of these sites, this pressure is likely to continue. Hence the need of investigation in
this area.
c) Traditional human use: Human beings are an important component of any
ecosystem and are in reciprocal relationship with it. It is important to understand
how breakdown of traditional controls of land use has increased the rate of habitat
loss and how it can be checked. Wetland conservation practices can be successful
only if its social impact is conducive to its use by the people inhabitating that
ecosystem. It is, therefore, important that social impact analysis of developmental
versus conservation projects be carried out alongwith environmental impact
analysis of various human activities initiated in the wetland area.
d) Land use planning: A thorough understanding of the hydrology, pedology and
agricultural potential of the site is required in taking decisions regarding
demarcation of the wetland area.
e) Economic assessment: Wetlands have been playing crucial role in human
development by providing functional and ecological values. It is essential to
undertake economic assessment of Ropar Wetland. Such an assessment would
definitely act as a motivating tool to convince the public to protect and conserve
it.
f) Flora and Fauna: Detailed taxonomic studies of plant and animal species of this
wetland need to be carried out. This will also help to identify the endemic
species, if any, of this region, which will invite particular attention for
conservation.
A corpus amount of Rs. 25.00 lac for five years will be required for conducting these
studies. The research projects can be initiated depending upon the availability of
funds.
Disturbance and threats: Ropar wetland is facing severe problems of siltation from
the adjoining deforested hills. Increasing industrialisation is causing an inflow of
pollutants. Invasive species such as
Parthenium sp. and Lantana sp. are a
further cause of concern. Illegal fishing and poaching also occur.
Socio-economic values: Ropar area has its distinct place in the District since Anglo
Sikh relations and territories were defined by an agreement between Maharaja Ranjit
Singh and Lord William Bentick in October, 1831 under the shade of an old Ficus
Tree which existed on the bank of River Sutlej. The area is deeply associated with the
socio-economic development of the State and adjoining regions. The strategic
location of Ropar Headworks and its link with important towns attract inumerable
visitors daily. Having tremendous recreational values a number of birds watchers and
nature lover visit the area. A Tourist Banglow named Pinccasia Tourist Complex
located inside the wetland offers necessary cuisine facilities. Since this wetland is an
important source of fisheries, it is significant from economic point of view for the
State.
This wetland contributes to the tourism activities to a substantial extent. Nature
lovers, bird watchers, swimmers and environmentalists visit the area regularly and
enjoy the nature. A tourism complex 'Pinccasia' within the wetland boundary opened
in 1975 is also an important attraction for the visitors. A Boat Club is also functioning
in the area and the boating lovers visit the area from time to time. Tourism facilities,
at present, at Ropar are being provided by the Punjab Tourism Development
Corporation. Tourism potential has further enhanced with declaration of Ropar
Wetland Region as a National Wetland.
Importance: Ropar wetland is an extremely important ecological zone located in the
lap of Shivalik Foothills. The wetland provides habitat to the endangered turtle Chitra
indica and the threatened snake Python molurus ("at lower risk"). The site is an
important breeding area for the globally vulnerable otter Lutrogale perspicillata and
"at lower risk" mammals such as the deer Axis porcinus, and probably the Indian
Pangolin Manis crassicaudata. The nationally protected deer Cervus unicolor, and
several reptiles also breed at the site. Some 35 species of fish play an important role in
the food chain. The site is also an important staging ground for migratory waterbirds.
In total, at least 9 mammal, 154 bird (migratory and local), 35 fish, 9 arthropod, 11
rotifer, 9 crustacean and 10 protozoan species have been reported from the site.
Research and facilities: There are three Universities in the State namely Punjab
Agriculture University, Ludhiana, Punjabi University, Patriala and Guru Nanak Dev
University, Amritsar where necessary infrastructural and scientific facilities are
available for undertaking studies on this wetlands. Sludge and Water Quality
Monitoring is being carried out by the Punjab Pollution Control Board, Patiala. Ropar
Wetland, supporting a large number of biotic components is an important open
ecosystem for undertaking in-depth studies relating to food chain parameters, energy
flow cycling, hydrological parameters, biotic status, etc.
Management authority: Principal Secretary, Department of Science, Technology &
Environment, Government of Punjab.
Past and present status: This ecosystem is hard pressed under a diversity of threats
calling immediate measures. Some of the threats looming over Ropar Wetland
(PSCST 1992, Ladhar and Handa 1992, Ladhar, 1995) are as under:
Ropar Wetland is facing severe problems of siltation from the adjoining nude and soft
hills, which need immediate treatment and greening. The hills being prone to
continuous and extensive erosion will lead to shrinkage of wetland area.
The outside interference with the resident and migratory birds, illegal fishing and
poaching of wildlife may put many species in danger. This needs protection by way of
fencing, etc.
Increasing industrialisation is posing a big problem to the ecological status of Ropar
Wetland. Fertilizer plant at Nangal, Thermal Power Plant at Ropar, etc. are
responsible for water quality degradation of this eco-system. Inflow of chemical
pollutants like agrochem-residues run off, industrial effluents and sewage from some
towns in the upper reaches like Nangal, Naya Nangal, Anandpur Sahib, Kiratpur
Sahib, etc. need to be immediately assessed and rectification initiated.
Invasion and growth of weeds like Parthenium and Lantana into the wetland zone is
also a cause of concern.
It is, therefore, recommended that the conservation measures need to be initiated
without any delay since the measures at Ropar will not only restrict at this place but
also will provide results downstream thus helping the improvement in the ecological
character of Harike Wetland too.
Reference: Deptt. of Wildlife, Govt. of Punjab (1993); Dhillon, SS and Kaur H.
(1996); Ladhar S.S. (1995); Ladhar S.S. and Handa, S.M. (1992); Punjab Pollution
Control Board (PPCB) (2000); Punjab State Council for Science & Technology
(1992); Punjab State Council for Science & Technology (PSCST) (1998); Punjab
State Council for Science & Technology (PSCST) (2000); Randhawa, A.S. (1990);
Sharma, BR (1987); Verma, et al. (1994); http://www.ramsar.org/ (Ramsar website).
HARIKE LAKE
Harike lake is situated (31° 13’ N, 75° 12’ E) in the Kapurthala, Ferozepur and
Amritsar districts, Punjab. The lake is formed by damming of Beas-Sutlej watershed,
is the biggest watershed of Punjab. The lake was created in 1953 by the construction
of a barrage at Harike. On account of heavy siltation due to denuded catchment area,
the ponded area is gradually decreasing. The lake is heavily infested by water
hyacinth. The total area of the lake is about 4100 ha.
Abiotic factors: North Indian monsoon climate, typical of the Punjab. The monsoon
rains have been well below average in many recent years.
Macrophytes:
Dense floating beds of Eichhornia crassipes cover approximately
70% of the lake, and the emergent vegetation is dominated by Typha sp. Various trees
have been planted on the reservoir embankments.
Fishes: The main fish fauna in the lake is Hilsa.
Birds: The site is important for wintering and staging waterbirds, supporting over
200,000 Anatidae during the peak of migration. Species include
Species Name
Species Name
Anas acuta
A. rapax
A. clypeata
Aythya ferina
A. crecca
A. fuligula
A. falcata
A. marila
A. penelope
A. nyroca
A. strepera
Grus grus
Anser anser
Netta rufina
A. indicus
Oxyura leucocephala
Aquila clanga
Tadorna ferruginea
A. heliaca
The area is also important for breeding birds, including Haliaeetus leucoryphus.
Mammals: The mammals include Felis chaus, Canis aureus and the threatened
Lutra perspicillata.
Land use: The lake is used for water supply for drinking and irrigation
Conservation measure taken: The wetland has been identified as a site for
conservation under the Indian National Wetland Programme. The State Government
has prepared a Management Action Plan for conservation of the wetland, and has
been funded by the Central Government. This wetland was also declared a wildlife
sanctuary by the State Government. The sanctuary area was enlarged in 1992 to 86 sq.
km. From 1980 – 1985, the Bombay Natural History Society carried out research and
a bird-ringing programme.
Disturbance and threats: A major part of Harike Lake is infested by the water
hyacinth Eichhornia crassipes. Unsuccessful attempts have been made to eradicate
this rapidly spreading, introduced aquatic plant. The lake is also becoming
contaminated with chemicals and insecticides used in the surrounding areas. Due to
deforestation in the catchment area, the lake is getting heavily silted and the pond area
is gradually decreasing. Fishing continues throughout the year, both day and night,
and causes some disturbance to wildlife. The use of gill nets has also caused waterbird
mortality. A large crow (Corvidae) roost, attracted to the site by a nearby carcass
dump, may be adversely affecting numbers of other breeding birds
Socio-economic values: The entire lake is leased on an annual basis for commercial
fishery operations.
Research and facilities: The Bombay Natural History Society is engaged in a
detailed research and bird ringing programme at Harike Lake. A major ornithological
field laboratory is being established, and large numbers of birds have already been
ringed (2,199 individuals of 73 species during the winter of 1981/82). The problems
and prospects of Harike Lake were detailed in a seminar convened at the Punjab
Agricultural University, Ludhiana, in 1983. Attempts are currently being made to
monitor a variety of complex hydrobiological problems including the eradication of
Eichhornia.
Reference: http://www.ramsar.org/ (Ramsar website); WWF India (1993); Devare
(2002).
JANUARI RESERVOIR
Januari reservoir is situated (31° 5’ N, 77° E) in the 27 km away from Hoshiarpur
town, Punjab.Dholbaha dam is a irrigation and flood control project, constructed in
the year 1986 on Dholbaha choe in Hoshiarpur district for irrigation and flood control
with the aid from World Bank under Kandi Watershed and Area Development
Programme. The dam is located sownstream of confluence of Kukanet and Buhera
khads. Dholbaha dam is an earth fill dam consisting of a central impervious core,
protected by previous shell zones on its upstream. A principle spillway consisting of 2
barrel of 200 x 2575 mm at an elevation 417.0 m, combined with an overflow
auxiliary spillway with its creast fixed at elevation 424.0 m to cater for design flood
of 16,000 cusecs have been provided. The Reservoir has a total catchment area of
56/14 km2 with a gross storage capacity of 1091 ha. The reservoir has a maximum
depth of 18.5 m. The total area of the dam is 18 ha. Dholbaha reservoir is mainly
rainfed with a catchment area of 56.14 sq. km. The average annual precipitation is
reported to be 97.9 cm. The normal reservoir level is 417.0 m at FRL and the dead
storage level is 405 m. The average water fluctuation in the reservoir is 6.33 m.
Macrophytes: Ipomea
Species Name
Species Name
Tabellaria
Eunotica
Mastoglioa
Calonies
Fragilara
Gyrosigma
Coconies
Planktospharia
Naviculla
Troschia
Melosira
Rhizoclonium
Neidium
Psdiastrum
Nitzshia
Characium
Amphora
Planktosphaeria
Gomphonema
Cystodinium
Cymbella
Nostoc
Synedra
Oscillatora
Diatoma
Zooplankton: Actinosphaerium, Notholca, Daphina, Cyclops, Diaptomus, Nauplii.
Fishes:
mrigala.
Cyprinus carpio, Labeo rohita, Ctenopharyngodon idella, Cirrhinus
Land use: The reservoir is used for irrigation purpose
Socio-economic values: Observations on the fish spectrum of the reservoir showed
absence of natural fishery. The fish catch is totally composed of culturable fishes
which are stocked by the Department of Fisheries, Punjab.
Reference: Kaushal and Sharma (2004).
KANJLI
The Kanjli wetland is located (31° 25’ N, 75° 22’ E) about 20 kms North-East of
Harike. Kanjli wetland came into formation in 1870 with the construction of Head
Regulator near village Kanjli on the Kali Bein rivulet in Kapurthala district. It
supports diversity of aquatic, mesophytic and terrestrial flora and fauna including
some important species of plants and animals. It has a total water spread area of about
183 ha. It is a permanent stream converted into a small reservoir at Kanjli for the
purpose of storage for irrigation supplies.
Abiotic factors: The average annual rainfall in the region is around 700 mm
extending from July to mid October. The temperature ranges from an average
minimum of 6ºC, occasionally dropping below the freezing point of water, in winter
to a maximum of 45ºC in summer (Verma et al. 1994). Hence, water temperature and
water depth also vary according to season.
Trees:
A total of 12 species of trees were recorded. These are follows;
Species Name
Species Name
Acacia arabica
Albizzia lebbeck
Azadirachta indica
Dalbergia sissoo
Mangifera indica
Melia azedarach
Morus alba
Prosopis juliflora
Eucalyptus hybrid
Syzygium cumini
Ficus bengalensis
Ziziphus mauritiana
Shrubs: Calotropis procera, Ipomoea crassicaulis and Tamarix dioca
Herbs: Saccharum munja, S. spontaneum, Scirpus sp. and and other common herbs.
Aquatic flora:
Species Name
Species Name
Chara sp.
Cyperus sp.
Hydrilla sp.
Potamogeton sp.
Trapa sp.
Typha angustata
T. elephantine
Nelumbo sp.
Vallesnaria sp.
Nymphea sp.
Zooplankton: A total of 34 species were recorded. These are follows;
Species Name
Species Name
Protozoa
Namatoda
Amoeba sp.
Monochulus sp.
Centrophxis sp.
Monochus sp.
Coleps hirtus
Rhabdolaimus sp.
Difflugia sp.
Vorticella sp.
Ostracoda
Cypris sp.
Rotifera
Anuroeposis sp.
Copepoda
Chiromomus larvae
Brachionus sp.
Cyclops sp.
Cephalodella sp.
Epiphanes sp.
Filinia longiseta
Mesocyclops
leuckartii
Oligochaeta
Chaetogaster sp.
Keratella valga
Diaphanosoma sp.
Lecane sp.
Diplogaster sp.
Lepadella sp.
Cladocera
Monostyla sp.
Alona sp.
Platyias sp.
Bosmina sp.
Ploesoma sp.
Ceriodaphnia sp.
Testudinella sp.
Chydorus sp.
Trichotria sp.
Pleuroxus sp.
Macrothrix sp.
Macro invertebrate species: A total of 15 species were recorded. These are follows;
Species Name
Species Name
Insecta
Baetis sp.
Oligochaeta
Aelosoma
bengalensis
Branchiura
sawerbytii
Chaetogaser sp.
Chironomus
tendipediformis
C. tentans
Hexagenia limbata
Hydropsyche sp.
Palpomya sp.
Mollusca
Indoplanorbis
exustus
Lamellidan
marginalis
Lymnaea lutiola
Tanypus sp.
Melanoides sp.
Limnephilus sp.
Fishes: About 15 fish species have been reported in the District Gazetteer. National
Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) (Handa, 1993) has reported
17 fish species as listed in table given below. The common fish species are Catla
catla, Channa marulius, C. striatus, Cirrhinus mrigala, Labeo calbasu, L. rohita.
List of fish species in Bein and Kanjli lake
Species Name
Species Name
Ambassis bacalus
L. calabasu
Catla catla
L. rohita
Channa maurulius
Mystus seenghala
C. punctatus
M. tengara
C. striatus
Notopterus chitala
Clarius batrachus
N. notopterus
Ctenopharyngodon
idella
Cyprinus carpio
Puntius sophori
Wallago attu
Labeo bata
Reptiles: As reported in the District Gazetteer (Sharma, 1984), tortoise is commonly
found in the area. Certain other reptiles have also been reported.
Birds: Kanjli Wetland supports a large number of resident and migratory birds. It
attracts almost the same type of avifauna as that of Harike. It, infact, acts as an
important refuelling base for long distant migratory birds. Some of the common
resident and migratory birds are listed below;
Common Resident Birds of Kanjli Wetland Area
(Based on Deptt. of Wildlife, GOP 1993; PSCST1999)
Crow
Little cormorant
Parakeets
Sparrow-hawk
Pigeon
Ring dove
Peafowl
Indian button quail
Partridge
Common coot
Lapwing
Cormorant
Indian darter or snake bird
Shikra
Blue rock
Turtle dove
Spotted dove
Bush quail
Common quail
Grey partridge
Purple moorhen
Red munia
Koel
Sparrow vulture
Weaver bird
Indian robbin
Field king fisher
Black-winged kite
Common Migratory Birds of Kanjli Wetland Area
Various species of goose
Wigeon
White eyed pochard
Tufted pochard
Common teal
Pintail
Shoveller
Large whistling teal
Mallard
Mammals: The mammilion fauna includes Indian Civet, Mongoose, Indian
porcupine squirrel and common Indian hare.
Land tenure: The stream itself and surrounding marsh, orchard and forest areas are
under provincial ownership. Areas surrounding the site are privately owned.
Land use: The main land use in the area is agriculture which predominates on the
surrounding fertile plain.
Conservation measures taken: The Ministry of Environment & Forests, Govt. of
India (MoEF, GOI) selected Harike Wetland and Kanjli Wetlands for conservation
and management. Subsequently, a State Level Steering Committee was constituted in
1987 to identify the problems of the area and initiate remedial measures. This
Committee designated the Environment Division of Punjab State Council for Science
& Technology for coordinating and implementing the Wetland Projects. The
conservation and management measures so far taken at Kanjli Wetland with the
assistance of MoEF, GOI are described as under:1. Survey, Mapping and Notification: A detailed survey of Kanjli Wetland has been
carried out and draft map as well as draft notification have been prepared by the Town
and Country Planning Department. Draft notification has been submitted to the
MoEF, GOI for issuing notification of this wetland as it is important that the Kanjli
Wetland be notified as protected area under the Environment Protection Act, 1986.
2. Weed Control: Water hyacinth is a major problem at Kanjli Wetlands and control
of this weed needs to be taken up on priority basis. Excess of weed is seen to cover
the entire water surface thus depriving the avian fauna of the very fact, which attracts
them to these wetlands – a plentiful water availability. Besides, excessive
transpiration by the plant also leads to enhanced water losses. However, this plant is
also recognized as a water purifier due to its ability to absorb heavy metals from the
water bodies. At the same time, its death and decay within the wetland can lead to reentry of these chemicals in water further leading to eutrophication.
Excessive growth of water hyacinth in the West Bein and surrounding ponds thus
pose a major ecological problem. Since the chemical method of weed removal is not
desirable, manual method of weed control has been adopted. The experience of
manual removal of this weed has, however, shown that plants reappear after every 3
to 4 months. Hence, weed clearance is required about 3 times in a year. Physical
stoppage of this weed upstream of the main lake area has also not helped in bringing
this weed under control. Efforts to gainfully utilise this weed for biogas generation
also could not provide encouraging outcome. The weed control measures have been
carried out by the Irrigation Department and district administration. District Police has
also helped for cleaning the lake of this weed at times. During 2000-2001, Army
cleared some part of the lake. Now it is planned to use conveyor belt system as a
mechanical way to clear this weed.
3. Afforestation: The wetlands of Punjab are perhaps not the perfect avian paradise
though they attract large species of birds. There are perhaps not too many trees for
birds to operate from. A good tree cover not only provides adequate space for nesting
and roosting and food for some bird species but it also acts as lungs of the ecosystem.
Further, it promotes understorey vegetation and helps in preventing siltation since
roots of plants act as effective soil binders. Trees need to be grown not only around
the ponded area but also on the small islands. Till date about 26 hec. area in Kanjli
Wetland has been afforested with mixed indigenous species by the Forest Department.
Work needs to be continued for plantation in both wetland zone as well as catchment
areas to increase the tree cover.
4. Fencing: The wetlands need to be protected from excessive grazing by cattle and
encroachment by public for the preservation of important pockets providing habitat to
wading birds. Encroachments need to be checked by the District Administration and
unauthorised occupations removed. Till date 10880 Ln.Ft. fence has been erected
around the Kanjli Wetland area by the Deptt. of Forests & Wildlife. It may be pointed
out that the purpose of this fencing is not only to protect young plants but also to
demarcate habitat for wading birds.
5. Monitoring of Pollution: The external loading of nutrients is a decisive factor for
determining the productivity of lake water. Overloading of lakes by nutrients can lead
to eutrophication. For the restoration of wetland quality, preventive and curative steps
are required to be undertaken. Hence, monitoring of water quality is an important
activity because polluted water from some towns and industries enters into the Kali
Bein. Besides, non-point pollution of farm chemicals from the catchment areas is
another problem. The Punjab Pollution Control Board has already undertaken
monitoring of water quality of Kanjli Wetland during 1991–92, 1992–93 and 1996–97
which shows that the water of this wetland generally conforms to class "B" as per
designated best use. It however deteriorates to Class 'D' during December.
PPCB has recommended the following measures:
1) Intensive afforestation activity is required to prevent the seepage and runoffs
from the nearby field. A rich tree cover besides, acting as lungs of the
ecosystem will provide adequate space for nesting of some birds species too.
2) Weed clearing, manually or by dredging, is frequently required.
3) Steps should be taken to prevent the people from making the lake a dumping
site. i) proper level of water must be maintained in the reservoir to save the
biotic life of the lake in acute summers.
ii) Deforestation should be strictly
prohibited (in catchment along the Kali Bein).
4) The villages along Kali Bein feeding Kanjli lake must not discharge their
sullage into the Kali Bein.
5) The Village Panchayats may use Karnal Technology for use of sullage for
irrigation purposes.
6) The farmers be educated to use least amounts of fertilizers and pesticides and
as far as possible switch over to bio-fertilizers and bio-pesticides.
The extent of water hyacinth in the lake is an indicator that eutrophication has
increased over the years especially due to use of farm chemicals in the nearby
fields. What is needed now in view of recommendations of the Board is to
continue the detailed study of the cause and extent of pollution in the river
water feeding the lakes and plugging the factors responsible for deterioration
of water quality.
6. Public Awareness: The Council has been carrying out public awareness activity by
involving NGOs and other departments. Posters, pamphlets and other information
material have been published and distributed and educational hoardings have been
installed at site. Seminars and meetings are organised from time to time.
Conservation measures proposed: The values of wetlands in landscape and their
benefits for human kind are increasingly recognized yet economic development
continues to destroy or degrade wetland systems. It is accepted that wetlands are
functioning in a larger ecological entity. Their management and conservation
programmes must, therefore, address to the entire system processes functioning in the
landscape as a whole to ensure maintaining the sustainability. Various factors has to
be taken into account for both short and long term measures to prevent any further
loss and improve their ecological character. A truly holistic approach needs to be
implemented after optimising all the system qualities. Efforts to conserve Kanjli
Wetland, which is one of national wetlands, have been continuing for the last few
years. It is, however, observed that intensive efforts need to be made to restore the
ecological character of this wetland. PSCST, therefore, proposes to continue
conservation measures at Kanjli Wetland in coordination with various executing
departments in the State. Details of all the activities are given below:
1. Afforestation: Tree cover in wetland area provides suitable microhabitats for
diversity of fauna. Besides, the spawning of fish takes place preferably under the
shade of trees in aquatic ecosystem. However, the status of tree cover in wetland area
is dwindling. Thus efforts are needed to balance the ecosystem by providing more
greenery by way of planting diverse kinds of native trees like species of Acacia,
Terminalia, Syzygium, Salix, Pongamia, Morus, Azadirachta, Casuarina, Delonix,
etc. To extend the area under green cover around the Kanjli Wetland, the Deptt. of
Forest and Wildlife, Punjab plans to take up plantation in another 10 hecatare area
during next five years at a cost of Rs. 7.00 lac.
2. Wildlife Conservation: Wetlands are the important repositories of the diversity of
wild genetic resource extremely important from long-term ecological point of view.
But as the wetlands are shrinking the biological resource are also under stress. The
wildlife at Kanjli Wetland is also suffering loss due to one reason or the other. To
conserve wildlife resource the Wildlife Deptt., Punjab proposes to take up
conservation measures like protection of the area by repairing damaged fence already
erected around the wetland and by erecting barriers. Besides, the Deptt. plans to put
up some wooden nests to facilitate the multiplication of birds. To avoid disturbance to
the wildlife it is also planned to put up wooden hideouts for the explorers of
nature/wetland. These activities shall require an assistance to the tune of Rs. 6.35 lac.
Recent experiments in some western countries shows that landing of some important
birds in wetlands also depends upon the clues and signatures supporting the
occurrence of some related birds in that habitat. Since the birds are important
ecological components of any ecosystem the results of such experiments may help in
artificially encouraging the landing of birds. Punjab State Council for Science &
Technology, therefore, proposes to install suitable number of plastic birds initially at
Ropar and Kanjli Wetland marshes. For this purpose Rs. 1,00,000/- will be required.
3. Control and Management of Water Hyacinth: Kanjli Wetland is infested with the
worlds worst weed i.e. water hyacinth. So far the manual operations have been
adopted to bring this weed under control. However, the lake get reinfested with this
weed within no time. To safeguard the ecological character of this ecosystem it is
planned to take up integrated measures of both physical removal by using conveyor
belt mechanical system and control through biological means. The aim of this activity
is to establish sustainable long term capacity for maintaining control of water
hyacinth. The control programme would rely on manual method for rapid short term
control in restricted areas, and biological agents for long term control. The biological
control programme would initially rely on release of two weevil species that have
been found effective world wide and have already been imported, reared and released
in Harike Ecosystem. These species of weevils are Neochetina bruchi and N.
eichorniae which are complimentary in their action. The possibility would also be
explored for supplementing the weevils later by releases of moth Sameodes
albiguittalis if found appropriate. At present no funding estimates are indicated under
this project separately as the Comprehensive Proposal for control of water hyacinth
from catchment drains of Harike Wetland have already been included under Harike
Wetland project. However, to take up physical removal of weed from Kanjli
ecosystem area an amount of Rs. 9.50 lacs shall be required for five years.
4. Water Quality Monitoring: Punjab Pollution Control Board has studied the water
and sludge quality of Kanjli Wetland area and has reported that water of this late
generally conforms to Class 'B'. But the quality degrades even to Class 'D' sometimes.
Recommendation of the studies have been included in previous pages. One of the
important recommendations is to keep vigil on the level of pollution for which the
regular monitoring of the lake water must be continued. This shall help to elucidate
the nature and dynamics of the lake ecosystem on long term basis. PPCB proposes to
continue the water quality monitoring programme during the next five years for which
an estimated amount of Rs. 16.00 lacs shall be required.
5. Conservation of Fisheries: The importance of wetlands has also been linked to
the productivity of fish species. Besides, the diversity of fish available in particular
ecosystem determines the ecological status and functional values of that particular
ecosystem. While the reports shows that their are 17 species of fish existing in the
lake water of Kanjli but the degrading water quality may exterminate most or even all
of these species in the times to come if curative measures are not initiated. Therefore,
a programme aiming at restoring and sustaining the survival of all the species
available in this lake has been planned. The programme would address the continuing
pressure by introducing more fish species in the lake but would do so by avoiding the
unforeseen effects of exotic introductions. With this view the Deptt. of Fisheries
would take up necessary steps at Kanjli Wetland for which estimated amount of
Rs. 24.95 lacs shall be required.
6. Research Studies: This programme aims to provide information on the ecology of
the lake and its catchment, the biology of its flora and fauna, the impact of
environmental factors on the lake system and socio-economic implications of the use
of lakes resource. Research programmes oriented in this direction shall contribute
towards improved ecological efficiency, greater biodiversity, and ecological balance
in the lake system. To analyse the biotic components, foodchain sequence in our
wetlands and potential threats to these places and their components, and to make longterm conservation strategies, the research studies on aquatic ecosystems of Punjab are
being promoted by the State Science & Technology Department. Certain future
programmes for wetland conservation will definitely depend upon the research
database. Studies on biodiversity of this wetland and limnological parameters besides
habitat characteristics and economic valuation of Kanjli Wetland resource are priority
areas of research as are described hereunder:-
a) Hydrology and productivity: Detailed studies need to be carried out to study the
impact of this wetland on hydrogeology of the area. Economic productivity linked
with this issue needs to be evaluated and projected.
b) Fisheries and sustainable use of wild life Population: Due to heavy pressure on the
wetland areas on account of various factors like encroachment for agriculture,
pollution, etc. the impact on faunal populations is catastrophic. It is clear that
unless solid argument based on hard scientific data is presented for maintenance
of these sites, this effort is likely to continue. Hence the need of investigation in
this area. The fisheries research programme would have five sub-programmes:
Studies of fish biology and biodiversity conservation, aquaculture, socioeconomics, database establishment and fish stock assessment.
c) Traditional human use: Wetland conservation practices can be successful only if
its social impact is conducive to its use by the people inhabitating around that
ecosystem. It is, therefore, important that social impact analysis of developmental
versus conservation projects be carried out alongwith environmental impact
analysis of various human activities initiated in the wetland area.
d) Flora and Fauna: Detailed taxonomic studies of plant and animal species of this
wetland need to be carried out. This will also help to identify the endemic
species, if any, of this region which will invite particular attention for
conservation.
A corpus amount of Rs. 10.00 lac for five years will be required for conducting
these studies. The research projects can be initiated depending upon the
availability of funds.
7. Economic Valuation of Wetland Resource: Wetlands are as yet least understood
or even misunderstood ecosystems from the productivity values and functional points
of view in the State. These are being quickly reclaimed under the name of
reformation. Both manmade and natural wetland places in Punjab are under severe
threats. Although Harike Wetland has been listed as one of the six Indian Ramsar sites
of international significance and Kanjli and Ropar Wetlands are of national
significance and PSCST has also recognized five more wetlands of state importance,
still environmental deterioration of wetlands is on the peak. This has been despite all
concerted efforts of the state and union government for their conservation and
management to ensure their sustainability so that the Society can derive wide-range
benefits from them. Since the environment is simply incomplete without wetlands
which provide livelihood on diverse counts, it is extremely essential to understand the
role of wetlands in general and each of its components in particular, their ecological
functions and values not wetlands as units but in respect of their contributions to
agriculture, forestry, recreation, etc. for effective integration of such understanding
into the overall planning process.
A three-stage wetland valuation approach may be generally applied to completely
understand the exact role and values of any wetland. These three steps for evaluation
of wetland resource and sustainable development may be described as 'General,
Ecological and Economic Analysis', 'Detailed Parameter Analysis' and 'Specialised
Issue Analysis' of each wetland ecosystem. Functional values of wetland ecosystems
shall involve assessment of 'Life Support Functions' with respect to their critical/vital
position and status, 'Social/cultural functions' with respect to recreational, asthetic
heritage, educational values, etc., productivity functions with respect to subsistence
and commercial outputs and other functions like future roles/values in long range
aspects.
Various management aspects shall directly be related to the wetland values/functions
and the anthropogenic threats to such ecosystems. So a comprehensive analysis of the
systems and environmental impacts is required to be undertaken for planning suitable
measures including involvement of general public.
Under General Analysis, the following aspects will be covered:
•
Biological components with respect to importance of wetland wildlife including
waterfowl, plant species rarity/scarcity, etc. and its rating.
•
Hydrological components including water status, erosion and its control, flood
impact, etc.
•
Productivity potential with respect to direct value products.
•
Social aspects like local or state heritage.
•
Overall rating of wetland significance.
Under Detailed Parameter Analysis, each of the life support, socio cultural and
production values will further be critically fractionated and evaluated in terms of their
exact values and potential with respect to future needs of the system. Different steps
adopted by international organisations will be adopted and followed for this purpose.
As regards specialised analysis, specific working matrices will be followed as
recommended by North Americal Wetland Conservation Council to evaluate use and
non-use values, option values, existence values, etc.
For undertaking the economic valuation of resource of Kanjli and Ropar Wetlands
and five State level wetlands of Punjab, intensive studies shall be conducted for which
an estimated expenditure of Rs. 15.00 lac shall be required
8. Public awareness: Conservation and Management of wetland ecosystem can best
be ensured if the public participates in these programes. It is possible if the public is
aware about the importance of such eco-systems. Awareness can be created through
mass-media, educational material, camps, etc. Voluntary Organizations can play an
important role in translating scientific ideas to public opinion. The informed general
public can then become a potent force in developing sound wetland management
policies. The public awareness activities would require funds amounting to Rs. 13.75
lac during next five years.
Scientific research and facilities: There are three Universities in the State mainly
Punjab Agriculture University, Ludhiana Punjabi University, Patiala and Guru Nanak
Dev University, Amritsar, where necessary scientific infrastructural facilities are
available for undertaking studies on this wetlands. Sludge and Water Quality
Monitoring has been done during the year 1991–92, 1992–93 and 1996–97. A project
on Management and Control of Aquatic Weed in Kanjli Wetland was taken up by
NEERI, Nagpur 1993.
Disturbance and threats: Excessive growth of water hyacinth poses a major
problem for the site. Some other weeds such as Parthenium are also considered
problematic. Other threats are reduced inflow of water, increasing pollution levels,
deforestation in the catchment area, and excessive grazing and soil erosion.
Socio-economic values: Kali Bein is a permanent rivulet. It acts both as a ground
water discharging and recharging rivulet. Excess water during rainy seasons from the
adjoining agricultural crops get discharged into the Kali Bein. It also serves as an
important source of water for agriculture. At the same time it also help in flood
management. Since the ground water table in adjoining areas is stable as compared to
rest of the State, the Bein is playing a vital role in hydrology.
The Kanjli Lake is an important water sponge performing the functions of recharging
ground water. The ground water is in fact fast receding in some districts of Punjab but
the observations around this wetland shows that it is playing a tremendous role in
enriching the ground water thereby helping the nearby population, which is dependent
on ground water for irrigation, industries and drinking supplies, for easy abstraction of
water.
Pressure on underground water is also somewhat relieved as a number of farmers do
direct abstraction of water from the Kali Bein as it is economical to some extent.
This wetland is in fact very important source of water in the Kapurthala district as
such. The Kali Bein which passes almost mid-way through district has much more
rewarding potential than ever estimated. Throughout its length, the Kali Bein is
recharging the ground water and also it acts as a discharging drain by taking away
excessive rainwater from sensitive crops like wheat, potato, etc.
Importance: Kanjli Wetland is an extremely important ecosystem in the region. It
support a diverse kinds of food chains and food webs, help in water recharging and
discharging, improve water quality, reduce flooding, etc. It is an important component
of socio-religious aspects of the society.
Various species of important plants like Phragmites, Ipomoea, Potemogetom,
Vallisneria, Utricularia and variety of tree species improve the habitat. Good number
of birds, fishes, Zooplanktons and Benthic Invertebrates have been reported in the
area. However, no endemic species have been reported in the area.
Management authority: Principal Secretary, Department of Science, Technology &
Environment, Government of Punjab and Executive Director, Punjab State Council
for Science & Technology.
Past and present status: The general problems associated with Kanjli wetland are
excessive weed growth (mainly, water hyacinth), reducing inflow of water, increasing
pollution levels, deforestation in catchment areas, excessive grazing and soil erosion,
etc (PSCST 1992, PSCST 1998, PSCST 2000).
Reference: Deptt. of Wildlife, Govt. of Punjab 1993; Hand, B.K. (1993); Ladhar S.S.
(1995); Punjab Pollution Control Board, (1993); Punjab State Council for Science &
Technology (1992); Punjab State Council for Science & Technology (1998); Punjab
State Council for Science & Technology (2000); Sharma, B.R. (1984); Verma, et al.
(1994); http://www.ramsar.org/ (Ramsar website); Kler (2002).
DHOLBAHA RESERVOIR
Dholbaha reservoir is situated (31° 5’ N, 77° E) in the 30 km away from Hoshiarpur
town, Punjab. Dholbaha dam is a irrigation and flood control project, constructed in
the year 1986 on Dholbaha choe in Hoshiarpur district for irrigation and flood control
with the aid from World Bank under Kandi Watershed and Area Development
Programme. The dam is located downstream of confluence of Kukanet and Buhera
khads. Dholbaha dam is an earth fill dam consisting of a central impervious core,
protected by previous shell zones on its upstream. A principle spillway consisting of 2
barrel of 200 x 2575 mm at an elevation 417.0 m, combined with an overflow
auxiliary spillway with its creast fixed at elevation 424.0 m to cater for design flood
of 16,000 cusecs have been provided. The Reservoir has a total catchment area of
56/14 km2 with a gross storage capacity of 1091 ha m. The reservoir has a maximum
depth of 18.5 m. The total area of the dam is 57 ha. Dholbaha reservoir is mainly
rainfed with a catchment area of 56.14 sq. km. The average annual precipitation is
reported to be 97.9 cm. The normal reservoir level is 417.0 m at FRL and the dead
storage level is 405 m. The average water fluctuation is 6.33 m.
Macrophytes: Ipomea
Species Name
Species Name
Amphora
Melosira
Calonies
Naviculla
Characium
Neidium
Coconies
Nitzshia
Cymbella
Nostoc
Cystodinium
Oscillatora
Diatoma
Planktosphaeria
Eunotica
Psdiastrum
Fragilara
Synedra
Gomphonema
Tabellaria
Gyrosigma
Troschia
Rhizoclonium
Mastoglioa
Zooplankton: Actinosphaerium, Notholca, Daphina, Cyclops, Diaptomus, Nauplii.
Fishes: Cyprinus carpio, Labeo rohita, Ctenopharyngodon idella, Cirrhinus mrigala.
Land tenure:
State-owned
Socio-economic values: Observations on the fish spectrum of the reservoir showed
absence of natural fishery. The fish catch is totally composed of culturable fishes
which are stocked by the Department of Fisheries, Punjab.
Reference: Kaushal and Sharma (2004).
SAMBHAR LAKE
Sambhar Lake (27° 00’ N, 75° 00’ E) is the largest saline wetlands of Rajasthan. The
lake receives run-off from a catchment area of about 552,000 ha and has no outlet.
Sambhar is fed by four main streams: Roopnagar, Mendha, Kharian, and Khandel.
Phulera (4 km south of Sambhar) and Didwana (60 km to the northwest) are
considerably smaller. It is a shallow wetland, the depth if which ranges between 0.5
and 2.0 metres. Sarnbhar is surrounded by low hills and fossil dunes, with Sambhar
town being located on one such dune. About 7800 ha of the eastern part of Sambhar
Lake, north and west of Sambhar town, is devoted to salt production by Sambhar Salts
Ltd, a Government of India company. About 200,000–250,000 metric tonnes of salt
are produced annually. Sambhar Lake is skirted by the main Jaipur–Jodhpur railway.
A 5.16 km long dam (Gudha Jhapog Dam), supporting a railway line used by the salt
company, has been constructed through the lake, dividing it into two sections: the
reservoir and salt-works, and the main lake. The area of flooding at each of the saline
lakes depends upon the volume of monsoon rains, and the depth varies seasonally and
from year to year from a few centimetres to a maximum of two metres. Sambhar Lake
often dries out completely in early summer (March to June). Following the heavy
monsoon rains of 1974, 1975, 1977, and 1980, the Lake retained water throughout the
year, but in 1987, following four years of drought, it was completely dry by
December.
500 mm. Summer temperatures range from 24.4°C to 36.7°C, winter temperatures
from 11.7°C to 31.7°C.
Macrophytes: The vegetation present in the catchment area is mostly xerophytic
type. Shoreline vegetation includes the halophytes Suaeda fruticosa, Salsola
baryosma and Cressa cretica. The most dominant algae in Sambhar Lake and the salt
pans are Dunaliella salina, Chlamydomonas sp., Anabaena sp., and Aphanothece
halophytica. Most of the permanent vegetation around the Lake is xerophytic in
nature. The main tree species growing in the catchment are Acacia senegal (kumbhet),
A.nilotica (babul), Salvadora oleoides, Capparis decidua, Prosopis cineraria,
Maytenus emarginata, Azadirachta indica, Tecomella undulata, etc. Prosopis
cinererea (Khejari) is the dominant tree in the sandy area. Anogeissus pendula,
Euphorbia royleana, and Boswellia serrata are found growing on the nearby hills.
The main shrub species are Tamarix dioica, Mimosa hamata, Acacia jacquemontii,
Leptadenia pyrotechnica, and Calotropis procera. Other vegetation includes
Saccharum bengalensis, S.spontaneum, Sericostema pauciflora, Crotolaria burhia,
Tephrosia purpurea, Aerva persica, Tephrosia spp., and Portulaca oleracea. The
main grasses are Cenchrus pennisetiformis, C.ciliaris, Chloris dolichostachya,
Dactyloctenium aegyptium. Sporobolus sp., Aleuropus lagopoides, and Chloris
virgata. The common ephemerals, which make their appearance after the first
showers, are Farsetia hamiltonii, lndigofera cordifolia, Corchorus trilocularis,
Portulaca oleracea, Trianthema portulacastrum, etc.
Special floral values: The green alga Dunaliella salina is an ecologically and
economically interesting saline species.
Birds: The site is important for wintering waterbirds, including Pelecanus
onocrotalus, P. philippensis (1,000 Pelecanus spp.), Phoenicopterus ruber, P. minor
(500,000 Phoenicopterus spp.), Anser indicus (max. 170), Anas clypeata and
Recurvirostra avosetta. A large number of ducks and shorebirds occur on passage and
in winter. Thirteen species of ducks and 32 species of shorebirds have been recorded.
A mixed flock (totalling approximately 15,000) of the following avifauna were
observed at Sambhar Lake in January 1993: lesser flamingo, greater flamingo, tufted
duck, pochard, white pelican, brown-headed gull, black-headed gull, herring gull,
redshank, greenshank, common sandpiper, blackwinged stilt, pintail, shoveler,
dabchick, purple moorhen, demoiselle crane, large Indian pratincole, and avocet. In
addition, an estimated 4000 Phoenicopterus ruber and P.minor were observed at the
reservoir adjoining the salt pans of Sambhar Lake.
Land tenure: The site is State owned, but part is leased to the Salt Department of the
Government of India.
Land use: Extraction of salt is the only major activity. Domestic livestock graze in
the areas, and marble is mined in the nearby hills. About 20 villages are located
around Sambhar lake. Extraction of salt from brine by private individuals is
undertaken and some cultivation too.
Conservation measures taken: Hunting is prohibited, and there is a proposal to
designate the area as a Bird Sanctuary. The wetland has been identified as one of the
sites for conservation action under the Indian Wetland Conservation Programme, and
a detailed management plan is in preparation. Sambhar Lake was declared a Ramsar
Site in 1990. No habitat protection, but shooting is prohibited. The wetland has been
accorded international importance by its designation as a Ramsar Site in 23.03.1990.
Disturbance and threats: Increasing siltation of the lake has resulted from
desertification of the surrounding land, caused mainly through over-grazing by
domestic livestock. Domestic sewage is discharged into the site from the town of
Sambhar.
Socioeconomic values: An area of about 7,800 ha in the eastern part of the lake is
used for salt production, and is one of the largest of such areas in India.
Importance: Sambhar Lake is famous for harbouring flamingos in large numbers,
next only to Rann of Kutch in the country. The waders congregate here in appreciable
numbers besides migratory ducks; especially pochards, coots and other aquatic birds.
The terrestrial fauna confined to the catchment area includes rare/threatened species
like Uromastix, saw-scaled viper, desert cat, desert fox, etc.
Reference: Abdulali and Savage (1970); Alam (1982); Ali and Ripley (1968); de
Block (1981); WWF INDIA (1987); Gole (1984b); Karpowicz (1985); Om Prakash
Dayama (1988); Sharma (1988); Ramsar website.
PHULERA, AND DIDWANA SALT LAKES
Phulera (27° 12’ N, 74° 34’ E) and Didwana (26° 52’ N, 75° 11’ E) situated
approximately 60 km northwest of Jaipur, Rajasthan. The lakes receives run-off from
a catchment area of about 552,000 ha and has no outlet. A number of small, shallow,
brackish water marshes are scattered around these saline lakes. Approximately 20% of
Didwana Lake is given over to salt pans. The area of flooding at each of the saline
lakes depends upon the volume of monsoon rains, and the depth varies seasonally and
from year to year from a few centimetres to a maximum of two metres. The total area
of the Phulera lake is 600 ha. and Didwana lake is 200 ha. Intense evaporation
creates an extremely saline environment. The two lakes are surrounded by sandflats
and dry thorn scrub.
500 mm. Summer temperatures range from 24.4°C to 36.7°C, winter temperatures
from 11.7°C to 31.7°C.
Macrophytes: Most of the permanent vegetation around the Lake is xerophytic in
nature. The main tree species growing in the catchment are Acacia senegal (kumbhet),
A. nilotica (babul), Salvadora oleoides, Capparis decidua, Prosopis cineraria,
Maytenus emarginata, Azadirachta indica, Tecomella undulata, etc. Prosopis
cinererea (Khejari) is the dominant tree in the sandy area. Anogeissus pendula,
Euphorbia royleana, and Boswellia serrata are found growing on the nearby hills.
The main shrub species are Tamarix dioica, Mimosa hamata, Acacia jacquemontii,
Leptadenia pyrotechnica, and Calotropis procera. Other vegetation includes
Saccharum bengalensis, S.spontaneum, Sericostema pauciflora, Crotolaria burhia,
Tephrosia purpurea, Aerva persica, Tephrosia spp., and Portulaca oleracea. The
main grasses are Cenchrus pennisetiformis, C. ciliaris, Chloris dolichostachya,
Dactyloctenium aegyptium, Sporobolus sp., Aleuropus lagopoides, and Chloris
virgata. The common ephemerals, which make their appearance after the first
showers, are Farsetia hamiltonii, lndigofera cordifolia, Corchorus trilocularis,
Portulaca oleracea, Trianthema portulacastrum, etc.
Special floral values: The green alga Dunaliella salina is an ecologically and
economically interesting saline species.
Birds: A large number of ducks and shorebirds occur on passage and in winter.
Thirteen species of ducks and 32 species of shorebirds have been recorded, the lakes
being particularly important for Anas clypeata and Recurvirostra avosetta. Anser
indicus is regularly present in winter in small flocks of up to 170 birds, and up to 150
A. anser have been observed at Phulera and Didwana.
Phulera Salt Lake is the wintering area for a variety of waterfowl, prominent among
them (as recorded in January 1993) being Anser anser (15), Ciconia nigra (37), and
several ducks and waders such as Tringa totanus (12). The species identified at Mudia
talab adjoining Phulera Lake in January 1993 were coot, pintail, pochard, gadwall,
common teal, dabchick, redshank, and brahminy duck.
Land tenure: State-owned; surrounding areas are partly state-owned and partly
privately owned.
Land use: Extraction of salt from brine by private individuals is undertaken and
some cultivation too.
Conservation measures taken: No habitat protection, but shooting is prohibited.
Disturbances and threats: Grazing pressure by cattle, sheep, goats, and camels in
the catchment appears to be intense. Hunting of waterfowl by local communities is
reported.
Reference: Abdulali and Savage (1970); Alam (1982); Ali and Ripley (1968); de
Block (1981); WWF India (1987; 1993); Gole (1984b); Karpowicz (1985); Om
Prakash Dayama (1988); Sharma (1988); Sangha (2002).
JAISAMAND LAKE
Jaisamand is the oldest man-made lake, situated on Lat. 24° 14’ N and Long. 73° 57’
E, in the 54 km southeast of Udaipur, Rajasthan. The lake was constructed about 250
years ago. The catchment area is about 1127 sq.km, almost all of which extends
towards northwest and northeast. Its source of water is from five rivers, the principal
being river Gomati and others are small and seasonal. The maximum length and
breadth of the lake are 13.68 and 8.05 km respectively. Shore-line length is 89.4 km
whereas shoreline development index (DL) is 3.75. The total area of the lake is 7160
ha. The greatest depth point (32 m) is neat the centre of lake and the average depth is
15 m. The lake surroundings receive an average annual rainfall of 62.67 cm with a
maximum precipitation during southwest monsoon i.e. June to September.
•
JAISAMAND LAKE
Fishes: A total of 22 species were recorded. These are follows;
S. Species Name
No
1 Catla catla
S. Species Name
No
12 L. qonius
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
Channa marulius
C. punctatus
C. striatus
Cirrhina mrigala
C. reba
Labeo bata
L. boqut
L. calbasu
L. fimbriatus
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
L. rohita
Mystus aor
M. cavasius
M. seenghala
Ompok pabda
Puntius sarana
Tor tor
Wallago attu
Reptiles: The marsh crocodile or mugger (Crocodyluspalustris) is present.
Birds: The lake is possibly of considerable importance for migratory waterfowl and
the greater flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber) is known to occur. Gole recorded small
numbers of herons, ducks, gulls, and terns in January /February 1984, but no other
details are available.
Land tenure: At least partly State-owned
Land use: The lake provides irrigation water to neighbouring agricultural land and
supports an important fishery
Conservation measures taken: Part of the water catchment area and at least one
shore of the lake are included in the Jaisamand Wildlife Sanctuary (7000 ha),
established in 1957 and administered by the Forest Department of the Government of
Rajasthan. The lake has been stocked with fish.
Disturbances and threats: The amount of fishing might exceed the capacity of the
lake, but regular restocking obscures the actual situation.
Socio-economic values: An important fishery; the lake is regularly stocked with
large species of carp such as catla, rohu and mrigal. The fishing rights are leased out
to a contractor for over 50,000 rupees per annum.
Research and facilities: Limnological studies have been undertaken in the past.
Reference: Gole (1984b); Luther and Rzoska (1971); Sambasiva Rao and Durve
(1989); WWF India (1993); Sharma and Sarang (2004).
KEOLADEO NATIONAL PARK
Keoladeo National Park situated (27° 07’–27° 12’ N, 77° 29’–77° 33’ E) in eastern
Rajasthan, the park is 2 km south-east of Bharatpur and 50 km west of Agra. The site
comprises a freshwater swamp which is part of the Indogangetic Great Plains. For
much of the year, however, the wetland area is only some 1,000 ha. The area is
flooded in the monsoon (July–September) to an average depth of 1–2 m. From
October to January the water level gradually falls, and from February the land begins
to dry out. By June only some water remains. The environment is partly man-made
with dykes dividing the area into 10 units, each with a system of sluice gates to
control water level. It is unlikely that the site would support such numbers of
waterfowl as it does without the addition of water from Ajan Bund, a man-made
impoundment. Soils are predominantly alluvial - some clay has formed as a result of
the periodic inundations.
Keoladeo Ghana, or Bharatpur as it is often known, is the most famous wetland in
India. It is situated in a shallow, natural depression at the western edge of the
Gangetic plain, some 50 km west of the Yamuna river. The well documented avian
diversity of Bharatpur, which has in fact been artificially induced, began in the 1850s
when the Maharajah of Bharatpur and his state engineers created at least ten
extensive, but only seasonally inundated, lagoons divided by a system of earthen
dykes (bunds). Sluice gates in the bunds facilitated control of the water level in each
compartment, attracting various species of waterfowl, especially ducks, which were
periodically shot in vast numbers during the winter season. The water is obtained
largely from the Ajan bund. A canal flows through the park, and up to 14 million
cubic metres of water are taken annually from the irrigation reservoir located a
kilometre outside the park. In years of inadequate rainfall, the inundated area of the
park has seldom exceeded 850 ha, and the water in the lagoon has rarely achieved the
maximum depth of two metres. During the 1980s particularly, the existence of
flooded areas became increasingly dependent upon pumped water, since natural
inflow from the monsoon rains was far short of requirements. In a year of sufficient
rains, the lagoons flood during the monsoon to average depths of between one and
two metres. After October, the level in each lagoon begins to fall; by February, the
lagoons start to dry out, and in June little water remains. The soils at Keoladeo are
predominantly alluvial, over-lying kanker pan and some clay formations resulting
from the periodic inundation. Situated in one of the most densely populated regions of
India, the park is surrounded by 17 villages, and the city of Bharatpur (population
50,000) is only two kilometres to the north-west. A metalled road, which is now
closed to traffic, passes directly through the Park. Collateral roads along the bunds
branch off this main artery and facilitate observation of the lagoons, which vary in
size from a few tens of hectares to well over 100 ha. Keoladeo is well-wooded and
supports several groves of mature trees, in contrast to the surrounding areas which are
now intensively cultivated. In several of the compartments, there are many artificial
islands which have been planted with trees to encourage colonial nesting waterbirds.
Abiotic factors: Tropical monsoon climate. The temperature varied from 17.3 to
32.6°C in atmosphere and 15.6 to 28.7°C in water. The pH values range from 6.6 to
7.3.
Macrophytes: The aquatic vegetation is rich and provides a valuable food source for
waterfowl. Species include water lilies Nymphea nouchatia, N. stellata and N.
cristata, the true lotus Nilumbium sp., duckweeds Lemna sp. water fern Azolla sp.,
Vallisneria sp., Hydrilla sp., Naga sp., Chara sp., Ipoma sp., sedges Cyperus sp. and
lesser reedmace Typha angustata. There is also wild rice. Other vegetation is
characteristic of a semi arid zone dominated by babul Acacia nilotica, ber Zizyphus
mauritiana, khejri Prosopis cineraria, Salvadora oleoides,
S. persica and
Capparis aphylla.
Protozoans: A total of 117 species of protozoans belonging to 78 genera have been
identified by Mahajan, Arora et al. (1982). Most species were seriously affected by
the drought of 1979.
Molluscs: Various molluscs have been recorded, notably species of Lymnaea and
Gryllus.
Fishes: A total of 43 species of fish has been recorded, including Puntius sophore,
Cirrhinus reba, Heteropneustes fossilis, Channa punctatus, C. striatus, and Colisa
fasciatus. An estimated 65 million fish fry entered the Park in 1985.
Reptiles: Reptiles known to occur include the cobra (Naja naja), Python molurus
(120), Bungurus fasciatus, and Zaocys nigromarginatus, monitor lizard (Varanus sp.)
and seven species of freshwater turtle of which two species, namely, the spotted black
terrapin and peacock soft shell are additions to the Rajasthan fauna.
Birds: At least 332 species of birds have been recorded in the Park. In years with an
adequate monsoon, many thousands of large waterbirds settle down to breed on the
wooded islets in July, and tens of thousands of migratory waterfowl arrive in October
and November to spend the winter in the Park. Keoladeo is particularly famous for its
wintering flock of Siberian white cranes (Grusleucogeranus). This flock has,
however, decreased by more than 50% during the past 15 years.
According to the BNHS study report, changes in the habitat of the Park, for instance,
non-availability of water and thick overgrowth of grass in the feeding habitat, are
reasons for the decline in the number of Siberian cranes which generally arrive by the
beginning of December and depart by early March. In recent years they have been
less predictable, no doubt partly because of the deteriorating conditions in the Park.
Perhaps more significantly from an Indian perspective, the population of Sarus cranes
(Grus antigone) breeding at Keoladeo is steadily declining; almost 20 pairs are
thought to have bred in 1980, but in 1984, only 11 pairs could be located in the same
area. However, in late April 1984, 657 Sarus cranes were counted in the Bharatpur
areas, as compared with only 258 at the same time of year in 1983. But in 1992, the
numbers declined drastically to 40. Both Pelecanus philippensis and P. crispus occur
in small numbers when water levels are suitable, and P.onocrotalus is frequently
recorded in large numbers. P. philippensis has bred, and Ephippirohynchus asiaticus
does so annually, with maximum of seven pairs.
Peak counts in recent years have included hundreds of Phalacrocorax carbo, P.
fuscicollis, and P. niger and the following; 100 Anhinga melanogaster, 100
Nycticorax nycticorax, 150 Ardeola grayii, hundreds of Egretta garzetta, 100 E.
intermedia, 240 E. alba, 45 Ardea purpurea, 120 A. cinerea, 20 Anastomus oscitans,
hundreds of Mycteria leucocephala, 35 Ciconia episcopus, 16 Ephippiorhynchus
asiaticus, 50 Threskiornis melanocephalus, 300 Platalea leucorodia, 250 Anser
anser, 400 A. indicus, 150 Tadorna ferruginea, 30 Sarkidiornis melanotos, 80
Nettapus coromandelianus and 5000-10,000 other ducks, mainly Anas penelope, A.
strepera, A. crecca, A. acuta, and A. clypeata with smaller numbers of Anas
poecilorhyncha, A. querquedula, Netta rufina, and Aythya ferina; Anas falcata is an
occasional winter visitor in very small numbers. Other common waterfowl in winter
include Tachybaptus ruficollis, Porphyrio porphyrio, Fulica atra (often several
thousands), Hydrophasianus chirurgus, and Metopidius indicus.
A survey of breeding waterfowl in 1984 recorded the following numbers of nests:
Species Name
S.
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Amaurornis phoenicurus 64
Anas poecilorhyncha 10
Anastomus oscitans 5181
Anhinga melanogaster 225
Ardea cinerea 32
A. purpurea 14
Dendrocygna javanica 5
Egretta alba 70
E. garzetta 390
10
E. intermedia 410
S.
No
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
Species Name
Mycteria leucocephala 1749
Nettapus coromandelianus 5
Nycticorax nycticorax 76
Phalacrocorax carbo 97
P. fuscicollis 1554
P. niger 569
Platalea leucorodia 282
Porphyrio porphyrio 24
Threskiornis
melanocephalus 389
Among the shorebirds, Charadrius alexandrinus, Limosa limosa, Tringa stagnatilis,
T. glareola, Gallinago gallinago, Calidris temminckii, and Philomachus pugnax are
particularly common. Rostratula benghalensis, Vanellus leucurus, and V. cinereus
occur in significant numbers, the last two as winter visitors, and the rare V. gregarius
has also been recorded as a winter visitor. Keoladeo is famous for a number of birds
of prey, particularly during the winter months. Haliaeetus leucoryphus breeds,
frequently nesting close to the administrative centre; Aquila clanga, A. rapax,
A.heliaca, and A. nipalensis are fairly common. Falco peregrinus, Pandion haliaetus,
Circaetus gallius, Spilornis cheela and Circus aeruginosus are regularly observed.
The Park is also host to a diversity of owl species; several breeding pairs of Bubo
coromandus are particularly noteworthy.
An avifauna survey in 1992 recorded the following:
S.
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Species Name
Anas acuta (3226)
A. clypeata (187)
A. crecca (1284)
A. penelope (822)
A. platyrhynchos (11)
S.
No
12
13
14
15
16
A. poecilorhyncha (112)
A. querquedula (226)
A. strepera (669)
17
18
19
Species Name
A. fuligula (34)
A. nyroca (51)
Dendrocygna javanica (332)
Fulica atra (4372)
Grus antigone (40 in
February 1992, and 79 in
April 1992)
Grus grus (230)
Netta rufina (15)
Nettapus coromandelianus
9
10
11
Anser anser (69)
A. indicus (1553)
Aythya ferina (268)
20
21
22
(9)
Sarkidiornis melanotos (5)
Tachybaptus ruficollis (92)
Tadorna ferruginea (52)
Mammals: A wide variety of mammals occur, though given the limited area of the
park and the inhospitability of the surrounding densely settled countryside, No
information of the species occurs in particularly large numbers. Ungulates include
blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra), chital (Axis axis), sambar (Cervus unicolor), hog
deer (C. porcinus), and nilgai (Boselaphus tragocamelus). Indian wild boar (Sus
scrofa) and Indian porcupine (Hystrix indica) are frequently observed. Cats include
jungle cat (Felis chaus), leopard cat (F. benghalensis) and the marsh-dwelling fishing
cat (F. viverrina). A lone leopard was sighted for a few months (1987–88) during the
BNHS study. The smooth-coated otter (Lutra perspicillata) is often seen in the
lagoons: The common mongoose (Herpestes edwardsi) and common Indian
mongoose (H. auropunctatus) are present in large numbers, as is the hare (Lepus
nigricollis), Indian fox (Vulpes bengalensis), jackal (Canis aureus), and Hyaena
hyaena are present, along with the small Indian civet (Viverricula indica) and
common palm civet / toddy cat (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus). Primates are
represented by the Rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta) and common langur (Presbytis
entellus).
Land tenure: State owned. The area was declared a national park on 10 March 1982,
and accepted as a World Heritage Site in December 1985. Previously the private duck
shooting preserve of the Maharaja of Bharatpur since the 1850s, the area was
designated as a bird sanctuary on 13 March 1956 and a Ramsar site in October 1981.
The last big shoot was held in 1964, but the Maharajah retained shooting rights until
1972.
Land use: Formerly local villagers had grazing rights within the Park; these were
rescinded in 1982. Current land use is designed to enhance the, long-term value of the
site for scientific study, recreation, and wildlife- oriented tourism. Some deleterious
forms of land use continue, such as collection of firewood. Khus grass (Vetiveria
zizanoides) is regularly harvested. Permits to cut grass from April to July every year
are now given to the villagers.
Conservation measure taken: Keoladeo Ghana was established as a National Park
in March 1982, having been designated as a Bird Sanctuary in March 1956. It was
designated as a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention in
October 1981, and was nominated as a World Heritage Site in 1985. The last great
duck shoot at Bharatpur was held in 1964, but the Maharajah retained shooting rights
until 1972. The Park is managed by the Forest Department of the State Government of
Rajasthan. The boundary is clearly marked by a two-metre high stone wall, about 32
km in length, which encircles the park and was built with financial assistance from the
Central Government. This wall prevents the entry of domestic livestock, some 5000 of
which were herded daily into the park before completion of the wall in 1982. Grazing
by domestic cattle and water buffalo within the park has now almost ceased. The
density of human settlements surrounding the park precludes the creation of a buffer
zone. The whole wetland is increasingly dependent on water from the reservoir
outside the park boundary. As far as possible, water levels are maintained to benefit
the bird life, but the supply of water is in great demand for agriculture. If the park is in
danger of drying out completely, water may be pumped from deep wells to ensure the
survival of a core area of aquatic life until the next significant rains. The major road
which once passed through the park has been re-routed outside. Grazing is prohibited,
but in recent years Park authorities have allowed regulated harvesting of grasses
(Paspalum distichum). Harvesting of some grass species and the grazing of water
buffalo are now seen as essential components of any future integrated management
plan for the park. Attempts to control the spread of invasive grasses such as Vetiveria
zizanoides and Paspalum distichum by mechanical means, such as bulldozing, have
been unsuccessful. After a short period during which the other components of the
aquatic flora recover, the grasses recolonize the cleared areas with renewed vigour.
Efforts to manage the aquatic and terrestrial habitats (including grasslands) so as to
maintain the ecological seral stage of the aquatic ecosystem, continue. Attempts are
being made to arrest the process of plant succession at a stage suited for avifauna.
Water supply required for flooding the area has been ensured every year on a priority
basis by the State Government. The Forest Department employs a Divisional Forest
Officer, a Deputy Wildlife Warden, a Research Officer, a forester, three rangers, 20
game guards, some clerks, and an accountant responsible to the Chief Wildlife
Warden and Park Manager.
Conservation measures proposed: In view of the recent extensive ecological
changes, mostly detrimental to the value of the park for water birds, the Bombay
Natural History Society has made four important recommendations:
1. A herd of at least 200 water buffalo should be introduced to test the assumption that
they are an essential part of the Keoladeo wetland ecosystem, keeping the grass
Paspalum distichum and other species such as Cyperus alopecuroides, Eleocharis
plantagenia, Typha angustata and Vetiveria zizanoides at lower densities.
2. Steps should be taken to ensure that at critical times adequate supplies of water are
available, particularly at the end of July, to promote breeding in the colonial nesting
species, and later to provide at least some areas for wintering waterfowl and the
Siberian White Cranes Grus leucogeranus.
3. The traditional harvesting of khus grass Vetiveria zizanoides, which is used for
thatch and to produce scented oils, should be permitted to prevent the grass spreading
into new areas.
4. The calves of the remaining feral cattle in the dry sections of the park should be
removed to prevent a population increase, which might seriously affect wild ungulate
populations.
The Rajasthan Forest Department has been vehemently opposed to renewed grazing at
Keoladeo because it would be extremely difficult to enforce a limit on the number of
animals which should be admitted.
Disturbance and threats: Leopard Panthera pardus has not been seen since its
extermination from the area in 1964. Previous threats from fishing and cattle grazing
have now been eliminated. The high level of pollutants in Arjan Bundh is believed to
be responsible for the increasing number of piscivorous birds seen in a dazed state and
unable to fly. Notably fewer birds were recorded in 1984 than in previous years.
Disturbance from visitors can be cause for concern. The ban on grazing (November
1982) has caused local resentment, and aquatic plant growth is no longer kept in
check. Also livestock dung provided nutrients and supported insects. The Ramsar
Monitoring Procedure was applied in November 1988 because of concern that the
lack of grazing was leading to weed infestation and loss of wetland.
Socio-economic values: The site supports some 364 bird species and is considered to
be one of the world's best and richest bird areas. It is the major wintering ground of
the western population of the endangered Siberian crane Grus leucogeranus. A total
of 41, including eight young, were recorded in December 1984, the highest number
for many years (ICBP, 1985) but there were only 19 in 1988–89. Other species
include gadwall Anas strepera, shoveler A. clypeata, common teal A. crecca, cotton
teal Nettapus coromandelianus, tufted duck Aythya fuligula, comb duck Sarkidiornis
melanotos, white spoonbill Platalea leucorodia, little cormorant Phalacrocorax niger,
cormorant P. carbo, Indian shag
P. fuscicollis, painted stork Ibis
leucocepalus, Asian open-billed stork Anastomus oscitans, oriental ibis Threskiornis
melanocephalus, ruff Philomachus pugnax (probably the most abundant wader),
darter Anhinga melanogaster, spot-billed pelican Pelecanus philippensis, common
sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos, wood sandpiper Tringa glareola, green sandpiper T.
ochropus and Sarus crane Grus antigone. There are many birds of prey including
osprey Pandion haliaetus, peregrine Falco peregrinus, Pallas' fish eagle Haliaeetus
leucoryphus, short-toed eagle Circaetus gallicus, tawny eagle Aquila rapax, imperial
eagle A. heliaca, spotted eagle A. clanga and crestedserpent eagle Spilornis cheela.
Management Practices: Water levels are regulated to benefit waterfowl. If the
wetland is in danger of drying out completely there are arrangements to pump water
from deep wells to ensure the survival of aquatic flora and fauna until the next
monsoon. The boundaries are clearly delineated by a 32 km long, 2 m high stone wall,
which totally encloses the park to prevent humans and domestic livestock from
trespassing. Due to the dense human settlement surrounding the park, there is no
possibility of creating a buffer zone. The road from Bharatpur town, which bisected
the park, has been closed and relocated outside the boundaries. This has considerably
reduced the level of disturbance by visitors from the town. Grazing and the collection
of firewood and khus grass Vetiveria zizenoides were phased out in 1983. The absence
of grazing, which is now believed to keep waterways open, is causing management
problems as vegetation blocks up the channels. Remedial measures taken to control
plant growth include manual removal of weeds and bulldozing. Burning and
introduction of ungulates is under consideration.
Research and Facilities: The Bombay Natural History Society has carried out bird
ringing in the area for the past 20 years. Limnological studies are carried out by the
Zoology Department of the University of Rajasthan, Jaipur. Monitoring of the
population dynamics of birds has been undertaken by the park management. Under
the Deputy Chief Wildlife Warden are a research officer, forester, three rangers, 20
wildlife guards, clerks and an accountant.
Reference: Pallavi and Rana (2002); Abdulali and Panday (1978); Ali (1953); Ali
and Hussain(1982); Breeden and Breeden (1982); Breeden and Breeden (1982–1983);
Grimwood (1981); Jackson (1983); Saxena (1975); Ali and Hussain (1982,1984); Ali
and Vijayan (1986); Anon (1984); WWF INDIA (1987); Gole (1987a); Jackson
(1983); Karpowicz (1985); Luther and Rzoska (1971); Mahajan, Arora et al. (1982);
Mahajan, Sharma, S.D. et al. (1982); Mahajan, Sharma, S.P. et al. (1982);
Ramachandran and Vijayan (1987); Sauey (1987); Sauey et al. (1987); Saxena
(1975); Singh et al. (1987); Vijayan and Vijayan (1987); Vijayan (1991);
http://www.ramsar.org/ (Ramsar website); Ajith Kumar and Mittal (1993); Bhupathy
and Vijayan (1994); Ramachandran and Vijayan (1997); Bhupathy et al. (1998);
Gargi and Randheera Singh (2000); Gargi and Vibhu Prakash (2002); Gargi (2002);
Gargi and Vibhu Prakash (2003); Ashok Verma (2003)
JAWAI RESERVOIR
Jawai reservoir is situated (25° 6’ N, 73° 9’ E) in the Pali district, Rajasthan. The
impoundment is located across the river Jawai which originates from the eastern
slopes of Aravali ranges. It was constructed in the year 1957 mainly for drinking
purposes to fed peoples of Jodhpur town. The reservoir is surrounded by hills of
Aravali ranges and has a total catchment area of 787 km2. In order to supplement the
available storage, water is added through a canal from near by Sei reservoir. The C/A
ratio of 30 indicate low inputs of allochthonous nutrients through the catchment
compared to other reservoir investigated during the survey. The mean depth of the
reservoir is 7.7 m and water spread area is about 2590.
•
JAWAI RESERVOIR
Abiotic factors: Tropical monsoon climate, with maximum water temperature of
26.5°C and minimum of 22°C.
Phytoplankton:
S.
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
Species Name
Anabaena
Botryococcus
Characiopsis
Characium
Coccoenis
Cosmarium
Frustulia
Gomphonema
Gyrosigma
Lyngbya
Meridion
Merismopedia
Microcystis
S.
No
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
Species Name
Navicula
Oscilatoria
Pediastrum
Peridinium
Phormedium
Rhizoclonium
Scenedesmus
Spirogyra
Synedra
Tabellaria
Trachiscia
Zygnema
Periphyton:
Bacillariophyceae (67.1%), myxophyceae (15.2%), chlorophyceae
(14.0%) and animalcules (3.7%). Bacillariophyceae thus was rich both quantitatively
and qualitatively and was represented by Gyrosigma, Frustulia, Navicula, Nitzschia,
Tabellaria, Epithemia, Mastogloia, Caloneis, Syendra, Fragilaria and Hantzschia.
Characium, Cladophora represented chlorophyceae.
Zooplankton: Arcella, Keratella, Colurella, Brachionus, Trichocerca, Notholca,
Bosmina, Monostyla, Diaphanosoma, Moina, Diaptomus, Daphnia and Cyclops.
Macrobenthos: The bottom fauna were dominated chironomids (38%). Chaoborus
constituted 14.3% while tubificids formed 9.7%.
Fishes: Catla catla, Labeo rohita, Cirrhinus mrigala, Labeo calbasu, Notopterus
notopterus, O. bimaculatus, T. tor, Mystus seenghala, W. attu, L. gonius, L. bata, B.
bola and P. sarana.
Land tenure: Sate-owned
Land use: Irrigation purpose
Reference: Sharma and Kaushal (2004).
GAMBHIRI RESERVOIR
Gambhiri situated (24° 42’ N, 74° 43’ E) around 35 km from Chittorgarh town,
Chittorgarh district, Rajasthan., It is an old impoundment across the river Gambhiri a
tributary of the river Banas. The earth-fill dam was constructed mainly for flood
control and irrigation purposes in the year 1967. The upper reaches of reservoir
surrounds by hills of Aravali range. The reservoir has a catchment area of 1036 km2
and water spread area is 2,336 ha. It falls under the medium reservoir category. The
low mean depth of 3.2 m indicate shallow character. The ratio of catchment/area
(considered to be an index of allochthonous inputs) is moderate (44) reflecting inputs
of nutrients through the catchment.
•
GAMBHIRI RESERVOIR
25°C and minimum of 19°C.
Phytoplankton:
S.
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Species Name
S.
No
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
Characiopsis
Cosmarium
Cyctodinium
Cymbella
Meridion
Microcystis
Mougeotia
Oscilatoria
Species Name
Pediastrum
Peridinium
Rhizoclonium
Scenedesmus
Synedra
Tabellaria
Zygnema
Periphyton: Frustulia, Diatoma, Tabellaria, Navicula, Achnanthes, Melosira,
Amphora, Stauroneis, Synedra and Fragilaria.
Zooplankton: Filinia, Keratella, Colurella, Brachionus, Trichocerca, Notholca,
Haxarthra, Moina, Bosmina, Daphnia, Diaphanosoma, Cyclops and Diaptomus.
Macrobenthos: Chironomids dominated the fauna forming 68.65 of the population
followed by Chaoborus (13.4%), tubificids (10.0%) and molluscs (10.0%).
Fishes:
S.
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
Species Name
Catla catla
Channa marulius
Cirrhinus mrigala
Labeo bata
L. calbasu
L. gonius
S.
No
7
8
9
10
11
Species Name
L. rohita
Mystus seenghala
Ompok bimaculatus
Wallago attu
Land use: Flood control and irrigation.
Socio-economic values: In addition to its importance for water supply, the reservoir
supports a small fishery supplying local markets.
SARDAR SAMAND RESERVOIR
Sardar Samand is a freshwater reservoir, situated (25° 09’ N, 73° 05’ E) in 55 km
south of Jodhpur, Pali district, Rajasthan. The reservoir is semicircular in shape, 9.45
km long and 3.85 km wide. The total area of this reservoir is 3641 ha. and maximum
depth is 5.79 m.
Abiotic factors: Tropical monsoon climate. The pH of the reservoir is 7.9–9.3.
Macrophytes: Important macrophytes are Potamogeton indicus and Ceratophyllum
demersum
Phytoplankton: Important phytoplankton species includes, Merismopedia, Nostoc,
and Oscillatoria.
Fishes:
S. Species Name
No
Ichthyofauna
1 Channa marulius
2 Cirrhinus mrigala
3 C. reba
4 Labeo angra
5 L. dero
6 L. rohita
7 Mastacembelus armatus
8 Mystus bleekeri
9 Puntius sarana
S. Species Name
No
10 P. sophore
11 Wallago attu
Zooplankton
12 Asplanchna
13 Brachionus
14 Cyclops
15 Cypris
16 Daphnia
17 Diaptomus
Other faunal species are the shrimp (Caridina weberi), frog (Rana cyanophlyctis), and
turtle (Lissemys punctata).
Land use: The reservoir is used for irrigation and drinking purpose.
Socio-economic values: Provides water for drinking and irrigation.
Reference: Saxena (1982), Saxena and Bhargava (1984), Saxena and Bhargava
(1985), Saxena and Bhargava (1987).
KOTHARI RESERVOIR
Kothari reservoir is situated (25° 18’ N, 75° 0’ E) near Trivani town, Bhilwara
district, Rajasthan. It lies across the river in the year 1990. It has catchment area of
2176 km2 and water spread area 785 ha. It is a shallow reservoir having a mean depth
of 3.3 m.
Phytoplankton:
S.
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Species Name
Anabaena
Botryococcus
Characium
Coccoenis
Cosmarium
Cyclotella
Cyctodinium
Cymbella
Gomphonema
Gyrosigma
Melosira
Meridion
S.
No
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
Species Name
Nitzschia
Nostoc
Oedogonium
Oscilatoria
Pediastrum
Peridinium
Phormedium
Rhizoclonium
Scenedesmus
Spirulina
Synedra
Tabellaria
13
14
27
Microcystis
Navicula
Trachiscia
Macro-vegetation:
The dominant forms were Hydrilla, Vallisneria and
Potamogeton. Marsilea occurred rarely.
Periphyton: Periphytic communities were dominated by bacillariophyceae. Diatoms
were represented by Synedra, Navicula, Cymbella, Tabellaria, Caloneis, Gyrosigma,
Nitzschia, Melosira and Amphora. Chlorophyceae (13.6%) was comprised of
Characium and Cladophora. Protozoans were represented by Difflugia.
Diaphanosoma, Asplanchna, Diaptomus, Moina, Daphnia and Cyclops.
Macrobenthos: Chironomids constituted 56% of the total fauna followed by
tubificids (18.6%), molluscs (13.5%) and chaoborus (11.9%).
Fishes: Major crops dominated by Catla catla formed 50% of the catch. Cat fishes
(Mystus seenghala, Wallago atta, Notopterus notopterus) constituted 32% of the
catch. Other fishes in the catch were Channa reba, Labeo bata, L. gonius and Channa
sp.
Land use: The reservoir is used for irrigation.
NANDSAMAND RESERVOIR
Nandsamand reservoir is situated (25° 50’ N, 75° 47’ E) near Nathwara, Rajsamand
district, Rajasthan. Nandsamand, an impoundment across the river Banas. It is around
five decade old reservoir having been formed in 1957 mainly for irrigation purposes
and is surrounded by hills of Aravali ranges. It has a total catchment area 839 km2 and
water spread area 407 ha. The catchment/area ratio is quite high (209) indicates inputs
of good amount of nutrients through the catchment. The mean depth of 5.2 m reveals
shallow character of the reservoir.
Phytoplankton:
S.
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Species Name
Anabaena
Cosmarium
Crucigenia
Cyctodinium
Diatoma
Frustulia
Meridion
Microcystis
S.
No
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
Species Name
Pediastrum
Peridinium
Phormedium
Rhizoclonium
Scenedesmus
Spirulina
Synedra
Tabellaria
9
10
19
20
Navicula
Oscilatori
Trachiscia
Zygnema
Periphyton:
Synedra, Daitoma, Merodion, Fragilaria, Navicula, Tabellaria,
Frustulia and Cocconeis.
Macrovegetation: The common forms were Hydrilla, Potamogeton and Vallisneria.
Haxarthra, Daphnia, Bosmina, Cyclops and Diaptomus.
Macrobenthos: The bottom fauna of the reservoir was dominated by chironomids
(58%). Chaoborus formed 17.4% of the total benthos followed by molluscs (15.9%).
Fishes:
S.
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
Species Name
Catla catla
Cirrhinus mrigala
C. reba
Labeo gonius
L. rohita
Mastaccembelus aramtus
S.
No
7
8
9
10
11
Species Name
Mystus seenghala
Puntius sarana
Tor tor
Wallago attu
KHARI RESERVOIR
Khari reservoir is situated (20° 42’ N, 74° 17’ E) in Khari Dantra village, Bhilwara
district, Rajasthan. Khari, an impoundment across the river Khari a tributary of the
river Banas. It is a four decades old reservoir constructed for irrigation in the year
1956. The upper reaches of the reservoir surrounds by hills of Aravali range. The low
mean depth of
5.0 m indicate shallow character. The ratio of catchment/area
(considered to be an index of allochthonous inputs) is high (92) and indicates inputs
of nutrients through the catchment. It has water spread area of 773 ha.
30°C and minimum of 15.5°C.
Phytoplankton:
S.
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Species Name
Anabaena
Ankistrodesmus
Characiopsis
Characium
Chlarococcum
Cocchochloris
Coccoenis
S.
No
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
Species Name
Navicula
Oedogonium
Oscilatoria
Pediastrum
Phormedium
Protococcus
Rhizoclonium
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
Crucigenia
Cyclotella
Cymbella
Diatoma
Melosira
Meridion
Microcystis
Mougeotia
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
Rhoicosphenia
Scenedesmus
Spirogyra
Synedra
Tabellaria
Volvox
Zygnema
Macrophytes: The dominant form were Hydrilla, Vallisneria and Potamogeton.
Zooplankton:
Arcella, Keratella, Filinia, Brachionus, Bosmina, Notholca,
Diaphanosoma, Asplanchna, Diaptomus, Moina, Daphnia, Chydrous and Cyclops.
Macrobenthos: Chironomids constituted 61.6% of the total fauna followed by
Chaoborus (19.2%) and molluscs (19.2%).
Fish: Mystus seenghala, Wallago attu, Labeo gonius, L. bata, Barilius bola and
Puntius sarana.
SOM KAMLA AMBA RESERVOIR
Som Kamla Amba reservoir is situated (23° 56’ N, 74° 02’ E) near Amba, Dungarpur
district, Rajasthan. The reservoir has a catchment area of 5376 km2. It has a mean
depth of 4.8 m and is shallow in nature. The total area of the reservoir is about 3618
ha.
Abiotic factors: Tropical monsoon climate. Water temperature ranged from 17°C to
28°C.
Phytoplankton:
S.
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
Species Name
Ahanochaete
Amphora
Ankistrodesmus
Characiopsis
Chlarococcum
Closterium
Cocchochloris
Coccoenis
Cosmarium
Crucigenia
Diatoma
Fragilaria
Frustulia
Merismopedia
S.
No
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
Species Name
Mougeotia
Navicula
Nostoc
Pachycladon
Pediastrum
Phormedium
Pleurogaster
Rhizoclonium
Scenedesmus
Schizodictyon
Spirogyra
Spirulina
Synedra
Tabellaria
15
30
Microcystis
Zygnema
Macrovegetation:
The common forms of aquatic weeds occurred were
Potamogeton, Hydrilla and Vallisneria.
Periphyton: Cymbella, Gyrosigma, Synedra, Navicula, Notzschia, Amphipleura,
Achnanthes, Meridion and Caloneis. Characium and Cladophora represented
chlorophyceae (13.8%). Protozoans (4.1%) were represented by Difflugia.
Zooplankton:
Arcella, Keratella, Filinia, Brachionus, Bosmina, Monostyla,
Diaphanosoma, Moina, Diaptomus, Daphnia, Chydrous, Cyclops
Macrobenthos: Chironomids dominated the fauna (42.7%) followed by molluscs
(34.9%), Chaoborus (16.9%) and tubificids (5.5%).
Fishes: Mystus seenghala, Wallago attu, Labeo rohita, L. gonius, L. bata, Barilius
bola, Puntius sarana, Catla catla, and Cirrhinus mrigala.
ORAI RESERVOIR
Orai reservoir is situated (25° 2’ N, 74° 4’ E) around 3.5 km away from Chittorgarh
town, Chittorgarh district, Rajasthan. It is surrounded by hills of Aravali ranges. It
was constructed by blocking the river Orai in the year 1972–73 mainly for irrigation.
It lies in the Banas river system. Total catchment area of 220 km2 and water spread
area 640 ha. The mean depth (5.5 m) shows shallow nature of the water body.
28C and minimum of 16°C.
Phytoplankton:
S.
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
Species Name
Achnanthes
Amphipleura
Ankistrodesmus
Botryococcus
Cerasterias
Characiopsis
Characium
Chlarococcum
Coccoenis
Crucigenia
Cyctodinium
Diatoma
Frustulia
Meridion
Microcystis
S.
No
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
Species Name
Nostoc
Oscilatoria
Pachycladon
Peridinium
Phormedium
Pleurogaster
Protococcus
Rhizoclonium
Rhoicosphenia
Scenedesmus
Spirulina
Synedra
Tabellaria
Tetraedron
Trachiscia
16
17
33
34
Mougeotia
Navicula
Ulothrix
Zygnema
Periphyton:
Synedra, Stauroneis, Diatoma, Caloneis Fragilaria, Amphora,
Gyrosigma, Melosira and Cymbella.
Macrovegetation: Aquatic weeds such as Hydrilla, Vallisneria, Potamegton, Elodea
occurred only in winter season.
Zooplankton: Polyarthra, Keratella, Filinia, Brachionus, Trichocerca, Notholca,
Bosmina, Asplanchna, Diaphanosoma, Moina, Diaptomus, Daphnia, Chydrous,
Cyclops
Macrobenthos: The bottom fauna of the reservoir was dominated by Chironomods
(52.4%). Molluscs formed 18.5% of the total benthos. Tubificids constituted 16.9%
while Chaoborus formed 9.2%.
Fishes:
S.
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
Species Name
Channa reba
E. vacha
Labeo gonius
Mystus seenghala
Notopterus chitala
S.
No
7
8
9
10
11
Species Name
N. notopterus
Osteobrama cotio
Puntius sarana
Tor tor
Wallago attu
UDAISAGAR RESERVOIR
Udaisagar reservoir is situated (24° 33’ N, 73° 47’ E) near Udaipur town, Udaipur
district, Rajasthan. Udaisagar, an impoundment across the river Bedach a tributary of
river Banas. It is an oldest impoundment having been formed in 1965. The catchment
of the reservoir is surrounded by hills of Aravali ranges. It has a catchment area of
31.1 km2 and total water spread area 440 ha. The low depth of 7.0 m indicate shallow
character. The ratio of catchment/area is high (109) indicating inputs of nutrient
through the catchment.
Phytoplankton:
S.
No
1
2
3
4
Species Name
Achnanthes
Amphora
Botryococcus
Caloneis
S.
No
17
18
19
20
Species Name
Melosira
Meridion
Microcystis
Mougeotia
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
Characiopsis
Characium
Chlarococcum
Cocchochloris
Coccoenis
Cosmarium
Crucigenia
Cyclindrospermum
Fragilaria
Frustulia
Gomphonema
Hydrocoleum
Navicula
Oedogonium
Oscilatoria
Phormedium
Rhizoclonium
Scenedesmus
Spirogyra
Synedra
Tabellaria
Wollea
Zygnema
Zooplankton: Arcella, Keratella, Filinia, Brachionus, Diaphanosoma, Notholca,
Diaptomus, Asplanchna, Moina, Chydrous, Daphnia and Cyclops.
Periphyton: Bacillariophyceae (69.0%) dominated over myxophyceae (19.1%) and
chlorophyceae (13.5%). Diatoms were represented by Cymbella, Tabellaria,
Calonoeis, Synedra, Gyrosigma, Diatoma, Melosira, Navicula, Stauroneis and
Cocconeis. Chlorophyceae were represented by Characium and Cladophora.
Protozoans were represented by Difflugia.
Macrobenthos: Chironomids constituted 83.8% of the total fauna followed by
Chaoborus (9.5%) and molluscs (4.8%).
Land use: The reservoir is used for irrigation
WEST BANAS RESERVOIR
West Banas reservoir is situated (24° 41’ N, 72° 57’ E) in the Sirohi district,
Rajasthan It lies across the main river West Banas, around 35 km away from Sirohi
town. It has a total catchment area of 508 km2 and water spread area is 940 ha. The
reservoir is mainly constructed for irrigation in the year 1965–66 and is surrounded by
hills of Aravali ranges. The out flow from Jawai reservoir joins the river West Banas.
The mean depth of 4.2 m suggest shallow character of the reservoir. The C/A ratio of
54 indicates more inputs of allochthonous nutrient through the catchment.
Macrophytes: The dominant forms were Hydrilla, Vallisneria and Potamogeton.
Periphyton: Synedra, Gyrosigma, Cymbella, Navicula, Fragilaria, Tabellaria and
Stauroneis.
Phytoplankton:
S. Species Name
No
1 Anabaena
S. Species Name
No
14 Navicula
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
Botryococcus
Characiopsis
Characium
Coccoenis
Cyctodinium
Diatoma
Frustulia
Gomphonema
Gyrosigma
Meridion
Microcystis
Mougeotia
Oedogonium
Pediastrum
Peridinium
Phormedium
Rhizoclonium
Rhoicosphenia
Scenedesmus
Synedra
Tabellaria
Trachiscia
Zygnema
Zooplankton: Arcella, Keratella, Polyarthra, Brachionus, Colurella, Notholca,
Trichocerca, Daphnia, Haxarthra, Cyclops, Diaphanosoma and Diaptomus.
Macrobenthos: Chironomids dominated the fauna (83.8) followed by Chaoborus
(8.1%) and molluscs (8.1%). Maximum concentration of benthos were in winter
season.
Fishes: Catla catla, Labeo rohita, L. gonius, Mystus seenghala, Wallago attu,
Mastacembelus armatus, Ompok bimaculatus, Channa marulius and Puntius sarana.
Socio-economic values: In addition to its importance for water supply, the reservoir
supports a small fishery supplying local markets.
LAKES OF CENTRAL RAJASTHAN
Lakes in the vicinity of (24° 30’–27° 05’ N, 73° 35’–76° 20’ E) Udaipur, Bhilwara,
Bundi, Kota, Ajmer and Jaipur, central Rajasthan. Numerous large and small water
storage reservoirs (tanks) scattered throughout a region of about 40,000 sq.km in
central Rajasthan. At least 300 of the tanks exceed 100 ha in extent and about 25
exceed 1,000 ha, but few if any are larger than 5,000 ha All are fresh to brackish. The
tanks were constructed at various times during the last 600 years by bunding the
numerous predominantly intermittent or seasonal water courses which drain the
monsoon run-off from the eastern flank of the Aravalli Range into the Banganga
Nadi, Dhund Nadi, Banas, Kural Nadi and Chambal Rivers (tributaries of the
Ganges). The water level in the tanks is wholly dependent upon the monsoon rainfall;
in recent periods of drought, many of the lakes have dried up for the first time in
hundreds of years. Others dry up annually in summer or are reduced to shallow
puddles. As water levels fall, muddy fringes and small islands are exposed. The
maximum depth tends to be 5–6 m in the rainy season, and 2 m in the dry season. The
largest and most important tanks are as follows: Galaisagar, Kandhar and Mansarovar
near Udaipur; Uniara and Begimpura near Bhilwara; Chandlai and Bhimlat near Kota;
Phoolsagar, Dhamna, Bharda, Rustomganj, Sarauli, Mansagar, Hindoli and Ramsagar
near Bundi; New Barol, Bhaniyan, Ramsar, Sardarsamand and Anasagar near Ajmer;
and Aakera, Chhaparwada, Jalsagar, Mahlan and Morel near Jaipur. In addition to
these relatively large water storage reservoirs, there are innumerable smaller tanks,
particularly to the southeast of Nasirabad (28° 00’ N, 74° 45’ E) and west of
Indargarh (25° 43’ N, 76° 11’ E). The entire area forms a transitional belt between the
Great Indian Desert to the west and the Vindhya Range to the southeast. The region is
one of sandy plains sloping gently to the northeast, relieved by stoney uplands
between the river systems. In the southern part, the tanks are surrounded by
cultivation, whilst to the north and west, scrub and thorn forest predominate. The total
area of wetlands are unknown, however about 300 lakes of 100 to 5,000 ha in area
and many smaller lakes and ponds in a total region of about 4,000,000 ha.
Abiotic factors: Tropical monsoon climate with an annual rainfall of about 490–640
mm. The rainy season is from July to September. Temperatures rise to 40–45°C in
summer and fall to 8–10°C in winter.
Macrophytes: Several of the reservoirs support marginal emergent vegetation,
particularly sedges (Carex spp.) and rushes (Typha spp.). Surrounding areas are either
degraded thorn forest and scrub dominated by Anogeissus pendula trees or
agricultural land with scattered Prosopis cinereria and Acacia nilotica trees. The
principal crops are cereals, cotton and groundnuts.
Birds: At least 25 of the tanks attract sizeable numbers of migratory ducks, coots and
shorebirds during the winter months, and the region as a whole is extremely important
for a wide variety of waterfowl, notably Pelecanus onocrolalus, storks,
Phoenicopterus ruber, Phoeniconaias minor, Anser indicus and cranes. Large
numbers of ducks and coots occur at some sites; for example, over 11,000 ducks and
4,800 Fulica atra were recorded by Gole during a survey of seventeen lakes in
November 1982. The ducks included: 260 Tadorna ferruginea; 290 Nettapus
coromandelianus; 16 Sarkidiornis melanotos; 740 Anas Penelope; 760 A. crecca; 160
A. poecilorhyncha; 1,400 A. acuta; 640 A. querquedula; 2,100 A. clypeata; 390 Netta
rufina; 2,500 Aythya ferina; 630 A. nyroca; 770 A. fuligula. As many as 500
Pelecanus onocrotalus have been recorded at Sarauli Tank. Anastomus oscitans and
Ciconia episcopus are common throughout the region, and Grus antigone occurs quite
commonly in the central and eastern parts. Anthropoides virgo passes through the
region in very large flocks in November; over 1,000 were recorded at Mahlan Tank in
November 1982. The region is especially important as a wintering area for the
vulnerable Bar-headed Goose Anser indicus. Some 80,000 A. indicus were reputed to
winter in Rajasthan in the past, and there may still have been as many as 20,000 in the
early 1980s. Flocks of over 500 have been reported at Sarauli and Bharda Tanks, and
smaller flocks, generally of 40–150 birds, at Chhaparwada, Ramsar, Dhamna, Uniara,
Begimpura, Mansarovar, Galaisagar, Aakera and Morel. Anser anser also occurs in
winter, but in much smaller numbers. Many species of migratory shorebirds occur in
large numbers, the commonest being Limosa limosa and Philomachus pugnax. In
February 1986, Wells observed 2,000 Himantopus himantopus and 3,500
Philomachus pugnax together with smaller numbers of Tringa totanus, T. stagnatilis,
T. glareola, Actitis hypoleucos and Calidris minuta at one tank near Jaipur.
Rhynchops albicollis has been recorded at Chandlai Tank.
Land tenure: The tanks are state owned (Government Irrigation Department);
surrounding areas are partly state owned and partly private.
Land use: Water supply for irrigation and domestic consumption, and some fishing
and reed-cutting; livestock grazing and cultivation in surrounding areas. During the
dry season, the beds of some of the tanks are cultivated by private land holders.
Conservation measures taken: No habitat protection, but all hunting and shooting is
prohibited throughout the State of Rajasthan.
Conservation measures proposed: Nine of the larger tanks, namely Galaisagar,
Begimpura, Bharda, Ramsagar, Ramsar, Sardarsamand, Chhaparwada, Mahian and
Morel, are particularly rich in wildlife and have been identified a sites worthy of
special protection.
Disturbances and threats: Illegal waterfowl hunting is common at some of the tanks,
especially near Jaipur. Pollution poses a potential threat at many of the tanks,
particularly those in the vicinity of Kota, Udaipur and Ajmer, where industrial
development projects have recently been initiated. Excessive grazing in the water
catchment areas and destruction of the deciduous and thorn forests are resulting in
increased rates of siltation and affecting water quality. The inflow of domestic sewage
in lakes around Udaipur (e.g. Pichola Lake) is resulting in eutrophication and the
proliferation of aquatic weeds.
Socio-economic values: Some of the tanks have important religious significance to
the local inhabitants and are places of pilgrimage.
Research and facilities: Waterfowl censuses have been carried out at some of the
larger tanks.
SACRED KHECHOPALRI LAKE
Sacred Khechopalri lake is situated on Lat. 27° 22’ 24” N and Long.
88° 12’ 30”
E in the Sikkim Himalaya. The total area of this lake is
12 km2.The depth of the
lake is 3.2 m to 11.2 m and open water area is 37900 m2.
Abiotic factors: Tropical monsoon climate, with maximum temperature of 24°C and
minimum of 4°C. The pH values ranged between 6.8 and 8.5.
Macrophytes:
Aponogeton monostachyon, Ceratophyllum sp., Monocharia
vaginalis, Scirpus sp.
Phytoplankton: Phytoplankton species composition belonging to different families
showed Chlorophyceae (18) to be the most dominanat group, followed by
Chrysophyceae (15), Cyanophyceae (11), and one species each of Charophyceae,
Euglenophyceae, Dinophyceae and Cryptophyceae.
Zooplankton: Among the zooplankton, it comprised of 7 rotifers, 5 protozoans, 2
each of copepods and cladocerans, and 1 each of ostracods and isopods.
Fishes: Cyprinus carpio, Danio aequipinnatus, Garra sp., Schistura sp. and
Schziothorax sp.
Land use: The lake is not used for any other purpose expect for rites and rituals.
Socio-economic values: Sacred Khecheopalri lake is a famous lake “With fulfilling
lake”.
Reference: Alka Jain et al. (2005).
MUTHUPET MANGROVE
The mangrove wetland is located (10° 46’ N and 79° 51’ E) in the southernmost end
of the Cauvery delta in the districts of Nagapattinam, Thiruvarur and Thanjavur. It is
part of a large coastal wetland complex called the Great Vedaranyam swamp. The
mangrove wetland comprises different categories of wetland such as healthy
mangroves, degraded mangroves, lagoons, tidal creeks and man-made fishing canals.
Many drainage arteries of the Cauvery basin namely, Paminiyar, Karayar, Kilaithangi,
Marakakorayar flow through the Muthupet and adjacent villages and create a lagoon
before they entry into the Palk Strait. The northern as well as the western to border of
the lagoon are occupied by a dense mangrove community. The southern portion of the
lagoon is formed by a sand sprit which is devoid of mangroves. The total area of the
wetland is about 6803 ha.
Abiotic factors: Tropical monsoon climate. The temperature varied from 26 to 35°C
in atmosphere and 25 to 35°C in water. The salinity values ranged from 0 to 38‰, and
pH values from 7 to 8.9.
Mangroves: The Muthupet mangrove wetland is characterized by the presence of the
following extrusive mangrove species were Acanthus ilicifolius, Aegiceras
corniculatum, Avicennia marina, Excoecaria agallocha, Rhizophora mucronata,
Lumnitzera racemosa and associated species were Suaeda maritima, Suaeda monica,
and Salicorina brachiata.
Phytoplankton: Seventy six species of Phytoplankton and 90 species of zooplankton
have been reported (Kalidasan, 1991). Diatoms are dominant group of Phytoplankton
followed by dinoflagellates, chlorophyceans.
Cyanobacteria:
S. Species Name
No
Aphanocapsa littoralis
Aphanocapsa koordersi
Gloeocapsa sp.
Johannesbaptistia pellucida
Microcystis robusta
Oscillatoria curviceps
Oscillatoria claricentrosa
Oscillatoria tenuis
Oscillatoria calcuttensis
Oscillatoria vizagaptensis
S. Species Name
No
A. bullosa
Phormidium sp.
Porphyrosiphon natarsii
Schizothrix telephorides
Spirulina major
Synechocystis sp.
Zooplankton: Among the zooplankton, copepods dominate and the rotifers.
Molluscs: Among molluscs, bivalves such as, Meretrix meretrix, Perna viridis,
Crosso sensis, Anadora rhombea, Placenta placenta, Crassostrea madrasensis,
Martesia sp., Meretrix casta, Perna indica and Gastropods such as, Cerithidea
fluviatilis, Littorina scabra, Nassarius stolatus, Neritina violacea, Telescopium
telescopium, Pythia plicata, Melampus ceylonicus and Balanus spp. are found. The
edible oyster Crassostrea madrasensis (> 9 cm) and their spats are abundant on the
microdeltas and on the emerged land pockets.
Shell fishes: Penaeus indicus. P. monodon, Metapenaeus dobsoni, M.ensis,
Macrobrachium rude, mud crab Scylla serrata, field crab Portunus puber, hermit crab
Eupagurus bernhardus, dobi crabs Uca lactea, U. dussumieri, mud lobster Thalasima
anomola, Sesarma fascinata and the woodlouse Cyathura sp. Seeds of crustaceans
such as P. indicus (July–September), P. monodon (October–December),
M. dobsoni (January–March), M. monoceros (January–March) are commonly
available at Muthupet (Oswin, 1997). During May the post-larvae of the crustaceans
are found to approach the coast in large numbers.
Fin fishes: Muthupet mangrove harbors 73 species of finfish (Cecilia Pandian, 1996).
Seeds of Mugil spp., Chanos chanos are more during April to June. From January to
March the seeds of Sillago sihama are abundant
Insects: A total of 107 species were recorded. These are follows;
S. Species Name
No
1 Acisoma panorpoides
2 Aedes sp.
3 Aeschnid sp.
4 Alabama aggillaceae
5 Amarygmus caparium
6 Ammophila levigata
7 Anaphelus sp.
8 Andren wilkella
9 Anteas florilla
10 Apis dorsata
11 A. florida
12 Aris vivida
13 Brachynus americanus
14 Brochymena araborea
15 Calosoma scrutafor
16 Camnula pellucidae
17 Canthom virida
18 Carpocopsa pomonella
S.
No
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
19
73
Catopsila horella
Species Name
Loccotrephes sp.
Loxostege similalis
Lygus linecolaris
Macrodactylus subspinosus
Mantis religious
Megachile latimanus
Melanoplus differentialis
M. femurrubrum
Melanotus fossilis
Mesonsemia croesas
Microcentrum rhombifolium
Moobia quadridens
Murgantia luptescens
Mutilla sexmaculata
Mylabris postulate
Necrophorus marginetus
Necrosia pholidofus
Neoconocephalus
exilisconorus
Oecophylla sp.
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
Ceratine sp.
Chaetochema continis
C. pulicaria
Challa crule
Chilocorus biralnerous
Chion cinctus
Chlaenus circumdatus
Chrysocoris stolli
Cicindilla ocdonota
Coccinella septempuncata
Componotus sp.
Crambus mutabilis
Crocothemis erytbraea
Culex sp.
Danae fab
Danais chrysippus
D. eucharis
D. limance
D. mellisa
D. plexipus
Dryinius trifascians
Easarcories ventralis
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
Elaster sp.
Ergolis aradine
Estigmena acrae
Gorocephelum hotnanseggi
Gryllotalpha hexadactyla
Gryllus assimilus
Haematobia tritans
Halisodota caryace
Hemicocephalis basalis
Heptosia nina
Irdomyrmex humilis
Leptocorisa varisuga
Libellula luctuosa
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
Oedemerid sp.
Onthophagus longicornis
Orthetrum brunneum
Oryctes rhinoceros
Papilio polytes
Paralobesis viteana
Paratettix cuculatus
Perillus bioculatus
Pherasophus lineforms
Photinus pyralis
Phyllophaga crassima
Planthypena scabra
Polidours aristolochiae
P. hector
P. polyxenes
Polistes annularis
Precis lemonias
Promachus sp.
Recticulitermus flavipes
Rhyothenus varigata
Saperda calcarata
Sceliphram
mandrospatatnam
Sclenopsis sp.
Stizus prismaticus
Systena balanda
Tabanus striatus
Telechinae violae
Tenebroides mauritanicus
Terlas hacabe
Triatoma sanguisuga
Trichobaris trinotata
Xylocopa aestuans
Zezura viridule
Zyorotypus lubbari
Amphibians: Rana hexadactyle, Bufo melanostictus and Rhacophorus maculatus.
Reptiles: Veranus salvator, Naja naja, Bungarus coerulas, Enhydrina schistosa,
Helonia mydas, Sternotherus sp. and Testudo elegans.
Birds: A total of 160 species were recorded. These are follows;
S. Species Name
No
1 Accipiter badius
2 Acridotheres tristis
3 Acrocephalus dumetorum
4 Actitis hypoleucos
5 Aegithina tiphia
6 Alauda gulgula
S.
No
81
82
83
84
85
86
Species Name
Hirundo daurica
Hydrophasianus chirurgus
Jynx torquilla
Lanius cristatus
L. schach
L. vittatus
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
Alcedo atthis
Amaurornis phoenicurus
Anas acuta
A. clypeata
A. crecca
A. poecilorhyncha
A. querquedula
A. affinis
A. strepera
Anastomus oscitans
Anhinga melanogaster
Anser indicus
Anthus rufulus
A. similis
Ardea cinerea
A. purpurea
Ardeola grayii
Arenaria interpres
Artamus fuscus
Athene brama
A. noctua
Aythya ferina
Bubulcus ibis
Burhinus oedicnemus
Cacomantis passerinus
Calidris minuta
Caprimulgus asiaticus
Carpodacus erythrinus
Casmerodius albus
Centropus sinensis
Ceryle rudis
Charadrius alexandrinus
C. dubius
C. hiaticula
C. leschenaultii
Chlidonias hybridus
Circus aeruginosus
C. macrourus
Cisticola juncidis
Clamator jacobinus
Columba livia
Copsychus saularis
Coracias benghalensis
Corvus macrorhynchos
C. splendens
Cyornis tickelliae
Cypsiurus balasiensis
Dicaeum erthrorhynchos
Dicrurus macrocercus
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
L. cachinnans
L. fuscus
L. ichthyaetus
L. ridibundus
Limosa lapponica
L. limosa
Lonchura Malacca
L. punctulata
Merops orientalis
M. philippinus
Mesophoyx intermedia
Milvus migrans
Mirafra assamica
Motacilla cinerea
M. flava
Muscicapa dauurica
Nectarinia asiatica
N. zeylonica
Nenus cinereus
Numenius arquata
N. phaeopus
Nycticorax nycticorax
Oriolus oriolus
Orthotomus sutorius
Pandion haliaetus
Passer domesticus
Pavo cristatus
Pelecanus philippensis
Peridicula asiastica
Phaenicophaeus viridirostris
Phalacrocorax carbo
P. niger
Philomachus pugnax
Phoenicopterus minor
P. ruber
Pitta brachyura
Platalea leucorodia
Ploceus philippinus
Pluvialis fulva
Porphyrio porphyrio
Psittacula krameri
Pycnonotus cafer
P. leucogenys
Rostratula benghalensis
Saxicola caprata
Saxicoloides fulicata
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
Dromas ardeola
Egretta garzetta
E. gularis
Elenus caeruleus
Eremopterix grisea
Falco tinnunculus
Ficedula parva
Francolinus pondicerianus
Fulica atra
Galerida cristata
Gallicrex cinerea
Gallinago gallinago
G. stenura
Gallinula chloropus
Glareola lacteal
Halcyon pileata
H. smyrnensis
Haliastur Indus
Hierococccyx sparverioides
H. varius
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
Sterna albifrons
S. aurantia
S. caspia
S. hirundo
S. decaocto
Sturnus malabaricus
S. pagodarum
Sylvia curruca
Tephrodornis pondicerianus
Terpsiphone paradisi
Threskiornis melanocephalus
Tringa glareola
T. nebularia
T. stagnatilis
T. tetanus
Turdoides affinis
Tyto alba
Upupa epops
Vanellus indicus
V. malabaricus
Zoothera citrine
Z. wardii
Mammals:
Cannis aureus, Lepus nigricolis, Lutra lutra, Paradoxurus
hermaphroditus¸ Vivericula indica, Herpestes edwardsi, Mus booduga, Rattus rattus,
Pteropus gigantus, Rhinolophus rouxi, and Cynopterus sphinx.
Land tenure:
State-owned
Land use: Forest exploitation and fishing for finfish, prawns and crabs surrounding
areas are mainly under cultivation for coconut and paddy. Large-scale extraction of
“Industrial Grade Salt” is being carried out. Fishing is also done. The women engaged
in collecting firewood in the mangroves for their livelihood, do it regularly since there
is a good demand from the local tea shop owners and illicit arrack distillers.
Conservation measures taken: The mangrove wetland is managed by the Tamil
Nadu Forest Department under the supervision of the Wildlife Warden,
Nagapattinam. At the field land, a Rage Officer Overseas the Protection and other
management activities.
Disturbances and threats: The principal threats to the area are reclamation for
agriculture; uncontrolled grazing by domestic livestock, and over-exploitation of the
forest resource. Pollution from domestic sewage and agricultural run-off has also been
reported. There is a considerable among of general disturbance throughout the area,
partly caused by tourism. Trees are being cut and vegetation removed for construction
work.
destruction of the natural resource might be averted.
Reference: Kannan et al. (2002); Jayapaul et al. (1992); Oswin (1998); Oswin
(1999); Selvakumar and Sundararaman (2001); Selvam et al. (2002).
KOONTHAKULAM AND NEARBY TANKS
A group of small village tanks (water storage reservoirs) and ponds within a 10 km
radius of Koonthakulam (8° 28’ N, 77° 44’ E), including Koonthakulam village tank
and an unnamed seasonal pool one km to the east-southeast. Koonthakulam Tank has
a raised bund with masonry revetment. The tanks and pools are set in an area of
relatively low human population density, with arid scrub and plantations of mesquite
Prosopis juliflora and Acacia nilotica. The largest Acacia plantation is to the west of
Koonthakulam Tank and the largest area of Prosopis is to the northeast. The tanks are
usually full from October to March; they generally dry out in the hot season, but some
water enters when the nearby irrigation canal overflows. The total area of the
Koonthakulam tank is 77 ha and area of other tanks are unknown.
Abiotic factors: Tropical monsoon climate with most of the rainfall occurring during
the Northeast Monsoon in October and November.
Macrophytes: No information is available on the aquatic vegetation. There are large
plantations of Prosopis juliflora and Acacia nilotica and patches of arid scrub in
surrounding areas.
Special floral values: The region exhibits good examples of native scrub
communities. The relative abundance of Palmyra sp is especially interesting.
Birds: One of the most important breeding areas for cormorants, herons, egrets,
storks, ibises and spoonbills in Tamil Nadu. There are many small breeding colonies
of cormorants and egrets with a few Anhinga melanogaster and Ardea cinerea in the
Tirunelveli area, usually in large trees inside villages. The breeding colony at
Koonthakulam is particularly large and includes significant numbers of Pelecanus
philippensis and Mycteria leucocephala. Most of the cormorants, herons and egrets
nest in old neem trees inside the village, but the pelicans and storks favour less
disturbed sites on the periphery of the village. The surrounding scrubby areas are an
important roosting refuge for some storks and ibises. The tanks provide rich feeding
areas for the breeding birds, and also support large numbers of migratory waterfowl,
particularly ducks and shorebirds, during the northern winter (December–February).
Phoenicopterus ruber is a regular winter visitor in flocks of 50–60, Anser indicus is
an occasional winter visitor in flocks of up to 50, and Ciconia ciconia is a regular
passage migrant, also in flocks of up to 50. The surrounding rather open scrub
supports a distinctive and increasingly threatened avifauna as yet unprotected by
existing reserves.
Land tenure: At least some of the wetlands are state owned (State Forest
Department).
Land use: Water supply for irrigation; livestock grazing and collection of firewood in
surrounding areas.
Conservation measures taken: The nesting birds are protected by the sentiments of
local inhabitants. The State Forest Department has taken an interest in protecting the
breeding water birds even though the present colonies are not all on State land.
Conservation measures proposed: It has been proposed that a Water bird Sanctuary
be established and that attempts be made to move the main breeding colony of water
birds to a new area where it can be afforded better protection. This could perhaps be
achieved by planting trees suitable for long-term use by the birds. Protection of
neighbouring water bodies would be essential for the viability of the whole area. The
scrub along the roadsides should also be given some protection.
Disturbances and threats: The main threats are destruction of trees for firewood and
excessive grazing by cattle in the area around the tanks. Many birds are now forced to
nest in trees on the periphery of the village and in mesquite scrub, often in vegetation
unable to bear the weight of their nests.
Socio-economic values: The nesting birds have an important socio-historical value to
the local inhabitants, who are especially proud of their recently acquired breeding
pelicans. As in most parts of Tamil Nadu, the main colony site is in old neem trees
within the village.
PULICAT LAKE
An extensive brackish to saline lagoon with associated marshes and a massive fresh to
brackish swamp to the north. Pulicat is the second largest salt-water lagoon in India,
situated (Lat. 13° 25’–13° 55’ N and Long. 80° 03’–80° 19’ E) 45 km north of
Madras, in Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh and a part extending into the
Chengalpettu district of Tamil Nadu; approximately 84% of the lagoon lies in the
state of Andhra Pradesh and the rest in Tamil Nadu. The total area of the lake is about
350 sq.km. It is fed by two rivers, one at the southern tip (Arani river), and the other
from the northwest (Kalangi river) which is also more significant. The eastern
boundary of the lagoon is formed by the spindle-shaped Sriharikotta Island, which
separates the lagoon from the Bay of Bengal. A navigation channel, the Buckingham
Canal, runs through the lagoon on the western side of this island. The lagoon is
shallow, with large areas of mudflats and sandflats. There are two connections with
the sea; in general, sea water enters the lagoon through the channel at the north end of
Sriharikotta Island, and flows back into the Bay of Bengal through the channel at the
south end. There are two large islands, Irrukam and Venadu, and several smaller
islands in the northern part of the lagoon.
•
PULICAT LAKE
Abiotic factors: Tropical monsoon climate. The air temperature varied from 15 to
45°C. The salinity values range from 34 to 36‰. The water is alkaline in nature (8.5–
8.6)
Algae: The lagoon supports a rich growth of algae, particularly filamentous algae.
Some 59 species, including eight Cyanophyceae, seven Chlorphyceae, two
Rhodophyceae, and 42 Bacillariophyceae have been recorded. Sriharikotta island has
some very significant patches of residual, dry, evergreen forest and large areas of
littoral scrub. There are small patches of woodland around fishing villages on the edge
of the lagoon. Large areas of the surrounding plains have been invaded by Prosopis
juliflora. Spirulina major, Oscillatoria spp., Anabaena spp., Rhizosolenia
castracanei, Eucampia cornuta, and Climacodium fravenfeldianum are the common
phytoplankton.
Fishes:
At least 65 species of fish have been recorded. Some of the fishes
commonly found here are Mugil cunnesius, M. jerdoni, M. dussumieri, M. cephalus,
M. bornensis, Tetradon nigropunctatus, T. leopardus, Barbus dorsalis, Macrones
vittatus, Sardinella fimbriata, and Chanos chanos.
Birds: An extremely important area for a wide variety of resident and migratory
waterfowl, notably pelicans, herons and egrets, storks, flamingos, ducks, shorebirds,
gulls, and terns. Pulicat is the third-most important wetland for migratory shorebirds
on the eastern sea- board of India, and is especially important during the spring and
autumn migration seasons. The lagoon supports significant populations of
Tachybaptus ruficollis, Pelecanus philippensis, Phalacrocorax fuscicollis, P. niger,
seven species of herons and egrets, Mycteria leucocephala, Anastomus oscitans,
Threskiornis melanocephalus, Platalea leucorodia, Dendrocygna javanica, and Anas
poecilorhyncha. P. phlippensis and
M. leucocephala visit the lagoon in large
numbers from breeding colonies at neighbouring sites. Common passage migrants and
winter visitors include Phoenicopterus ruber (up to 3000), Anser indicus, Tadorna
ferruginea, Anas penelope, A. strepera, A. crecca, A. acuta,
A. querquedula, A.
clypeata, Aythya ferina, about 20 species of shorebirds, Larus brunnicephalus, L.
ridibundus, Chlidonias hydridus, Gelochelidon nilotica, and Hydroprogne caspia.
The largest concentrations of greater flamingos (Phoenicopterus ruber) occur in the
Andhra Pradesh part of the sanctuary, around the islands of Vendadu and Irukkam.
Esacus recurvirostris and Burhinus oedicnemus are common residents of the scrubfringed shores. The area is rich in birds of prey; Haliaeetus leucogaster breeds, and
Pandion haliaetus, Circus spp., and Falco peregrinus appear in winter.
Land tenure:
State-owned.
Land use: Fishing for finfish and prawns; many small fishing villages dot the shores
of the lagoon and on the large islands in the Andhra Pradesh section. The
Buckingham Canal is a navigation route for cargo and passenger vessels. There is a
SHAR Space Research Centre on Sriharikotta Island.
Conservation measures taken: Some 17,250 ha of the Andhra Pradesh portion of
the lagoon lies within the Andhra Pradesh Pulicat Lake Sanctuary (58,000 ha),
established in September 1976 and managed by the Divisional Forest Officer, Nellore.
The entire portion within Tamil Nadu (6000 ha) was declared a Sanctuary in October
1980.
Conservation measures proposed: A Wildlife Action Plan has been drawn up by the
Expert Group on the Pulicat Lake Sanctuary. This recommends the following: (a) the
setting up of a hydro biological research station; (b) establishment of a visitor centre;
(c) provision of shallow-bottomed boats to enable sanctuary staff to patrol the lagoon;
(d) preparation of a management plan and conservation strategy for the entire area.
Possible changes in land use: Industrial interests have expressed a desire to develop
refinery complexes alongside the lagoon.
Disturbances and threats: The principal disturbances are caused by fishing
activities and the fishing villages and fish factories bordering the lagoon. The
proposed construction of salt pans within the Tamil Nadu Pulicat Lake Sanctuary, and
industrial development on the shores of the lagoon, could pose serious threats in the
future. The Andhra Pradesh Government is planning to release some 4780 ha of the
Andhra Pradesh Pulicat Lake Sanctuary for the setting up of a marine chemicals and
salt-manufacturing industry.
Socio-economic values: The lagoon supports an important fishery, especially for
prawns. These, and other, fishing operations are concentrated in the northern and
northeastern sectors of the lagoon, in Andhra Pradesh. An average of 1200 tonnes of
fish and crustaceans are harvested of which prawns constitute 60/ followed by mullets
Research and facilities: The Bombay Natural History Society carried out an
ornithological survey in November–December 1983, and the Zoological Survey of
India has compiled species lists for many groups of flora and fauna. This work has
been based at the Madras Marine Biological Station.
Reference: Abdulali and Savage (970); Jhingran (1991); Expert Group Committee
(1984); WWF India (1987; 1993); Hussain (1987a); Karpowicz (1985); Krishnan
(1984); Neelakantan (1980); Government of India (1990). Nanda Kumar et al. (2001).
PICHAVARAM MANGROVE
Pichavaram mangrove situated (11° 27’ N and 79° 47’ E) near Killai and
Chidambaram, Cuddalore district, and about 200 km South of Chennai City, Tamil
Nadu. The forest occurs on 51 islets and the total area of the Vellar-Pichavaram
Coleroon estuarine complex is 2335.5 ha. of which only 241 ha. is occupied by dense
mangrove vegetation. Nearly 593 ha. of this wetland is occupied by halophytic
vegetation like Suaeda,
262.5 ha. Barren mud flats and 1238.5 ha. Basren high
saline soil (Krishnamoorthy et al., 1994) out of the 2335.5 ha. of this mangrove
wetland only 1100 ha. The southern part near the Coleroon estuary is predominantly,
mangrove vegetation, while the northern part near the Vellar estuary is dominated by
mud-flats. It is one of the typical mangrove swamps of India, with a high productivity
of about 8 tons of organic plant detritus ha/ year. The tides are semi-diurnal and vary
in amplitude from about 15 to 100 cm in different regions during different seasons,
reaching a maximum during monsoon and post-monsoon and minimum during
summer. The depth of the water-ways ranges from about 0.3 to 3 m (Muniyandi,
1986). It is an estuarine type of mangrove wetland. Fishing villages, croplands and
aquaculture pond surrounds the area. Comprising the entire mangrove vegetation
located in the middle portion of the Vellar-Pichavaram-Coleroon wetland has been
declared as a reserved forest.
Abiotic factors: Tropical monsoon climate. The temperature varied from 28 to 33°C
in atmosphere and 26 to 30°C in water. The salinity values range from 10 to 34‰.
Annual rainfall was 1463.0 ± 329.9 mm during 1990–1998, and the number of rainy
days was 53 ± 87. About 75.90% of total rainfall is recorded during north-east
monsoon (October – December) accompanied by frequent depressions in the Bay of
Bengal, while low rainfall is registered during north-east monsoon (April-June)
(Kathiresan et al., 1996).
Seaweed and seagrass:
S.
No
1
2
3
Species Name
Bostrychia radicans
Caloglossa leprieurii
Chaetomorpha aerea
S.
No
11
12
13
Species Name
H. pinifolia
Halophila beccarii
H. beccarii
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
C. crassa
C. linum
Cladophora glomerata
C. tuberosus
Enteromorpha clathrata
E. compressa
Halodule pinifolia
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
H. ovalis
Hypnea cornuta
H. musciformis
Padina gymnospora
Polysiphonia platycarpa
Rosenvingea intricata
Spyridia fusiformis
S.
No
8
9
10
11
12
13
Species Name
Mangroves:
S.
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Species Name
Acanthus ilicifolius
Avicennia marina
A. officinalis
Bruguiera cylindrica
Ceriops decandra
Lumnitzera racemosa
Rhizophora annamalayana
R. apiculata
R. mucronata
Sonneratia apetala
Xylocarpus mekongensis
Suaeda maritima, Suaeda monica and Salicornia brachiata are the important
associated species of this wetland.
Bacteria:
S. Species Name
No
1 Aeromonas
2
3
4
5
6
7
Azotobacter beijerinckii
A. chroococcum
A. vinelandi
Bacillus cereus
Chromatium sp.
Flavobacterium
S. Species Name
No
8 Methanococcoides
methyluteus
9 Micrococcus
10 Phormidium sp.
11 Pseudomonas caryophyllus
12 P. mesophilica
13 Rhodopseudomonas sp.
14 Vibrio
Fungus: Aspergillus, Penicillium and Streptomyces sp.
Phytoplankton: Natural phytoplankton communities are dominated by diatoms. A
total of 63 species were recorded. These are follows;
S. Species Name
No
Achnanthes brevipes
Ampniprora gigantean
Asterionella japonica
Bacteriastrum comosum
Bellarochea malleus
Biddulphia dubia
Biddulphia sp.
Cerataulina bergonii
Ceratium furca
Chaetoceros affinis
Climacosphaenia moniligera
S. Species Name
No
Cocconeis disculoides
Coscinodiscus centralis
Dinophysis caudate
Diploneis bombus
Ditylum brightwellii
Eucampia cornuta
Fragilaria intermedia
Frustulia rhomboides
Guinardia flaccid
Gyrosigma balticum
Gyrosigma sp.
Hemiaulus sinensis
Hemidiscus hardmannianus
Lauderia annulata
Leptocylindrus danicus
Lithodesmium undulatum
Melosira sulcata
Navicula longa
Nitzschia closterium
Peridinium depressum
Provocentrum micans
Rhizosolenia alata
Schroedrella delicatula
Skeletonema costatum
Stephanophxis palmeriana
Surirella ovalis
Synedra ulna
Thalassiothrix frauenfeldii
Triceratium favus
Bacteriastrum delicatulum
Biddulphia mobiliensis
Biddulphia sinensis
Bacteriastrum varians
Ditylum sol
Rhizosolenia setigera
B. heteroceros
C. compressus
C. indicus
C. lorenzianus
C. peruvianus
C. socialis
C. thorii
C. tripos
E. zodiacus
F. gracillima
G. hippocampus
N. pygmaea
N. rostellata
N. salinarum
R. styliformis
R.. stolterforthii
T. reticulum
Benthic diatoms:
S. Species Name
No
Amphora coffeaeformis
Diploneis ovalis
Fragilaria pinnata
Fragilaria sp.
Gyrosigma balticum
Navicula digito-radiata
Navicula sp.
Nitzschia angustata
Nitzschia sp.
Pinnularia ambigua
Plagiogramma staurophorum
Pleurosigma angulatum
Surirella striatula
Zooplankton:
S. Species Name
No
A. holsatica
A. marina
D. suborbicularis
D. subovalis
G. scalproides
N. commutata
N. gracilis
N. granulata
N. obtusa
N. palea
N. punctata
N. vermicularis
P. interrupta
P. normanii
P. reana
The following zooplankton species have been recorded;
Protozoa:
S.
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Species Name
Amphorellopsis acuta
Epipocylis undello
Eutintinnus tenuis
Favella ehrenpergii
F. philippinesis
Tintinnopsis amphora
T. beroidea
S.
No
8
9
10
11
12
13
Species Name
T. cylindrical
T. directa
T. glans
T. minuta
T. stenosomella
T. tubulosa
Rotifera:
S. Species Name
No
Anuraeopsis fissa
Platyias patulus
P. quadricorunis
Brachionus angularis
B. bidentata
B. calyciflorus
B. caudatus
B. falcatus
B. quadridentatus
B. forficula
B. rubens
S. Species Name
No
B. urceolaris
Trichotria tetractis
Tripleuchlanis plicata
Lecane curvicornis
L. leontina
L. luna
L. papuana
L. ungulate
Dipleuchlanis propatula
Monostyla bulla
M. closterocerca
Euchlanis dilatata
M. quadridentata
M. stenroosi
M. unguitata
E. oropha
Keratella cochlearis
K. procurva
Cephalodella gibba
K. quadrata
Ploesoma lenticularia
K. tropica
Pilina longiseta
Mytilina ventralis
Foraminifera: Globigerina rubescens and Robulus stepheni.
Metazoan: Bivalve veliger, Cirripede nauplii and Copepod nauplii.
Copepoda:
S. Species Name
No
Acartia danae
Centropages furcatus
Acrocalanus gibber
Centropages gracilis
Acartia gracilis
Paracalanus parvus
Eucalanus elongates
Corycaus danae
Labidocera acuta
Euterpina acutifrons
Oithona plumifera
Macrosetella rosea
Acartia erythraea
Microsetella gracilis
Acrocalanus chilkaensis
Oithona brevicornis
Eucalanus attenuatus
Oithona similes
Acartia spinicauda
S. Species Name
No
Oithona rigida
Decapoda: Lucifer hanseni
Chaetognatha: Sagitta enflata and Sagitta bipunctata
Larval forms:
Prawn nauplii, Mysis, Fish larva, Megalopa, Crab zoea, Fish egg.
Polychaeta: Heteromastus similis, Euclymene annandale, Perinereis sp. and
Mercierella enigmatica.
Bivalvia: Crassostrea madrasensis
Gastropoda: Dostia (Neritina) crepidularia, Telescopium telescopium, Cerithidea
fluviatilis, Cerithidea obtusa, Littorina scabra, Assiminea nitida, Pythia plicata,
Melampus ceylonicus, Cassidula nucleus.
Cirripeida: Balanus amphitrite
Tanaidacea: Tanais sp., Apseudes gymnophobia, Halmyrapseudes killaiyensis.
Isopoda: Ligia exotica, Cirolana fluviatilus, Sphaeroma terebrans,
S. annandalei
Amphipoda: Paracalliope sp., Grandidierella sp., Corophium triaenonyx and
Talorchestia sp.
Free-living marine nematodes: A total of 39 species were recorded. These are
follows;
S. Species Name
No
Adoncholaimus fuscus
Anoplostoma blanchardi
Araeolaimus longicauda
Axonolaimu typicus
Daptonema conicum
D. oxycerca
Desmodora
(Pseudochromadora) luticola
Diplolaimella ocellata
Dorylaimopsis timmi
Eleutherolaimus
obtusicaudatus
Halalaimus (H.) gracilis
H. (Halalaimus) filum
Halichoanolaimus dolichurus
Metachromadora (M.) remanei
Metalinhomoeus longiseta
Neochromadora izhorica
Oxystomina elongate
O. unquiculata
Paracanthonchus elongates
Paracomesoma longispiculum
Paralinhomoeus brevibucca
Parodontophora brevamophida
P. breviseta
Polygastrophora septembulba
S. Species Name
No
Prochromadorella brachyuran
Sabatieria falcifera
Sphaerolaimus maeoticus
S. pacificus
Spilophorella papillata
Spirinia
(Perspiria)
straiaticaudata
S. (Spirinia) parasitifera
Steineria pilosa
Terschellingia longicaudata
Theristus (Penzancia) calx
T. (Theristus) pertenuis
Tripyloides gracilis
Trissonchulus oceanus
Viscosia carnleyensis
V. macramphida
V. viscose
Insects: A total of 79 species were recorded. These are follows;
S. Species Name
No
1 Acisoma panorpoides
2 Acridiuma calanacorne
3 A. peregidium
4 A. sucinutum
5 Aeschinid sp.
6 Alphitobius piceus
7 Amarygmus cuparius
8 Ammophila levigata
9 Appias albino
10 Aschishus breviconis
11 Asoudiniroga sanctaecrussis
12 Atella phalantha
13 Batocera rufomaculata
14 Bembex sulphurescens
15 Calandra sculpturata
16 Catcopsilia florella
17 Chrysocoris stolli
18 Cicindella octonata
19 Coccinella septempunctata
20 Colotis etrida
21 Cossyphus depressus
22 Danais chrysippus
23 D. meliss
24 D. nilgiriensis
25 D. pixippus
26 Delias eucharis
27 Dicrononcus amabilis
28 Dysderus cingulatus
29 Ergolis aradina
S. Species Name
No
41 Lamprophorus sp.
42 Leptocorisa varicornis
43 Leptosia nina
44 Lethe europa
45 Manido histero
46 Melantis leda
47 Mesomorpha villiger
48 Murgantia luptescens
49 Mutilla sexmaculata
50 Mylabris pustulata
51 Myllocerus viridanus
52 Myrmeleonid sp.
53 Necroscia pholidotus
54 Nezuura vurudula
55 Onthophagus longicornis
56 O. onitis
57 Oryctes rhinoceros
58 Otheries masterina
59 Oxytonisia versicolor
60 Paplio polytes
61 Phersophus lineiforms
62 Platerious sp.
63 Polidours arisotolchae
64 Polidours hector
65 Precis almanac
66 P. iphita
67 P. lemonias
68 Pyrops sp.
69 Rhyncophorus feruginus
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
Euploeca core
Eusarcoris ventralis
Gonocephalum hfomanseggi
Gryllotalfa africana
Haltica sp.
Heliocopris bucephalus
Henicocephalis basalis
Herse sonluvuli
Hierodula coarclata
Hieroglyphus farcifer
Ileus cincta
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
Rhyotherns varigata
Salda dixoni
Scliphron madraspatunam
Sphnoptera arachnid
Stizus prismaticus
Telchinia violae
Terisas hecabe
Tribolium castaneum
T. confusum
Yphtima baldus
Shell-fishes:
S. Species Name
No
Penaeus indicus
P. monodon
Macrophthalmus depressus
M. erato
P. semisulcatus
Dotilla myctiroides
P. merguiensis
Grapsus strigosus
Metapenaeus monoceros
G. tenuicrustatus
M. affinis
Metapograpsus maculatus
M. dobsoni
M. messor
M. brevicornis
Ptychognathus altimanus
M. lysianassa
Pseudograpsus intermedius
Scylla serrata
Nanosesarma (Nanosesarma)
minutum
Scylla tranquebarica
N. patavicum
Portunus (Portunus)
sanguinolentus
Sesarma andersoni
P. pelagicus
S. brockii
Charybdis (Charybdis) lucifera
S. plicatum
Charybdis helleri
S. bidens
Thalamita crenata
Neoepisesarma (Muradium)
tetragonum
S. Species Name
No
T. chaptali
N. mederi
Galene bispinosa
Plagusia dentipes
Heteropanope indica
P. depressa
Ocypode platytarsis
Metaplex elegans
O. macrocera
M. distincta
Uca (Celuca) lactea annulipes
Cardisoma carnifex
U. triangularis Bengali
Fin-fishes:
S. Species Name
No
Ambassys gymnocephalus
Lates calcarifer
A. commersoni
Lutjanus argentimaculatus
Arius subrostratus
Mugil cephalus
Chanos chanos
Osteomugil cunnesius
Etroplus suratensis
Pomadasys kaakan
Gerres filamentosus
Plotosus canius
G.abbreviatus
Scatophagus argus
Liza parsia
Siganus javus
L.macrolepis
S.canaliculatus
L.subviridis
Terapon jarbua
S. Species Name
No
Birds: A total of 177 species were recorded. The reported species are follows;
S. Species Name
No
1 Accipiter badius
2 A. nisus
3 A. virgatus
5 Acrocephalus aedon
6 A. dumetorum
7 Aegithina tiphia
8 Alauda gulgula
S.
No
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
Species Name
Lanius cristatus
L. schach
L. vittatus
Larus argentatus
L. brunnicephalus
L. ichthyaetus
L. ridibundus
Limicola falcinellus
9
Alcedo atthis
98
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
Anas acuta
A. clypeata
A. crecca
A. penelope
A. poecilorhyncha
A. querquedula
A. strepera
Anastomus oscitans
Anhinga rufa
Anthus novaeseelandiae
Anus affinis
A. platyrhynchos
Ardea alba
A. cinerea
A. purpurea
Ardeola grayii
A. striatus
Arenaria interpres
Artamus fuscus
Athene brama
Bubulcus ibis
Burhinus oedicnemus
Calidris alpina
C. minuta
C. temminckii
C. testacea
Centropus sinensis
Ceryle rudis
C. dubius
C. hiaticula
C. leschenaultii
C. mongolus
Chlidonias hybridus
Ciconia ciconia
Circus aeruginosus
C. macrorus
C. melanoleucos
C. pygargus
Clamator jacobinus
Columba livia
Copsychus saularis
C. splendens
Cuculus varius
Cypsiurus parvus
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
Limnodromus
semipalmatus
Limosa lapponica
L. limosa
Lonchura punctulata
Megalaima haemacephala
Merops leschenaulti
M. orientalis
M. philippinus
Milvus migrans
Mirafra assamica
M. erythroptera
Motacilla alba
M. cinerea
M. flava
M. indica
M. maderaspatensis
Muscicapa latirostris
M. muttui
Nectarinia asiatica
N. zeylonica
Neophron percnopterus
Numenius arquata
N. phaeopus
Oriolus oriolus
Orthotomus sutorius
Pandion haliaetus
Passer domesticus
Perdicula asiatica
Petronia xanthocollis
Phalacrocorax carbo
P. fuscicollis
P. niger
Philomachus pugnax
Phoenicopterus roseus,
Phylloscopus magnirostris
Pitta brachyura
Platalea leucorodia
Pluvialis dominica
P. squatarola
Podiceps ruficollis
Prinia subflava
Psittacula krameri
Pycnonotus cafer
P. luteolus
Rallina eurizonoides
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
Dicaeum erythrorhynchos
Dicrurus adsimilis
Egretta garzetta
E. gularis
E. intermedia
Elanus caeruleus
Eremopterix grisea
Esacus magnirostris
Falco chicquera
F. peregrinus
F. tinnunculus
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
Galerida cristata
Gallicrex cinerea
Gallinago gallinago
Glareola lactea
Haematopus ostralegus
Halcyon pileata
H. smyrnensis
Haliaeetus leucogaster
Haliastur Indus
Hirundo daurica
H. fluvicola
H. rustica
Hydroprogne caspia
Ixobrychus cinnamomeus
I. flavicollis
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
Rallus striatus
Sterna albifrons
S. aurantia
S. benghalensis
S. bergii
S. hirundo
S. decaocto
S. senegalensis
Sturnus pagodarum
S. roseus
Sylvia curruca
Tephrodornis
pondicerianus
Terpsiphone paradisi
Threskiornis aethiopica
Tringa erythropus
T. glareola
T. hypoleucos
T. nebularia
T. ochropus
T. stagnatilis
T. terek
T. tetanus
Turdoides caudatus
Turnix suscitator
Tyto alba
Upupa epops
Vanellus indicus
V. malabaricus
Seasnakes: Enhydrina schistose and Acrocordus granulatus
Land tenure:
State-owned
Land use: Forest exploitation and fishing for finfish, prawns, and crabs. The more
robust mangrove species have been selectively felled. There are several human
settlements within the mangrove forest, and villagers from outside enter the forest to
collect wood. The human population density has been calculated at 12 persons per
hectare. Surrounding areas are mainly under cultivation for rice and pulses. Largescale extraction of “Industrial Grade Salt” is being carried out. Fishing is also done.
Conservation measures taken: Department of Forest, Government of Tamil Nadu,
declare the Pichavaram mangrove wetland as a Reserved Forest. This mangrove
wetland is attracting large number of tourists. A limited amount of fishing is
permitted, but shooting is prohibited. The Tamil Nadu Forest Department launched a
crocodile rehabilitation project at Pichavaram, and by 1984, had released 12
crocodiles provided by the Orissa State Forest Department.
Conservation measures proposed: in his National Wildlife Action Plan Survey, M.
Krishnan made extensive proposals for the conservation of the area. He suggested that
the development of tourism would be a sensible alternative to uncontrolled
exploitation, and could benefit the local inhabitants. The establishment of a good
interpretation centre would be an essential first step.
Disturbances and threats: The principal threats to the area are reclamation for
agriculture; uncontrolled grazing by domestic livestock, and over-exploitation of the
forest resource. A part of the area has already been reclaimed for agriculture. The
existing level of exploitation far exceeds sustainable levels, and the habitat is rapidly
being degraded by the removal of all Sonneratia apetala and Xylocarpus granatum.
The collection of firewood has reduced large areas to pure coppice of Avicennia
marina. Extensive tree felling for fuelwood has resulted in the extinction of a
mangrove species Kanelia. Two other mangrove species, Sonneratia and Xylocarpus,
are on the brink of extinction. The back-mangals are heavily grazed by domestic
livestock, the fishery resources are being over-exploited, and there is heavy hunting
pressure on marine turtles. The oyster beds, which support numerous denizens, are
being indiscriminately harvested for the shells which are used in the production of
lime and are also very lucrative financially. Pollution from domestic sewage and
agricultural run-off has also been reported. There is a considerable among of general
disturbance throughout the area, partly caused by tourism. The construction of the
road along the east coast, which is to eventually link Calcutta with Kanyakumari, is a
serious threat to this mangrove forest. Trees are being cut and vegetation removed for
construction work.
destruction of the natural resource might be averted.
Research and facilities: Research on the mangrove ecosystem has been carried out
by biologists from the Marine Biological Centre at Parangipettai, 10 km from
Pitchavaram, and from Annamalai University. A 10 hectare plot has been handed over
to a local tourism initiative of the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation. A
tourist centre has been created, with a lodge, a canteen and accommodation for a
small numbers of visitors; when further facilities are required, they will be located on
the mainland.
Reference:
Anantharaman and Kannan (1997); Chandrasekaran (2000);
Govindasamy and Kannan (1991). Karuppasamy and Perumal (2000); Kathiresan
(Eds.) (2000); Kathiresan et al. (1996); Ravichandran and Kannupandi (2004);
Sampath and Krishnamurthy (1993); Senthil and Varadharajan (1995); Subramanian
and Sethuraman (1998). Kathiresan et al., 1996; Kathiresan, 2000); Chinnadurai and
Fernando (2003, 2007).
POINT CALIMERE WILDLIFE AND BIRD SANCTUARY
The Point Calimere (10° 19’ N, 79° 38’ E) region was first identified as an area of
high significance in conservation of birds by the late Dr. Salim Ali in 1962. The
proposed Sanctuary may be divided into three divisions: The Point Calimere Forest,
The Great Vedaranyam Swamp (GVS), which includes the mangrove forests at
Muthupet; and the mangroves of Talaignayar Reserve Forest (TRF).
(i) Point Calimere Forest:
Geology: As Point Calimere is the seaward apex of the Cauvery river delta, the soil
deposits are essentially of fluvial origin, besides sand dunes. The pedologic horizons
are inseparable. The only well individualised horizon is at the surface. It has little
organic matter, and is usually clayey sand, with pebbles, gravel or concretions. The
average depth of this horizon is 30 to 40 cm. Below 40 cm, the layers are
permanently humid, richer in clay, but poorer in organic matter. Below 60 cm, the soil
is pale grey, very rich in clay, which is penetrated only by some big roots. The soils
are halomorphic with a muddy structure in a moistened state and a compact structure
in dry state. A saline efflorescence is often formed at the surface due to the capillary
rise of salt (mainly sodium chloride), favoured by the proximity to the sea and the
length of the dry season. The sand on the dunes is fine yellowish-white, and is
continuously altered by aeolian erosion whenever exposed (Blasco and Legris 1973).
Location and Topography: The northern boundary of the Point Calimere forest starts
ca 6 km south of Vedaranyam and extends further south for about 4 km till the Palk
Strait. It is bounded on the east by the Bay of Bengal and to the west by the Great
Vedaranyam Swamp. The forest
(17 km2) is not continuous but interrupted by
many tidal inlets and creeks of varying lengths and widths, which get flooded during
the monsoon.
(ii) Great Vedaranyam Swamp (GVS)
Geology and Evolution: GVS comes under the category of bar-built estuaries under
the four primary subdivisions of estuaries (Pritchard 1967). Geomorphologically, the
GVS is a resultant formation of the interaction between the tidal forces of the sea and
the mainland river water currents in the estuarine areas. As this area exists in a low
energy zone (due to the presence of the shallow Palk Strait), extensive sand bars
reaching a distance of 30–40 km are formed. These sand bars protect the inner lagoon
formations from direct sea action, and due to fluvial processes, very large amounts of
clayey silt are deposited behind the sand bars. Tissot (1987), from palynological
studies at Muthupet region, estimated the mangrove forest and sediments to be about
2000 years old. He cited the existence of ancient sand bars or dunes much further
north-west of the present beaches all along the Cauvery delta. Blasco (1975) found
that the warping rate of the Muthupet (Mullipallam) Lagoon was very rapid and that
over a period of 25 years, an area of nearly 400 ha had been gained.
Location and Topography: The GVS (350 km2) lies parallel to the Palk Strait for
about 45 km, and is separated from it by a sand bank, breached at a few places. The
GVS is flanked on the northern boundary by a number of villages. The GVS can be
broadly divided into two parts, which are connected to each other only during the
rainy season by a small breach.
The western part has mangrove forests (120.2 km2) and a lagoon
(17 km2),
called the Mullipalam Lagoon. The River Korayar is the main source of freshwater.
This region is regularly influenced by tidal action due to an opening (1.5 km2 long)
into the Palk Strait. The depth of the lagoon varies seasonally and does not exceed 2
m. Salinity of the lagoon varies from 5–15 ppt (gm/litre) during the monsoon to about
45 ppt during summer.
During very dry periods, there is water only in the Seruthalaikkadu Creek. The
Seruthalaikkadu Creek is connected to the sea by an opening, called the Chellakanni
Aaru. The freshwater input into this area is confined to the rainy season, largely from
the small drainage canals connected to the River Cauvery that empty into the swamp.
There are several islets in this area, which are formed due to aeolian and fluvial
deposition. The depth of water in the Seruthalaikkadu Creek varies seasonally from
about 60 to 120 cm. Salinity in the Creek varies from ca 10 ppt (monsoon) to 50 ppt
(summer), while in the northern areas prone to drying, salinity goes up to 100 ppt just
prior to drying.
(iii) Talaignayar Reserve Forest (TRF)
Geology: The soil in Talaignayar is clayey due to the estuarine nature of the area and
consequent successive deposits of alluvial silt brought down by the River Adappar.
These alluvial deposits have risen to the ground level, thereby exposing the soil to
inundation only during high tide.
Location and Topography: TRF, which is not contiguous with the Point Calimere
forests and the GVS is approximately 18 km north of Point Calimere. It is situated
near the estuary of the River Adappar, which flows into the Bay of Bengal near
Kallimedu, and is thus covered by extensive lagoons and streams.
Abiotic factors: The climate is monsoonal, but is not typical of monsoonal climates
due to its asymmetrical rainfall regime. The main contribution to the rainfall is from
the North-East Monsoon (October–December), and to a considerably lesser degree,
the South-West Monsoon (June–September). There is much variation in the quantum
of rainfall from year to year, as the area is vulnerable to cyclonic storms that influence
the distribution and quantum of rainfall considerably. The average rainfall ranges
from 1000–1500 mm (Meher-Homji 1984). The highest temperatures (34°C) are
recorded in May, and the minimum (25°C) in January and February. Humidity
remains relatively high and constant throughout the year. A marked feature of the
climate of this region is the strong southwesterly winds during May and June.
Macrophytes: During the monsoon, aquatics such as Aponogeton natans, Bergia
capensis, Najas graminea and Sphenoclea zeylanica occur. Pentatropis microphylla is
a common twiner on many plants.
Trees: The dominant trees of the forest are Manilkara hexandra (locally called Palai,
is the most important dry evergreen species) and Salvadora persica in the open areas.
Insectivorous plants such as Drosera burmanii and D. indica are also present in the
grassland habitat. Dominated by Halophytes such as Arthrocnemum indicum,
Salicornia brachiata and Sessuvium portulacastrum are common along the marshy
areas of the shore. Patches of Prosopis chilensis, Calotropis gigantea, Clerodendrum
inerme and Pandanus tectorius occur in elevated areas. Ipomoea pes-caprae, Spinifex
littoreus and Zoysia matrella are common on the sand dunes.
Mangroves: Avicennia marina is the dominant mangrove species in the area. The
shrub layer is made up of Suaeda maritima and S. monoica. Excoecaria agallocha
occurs on the river banks, and Aegiceras corniculatum and Acanthus ilicifolius at the
edges, where the tidal influence is pronounced. Suaeda maritima and Excoecharia
agallocha dominate in the back-mangrove areas. According to Tissot (1987), the
mangroves of Muthupet are of recent origin, and some important species such as
Rhizophora and Sonneratia have disappeared in the recent past due to changes in the
salinity regimes. At Talaignayar, the vegetation is characteristic salt-marsh vegetation
with extensive growth of Suaeda monoica and S. nudiflora. Acanthus ilicifolius,
Aegiceras corniculatum, and Rhizophora candelaria are dominant on either side of
the river Adappar and its tributaries that form the estuary.
Fishes: GVS is the spawning and / or nursing ground for commercially important
prawns (mainly White Prawn Penaeus indicus and Tiger Prawn P. monodon), crabs
(Marsh Crab Scylla serrata) and fishes. Eastern part of the GVS harbours 23 fish
species, mainly mullets, where as the Mullipalam Lagoon at Muthupet has a more
direct influence of the sea and harbours more marine species of fish, some 20 species.
Reptiles: Twenty nine species of reptiles and eight species of amphibians have been
reported from the Sanctuary, the Starred Tortoise Geochelone elegans, the Olive
Ridley Turtle Lepidochelys olivacea, Hawksbill Turtle Eretmochelys imbricata and
the Green Turtle Chelonia mydas.
Birds: Both the species of flamingos that inhabit the Old World viz., the Greater
Flamingo Phoenicopterus roseus and Lesser Flamingo P. minor inhabit the GVS).
The origin of flamingo species of the GVS is uncertain. The earlier general
presumption that they originate from Kutch is belied by the recovery of Iranian and
Russian ringed Greater Flamingos from the GVS. The Lesser Flamingo is presumed
to be of African origin since little breeding has been recorded in India. The Greater
Flamingo appears to be largely a monsoon visitor to the GVS. The movements of
Lesser Flamingo in the GVS are erratic, it is sedentary for some months and then
moves to other haunts. Flamingos inhabit highly alkaline and saline lakes and are
considered to be partial to saltworks. The Greater Flamingo is attracted to reservoirs
and low salinity condensers of industrial salt works in the GVS during the monsoon,
due to increase in food supplies. The Lesser Flamingo avoids salt works all through
the year. The main reason for this difference is that the Greater Flamingo is a
generalist feeder (plant and animal) and can shift to feeding on different species of
food, where and when abundant, while the Lesser Flamingo is a specialist feeder (blue
green algae) and cannot shift to such opportunistic feeding.
The Blackbuck Antilope cervicapra of Point Calimere represents one of the three
isolated populations of Blackbuck existing in Tamil Nadu, with the other populations
in the Guindy National Park (Chennai) and near Satyamangalam (Erode district). The
Blackbuck of Point Calimere are unique in that males do not attain the black
colouration of adults, as in parts of central and northern India, and remain a dark tan
throughout their lives. Locally known as Velimaan (open country deer), the
Blackbuck inhabits the open stretch of grazing lands (700 ha), south and west of the
forest of Point Calimere. This isolated population of Blackbuck at Point Calimere
probably survived unmolested throughout the centuries due to the locals’ now
declining belief that eating its meat causes leprosy. The predators of the Blackbuck at
Point Calimere are Jackals, and sometimes village dogs. Competition for food is from
domestic and feral cattle. The population estimate of the Blackbuck at Point Calimere
over the years carried out by different individuals or organisations are as follows:
Source
Daniel (1967)
Johnson (1975)
Nair (1976)
Natarajan et al. (1978)
Forest Department
Forest Department
Year
1967
1971
1974
1977
1981
1985
Natarajan (1994)
1989
Forest Department
Forest Department
Forest Department
1993-94
1997-98
1998-99
Population Estimate
750–800
970
340
506
1546
1623
490
843
280
538
1725
1762
1908
Asian waterfowl count of Point Calimere Wildlife sanctuary.
Species
Little Grebe
Spotbilled Pelican
Little Cormorant
Little Egret
Indian Reef Heron
Grey Heron
Large Egret
Median Egret
Cattle Egret
Pond Heron
Night Heon
Painted Stok
Spoonbill
Greater Flamingo
Lesser Flamingo
Bar-headed Goose
Gadwall
Wigeon
Mallard
Spotbill Duck
Shoveller
Pintail
Garganey
Common Teal
1987 1988
74 127
274 518
6
3
6
3
125 146
25
5
37
25
25
237 253
402 135
27953 3595
150
61
500
150
160
4054 600
14210 4864
1060 200
1690 460
1989
127
1239
44
44
325
61
138
148
949
210
36
513
1514
500
100
1990
124
899
126
126
163
4
31
169
465
1082
400
16
3620
-
1991 2000
6
5
431
2
647
1
22
19
22
19
83
304
2
1
165
1
20
5
2
3
79
60
509
100 10133
355
9
400
154
300
6795 24910
530
-
White-breasted
Waterhen
Fantail Snipe
Black-tailed Godwit
- 700 1279
651
622
Bar-tailed Godwit
Whimbrel
6
Curlew
12
4
12
5
22
Spotted Redshank
3
Redshank
97
91
290
129
19
Marsh Sandpiper
235 548
480
887 14757
Greenshank
102
8
61
169
495
Green Sandpiper
34
10
Wood Sandpiper
20
11
Terek Sandpiper
2 530
1
Common Sandpiper
2
13
Turnstone
1
17
Eastern Knot
Red Knot
Little Stint
15530 4701 13511 12791 27917
Temminck’s Stint
1
2
Dunlin
650
Curlew Sandpiper
3485 777 1672 1960 6902
Broad-billed
Sandpiper
Ruff
60
528
485
839
Red-necked
Phalarope
Blackwinged Stilt
3
7 2096
865
Avocet
90 3000
Grey Plover
11
3
19
9
Pacific
Golden
26
159
Plover
Little Ringed Plover
51
20
77
145
443
Kentish Plover
11
30
12
50 2570
Lesser Sand Plover
187
69
821
150 5551
Redwattled Lapwing
2
Yellow-legged Gull
34
508 1220
594
Black-headed Gull
Brownheaded Gull
354 702
816
190
437
Whiskered Tern
165
82
192
272
157
Black Tern
3
Gullbilled Tern
3
23
28
80
43
Caspian Tern
9
18
63
121
510
Lesser Crested Tern
25
Large Crested Tern
9
Common Tern
137
53
31
23
14
Little Tern
230
31
170
536
103
Unidentified Ducks
- 197
790
550
6
1
1265
2
16
29
695
225
3
1
2
21
9
2
3910
1
20
20
15
8
4
100
343
700
3877
2
267
53
268
268
29
76
10
7
17
19
-
Unidentified Waders
Unidentified Gulls
and Terns
-
-
3250
10
196
-
-
Mammals: Fourteen species of mammals have been reported from the Sanctuary.
The larger mammals are the Blackbuck Antilope cervicapra, Spotted Deer Axis axis,
Wild Boar Sus scrofa and Jackal Canis aureus. The Flying Fox Pteropus
giganteusroosts in large flocks on trees in the Point Calimere forest and the mangrove
forest at Muthupet. The Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis is seen near the shore
during the monsoon.
Land tenure: The entire forest of Point Calimere was notified as reserve forest in
two stages, in 1892 (Kodikkadu Reserve Forests) and in 1938 (Kodikkadu Extension
Reserve Forest). It was declared as Point Calimere Sanctuary in June 1967. The
Surrounding areas of the Muthupet Reserve Forest (mangroves) starts about 40 km to
the west of Point Calimere. From 1853 to 1912, the Muthupet forest was under the
‘Chatram Department’, (rest houses for pilgrims and travellers constructed by the
Raja of Tanjore) a branch of the then District Board of Tanjore. After that, the charge
of the forests was shared by the Revenue Department and the Chatram Department. In
1937, the forests were declared as a reserve forest, and taken over by the Forest
Department. The Talaignayar Reserve Forest (mangroves) is situated about 25 km to
the north of Vedaranyam and was notified as a reserve forest in 1931. In 1988, a
proposal was sent to the Tamil Nadu Government to extend the area of the Sanctuary
to include GVS and TRF. The new Sanctuary, with a total area of ca 385.3 km2, will
bear the name Point Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary. The promulgation of this
new sanctuary is still in process.
Land use: The Sanctuary is bordered in many areas by villages and an estimated
35,000 fishermen and agriculturists live at the borders of the Sanctuary (Varatharaj
1988). The Great Vedaranyam Swamp (GVS) has a long history of salt production. A
number of domestic and industrial salt works operate in the GVS. Depending on the
time of the year, between 500 to 900 cattle (domestic, abandoned and semi-feral)
graze in the open areas of the Sanctuary inhabited by the Blackbuck at Point
Calimere. Surrounding areas of the wetland is used for a number of villages dot the
northern bank of the Swamp, and fishing is an important occupation of many
villagers. It goes on throughout the year without any restrictions on the fishing gear,
resulting in fishes of small size and non-target species being caught. It is estimated
that around 35,000 fishermen and agriculturalists live around the borders of the
Sanctuary.
Conservation measures taken: Situated at the southern end of Nagappattinam
district, Tamil Nadu, the Point Calimere region was first identified as an area of high
significance in conservation of birds by the late Dr. Salim Ali in 1962. Through
several stages, the forest areas were declared as the Point Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary
(22.5 km2).
•
Management practices: In the absence of the management plan (one plan
submitted for approval) few practices that are being followed are:
•
To conserve the black buck and other wild animals an innovative freshwater
Source, has been created. In the watchtower over head tanks have been
constructed, to supply water (fresh) during the drought period (April, May, June)
and under ground pipline is laid up to 3 kms. to connect the overhead tank for the
supply of water. The water source is from the bore-well equipped with motor.
•
Along the coast olive ridely turtles are come to the shore for egg laying. During
1999-2000, an attempt had been made to collect the eggs, about 1500 eggs were
collected and the eggs hatched in the artificial hatchery. (14 clutches about 85-90
eggs/ clutch). 80 to 82% succeed in the attempt to prevent the predation by the
jackals, the hatchery was fenced with Bamboo racks, and the fishing nets was
used to prevent the predation by raptors.
Conservation measures proposed: In 1988, a proposal was sent to the Tamil Nadu
Government to extend the area of the Sanctuary to include the Great Vedaranyam
Swamp and the Talaignayar Reserve Forest, and rename the sanctuary as the Point
Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary. The promulgation of this new sanctuary is still
in process. The potential for designation of the sanctuary as a Ramsar Site is largely
on account of the Great Vedaranyam Swamp (350 km2), which is one of the largest
wetlands of southern India and is a major wintering refuge for a multitude of
migratory waterbirds. The earlier management plan expired in 1997. And a new one is
submitted for the approval. In this the removal of the weed prosopis is recommended
(inside the sanctuary), under eco-development.
Disturbance and threats: The climate is monsoonal, but is not typical of monsoonal
climates due to its asymmetrical rainfall regime. The main contribution to the rainfall
is from the North-East Monsoon (October–December), and to a considerably lesser
degree, the South-West Monsoon (June–September). There is much variation in the
quantum of rainfall from year to year, as the area is vulnerable to cyclonic storms that
influence the distribution and quantum of rainfall considerably. The average rainfall
ranges from 1000–1500 mm (Meher-Homji 1984). The highest temperatures (34°C)
are recorded in May, and the minimum (25°C) in January and February. Humidity
remains relatively high and constant throughout the year. A marked feature of the
climate of this region is the strong southwesterly winds during May and June.
Socio-economic values: Territorial jurisdiction resides with the Indian State of Tamil
Nadu; functional jurisdiction with the Tamil Nadu Forest Department, State
Governemnt of Tamil Nadu. The wetlands are used for agriculture, fishery (also in the
salt works reservoirs), salt production (domestic and industrial salt works), firewood
collection, forestry (timber), and grazing lands for livestock. The site is also used for
scientific research (fauna monitoring, postgraduate studies and evaluation of the
ecosystem resource benefiting to locals), recreation and pilgrimage (January-April).
The surroundings are mainly used for agriculture and fishery.
The site supports the IUCN red-listed birds Pelecanus philippensis, Phoenicopterus
minor, Limnodromus semipalmatus, and Eurynorhynchus pygmaeus, the mammal
Antilope cervicapra and the reptiles Chelonia mydas, Lepidochelys olivacea,
Eretmochelys imbricata. It regularly supports about 30,000 flamingos and tens of
thousands of other waterbirds. It also regularly supports over 1% of the individuals in
the south Asia population of Pelecanus philippensis (200–300 individuals).
Research and facilities: The Point Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary was identified as an
area of high significance in conservation of birds from the time the late Dr. Salim Ali
made an exploratory visit to the area in 1962. From 1980 for nearly a decade, the
Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) had been monitoring the avifauna and other
wildlife (and their habitats) of the forests of Point Calimere and GVS, under two U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service sponsored projects. However, the TRF, which is part of the
proposed Sanctuary, has largely been overlooked as it is at some distance from Point
Calimere, the headquarters of the Sanctuary. Besides the BNHS, the AVC College
Mayiladuthurai, which offers a wildlife biology course, has used the Point Calimere
Wildlife Sanctuary as a field base for many postgraduate students. Students of the
Centre for Advanced Studies in Marine Biology, Parangipettai
(Porto Novo)
have also undertaken a few research projects in the GVS. The M.S. Swaminathan
Foundation, Chennai has recently (1997) established a station at Muthupet to evaluate
the resource of the Muthupet ecosystem, with special source to the benefits to the
locals.
Past and Present:
The estuarine ecosystem is regarded as one of the most
productive of all ecosystems. Inspite of its multiple values and the fact that it is a selfsustaining unit, needing no fertilizers, pesticides or maintenance, the estuarine
ecosystem has been largely regarded as a wasteland to be put to other uses (Maltby
1986, Odum 1971). The situation is the same in Point Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary.
The Sanctuary is bordered in many areas by villages and an estimated 35,000
fishermen and agriculturists live at the borders of the Sanctuary (Varatharaj 1988),
thereby exerting tremendous pressures on the Sanctuary’s resource. Inspite of the
multiple benefits accruing to the locals from the Sanctuary, little thought is given to
judicious or sustainable use of the resource. Thus, the tranquil exterior of the Point
Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary is deceptive − it is beset by problems as follows:
Site:
•
Forest Destruction: A significant portion of the firewood requirements of
Kodikkarai and Kodikkadu is being illegally obtained from the forest (Daniel and
Rao 1994). Legally, only the tribals are allowed to collect dry wood from the
forest for their use. The tribals, known as the Cheendi Valayars, now number
around 450 individuals (Source: Village Panchayat), an increase from a
population of 151 in 1961 (Sarma 1976). With the increasing demand for
firewood, the tribals have started to cut green wood for their own use and for sale
to the villagers. The demand for firewood (and timber) further increases during
the fishing season (December to February), when there is an influx of around
5,000 fishermen from other areas. Tree cutting also occurs in the islets in the
GVS. When most parts of the GVS dry up during the dry season, people go in
bullock-carts to cut the trees in the islets. In Muthupet, Selvam et al. (1994)
reported that only 15% of the mangroves is ‘healthy’, and a total of 103 families
depend on the forests for their livelihood. The wood is mainly sold as firewood to
tea shops. Each bundle of wood fetches approximately 40 to 50 rupees, and is
preferred over Prosopis, the other most common alternative, as it fetches a higher
price. According to recent Forest Department Source (A.D. Barua, Wildlife
Warden), there has been concerted efforts in the past few years both at Point
Calimere and Muthupet to check tree cutting, and the situation is much better
now.
•
Collection of Non-Timber Forest Produce: Besides firewood and timber, there
is illegal collection of forest produce, such as fruits of Manilkara hexandra,
Zizyphus oenoplia, Carissa carandus, Syzigium cumini, Sapindus emarginatus,
and rhizomes of Gloriosa superba from the Point Calimere forests. Trees are
destroyed during collection of Manilkara fruits, as branches are chopped off to
collect the fruits. Large scale collection of leaf litter from the forest is carried out
yearly for use as manure for the tobacco crop, this practice has a long history and
dates back to 1938. According to the Forest Department (A.D. Barua, Wildlife
Warden, pers. comm.), the collection of fruits, such as M. hexandra and S. cumini
was legally permitted in the past, but has now been stopped, and similar is the
case with forest litter collection. A recent problem is that fruiting of trees in the
forest is poor, which is attributed to the ‘increasing pollution’ of the ground water
(A.D. Barua, Wildlife Warden, pers. comm.). Ali and Sugathan (1985) had earlier
pointed out instances of withering of Palmyra trees Borassus flabelifer in
Kodikkarai and Kodikkadu villages.
•
Spread of Prosopis: Prosopis chilensis was planted in Point Calimere Sanctuary
during the 1950s near Muniappan Eri and some areas bordering the GVS, to serve
as wind barriers (Natarajan et al. 1984). Since then, the species has spread to
many areas in the forest. Natarajan (1994) found cattle to be one of the main
dispersal agents of the species by consuming its pods. The spread of Prosopis is
restricted to the open areas (e.g., Peralam and Periyanandu Pallam), grazing lands,
or where the forest has been heavily disturbed, such as near villages and in the
islets in the GVS. However, the species has a positive role in that it reduces by
40–50% the demand for firewood and fence material from the forest (Daniel and
Rao 1994). The Forest Department had made some efforts to check the spread of
Prosopis in the blackbuck area by uprooting and burning in the past, but this is
presently being carried out.
•
Salt Works: GVS has a long history of salt production. A number of domestic
and industrial salt works operate in the GVS. There have been demands from
certain quarters to establish more salt works, including a huge (24,000 ha) salt
complex. Environmentalists and locals have opposed the proposal, recognising
the importance of the Swamp for waterbirds, and concern about the groundwater
being affected. Kodikkarai has scarcity of good drinking water, and an increasing
number of wells turn brackish every few years, attributed to the presence of salt
works by the villagers. The overall impact of a salt complex of such a magnitude
will definitely alter the ecosystem, affecting the biodiversity of the GVS, besides
having probable repercussions on the fisheries on the coast (Manakadan 1994).
Additionally, as discussed earlier, there is poor fruiting of trees in recent years,
suspected to be due to the increasing salinity of the ground water.
•
Grazing: Depending on the time of the year, between 500 to 900 cattle (domestic,
abandoned and semi-feral) graze in the open areas of the Sanctuary, inhabited by
the Blackbuck at Point Calimere. The Forest Department’s efforts to ban grazing
by stopping the issue of grazing permits have met with stiff resistance from the
locals. However, the role of cattle in the control of spread of shrubs and trees and
maintaining the grassland through grazing and browsing needs to be studied in
detail, before a decision can be taken on stoppage or control of grazing for the
benefit of blackbuck (Daniel and Rao 1994), though cattle have also been
identified as major dispersal agents for seed of Prosopis (Natarajan 1994). It is
also suggested that the grasslands have been maintained ‘naturally’, due to
periodic submergence by water as the grassland stretches occur in low lying areas
(A.D. Barua, Wildlife Warden, pers. comm.). At Muthupet, about 150–200
abandoned aged or dry cattle graze in the reserve forest (Selvam et al. 1988).
According to the Forest Department’s records, around 5,000 head of cattle graze
in the Sanctuary (Varatharaj 1988).
Surroundings:
•
Decreased Freshwater Inflow: The River Cauvery, the source of the freshwater
inflow into the GVS, has its origins in the Western Ghats ranges of Karnataka
state. It traverses nearly 850 km, draining an area of ca 89,600 km2 en route. The
Cauvery is considered to be the best utilised river system in southern India. There
are seven major dams and a number of smaller dams all along its length. These
seven dams can store in total, 232 tmc ft (35%) of the estimated 671 tmc ft of
water available in the Cauvery (Jayaraman et al. 1982, 'The Hindu', Madras: 2807-1991 and 7-12-1991). Though the Cauvery receives water during both the
monsoons, freshwater inflow into the central and eastern part of the GVS is only
during the North-East Monsoon period due to the impoundments on its course.
This factor accounts for extensive drying of the GVS during certain months.
Though the Mullipallam Lagoon receives water throughout the year from the
River Korayar, the inflow has declined over the years. Tissot (1987) attributes this
reason for the natural replacement of true mangrove species with more salt
tolerant forms at Muthupet. Thus the GVS is now estuarine in character mainly
during the monsoon period. Old people recall the days when the northern parts of
the Swamp had extensive reed beds, instead of the present bare saline mudflats.
The reduced freshwater inflow (and the presence of salt works) must have altered
the water chemistry, affecting the biodiversity.
•
Pollution: Anbazhgan (1988) found the waters of the GVS to have high
concentrations of calcium, magnesium (attributed to salt works) and faecal
coliform (attributed to waterbirds). He also found a high concentration of heavy
metals, nickel, lead and zinc in the sediments. As the GVS is downstream from
cities and crop lands, it faces the threats of domestic, industrial and farm
pollutants brought by the Cauvery. The belt between Mettur-Bhavani-Erode,
through which the Cauvery flows, is highly industrialised, with large and small
scale chemical, distillery, textile and tannery units (Frontline magazine:
27/4/1991).
•
Oil/Gas Exploration: In 1982, the Oil and Natural Gas Commission (ONGC),
surveyed the area for oil/gas exploration. The results of the survey and future
plans of the ONGC in this area are unknown. It is reported that the Cauvery basin
has a reserve of 370 million tonnes of oil and oil equivalent gas (both on-andoffshore) - 'The Hindu', Madras: 5/10/1990.
•
Over-Fishing: A number of villages dot the northern bank of the Swamp, and
fishing is an important occupation of many villagers. It goes on throughout the
year without any restrictions on the fishing gear, resulting in fishes of small size
and non-target species being caught. It is estimated that around 35,000 fishermen
and agriculturalists live around the borders of the Sanctuary.
•
Poaching of Waterbirds: A study by the Salim Ali Wild Wings Trust (Daniel et
al. 1999) found that certain families in the villages that border the GVS depend on
bird trapping for their livelihood and the number of birds being trapped is
significant.
Management authority: The Range Officer, Kodiakari Wildlife Range Kodiakari,
Nagapattinam (Dt.) and Wildlife Warden, Nagapattinam.
Reference: Alagarrajan, S. 1990; Alagarrajan, 1996; Natarajan, 1997; Selvam, et al.,
1998; Selvarn, et al., 1999; http://www.ramsar.org/ (Ramsar website).
CHEMBARAMBAKAM TANK
Chembarambakam lake is situated (13° 00’ N and 80° 05’ E) near Poonthamal,
Kanchipuram district, Tamil Nadu. It is one of the largest tanks in Tamil Nadu. The
total area of the lake is about 1700 ha.
•
CHAMBHAL RIVER
Abiotic factors: Tropical monsoon climate, with most of the rainfall occurring
during the northeast monsoon in October and November.
Birds: Apparently, one of the most important wintering areas for migratory
waterfowl, particularly Anatidae, in southern Tamil Nadu. On the basis of a partial
count, it was estimated that at least 15,000–20,000 waterfowl appeared in January
1987. Much the most abundant species was Anas querquedula; other birds included:
15 Ciconia ciconia, at least 75 Tachybaptus ruficollis, 820 Nettapus
coromandelianus, 420 Fulica atra, 60 Hydrophasianus chirurgus, 80 Larus
brunnicephalus, 130 Chlidonias hybrida and a large number of Anas penelope and
A. clypeata.
Land use: The tank water is used for drinking purpose.
Research and facilities: A waterfowl census was carried out in January 1987.
KALIVELI TANK
Kaliveli tank is situated (12° 05’–12° 15’ N, 79° 47’–79° 59’ E) near Marakkanam
east coast in Tamil Nadu. It lies parallel to the east coast and is linked with the sea
through a narrow channel via Yadayanthittu estuary. Kaliveli is a seasonal wetland
and can dry out completely during the summer months preceding the Southwest
monsoon. The water level in the wetland varies with the amount of precipitation it
receives. The lake fills up to its maximum extent by the end of the Northeast
monsoon, and in years of low rainfall, dries out completely for a few months during
the hot season. The total area of this tank is 13,200 ha. The average depth of water at
the end of the monsoon is about one meter, and the maximum after heavy rainfall,
about two meters. By the end of the monsoon, the lagoon is normally full of
Freshwater having received copious run-off from neighbouring farmlands and other
parts of its watershed. Subsequently, as the inflow of Freshwater diminishes, there is
some inflow of sea-water from the estuary, and the lagoon becomes brackish,
particularly at its Northern end. The lake is occasionally flooded by sea-water during
cyclonic disturbances.
•
KALIVELI TANK
Abiotic factors: Tropical monsoon climate, with average annual rainfall is about
1,200 mm. The temperature varied between 28°C–39°C. The salinity range of 4.27–
35.5‰, pH from 6.95 to 10.11 and chloride from 0.18 to 1.87 mgl-1.
Mangroves: Oldtimers swear that as recently as thirty years ago Kaliveli supported a
large and lush mangrove forest. It was gradually cleared to make way for agricultural
land. Now only a few mangrove bushes remain as relics of the glorious past.
Algae: Enteromorpha intestinalis
Birds: During a survey in the late 1980s, some 78 species of waterfowl recorded in
Kaliveli including 13 species of Antidae and 30 species of shorebirds. The area
regularly hodls over 30,000 ducks in winter, and 20,000–40,000 shorebirds and
20,000–50,000 terns during the migration seasons. These are follows;
S.
Species Name
S.
Species Name
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
Accipter badius
Acridotheres tristis
Aegithina tiphia
Alauda gularis
Alcedo atthis
Ammomanes phoenicurus
Anas acuta
A. clypeata
A. Penelope
A. querquedula
Anas spp.
Anastomus oscitans
A. oscitans
Ardea alba
A. alba
A. cinerea
Ardeola grail
Arenaria interpres
Artamus fuscus
Athene brama
Burhinus oedicnemus
Calidris alpine
C. ferruginea
C. minuta
C. submimuta
C. temminckii
C. testacea
Ceryle rudis
C. dubius
C. leschenaultia
C. mongolus
Chlidonias hybridus
C. leucopterus
Ciconia ciconia
C. ciconia
Circus aeruginosus
C. macrourus
C. melanoleucos
C. pygargus
Columba livia
C. splendens
Cuculus varius
Cursorius coromandelicus
Cypsiurus parvus
Dicrurus adsimilis
No
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
Halcyon smyrnensis
Haliastur indus
Hirundo rustica
Hydroprogne caspia
L. ichthyaetus
L. ridibundus
Limosa limosa
Merops orientalis
M. phillipinus
Milvus migrans
M. leucocephala
Netta rufina
Numenius arquata
N. arquata
N. phaeopus
Pandion haliaetus
P. philippensis
Philomachus pugnax
Phoenicopterus monor
P. roseus
P. ruber
Platalea leucorodea
P. leucorodia
Pluvialis dominica
P. squatarola
Pseudibis papillosa
Psittacula krameri
Pycnonotus cafer
Recurvirostra avobetta
Riparia riparia
Satreptopelia chinensis
Sterna albifrons
S. bergii
S. hirundo
Tadorna ferruginea
Tephrodornis pondicerianus
T. melanocepphalus
Tringa hypoleucos
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
Egretta garzeeta
E. gularia
E. intermedia
Egretta spp.
Eremopterix grisea
Falco peregrines
F. tinnunculus
Gallinago gallinago
G. stenura
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
T. erythropus
T. glareola
T. nebularia
T. ochropus
T. stagnatilis
T. terek
T. tetanus
Turdoides affinis
Vanellus cinereus
V. indicus
Land tenure:
The lake and the estuary are state-owned; adjacent land is partly
private and partly owned by the state. There are some areas of legalized encroachment
around the lagoon.
Land use: Salt pans
Conservation measures proposed: A number of individuals and organizations have
recommended that the area be made into a Bird Sanctuary, and reafforestation with
mangrove species has been considered. The School of Ecology at the University of
Pondicherry has requested the District Collector for permission to use the tank
exclusively for research purposes. The wetlands and the entire watershed have been
recommended for designation as a Biosphere Reserve under the UNESCO Man and
the Biosphere Programme. Davis (1985) has made a number of recommendations
including the following: (a) the development of an educational programme to
demonstrate to the local people that management of Kaliveli Tank will be in their
long-term best interest; (b) the completion of a detailed study on the vegetation
structure and dynamics of the tank; (c) the planting of trees to provide nesting habitat
for water birds; (d) the development of a tourist industry focusing on a bird sanctuary.
Davis also suggested that the Kaliveli Watershed would be an excellent site for a
model study of integrated watershed development.
Disturbances and threats: The water-spread area of Kaliveli is shrinking, mainly
due to encroachment by paddy fields. This intensification of agriculture along with
overgrazing and the increased use of fertilizers/pesticides in the vicinity of the lake
are rapidly becoming serious threats. Although bird shooting is prohibited, significant
poaching takes place all the time. Apart from the birds killed, considerable harm is
also caused by the disturbance created the hunters. A single gun shot can force the
entire bird population (up to 40,000) of Kaliveli to stop all their activities and fly
away. All large species of waterbirds, including pelicans, storks and flamingos, are
shot for eating or selling as meat.
A caustic soda plant released toxic effluents into the sea near Kaliveli which might be
getting backwashed into the lake. Some effluents are also let in to a tributary stream
and this might soon affect the entire area. There are also plans for the development of
a sugar refinery within the watershed.
Socio-economic values: Kaliveli is remunerative to the people living around it, so
also to some industrialists, particularly those interested in salt production. But the
utilization of the lake thus far has been on an entirely ad-hoc basis with no regards
whatsoever for the sustainability of the produce or the health of the lake. Till recent
times the human interaction with Kaliveli was confined to the villagers living around
the lake who drew their requirements of food (fishes), fodder, and fuelwood from it.
This interaction has been mild and sustainable.
Now Kaliveli is being increasingly used for teleost and prawn fishing. There are
interest groups who have been pressing for the bunding of the brackish portion of the
lake so that is the converted to a saline pond for year-round cultivation of shrimp.
Thankfully such plans haven’t taken off as yet.
On the Northeastern side of Kaliveli there is a large, and increasing, expanse of salt
pans. At present this is the only sizable and organized industry directly supported by
Kaliveli. During the dry seasons people from 22 villages around Kaliveli collect
grasses and reeds for the use as building material, firewood, and fodder. The greenery
is used to let livestock graze upon it. In many ways Kaliveli would appear an
attractive prospect for any development-conscious executive. It is readily accessible,
with a highway running along its Eastern shore. There is availability of ample
freshwater. All the infrastructure of an upbeat town-Pondicherry-is close at hand. It is
no surprise that off-and-on proposals are floated to exploit Kaliveli as a tourist spot
and encourage such bioresource-oriented industries for which Kaliveli may supply
raw material. So far no such proposal has fructified; when it does it may well spell the
doom for the wetland.
Research and facilities: A number of individuals have studied the site, chiefly from
an ornithological point of view, and several waterfowl censuses have been carried out
in recent years. UNESCO Consultant
Dr C.B. Davis carried out a study of the
tank and its watershed in December 1984, and made recommendations on the
management of the tank and general development in the region. Studies are currently
being conducted by Centre Field, Auroville, and the French Institute at Pondicherry,
with assistance from the Bombay Natural History Society.
Past and Present status:
There is evidence that in ancient times Kaliveli was
totally navigable and the Buckingham Canel connected it to Pulicat lake 42 km North
of Madras. Now the waterways are sited down making navigation impossible.
Reference: WWF India (1993); Balachandran (1994); Gopi Sundar (2000).
SATHANUR RESERVOIR
Sathanur reservoir situated (12° 20’ N, 78° 54’ E) in the Tiruvannamali district, Tamil
Nadu. The reservoir scaled in November 1957. Maximum depth is 30.2 m. It is
situated 30 km west of Tiruvannamalai. The catchment area covering 10835 ha
extends into the neighbouring Dharmapuri district. Water depth fluctuates widely, the
maximum being 39 m. The reservoir is perennial and total area is about 1255 ha.
and minimum temperature of 24°C. The pH values range from 7.4 to 8.8.
Phytoplankton: The plankton was dominated by diatoms – Nitzschia, Cyclotella,
Synedra, Navicula, etc and to a less extent by Chlorophyceae-Pediastrum,
Cosmarium, Tertastrum, staurastrum, Chlorella, Pandorina, etc. Bluegreens were
least dominant and the species represented were Merismopedia, Oscillatoria,
Microcystis and Tertapedia.
Zooplankton: Zooplanktons were represented by rotifers like Brachionus, Keratella
and Syncheta. Daphnia and Cyclops occurred rarely.
Fishes: Sathanur reservoir is a very productive major carp-dominated one. About 13
species were recorded. These are follows; Labeo fimbriatus, L. calbasu, L. kontius,
Puntius sarana, Wallago attu, Mystus aor, M. vittatus, Notopterus notopterus, Tilapia
mossambica, Etroplus suratensis, Cirrhina reba, C. cirrhosa and Rhinomugil corsula.
Birds: The reservoir attracts several bird species. A census conducted in 1991–92
recorded Phalacrocorax niger (1,200), Anhinga rufa (40), Ardeola grayii (180),
Bubulcus ibis (160), Egretta garzetta (300), E.intermedia (225), E. alba (45), Ardea
purpurea (18), A. cinerea (80), and shorebirds (about 7000), including, blackwinged
stilt, red-wattled lapwing, little-ringed plover, lesser sand plover, Kentish plover, and
common sandpiper. The fish species include Labeo fimbriatus,
L. calbasu,
Wallago attu, and several catfishes. In the surrounding forests, spotted deer (Axis
axis) and wild boar (Sus scrota) are found in considerable numbers.
Land tenure:
State-owned
Land use: The dam is used for irrigation and fishing
Disturbances and threats:
Owing to the high rate of deforestation and
mismanagement of lands in the catchment area, the rate of siltation is high. It has been
estimated that 779 million cubic feet of silt has been deposited in the last 30 years and
siltation is still continuing. Impounding of water in six minor reservoirs constructed
across the river Ponnaiyar, upstream of Sathanur, is reportedly restricting the inflow
of water to the reservoir.
Socio-economic values: The reservoir irrigates 18212 ha of agricultural lands in
Tiruvannamalai, Sambuvarayar, and Cuddalore districts. It is also the main source of
drinking water for the inhabitants of the region. The State Forest Department has
established a crocodile farm at the reservoir with the introduction of 1200 marsh
crocodiles (Crocodylus palustris). The farm attracts tourists in large numbers which is
a source of income. Fishery operations are being carried out by the Tamil Nadu
Fisheries Development Corporation. Fingerlings of three fish species, Catla catla,
Labeo rohita, and Cirrhinus mrigala, obtained by induced breeding, have been
stocked in the reservoir. The annual catch of these fishes is an important source of
income.
Reference: Sreenivasan (2006).
BHAVANISAGAR RESERVOIR
Bhavanisagar (Lat. 11° 28’ N and Long. 77° 06’ E) is a large water-storage reservoir
of relatively recent construction, fed by the Bhavani and Moyar rivers flowing out of
the Niligiri Hills. The lake is eutrophic, with a maximum depth of 40 m, an average
depth of 11.4 m and total area is 3695 ha.
•
BHAVANISAGAR RESERVOIR
Principal vegetation: No information.
Birds: An important wintering area for migratory ducks, notably Anas acuta. The
reservoir also supports small numbers of Pelecanus philippensis and a wide variety of
herons, egrets, storks, ibises, shorebirds, and terns. About 4000 waterfowl were
recorded during a census in January 1987, including: 4 Pelecanus philippensis, 160
herons and egrets of six species, 65 Mycteria leucocephala, 113 Anastomus oscitans,
40 Sterna melanogaster, 110 Anas poecilorhyncha, 10 Ciconia episcopus and 3400
Anas acuta.
Land tenure:
State-owned
Land use: Water supply for irrigation, fishing, and fish culture.
Conservation measures taken: Some protection is afforded to the fauna of the lake.
Fishing is prohibited for a distance of five miles (eight kilometres) below the dam,
and the mesh size of nets is regulated.
Disturbances and threats: None known.
Socio-economic values: The reservoir supports a small fishery, and is an important
source of water for irrigation.
Reference: Luther and Rzoska (1971).
ADYAR ESTUARY
The Adyar Estuary situated near (13° 00’ N; 80° 04’ E) Chennai,
Tamil Nadu.
The estuary is comprises shallow, brackish water on a mud and sand bed with several
sandy islands supporting a growth of grasses and light scrub. For most of the year, its
exit to the sea is blocked by a sand bar. This is opened, either by man or by storms, at
irregular intervals, thus allowing an incursion of seawater. The northern shore
comprises planted gardens and the Adyar plain, which has heavily-grazed grass flats
with thin, thorn scrub. The southern shore includes limited, remnant mangrove stands
and the grounds of the Theosophical Society. These grounds are heavily planted with
casuarina, coconut palms, and a wide variety of trees and shrubs. There are some
areas of wild scrubland. The wetland is mainly storm-fed. Water is brackish, and its
depth varies from 1.5 m to 3 m, according to the tide. The total area of this estuary is
about 200 ha.
Abiotic factors: Tropical, with about 1000 mm rain annually, particularly during the
northeast monsoon season (October–January) when the river is often flooded, and the
sand bar is demolished, increasing the tidal impact.
Macrophytes: Vegetation is rather poor. Some of the tree species commonly found
near the estuary include Prosopis spp., Pongamia pinnata, Ficus glomerata, Cocos
nucifera, Acacia farresiana, Azadirachta indica, Tamarindus indica, Phoenix
sylvestris, Cassia marginata, Bambusa spp., Anacardium occidentale, Borassus
flabellifer, among others.
Amphibian: Amphibian fauna include paddy frog, bull frog, painted frog, narrowmouthed frog, baloon frog, green frog, tree frog, common toad, and Ferguson’s toad.
The brackishwater fauna of the estuary include coelenterates, sponges, arthropods,
crustaceans, etc.
Reptiles: Among the reptiles are cobra, coral snake, rat snake, bronze-back tree
snake, checkered keelback, olive keelback, dog-faced watersnake, cat snake, wolf
snake, common sand boa, vine snake, saw-scaled viper, common skink, Adyar gecko,
and common monitor chameleon. The beaches adjacent to the river mouth are the
nesting grounds of the olive ridley turtle.
Birds: An important area for hundreds of migratory birds. Among the breeding
species, white-bellied sea eagle, stone curlew, and Kentish plover are of special
interest. The following bird species have been recorded from the estuary: lesser
golden plover, little ringed plover, Kentish plover, black-tailed godwit, common
sandpiper, little stint, brown-headed gull, paddy bird, and little egret.
Mammals: Mammals include: jackal, palm civet, small civet, common mongoose,
black-naped hare, striped palm squirrel, flying fox, bandicoot, musk shrew, etc.
Conservation measures taken: The estuary and its surrounding area has been
declared a protected area where shooting and trapping of birds is prohibited.
Conservation measures proposed:
Efforts are being made by WWF INDIA
Madras State Office to declare it as a bird sanctuary with facilities for viewing birds
from hides. A proposal and plan for the sanctuary have been submitted to the State
authorities.
Land use: Along the estuary are planted gardens, and grassflats which are used for
grazing, mangrove stands, and the premises of the Theosophical Society of India. The
estuary is used for fishing especially for prawns.
Possible changes in land use and proposed development projects: Plans to
develop the area is proposed to be developed into a tourist resort are is being opposed
by environmentalists and several NGOs. The Madras Metropolitan Development
Authority (MMDA) proposes to develop an arm of the estuary into a shopping
complex.
Socio-economic values: Grazing and fishing are the two major activities. Gardens
and grounds of the Theosophical Society are used for leisure by the residents of
Madras city who are allowed in during specified hours.
Research facilities: The Zoological Society of India and the Madras Naturalist’s
Society are monitoring the area.
SIRUTHAVUR TANK
Siruthavur is an irrigation tank, situated (13° 00’ N, 80° 10’ E) in the Chengelpettu
district, Tamil Nadu, which is rain-fed. The average depth is 3.7 m and total area is
7772 ha.
•
SIRUTHAVUR TANK
Abiotic factors: Tropical climate. Temperature ranges from a maximum of 33°C to a
minimum of 21°C. Average annual rainfall is 1200 mm.
Macrophytes
Acacia nilotica is the main species growing around the tank.
Birds: A recent waterfowl census recorded the following: Anas penelope (348), A.
querquedula (6), Aythya fuligula (22), Nettapus coromandelianus (2), Chlidonias
hybrida (6), Gelochelidon nilotica (4).
Land tenure:
State-owned.
Land use: The waters of the tank are used for irrigation and fishing.
Conservation measures proposed: Deepening of the tank is proposed.
Disturbances and threats: Shooting of birds has been reported. The tank is getting
silted up.
surrounding areas.
The tank is a major source of water for irrigation of
GULF OF MANNAR MARINE NATIONAL PARK
Two large, shallow, sea bays, Palk Bay and the Gulf of Mannar
(8° 48’ N, 78°
10’ E to 9° 20’ N, 79° 15’ E), and a chain of twenty small offshore islands in the Gulf
of Mannar Marine National Park. The islands stretch for about 120 km parallel to the
coast, from Rameshwaram Peninsula in the east to Tuticorin (8° 50’ N, 78° 10’ E) in
the west. The relatively calm and silt-free waters between the coastline and offshore
coral reefs offer ideal conditions for the growth of luxuriant meadows of sea-grass.
These meadows support a dwindling population of the dugong (Dugong dugon), the
conservation of which is one of the principal aims of the National Park. The Park
contains impressive fringing reefs and the best coral formations on the east coast of
India. There is only one reef in Palk Bay, which lies in an east-west direction along
the mainland at Mandapam and Rameshwaram island, extending from 79° 08’ E to
79° 20’ E along latitude 9° 17’ N. The reef is discontinuous at Pamban Pass and is
divided on the western side, into two parts by a narrow navigational channel. The reef
formation in the Gulf of Mannar is of fringing type, developed around a chain of 20
islands from Tuticorin
(8° 48’ N, 78° 09’ E) to Shingle island (9° 14’ N, 79° 14’
E),lying at an average distance of about 8 km from the mainland. In addition, a 2 km
shore reef, the only one known so far in the Gulf of Mannar, exists at Kilakkarai. The
area of National Park unknown; area of islands
618.32 ha.
Abiotic factors: Tropical monsoon climate, with an average annual rainfall of about
900 mm. Average temperatures range from 25°C to 31°C.
Macrophytes:
There are extensive beds of sea-grasses (Hydrocharitaceae and
Potamogetonaceae) in the Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bay. More than 100 species of
algae and angiosperms belonging to the genera Sargassum, Turbinana, Gelidium,
Gracilaria, Ulva, Ceramium, Valonia, Enhalus, Acanthophora, Cymodacea,
Halimeda, and Polysiphonia have been recorded from the sea around Krusadai Island.
Much of the northern shore of Krusadai Island is covered with mangrove vegetation,
mainly Pemphis acidula and Avicennia officinalis. Most of the islands have now been
deforested, and several of the inshore islands have been colonised by the aliens
Prosopis juliflora and Casuarina spp.
Special floral values: The Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bay contain some of the most
extensive beds of sea-grasses (Hydrocheritaceae and Potamogetonaceae) on the east
coast of India.
Mammals: A very important area for the dugong (Dugong dugon), the most
endangered species of mammal on the east coast of India. Several species of cetaceans
also occur in the Park.
Reptiles: Marine turtles breed in small numbers, and there is a rich marine fauna
associated with the fringing reefs.
Birds: Rameshwaram Island (Dhanuskodi lagoon), Manauli, and Hare islands in the
Gulf of Mannar and a lagoon adjoining the Palk Bay near Mandapam are the major
coastal habitats available for migratory and resident waterfowl. Altogether, 86 species
of waterfowl have been estimated from Mandapam, Palk Bay, during censuses
conducted between 1986 and 1988:
Birds/Years
Herons, egrets, and bitterns
Plovers, sandpipers, and snipes
Ducks
Gulls and terns
1985–86
858
40,398
2578
18269
1986–87 1987–88
698
660
22,364
32,261
1515
1905
4232
6063
Thousands of waterfowl use the Gulf as a wintering and staging area during
migration. Hundreds of migratory waders of 12 species summer in Manali and Hare
islands. Among the waders, Charadrius mongolus (9000 estimated in January 1988),
Calidris ferruginea, and Calidris minuta (5600 in February 1988) are the most
abundant species. Commonly seen in hundreds are the sand-flat preferring waders
Calidris alba (710 in 1987-88), Calidris minuta (215), C. tenuirostris (305), Limosa
lapponica (225), Numenius arquata (320), N. phaeopus (140), Arenaria interpres
(620), Charadrius leschenaultii (340), and Pluvialis squatarola (625). Other
interesting wader species recorded in the intertidal habitats at Manali and Hare islands
are Dromas ardeola (400) and Haemotopus ostralegus (21). Among the terns, Sterna
benghalensis (3800) and S. sandvicensis (400) are predominant. The greater flamingo
(Phoenicopterus roseus) regularly winters in Dhanuskodi and Pillaimadam lagoons.
About 7000 of the species were recorded in January 1988, which was just 50% of the
number recorded in January 1986. The interesting bird records include pelagic species
such as noddy tern, white tropic bird (Phaethon lepturus) and skua. The lesser-crested
tern breeds in the islets of Adam’s Bridge. The other breeding species are great stone
plover, Kentish plover, and little tern. Ecological investigations of the hermatypic
corals of Palk Bay indicate the presence of 63 species belonging to 22 genera. The
species diversity of this reef, however, is lesser than that recorded in other Indian
Ocean reefs. The dominant genera are Favia, Acropora, Leptastera, Porites,
Pocillopora, and Goniastrea. The genera Acropora and Montipora of the family
Acroporidae are the most diverse with 25 species, whereas Porites is the most
important genus in terms of abundance and reef-building. Preliminary underwater
surveys of the extent and state of reefs in 19 islands of the Gulf of Mannar show that
the eastern side of all these reefs supports active coral growth, whereas the western
and northern shores are quarried for coral blocks. Collections made in some northern
islands (Shingle, Krusadai, Pullivasal, Pulli, Manauli, New and Hare) record 88
species, and, together with those of the Palk Bay reef, the total number of species
recorded for the Mandapam area is 117 distributed among 32 genera, of which 110
species belonging to 25 genera are hermatypic. Acropora is the most diverse genus
(24 species), followed by Montipora (20 species) and Porites (12 species). New to
science are five species under three genera; 25 species under four genera are new
records.
Land tenure:
State-owned
Land use: The area is managed as a nature reserve.
Conservation measures taken: Protected in the Gulf of Mannar Marine National
Park, established in 1983 to conserve and restore the ecosystems of Palk Bay and the
Gulf of Mannar. A ban has been imposed on the destruction of mangrove remnants in
the Manauli and Kurusadai islands, and on the quarrying of coral, and steps have been
taken to eradicate Prosopis juliflora on some of the islands. Under the National Coral
Reefs Programme of the Ministry of Environment & Forests, a comprehensive
management plan is being developed for the Gulf of Mannar coral reefs. The Central
Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Cochin (Kerala), has been identified as the nodal
research institution.
Conservation measures proposed: A proposal has been made to replant some of
the islands with native trees, such as Threesia populnea and Calophyllum inophyllum,
in order to limit erosion by high winds and cyclones.
Possible changes in land use and proposed developmental projects: The proposed
Sethu canal project is expected to raise the sea level by one metre. This may result in
the submergence of a few islands, leading to the loss of some of the important
wintering and staging sites of migratory and other waterfowl.
Disturbances and threats: Indiscriminate destruction of the marine fauna and flora
continues despite efforts to prevent it by the Fisheries Department. Populations of sea
turtles and dugongs are declining as a result of direct persecution and destruction of
the sea-grass beds. Birds are being caught by professional bird catchers from nearby
towns, Rameshwaram and Ramanathapuram. The alien Prosopis juliflora has been
flourishing on some of the islands nearer the coast at the expense of the native
vegetation, and there have been proposals to plant other exotic tree species on some of
the islands. The quarrying of coral for industrial use has now been banned, but several
areas of reef have already been destroyed. Mangrove forests are being cut for
firewood in the Kurusadai and Manauli islands. This, in turn, is seriously affecting the
nursing grounds of several species of fish, prawn, and shrimp.
Research and facilities: A marine biological station was established by the Fisheries
Department on Kurusadai Island in 1928. The Bombay Natural History Society has
been monitoring the islands for the movement of migratory birds by conducting birdringing experiments since 1985. The Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute
(CMFRI) and the Central Electrochemical Research Institute (CECRI) are two other
research organisations involved with research work on the Gulf of Mannar. The
CMFRI has been carrying out seaweed, prawn, and fish culture experiments in the
region. Ecological investigations and surveys of the distribution of corals in the Palk
Bay and Gulf of Mannar have been carried out by C.S.G. Pillai and others.
Reference: Silas et al. (1985); Balachandran (1990, 1991, 1992); Wafar (1986);
WWF India (1993)
WETLANDS OF NILGIRI DISTRICT
The wetland includes three freshwater lakes, namely, Ooty lake (15 ha.), Pykara dam
reservoir, and Tr. Bazaar (3 ha.). Ooty lake and Pykara dam are man-made. The
maximum depth of Ooty lake is 10 m, average depth is 3 m.
Abiotic factors: Tropical monsoon climate, with maximum temperature of 25ºC and
minimum of 5ºC.
Biotic factors:
Biodiversity status
Principal vegetation:
exotics.
The lake are surrounded by tea plantation, grasses and
Birds: A waterfowl census conducted in 1993 revealed the following species:
S. Species Name
No
1 Alcedo atthis (10)
2 Amaurornis phoenicurus (50)
3 Bubulcus ibis (l)
4 Egretta garzetta (64)
5 Gallinula chloropus (19)
6 Halcyon symrnensis (7)
S.
No
7
8
9
10
11
Species Name
Motacilla cinerea (42)
M. maderaspatensis (4)
Phalacrocorax niger (72)
Tringa hypoleucos (47)
Vanellus indicus (13)
Other fauna include sambar, barking deer, panther, and jackal.
Land tenure: Ooty lake is owned by Tourism Development Corporation, Ooty
Municipality. Pykara dam and Tr. Bazaar are under the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board.
The area surrounding Pykara dam is under the ownership of the Forest Department,
whereas the land around Tr.Bazaar is a private tea estate.
Land use:
generation.
The lake is used for recreational purposes and hydroelectric power
Disturbances and threats: Silt and domestic wastes from Ooty Municipality are
polluting Ooty lake. Pykara dam is facing pollution from industrial effluents.
Socio-economic values: A substantial amount is earned from boating in Ooty lake,
which is a major tourist attraction.
Reference: Nilgiri Wildlife and Environment Association, Nilgiris; WWF India
(1993); Rao, et al. (1994).
VEDANTHANGAL AND KARIKILI TANKS
Two small tanks (old water-storage reservoirs which supply irrigation water to
villages) in the Chengleput plains, especially important as breeding sites for large
waterbirds. These tanks situated on
Lat. 12° 32’ N and Long. 79° 52’
E. There are several much larger tanks, e.g. the 350 ha Madurantakam Tank, on the
surrounding plains, but these are generally less important for wildlife. Vedanthangal
Tank which is linked to Madurantakam Tank by a channel receives some water from
the latter, but Karikili is wholly rain-fed. Vedanthangal has been developed and
managed for wildlife; a number of elevated mud islands have been created and
planted with trees to provide ideal nesting sites for herons, egrets, and other colonial
nesting birds. By contrast, Karikili Tank is undeveloped and remains in much the
same conditions as Vedanthangal was during the 1950s. It is situated about eight
kilometres from Vedanthangal, and is in fact two small tanks with a combined area of
about 50 ha. Both tanks fill during the northeast monsoon in October-November. The
immediate vicinity of the tanks consists of barren flats, paddy fields, and scrub.
During the rainy season, shallow pools form in many places and provide additional
foraging areas for the waterbirds.
Abiotic factors: Tropical monsoon climate, with an average annual rainfall of about
1000 mm, the majority of which falls during the northeast monsoon (October–
November).
Macrophytes: Common herbaceous plants in the marshy areas include
S. Species Name
No
1 Aeschynomene aspera
2 Chrozophora rotleri
3 Cldenia procumbers
4 Cleome chelidomii
5 Echinochla colonum
6 Eclipta alba
7 Euphorbia serpens
8 Glirius oppositifolius
S.
No
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
Species Name
Heliotropium indicum
Lemna perpusiIla
Limnophyton obtusifolium
Marsilea minuta
Nechamandra alternifolia
Ottelia alismoides
Panicum repens
Phyla nodif1ora
The principal vegetation along the bunds consists of trees such as Barringtonia
acutangula, Acacia nilotica, Alangium salvifolium, Albizzia lebbek, Antidesm
ghaesembilla, Borassus flabeIlifer, Cassia fistula, Derris indica, Polyalthia suberosa,
and Streblus asper, together with a dense growth of Calamus rotang, Derris
scandens, and Solanum trilobatum. In the late 1970s, the islands in Vedanthangal
were replanted to replenish the dead and dying Barringtomia acutangula trees, which
are favoured by the nesting birds.
Birds: Both tanks are very important breeding areas for colonial nesting waterbirds,
and support unusually large numbers of Phalacrocorax spp., and Ardea cinerea. An
estimated 30000 birds appear at Vendanthangal Tank at the beginning of the breeding
season. The main species at both tanks are Phalacrocorax fuscicollis, P. niger,
Anhinga melanogaster, Nycticorax nycticorax, Bubulcus ibis, Egretta garzetta, E.
intermedia, Ardea cinerea, Anastomus oscitans, Threskiornis melanocephalus,
Platalea leucorodia and, later in the season, Ardeola grayii. A few pairs of Egretta
alba breed at both sites, and Phalacrocorax carbo breeds at Vedanthangal. Small
numbers of Pelecanus philippensis visit both tanks, and a few pairs may still breed.
Other breeding waterbirds include Tachybaptus ruficollis and Gallinula chloropus:
The tanks are also important as roosting sites for many of the breeding birds,
especially Phalacrocorax niger, outside the breeding season. Large numbers of
migratory waterfowl occur on passage and in winter, particularly Anas acuta, A.
querquedula, A. clypeata, Himantopus himantopus, other shorebirds, and Chlidonias
hybrida, but no recent survey of their numbers appears to have been made.
Land tenure:
State-owned (Tamil Nadu Forest Department)
Land use: Water supply for irrigation, bird-watching, and 9ther nature-oriented
outdoor recreation.
Conservation measures taken: Vedanthangal Tank is protected in the Vedanthangal
Bird Sanctuary (30 ha), established by the Government of Madras in 1925. It is one of
the oldest sanctuaries in India, and has been reorganized several times. For many
centuries, public sentiment has protected the colony of waterbirds nesting in the
Barringtonia trees in the tank. In the late l8th century, British soldiers regularly held
shoots at the tanks. However, in 1790; after repeated attempts, the local villagers
finally obtained a “cowle” (document of rights) from the first Collector of the East
India Company for Chengelput in order to prevent the hunting of birds. The sanctuary
continues to be managed for its waterbirds, but irrigation requirements have priority
over all other interests. Karikili Tank has no legal protection, but its breeding colony
of waterbirds had been protected for many years not only by local sentiment but also
by the State Forest Department.
Conservation measures proposed: Krishnan has recommended that Karikili Tank be
given formal recognition as a sanctuary, and that the natural character of the tank be
preserved. Some planting of Barringtonia trees is required to replace natural die-off.
A variety of proposals have been made for further management at Vedanthangal
Sanctuary, including the protection of an adequate area of thorn scrub in the vicinity
of the nesting colony to provide a ready supply of nesting material for the birds, and
the implementation of stricter controls on the large numbers of visitors.
Disturbances and threats: Thousands of visitors who come to Vedanthangal, during
the nesting season disturb the breeding birds. Recent viewing developments have not
been managed as well as they might. The State Tourism Department’s proposal to a
establish a hotel at the tank is being opposed by WWF INDIA and other
environmental groups.
Socio-economic values: An important source of interest and recreation, for people
from Madras and beyond; thousands of people visit Vedanthangal Tank each year to
observe the breeding birds.
Research and facilities: There is a forest resthouse at Vedanthangal, which can
accommodate some visitors. A road has recently been built onto the main bund where
there are extensive facilities for picnicing.
Reference: Abdulali and Savage (1970); Karpowicz (1985); Savage and Abdulali
(1970); WWF India (1993).
VETTANGUDI TANKS
Three small village tanks, Vettangudi (18.4 ha), Peria Kollukudi Patti (13.7 ha), and
Chinna Kollukudi Patti (6.3 ha) situated (10° 07’ N,
78° 35’ E) in a low-lying
region of agricultural land and sparse scrub. They fill up during the northeast
monsoon, and dry out completely during the dry season. The surrounding agricultural
land is studded with innumerable pools which provide important feeding habitat for
nesting waterbirds. The average water depth of the tanks is 5 m.
Abiotic factors: Tropical monsoon climate. Most of the rain falls during the
northeast monsoon in October and November. The average annual rainfall is 600 m.
Temperatures vary from 34°C in summer to 20°C in winter.
Macrophytes: Acacia nilotica trees have been planted in the tanks during the past
few decades. Trees of tamarind, Ficus spp., palmyra, and Prosopis grow on the bund.
Birds: The tanks support sizeable breeding colonies of waterbirds, mainly
cormorants, herons, and egrets. It appears that the birds colonised the area around
1970, when suitable nesting trees became available: Migratory birds include white
spoonbill, black ibis, white ibis, painted stork, openbill stork, and little grebe.
Land tenure: The tanks are state-owned, under the control of the State Public Works
Department.
Land use: The tanks provide water for irrigation of surrounding paddy fields;
grazing by domestic livestock, removal of silt for application in paddy fields, and
some fishing are other uses.
Conservation measures taken: Vettangudi tank alone was declared a Bird
Sanctuary in 1977 and put under the control of a Forest Ranger stationed at Madurai.
Supervisory control is now vested with the Forest Range officer at Triuppathur. The
nesting waterbirds have since been protected by the State Forest Department and by
public sentiment.
Disturbances and threats: The principal threat is intensification of agriculture in
surrounding areas and resultant loss of feeding habitat for the birds. In particular, the
increased application of pesticides to crops is polluting the surrounding water bodies.
Erratic rainfall has resulted in several species of birds abandoning this area. During
periods of low rainfall, farmers pump out water, depriving the resident bird
population. Since the control of the tanks is under the Public Works Department, it
has not been possible for the Forest Department to undertake habitat improvement
measures.
Socio-economic values: The tank is used as a fodder ground for livestock, for
irrigation and, to some extent, for fishing. Local farmers believe that the birds help in
natural manuring of their cropped lands and cooperate with the authorities in
protecting them.
VETTAKUDI-KARAVETTI RESERVOIR
Vettakudi-Karavetti (10° 30’ N, 78° 30’ E) is a large water-storage reservoir on the
plains south of the Kaveri river; one of the largest freshwater lakes in southern Tamil
Nadu. It is one of three interconnected reservoirs and is fed by the Pullambadi canal,
from the Kaveri. It is subject to wide fluctuations in water level, and occasionally
dries out completely during the summer months. The total area of the reservoir is
about 8630 ha.
Abiotic factors: Tropical monsoon climate, with most of the rainfall occurring during
the northeast monsoon in October and November.
Macrophytes: The aquatic vegetation includes: Ipomoea spp., Cyperus sp., Typha
and Hydrilla. Other vegetation includes Acacia nilotica, Aadiracta indica, Pongamia
sp., and Casuarina sp.
Birds: One of the most important wetlands for migratory waterfowl in southern
Tamil Nadu. Over 5100 waterfowl of 37 species were recorded during a waterfowl
census in January 1987. These included Pelecanus philippensis (18), Phalacrocorax
niger (150), 630 herons and egrets of seven species, Anastomus oscitans (32),
Threskiornis melanocephalus (28), about 4000 ducks (mainly cotton teal, common
teal, spotbill, pintail, common pochard, garganey, and shoveler), 60 black-winged
stilts (Himantopus himantopus), and 120 wood sandpiper (Tringa glareola). Very
large numbers of ducks were present in late February 1988, mainly wigeon, spotbill,
pintail, garganey, shoveler, and pochard. Also present were painted storks, and abput
25 white storks (Ciconia ciconia).
Land tenure: State-owned (under the control of the Public Works Department
(PWD), Agriculture Department, and Fisheries Department). Cultivated areas around
the reservoir are privately owned.
Land use: Water supply for irrigation and domestic use. Fishing is carried out on
lease basis. Grazing by domestic livestock. Paddy fields surround the reservoir.
Conservation measures taken: No habitat protection. The Social Forestry
Department has planted Cassia trees along the northern and western shores of the
reservoir.
Conservation measures proposed: The Tamil Nadu Forest Department is examining
the possibility of declaring Vettakudi-Karavetti as a Bird Sanctuary. The Tiruchi
Wildlife Conservation Society has made a variety of recommendations concerning the
management of the reservoir for its wildlife. These include the establishment of a
single coordinating committee to oversee the development of a sanctuary, the raising
and widening of the bund and removal of silt to ensure that water is retained
throughout the year, and the provision of observation facilities for the general public.
Disturbances and threats: Local villagers do not molest the waterfowl, but there are
reports of illegal hunting by outsiders on a commerical scale. Siltation is a problem.
Socio-economic values: The water of the tank is used for irrigation and fishing. The
wetland has potential for nature education.
Research and facilities: The Tiruchi Wildlife Conservation Society has been
gathering information on the birds of the reservoir. Mid-winter waterfowl censuses
were carried out in 1986/87 and 1987/88.
Reference: Wesley, (1990); WWF India (1993).
WETLAND IN MADURAI AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE AND RESEARCH INSTITUTE
CAMPUS
The wetland (9° 54’ N, 78° 54’ E) area extends over 57.40 ha, with a semi-permanent
water tank, Chittankulam, occupying 6.7 ha. The tank receives water from the Periyar
feeder canal. On the northeastern side of the wetland is a hillock of granite rock,
Yanamalai, which has a large number of lain inscriptions and rock carvings.
Abiotic factors: Tropical monsoon climate, with an average annual rainfall of 881.6
mm, received during the northeast and southwest monsoon seasons. Maximum
temperature is around 33.7°C and minimum around 23.8°C. Water is alkaline with a
pH ranging from 7.5 to 7.7.
Macrophytes Rice is the principal crop occupying most of the area. The dominant
wetland weeds are: horse purselane (Trianthema protulacastrum), sticky cleome
(Cleome viscosa), nut grass (Cyperus rotundus), and barnyard grass (Echinochloa
crusgalli). The principal shrubs are madar (Calotropis gigantea) and mesquite
(Prosopis chilensis). Important tree species include neem (Azadirachta indica), raintree (Samanea saman), copper pod (Peltophorum pterocarpum), Manila tamarind
(Pithecelobium dulce), and a few banyan trees (Ficus benghalensis). The lesser Indian
reed mace (Typha angustata) grows extensively in the water tank, and the banks are
blanketed by para grass (Brachiaria mutica).
Birds: An important area for about 14 species of waterfowl (both resident and
migratory) in large numbers. Notable species are little grebe, pond heron, and coots.
There is also a large resident population of peacocks.
Land tenure: The wetland is owned by the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University
(established in 1965) and its constituent college, Madurai Agricultural College and
Research Institute.
Land use: Of the total area of 82.22 ha of land, including the wetland and
surrounding areas, wetlands occupy 57.40 ha (single crop wetland 5.99 ha; double
crop wetland 51.41 ha); garden land covers nearly
13.66 ha and orchard
spreads over 11.16 ha.
Conservation measures taken: Poaching of birds and quarrying of stones has been
discontinued since the inception of the college. Desilting the tank and restrictions on
fishing are also proposed.
Disturbances and threats: Quarrying on the western side of Yanamalai rock and
infrequent poaching of waterbirds and peacocks.
Socio-economic values: Nearly 200 people depend on this wetland for fisheries and
cultivation.
Reference: Ranjit Daniels (1983); K. Gunathilagaraj, M.S. Venugopal, S.Suresh and
R.Mohan (1990).
KARUNGULAM AND SENGULAM TANKS
Karungulam and Sengulam are two large tanks (water-storage reservoirs) separated by
the village of Karungulam, in flat arid scrubland on the plains of southern Tamil Nadu
(8° 38’ N, 77° 51’ E). The tanks are fed by rainfall during the northeast monsoon
(October and November), but also receive some river water at other times of the year.
At maximum flooding, the average depth of Karungulam Tank is three metres;
Sengulam is somewhat shallower. The total area of tanks is 240 ha. The tanks usually
dry out in March or April and remain dry for about six months of the year.
Abiotic factors: Tropical monsoon climate, with an average annual rainfall of 600
mm. Temperatures range from 25°C to 40°C.
Macrophytes:
Karungulam has a lush growth of Cyperus sp., and other sedges,
primarily along the shallow western and southwestern shores, and there are some
patches of Lemna sp., and water lilies. Ottelia alismoides and Potamogeton sp., are
thought to be present.
Birds: In the vast assemblage of tanks that stud the entire southern plain of Tamil
Nadu, Karungulam and Sengulam appear to shelter the most birds, both in terms of
number of species and number of individuals. The two tanks support a wide variety of
cormorants, herons, egrets, storks, and ibises, along with other resident species such
as Gallinula chloropus, Porphyrio porphyrio, Hydrophasianus chirurgus, and Sterna
aurantia. The tanks are also important for wintering waterfowl, notably
Phoenicopterus ruber, Anser indicus, and migratory ducks, mainly Anas actua, A.
querquedula, and A. clypeata. The site is particularly interesting for its wintering
flock of bar-headed geese (Anser indicus), an unusual species this far south in India.
Many thousands of waterfowl appeared in January 1987, including: 6 Pelecanus
philippensis, 500 Phalacrocorax niger, 1200 herons and egrets, 230 Mycteria
leucocephala, 150 Anastomus oscitans, 100 Phoenicopterus ruber, 500 Anser indicus,
220 Fulica atra, 100 Chlidonias hybridus and many thousands of ducks and several
hundred shorebirds.
Land tenure:
State-owned.
Land use: The tank is used for water supply for irrigation
Conservation measures taken: None.
Conservation measures proposed: A proposal has been made for the establishment
of a Waterbird Sanctuary.
Disturbances and threats: Local villagers report that poaching is a problem. Illegal
hunters who come from nearby towns have been observed to shooting Anser indicus
and Phoenicopterus ruber. The bird communities are of great value to the local
inhabitants from a socio-aesthetic point of view.
Socio-economic values: The tanks provide water for irrigation and domestic use.
Research and facilities: Krishnan has made a preliminary survey of the area, and
waterfowl censuses were carried out in January 1987.
PUTHUPALLI ALAM SWAMP
The swamp is located (10° 36’ N, 79° 48’ E) 40 km north of the famous Point
Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary and the Great Vedaranyam Salt Swamp and 7 km south
of the notable tourist spot, Vailankanni (church) on the Bay of Bengal coast. It is a
brackishwater swamp, fed by monsoon rains as well as seawater flowing through
inlets. During the monsoons, the swamp is particularly useful as it acts as a spill basin
for water from the surrounding areas. Mean water depth is 0.5 m. and total area is
590 ha. The swamp remains parched from April until the northeast monsoon sets in.
Abiotic factors: Tropical climate, with narrow temperature fluctuations. The
temperature ranges from a minimum of 22°C in December-January to a maximum of
38°C in May-June. Salinity ranges from 38 ppt to 60 ppt. The area receives annual
rainfall of about 1300 mm from the northeast monsoon which sets in during October.
The southwest monsoon (May–July) also brings some rain.
Macrophytes:
maritima.
Vegetation is scanty. The bund supports some scattered Suaeda
Birds: About 59 bird species have been recorded. Species enumerated during a
census conducted in February 1992 include:
S. Species Name
No
1 Anastomus oscitans (65)
2 Chlidonias hybridus (215)
3 Gelochelidon nilotica (160)
4 Hydroprogne caspia (41)
5 Ibis leucocephalus (18)
6 Limicola falcinellus (35)
7 Limosa lapponica (19)
8
L. limosa (85)
S.
No
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
Species Name
Numenius arquata (34)
N. phaeopus (8)
Philomachus pugnax (48)
Platalea leucorodia (36)
Pluvialis dominica (180)
P. squatrola (70)
Recurvirostra
avosetta
(27)
Vanellus indicus (45)
Land tenure: The wetland is under the control of the Panchayat. It is auctioned every
year for fishing.
Land use: Shell fish are caught on a large scale. Finfish are also harvested to some
extent.
Disturbances and threats: Reclamation of land for agriculture is one of the major
threats faced by the swamp. Other threats are drainage of agricultural pollutants from
the surrounding paddy fields, inflow of silt from irrigation canals and overfishing.
People living in the vicinity of the swamp illegally hunt birds.
Socio-economic values: Leasing of the swamp for fishing fetches the panchayat
considerable revenue.
Reference: Sampath and Krishnamurthy (1990); WWF India (1993).
KULLUR SANDAI AND VEMBAKOTTAI TANKS
Kullur Sandai and Vembakottai tanks situated on 9° 20’ N, 77° 46’ E, near about 45–
70 km southwest of Madurai, Tamil Nadu. It is a small village tanks (water storage
reservoirs) on the plains southwest of Madurai.
Abiotic factors: Tropical monsoon climate with most of the rainfall occurring during
Flora: No information.
Birds: Known to be important wetlands for both resident and migratory waterfowl,
but little information is available. Fifty-four Pelecanus philippensis were present in
January 1987 along with: 43 Anhinga melanogaster; 80 Mycteria leucocephala; 37
Anastonus oscitans; 37 Threskiornis melanocephalus; 50 Anas poecilorhyncha and
small numbers of many other species.
Economic and social values: No information.
Special floral values: No information.
Research and facilities: Waterfowl censuses were carried out in January 1987.
CHITRANGUDI AND KANJIRANGULAM TANKS
The Tanks situated (9° 20’ N, 78° 30’ E) near Mudukulathur, Ramanathapuram
District, 70 km NNE of Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu. Two large village tanks (water storage
reservoirs) near Mudukulathur, on the plains north of the Gulf of Mannar. The tanks
are mainly rain-fed, but also receive some water from a nearby irrigation canal. The
total area of the Chitrangudi is 60 ha and Kanjirangulam tank is 62.2 ha.
Abiotic factors: Tropical monsoon climate, with most of the rainfall occurring during
Macrophytes: Acacia nilotica trees have been planted in the tanks by the Tamil Nadu
Forest Department.
Socio-economic values: No information.
Birds: Both tanks are known to support very large mixed breeding colonies of herons,
egrets and other large water birds including Pelecanus philippensis, but no details are
available.
PALLIKARANAI SWAMP
RUDRASAGAR LAKE
Rudrasagar Lake is situated (Lat. 23° 29’ N and Long. 90° 01’ E) in the Melaghar
Block under Soamura Sub-Division in the West Tripura District and at a distance of
about 50 km from the state capital of Tripura. The lake is a natural sedimentation
reservoir, which receives flow from three perennial streams namely, Oacherra,
Durlavnaraya cherra and Kemtalicherra. After settling the sediment from the received
flow, clear water discharges into the river Gomti through a connective channel
namely Kachigang. The lake bed has been formed by silt deposition on seabed. As
such no rock formation is found with 50 m is silt (Clay loam) and below formation is
sandy. Surrounding hillocks are of soft sedimentary formation. The lake is naturally
formed. The total area of this wetland is 240 ha. Annual rainfall is of the order of
2500 mm. Spread over the months of June to September with 4/5 flood peaks.
Substantial base flow in streams rounds the year. The soil in lake area is silty clay
loam to clay loam. Lake water is fresh with insignificant pollution with a depth varies
from 2 m to 9 m. Fluctuation in water level varies from EL 9 m to 16 m.
Abiotic factors: The downstream area of the lake is 750 ha with a temperature
variation from 37°C to 5°C and rainfall during May 15 to October 15. Geologically
the area has been formed by silt deposition on seabed and soil in the catchment area is
silty clay loam to clay loam.
Macrophytes: The important species are
S. Species Name
No
1 Azolla pinnata
2 Eichhornia crassipes
3 Hydrilla verticillata
4 Ipomoea aquatica
5 Lemna minor
6 Najas graminea
S.
No
8
9
10
11
12
13
Species Name
Pistia stratiotes
Salvania natans
Trapa natans
Typha angustifolia
Utricularia striatula
7
Nelumbo nucifera
Fishes: The lake is an ideal habitat for some unique species of fish like
S. Species Name
No
1 Amblypheryngodon spp.
2 Chanda spp.
3 Cirrhinus spp.
4 Esomus spp.
5 Labeo spp.
6 Ompok spp.
7 Otopterus spp.
Rare species
8 Botia sp.
S.
No
15
16
17
18
Cylonia sp.
Gudusia spp.
Kachuga sp.
Macrobrachium sp.
Macrognathus sp.
23
24
25
26
27
9
10
11
12
13
Endangered species (IUCN Red list):
dhongka).
19
20
21
22
Species Name
Mastacembetus spp.
Notopterus Chitala
Oxygstus spp.
Palemon spp.
Endangered Species
Channa marulius
Cirrhinus reba
Labeo bata
Macrobrachium
rosenbergii
M. rude
Mystus aor
M. gulio
Notopterus chitala
Ompak paba
Three-striped Roof Turtle (Kachuga
Land tenure: State-owned; surrounding areas are Private owned.
Land use: The lake is used for fishing, partly silted land used for seasonal paddy
cultivation with uncertain fate due to flood and tourism. Surrounding plains are used
for paddy cultivation. Uplands in catchment are used for horticulture and agroforestry and habitation.
Conservation measures taken: This is unprotected area. Nature is playing role for
changes. In surrounding area, plains and uplands the Department of Agriculture, Soil
Conservation and Horticulture are working for scientific cultivation, soil stabilization,
etc. Department of Forests is working with projects for afforestation of the catchment.
Conservation measures proposed: A project about the conservation aspects of the
wetland has been prepared and submitted to Ministry of Environment and Forests,
Government of India alongwith Management Action Plan (MAP) and awaiting
funding for implementation.
Disturbance and threats: Commercial scale forest exploitation; Development/
expansion of settlements; Agricultural development impacts; Forest management
measures leading to adverse change; Inappropriate farming practices
Sedimentation/siltation; Habitat loss/destruction/fragmentation and Vegetational
succession
Socioeconomic values: (i) Present fish production: 26.449 MT (1999–2000). This
may be improved by arranging appropriate project for maintaining permanent water
area. (ii) Forestry: No forestry in the lake area. Forestry in upper catchment may be
improved by afforestation project. (iii) Archaeological site: There is one heritage
building of earlier kings of Tripura naming “Nirmahal”.
Research and facilities: Scientific research facilities are not well organized for the
lake. Tripura University is working with some thesis work on this lake related issues.
This lake is used for recreation and tourism. Every year on “Nirmahal” festival is
celebrated with participation from various states of India. Local people organise
swimming competition, boat race, mela on the auspicious occasion of “Vijaya
Dashami”. Many people do sport fishing. Approximately 50,000 tourists from state
and foreign state are visiting Rudrasagar every year. It has a rising trend.
Management authority: Department of Fisheries, Government of Tripura, Agartala
Importance: The wetland supports IUCN Red listed endangered Three-striped Roof
Turtle (Kachuga dhongka).
Aquatic plant species include rare Lemna sp., Azolla sp., Salvania sp., Pistia sp.,
Otellia sp., Najas sp., Typha spp. and endangered Azolla sp., Nelumbo sp., Utricularia
sp., Ipmea sp.
Fish species include
S. Species Name
No
Rare species
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Botia sp.
Cylonia sp.
Kachuga sp.
Macrobrachium sp.
Notopterus chitala
Oxygstus spp.
Endangered Species
Channa marulius
S.
No
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
Species Name
Cirrhinus reba
Labeo bata
Macrobrachium rosenbergii
M. rude
Mystus aor
M. gulio
Notopterus chitala
Ompak paba
The site is important for supporting the biological diversity in the area which include
the floral species:
S. Species Name
No
1 Azolla pinnata
4 Ipomoea aquatica
5 Lemna minor
6 Najas graminea
7 Nelumbo nucifera
Important crustaceans:
Macrobrachium rude.
Macrobrachium
S.
No
8
9
10
11
12
13
Species Name
Pistia stratiotes
Salvania natans
Trapa natans
Typha angustifolia
Utricularia striatula
rosenbergii,
Palemon
serratus,
The lake has the perennial connection with one of the major rivers of the state
facilitating the natural safe breeding ground of majority of the indigenous valuable
species of fishes of the state. The progressive prominent species of fishes are Mystus
aor, Ompok pabda, Wallago attu, Heterophneutes fossilis, including freshwater turtle
and tortoise.
Past and Present status: Continuous siltation is causing loss of lake area and
increased use for habitation, deforestation, increased agricultural use of land has
caused higher rate of siltation.
Reference: Ministry of Environment and Forests (1990); WWF India’s Handbook of
Wetland Management, published by Avenash Datta for WWF India, New Delhi,
August, 1995; Mitch and Gosselink. “Wetlands” Second Edition, published by Van
Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 1993; http://www.wetlands.org/ (Ramsar website)
MANJHIRA IMPOUNDMENT AT GIRIJA BARRAGE
A water reservoir at Girija Barrage (Lat. 28° 18’ N and Long. 81° 04’ E) on the
Ghaghara river about 20 km downstream from Nepalese border, 12 km from
Katerniaghat and 150 km north of Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. The maximum depth
does not exceed 4 m. The total area of this wetland is about 1200 ha.
•
MANJHIRA IMPOUNDMENT AT
GIRIJA BARRAGE
1000 mm.
Macrophytes: Mainly submergent vegetation, predominantly species of Chara,
Vallisneria, and Hydrilla.
Birds: An important wintering area for migratory waterfowl, particularly Anatidae.
During a brief survey in December 1986, some 50 Podiceps cristatus, over 12,000
ducks, and a wide variety of other waterfowl were observed from a road which flanks
the lake. The lake is particularly rich in Aythya species, and Netta rufina is very
common.
Land use: The reservoir is used for water supply and fishing
Conservation measures taken: No habitat protection. Shooting has been prohibited
and fishing operations are under government control.
Disturbances and threats: Fishing activities cause a considerable amount of
disturbance to waterfowl, and in years when the Government does not permit fishing,
for example in 1986–87, larger numbers of waterfowl are present.
Socio-economic values: The impoundment supports a valuable fishery.
Research and facilities: A preliminary survey has been carried out by the Bombay
Natural History Society.
PYAGPUR AND SITADWAR JHEELS
Pyagpur and Sitadwar Jheels situated (Lat. 27° 25’ N and
Long. 81°
48’ E) in Bahraich district, 100 km northeast of Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. The lakes
are shallow, freshwater (jheels) with associated marshes, situated some 20 km apart
on the plains between the Rapti and Ghaghara rivers. Pyagpur is described as an
excellent permanent jheel, 1-3 m in depth; the much smaller Sitadwar Jheel is
somewhat shallower and prone to drying out in the dry season. The total area of the
Pyagpur lake is 2800 ha and Sitadwar lake is 150 ha.
Abiotic factors: Tropical monsoon climate typical of the Gangetic plain.
Macrophytes: Virtually the whole of Pyagpur is covered with Eichhornia crassipes.
Wherever the surface is open, there is a rich growth of submergents such as Chara sp.
and Hydrilla sp. No information is available on the vegetation of Sitadwar.
Birds: Both sites are important for migratory and resident waterfowl. Salim Ali
recorded Crus leucogeranus at Pyagpur in the 1930s. A waterfowl survey of Sitadwar
Jheel in January 1987 recorded; 28 Pelecanus onocrotalus, 51 Ardea cinerea, 230
Platalea leucorodia, 250 Dendrocygna javanica, 300 Anthropoides virgo, 100
Hydrophasianus chirurgus together with smaller numbers of many other species.
Land tenure: Both jheels are state owned; the surrounding area is privately owned
agricultural land.
Land use: Fishing in Pyagpur Jheel, and waterfowl hunting at both sites.
Conservation measures taken: No conservation measures have been taken at
Pyagpur, but further agricultural encroachment and shooting have been prohibited at
Sitadwar.
Conservation measures proposed: The Uttar Pradesh Forest Department has plans
to develop Sitadwar as a Bird Sanctuary.
Disturbances and threats: The major threat to both wetlands is the gradual
encroachment of agricultural land. Intensive fishing causes excessive disturbance at
Pyagpur, and there is considerable disturbance at Sitadwar during religious festivals.
Illegal trapping and shooting of waterfowl still take place at Pyagpur, and there is
some illegal shooting at Sitadwar.
Socio-economic values: Pyagpur Jheel supports a very important fishery, and
Sitadwar is a site of religious pilgrimage and festivals.
Research and facilities: Preliminary surveys and waterfowl censuses have been
carried out by the Bombay Natural History Society.
NAWABGANI PRIYADARSHANI BIRD SANCTUARY
Nawabgani Priyadarshani Bird Sanctuary situated (26° 50’ N, 81° 10’ E) on south and
east of the Kanpur Lucknow highway, 45 km east of Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. It is a
permanent, shallow, freshwater lake and associated marshes with some adjacent
riparian forest, on the upper Gangetic plain. The lake is fed by monsoon run-off, and
has an average depth of 1.0–1.5 m at maximum water levels. The water level
fluctuates considerably, and much of the lake dries out in early summer.
Abiotic factors: Tropical monsoon climate typical of the upper Gangetic plain. The
pH varies between 7.6 and 7.9.
Macrophytes: The lake supports a variety of aquatic plants typical of the upper
Ganges system, including Eichhornia crassipes, Lemna minor, Azolla pinnata, Pistia
stratiotes, Spirodela polyrhiza, Ipomoea aquatica, Enhydra fluctuans, and Nymphaea
sp. Emergents include species of Cyperus, Scirpus, and Oryza sativa. There are
several stands of riparian forest planted in the 1970s around the periphery of the lake.
Birds: This region is important for both resident and migratory waterfowl. Large
waterbirds started to nest at the lake in about 1980, and there is now a mixed breeding
colony of night heron, two or three species of egret and spoonbill. Other resident
species include purple moorhen and bronze-winged jacana. The lake is also important
for wintering waterfowl, chiefly Anatidae (swans, geese and ducks) and Fulica atra.
An avifauna count held in 1991 recorded the following:
S. Species Name
No
1 Anas acuta 300–400
2 A. crecca 100+
3 A. platyrhynchos 10+
S.
No
11
12
13
4
A. poecilorhyncha 40+
14
5
6
A. strepera 1000+
Anhinga melanogaster 4
15
16
7
8
9
10
Ardea cinerea 6
A. purpurea 3
Bubulcus ibis 17
Dendrocygna javanica 100+
17
18
19
Species Name
Fulica atra 1000+
Gallicrex cinerea 40+
Hydrophasianus chirnrgus
(50–100)
Marmaronetta
angustirostris 1000+
Metopidius indicus 30–50
400+
Phalacrocorax carbo 300+
P. niger 200
Tachybaptus ruficollis 3
The raptors identified included shikra, pariah kite, and marsh harrier. In 1985- 86
several open billed storks were seen nesting, which was not observed in 1991.
Land tenure: The lake is state-owned; surrounding areas are privately owned.
Land use: Outdoor recreation, including some boating on the lake.
Conservation measures taken: The lake and adjacent riparian forests are protected
in the Bird Sanctuary. Trees have been planted around the Sanctuary head-quarters,
and various facilities have been provided for visitors, though boating is not allowed.
The Forest Department removes Eichhornia crassipes periodically. The Sanctuary
adjoins a deer park at its southwestern corner.
Disturbances and threats: There has been a considerable amount of hunting of
ducks and shorebirds in the past, but since 1972 the local bird market has become
illegal. Eichhornia crassipes infestation is a problem as at most other wetlands in
Uttar Pradesh. Visitors to the Sanctuary cause some disturbance, and this can be
particularly damaging when the birds are nesting.
Socio-economic values: A popular recreatioal area for the inhabitants of Lucknow
and Kanpur, as well as tourists from further afield. If managed properly, the Sanctuary
could evolve into an important educational and recreational centre for the people of
neighbouring towns and cities.
Research and facilities: Some waterfowl censuses have been carried out.
Observation facilities include a watch tower and a permanent hide. The Tourist
Department has built a Guest House, and there is a restaurant and picnic area by the
lake.
Pollution status: Some pollution reaches the lake in waterways from a nearby town.
Automobile pollution from a highway in the vicinity is a long-term threat.
Reference: Anon (1982); WWF India (1993).
DAHAR AND SAUJ (SOJ) JHEELS
The Ganga (Ganges) and Ramganga rivers converge at 27° 10’ N,
79° 55’ E.
Within 100 km of this confluence, there are many shallow freshwater lakes (jheels)
which flood during the summer monsoon and generally retain water throughout the
winter and into early spring. Some of the main jheels ate Dahar Jheel (27° 19’ N, 79°
59’ E), Sauj Jheel (27° 01’ N, 79° 11’ E), Sheoja and Gaundial Jheels (27° 05’ N,
79° 11’ E), and Mohri-Sothna Jheel (26° 56’ N, 79° 17’ E). The jheels range in size
from a few hectares to about 600 ha, but fewer than 20% are larger than 400 ha. They
are fed by monsoon rains flowing through natural water courses known as nadis.
Some 52% of the jheels are shallower than 1.5 m and 77% have suffered at least
moderate drainage. Jheels were once an abundant feature of the rich patchwork of
forests, lakes, and cultivated areas which formerly extended throughout the western
Ganges Basin. The inexorable increase in the region's human population has resulted
in the conversion of virtually the whole area into agricultural land. The few scattered
lakes which remain are the remnants of a very rich wetland environment that existed
until the beginning of the 20th century.
Abiotic factors: Rather dry tropical monsoon climate typical of the Upper Ganges
Plain.
Macrophytes: The dominant aquatic vegetation at 29 jheels surveyed by Singh et al.
in 1982-83 was as follows: (a) free floating: Eichhornia crassipes, Pistia stratiotes,
Lemna minor, Spirodela polyrhiza, and Azolla pinnata; (b) rooted floating: Ipomoea
aquatica, I. rubens, Enhydra fluctuans, Eclipta prostata, ]ussiea repans, Nymphaea
sp., and Euryale ferox; (c) submerged: Potamogeton crispus, Hydrilla verticillata,
Ceratophyllum demersum, Vallisneria spiralis, and Najas graminea; (d) emergent:
Cyperus sp., C. rotundus, Hygroryzea sp., Oryza sativa, Scitpus articulosus, S.
littoralis, and Paspalidium geminatum.
Birds: The region was once an extremely important area for both resident and
migratory waterfowl, including the endangered Siberian white crane (Grus
leucogeranus). However, in a recent survey only 23% of the jheels investigated held
appreciable numbers of waterfowl, and 42% had no waterfowl at all. At two jheels,
the local people gave good descriptions of G.leucogeranus and it would seem that the
area still supports this species at least during years of drought when the Keoladeo
Ghana Sanctuary (site 38) may be virtually dry. Four of the jheels surveyed in January
1983, namely, Dahar, Mohri-Sothna, Sauj, and Sheoja-Gaundial, held large
concentrations of waterfowl and were considered to be worthy of special attention.
Conservation measures proposed: Of the many jheels surveyed in the winter of
1982–83, four were considered to merit special attention from conservationists. These
were Dahar (Saudi), Mohri-Sothna, Sauj (Soj), and Sheoja Gaundial. Dahar Jheel, in
particular, was thought to require urgent attention if this excellent condition were to
be maintained.
Land use: Water supply for agriculture and domestic use, fishing, hunting, the
gathering of fodder and fuel, and the harvesting of certain aquatic plants for human
consumption (notably the sedge, Cyperus rotundus, which forms large tubers relished
by people and livestock alike).
Disturbances and threats: The principal threats to the wetlands are drainage for
conversion to agricultural land, excessive hunting and fishing, and general overexploitation of all the wetland resource. Human activities such as shooting, trapping,
fishing, washing, swimming and the watering of domestic animals cause a
considerable amount of disturbance at most of the jheels. Of 48 jheels surveyed in
January 1983, 440% were considered to be suffering from heavy disturbance, and a
further 42% from moderate disturbance. Shooting was reported at over 80% of the
sites, and at only 14% was disturbance described as light. The sedge Cyperus
rotundus was obviously being heavily over-exploited; it was found to be abundant at
only 14% of the wetlands investigated, and was completely absent at 67%.
Socio-economic values: The jheels constitute a highly productive ecosystem capable
of supporting large sustainable harvests of fish, waterfowl, edible plants, firewood,
and fodder. However, unless the conversion of these wetlands into agricultural land is
stopped and the present high levels of exploitation are reduced, the great economic
value of the system will be lost.
Research and facilities: Sauey et al. (1987) surveyed a total of 48 jheels in two
regions of Uttar Pradesh in January 1983 during the course of a search for Grus
leucogeranus, while Singh et al. (1987) investigated 29 jheels in the districts of
Hardoi, Unnao, Kanpur and Itawa in the same Winter
Reference: Sauey et al. (1987); Singh et al. (1987); WWF India (1993).
CHHATA LAKES
A group of at least three discrete lakes, Kamai, Nari, and Sankhi, surrounded by
agricultural land. The lakes situated on (Lat. 27° 45’ N and Long. 77° 40’ E) east of
Chhata town, about 100 km SSE of Delhi along the Uttar Pradesh-Rajasthan border.
Kamai is a small water storage reservoir (tank), whereas Nari and Sankhi are natural
lakes; all are fed by monsoon run-off and irrigation canals. Sankhi Lake is saline and
the shallowest of the three, with a maximum depth of only 30 cm; the other two lakes
are slightly brackish and some 60–80 cm deep. The total area of these wetlands are
about 3000 ha. All three are usually dry by May but, in years of good monsoon,
provide important habitat for waterfowl during the northern winter. The Jamuna river
flows southwards through the eastern part of the area.
Abiotic factors: Tropical monsoon climate
Birds: When first surveyed in January 1987, the lakes were suffering from the
monsoon failure of 1986; water levels were very low and few birds were present.
Nevertheless, some 3170 waterfowl of about 75 species were present, including three
Pelecanus crispus, 200 herons and egrets of ten species, 10 Ciconia episcopus, two
pairs of Ephippiorhynch asiaticus, 100 ibises and spoonbills (Threskiornithidae), 350
flamingos (Phoenicopteridae), 422 Anser indicus, over 600 ducks of 15 species, 42
Grus antigone, 230 Fulica atra, and over 950 shorebirds of about 25 species.
Land use: The reservoir is used for fishing.
Socio-economic values: The jheels constitute a highly productive ecosystem capable
of supporting large sustainable harvests of fish, waterfowl, edible plants, firewood,
and fodder.
Research and facilities: A poorly known area, first surveyed in detail in January
1987.
JHEELS IN THE VICINITY OF HAIDERGARH
A group of shallow, freshwater lakes and meandering water courses with associated
marshes, subject to monsoon flooding and often dry by the end of the dry season. The
Jheels are situated (Lat. 26° 35’ N and Long. 81° 15’ E) near the town of Haidergarh
(Hydergarh) in Barabanki district, 50 km southeast of Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. These
jheels are typical of the jheels of the Gangetic plain of Uttar Pradesh and are
representative of the wetlands of the entire Oudh region to the southeast. The total
area of the Haidergarh Jheel is 100 ha and Madha-ki-jheel is 1600 ha. Virtually all of
the surrounding areas are cultivated in small holdings, and many of the jheels have
already been drained and converted into agricultural land. Most of the jheels are
residual oxbow lakes, for the most part overgrown with emergent vegetation and often
utilized as village ponds by the local human population.
•
JHEELS IN THE VICINITY OF
HAIDERGARH
Abiotic factors: Tropical monsoon climate typical of the Gangetic plain.
Macrophytes: The jheels support a profuse growth of free-floating, rooted-floating,
submerged, and emergent aquatic vegetation, typical of the region. Unfortunately,
Eichhornia crassipes has invaded the area and is already dominant at many sites.
Birds: Taken collectively, the jheels around Haidergarh are of great importance for
many resident and migratory species of waterfowl.
Land tenure: Probably privately owned throughout.
Conservation measures taken: No information except at Haidergarh Jheel where
shooting has been prohibited. Unfortunately, enforcement is insufficient to prevent
shooting taking place.
Possible changes in land use: Wetlands throughout the region are being drained for
conversion to agricultural land.
Disturbances and threats: The jheels are rapidly being converted to agricultural use.
Most are already partly drained; over 50% of Haidergarh Jheel has been drained, and
agricultural land now extends to the edge of the open water. Other threats include
illegal shooting and trapping of waterfowl, and pollution with domestic and
agricultural effluents. The spread of Eichhornia crassipes is a major problem at many
of the jheels.
Socio-economic values: Several of the jheels are important regulators of the local
water table.
Research and facilities: Preliminary surveys have been carried out by the Bombay
Natural History Society.
Pollution status: Pollution caused by domestic and agricultural effluents.
NAINITAL LAKE
It is a crescent shaped natural water body of central Himalaya, Uttar Pradesh. Nainital
lake (Lat. 29° 24’ N and Long. 79° 28’ E) is one of the most picturesque lakes in the
Kumaum Himalaya of Uttar Pradesh. The length of the lake is 1432 m and breadth is
42 m. The maximum depth is 27.3 m. and total area of the wetland is about 48.2 m2.
The lake is surrounded on the north west side by the high and steep Naina peak, on
the south west side by Tiffin Top, and on the north by peaks such as snow view.
These hill tops are covered by coniferous forest trees. The lake receives water
carrying the household refuge, garbage, silt and unmeasured amount of sewage
through 24 open drains, out of which 2 are perennial and the rest 22 become active
only during rainy season.
and minimum of 0.5°C. The water is alkaline in nature (8.4–9.3).
Fauna: No information.
Land use: Drinking, Fishing and boating.
Socio-economic values: The lake is multipurpose in character, far aside from its use
as source of drinking water and fishing, boating, etc., it has a great bearing upon the
economy of the region as a major tourist attraction.
Pollution status: Nainital lake water is much more polluted by
(a) human
settlement on catchment leading to the construction of house, buildings and roads and
addition of domestic sewage, (b) tourism leading to boating, rowing and other
recreational activities and (c) removal of natural vegetation from shore line area
which facilities addition of eroded materials.
Reference: Rai and Rathore (1993).
BAGHLA RESERVOIR
The Baghla reservoir situated near Barica and about 55 km southwest of the city of
Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh. The reservoir was constructed in 1952 on a small rivulet,
the Barica situated about 5 km away from the Baghla lake. The reservoir enclosed an
area of 250 ha at FRL (119 m) with a water retention capacity of about 9.58 mm3
which is minimized to 0.141 mm3 at DSL. Water level in reservoir fluctuated between
6.86 to 7.83 meters. The maximum discharge of water from reservoir takes place in
December–January to irrigate the winter crop covering an area of about 2020 ha.
Bundh length of the reservoir is 2.05 km and average depth is 3.89 m.
and minimum of 20°C. The pH values ranged from 7.1–8.15.
Phytoplankton: Most important flora encountered were: Microcystis aeroginosa,
Aphanocapsa sp., Anabaena spp. among myxophyceae; Eudorina, Pediastrum,
Pandorina, Scenedesmus, Ankistrodesmus and Spirogyra of chlorophyceae; Melosira,
Synedra, Gyrosigma, Asterionella, Cymbella, Cyclotella and Navicula of
bacillariophyceae. Ceratium sp. was the sole representative of dinophyceae.
Periphyton: Cymbella, Navicula, Synedra, Melosira, Meridion, Ankistrodesmus,
Protococcus, Oedogonium, Ulothrix, Oscillatoria, Merismopeida, Aphanocapsa,
Cylindrospermum, Cosmarium, Cirrhina mrigala and Labeo calbasu.
Zooplankton: The bulk of the zooplankton was constituted by rotifera (Brachionus
spp., Keratella spp. and Fillnia sp.) followed by Cyclops sp., Diaptomus sp. and
Mesocyclops (copepoda) and cladocera (Diaphanosoma spp., Bosmina sp. and
Ceriodaphnis sp.)
Macrobenthos: Main fauna encountered were: Chironomid spp.; Phylopotamus sp.,
among insects; and Pisidium, Corbicula sp., Gyraulus sp., Lymnaea sp. Indoplanorbis
sp. and Viviparus bengalensis comprised molluscan fauna.
Fishes: Labeo bata, Puntius sarana, Notopterus notopterus, Wallago attu and Mystus
spp.
Land use: Irrigation and fishing.
Reference: Khan et al. (1996).
SURHA WETLAND
Surha wetland (Lat. 25° 48’–25° 52’ N and Long. 84° 8’–84° 15’ E) is a large ox-box
shape perennial, freshwater lake in the middle Gangetic plain, Uttar Pradesh.
Marginal exposed area is used for the cultivation of traditional varieties of ‘floating’
or deep-water rice. At the time of harvest, farmers chop off the awns only and rest of
the portion was left to decompose. The lake is connected with river Ganga by a
narrow and zig-zag seasonal stream named Kateher Nala. It brings floodwater from
the Ganga to the lake or carries off the overflow from the lake into the river Ganga.
The total area of the lake is about 3500 ha during rainy season.
Macrophytes: Dominant macrophytic species present in the wetlands are
S. Species Name
No
1 Ceratophyllum demersum
2 Cyperus plantystylis
4 Eleocharis plantaginea
6 Ipomea aquatica
S.
No
7
8
9
10
11
Species Name
Oryza rufipogan
O. sativa
Polygonum amphibium
Potamogeton crispes
P. pectinatus
Reference: Siddharth Singh and Ambasht (2001).
MATATILLA RESERVOIR
The reservoir situated (25° 15’ N, 78° 23’ E) on the river Betwa (a tributary of
Chambal), Uttar Pradesh. It has gross capacity 964.72cm. The maximum depth of the
reservoir is 27.5 m and depth at dead storage is 18.18 m. The volume development
0.66, shore development 1.65, shore line 73.6 km and average rainfall 76.3 mm per
annum. The total area of this lake is about 13,893 ha.
•
MATATILLA RESERVOIR
and minimum of 19.4°C. The pH values ranged from 7.4–8.2.
Land use: Irrigation for agriculture
valuable source of water for irrigation and domestic use
Reference: Sherry and Jain (1992).
WETLANDS OF EASTERN UTTAR PRADESH
Numerous small lakes, ponds, marshes, and water courses in a vast low-lying region
between the Ghaghara and Ganges rivers in eastern Uttar Pradesh. The region,
formerly known as the “Oudh” (meaning between the two rivers), stretches for about
370 km from east to west and up to 120 km from north to south. It contains more than
500 freshwater wetlands of over 100 ha in area and a great wealth of smaller water
bodies. A few of the wetlands exceed 500 ha, and most of the significant lakes are
about 200–300 ha. Detailed information is lacking on this area, but it is likely that the
wetlands are similar in many respects to those of northern Uttar Pradesh to the west
and those of Bihar to the east. The cities of Kanpur, Allahabad, and Varanasi are
situated on the Ganges on the southern edge of the region. The whole area is densely
populated and under intensive cultivation.
Abiotic factors: Tropical monsoon climate typical of the Ganges plain, with an
average annual rainfall of about 1000 mm and a temperature range of 5°–45°C.
Birds: Known to be an extremely important area for migratory waterfowl, especially
Anatidae. Abdulali and Savage (1970) reported that “millions” of ducks used the area
in winter, but no recent information is available. Some of the less disturbed wetlands
probably support significant densities of breeding waterfowl as well.
Land tenure: Largely under private ownership
Land use: Fishing and water supply for irrigation and domestic use. The wetlands
are also utilised by local people as a source of fodder for domestic livestock and fuel
for cooking.
Disturbances and threats: The principal threats are over-exploitation of all the
wetland resources by the ever-increasing human population of the region, drainage for
conversion to agricultural land, infestation with Eichhornia crassipes, and pollution
from domestic wastes.
Socio-economic values: The wetlands act as natural water storage reservoirs for
irrigation and domestic supply, and provide a wealth of natural foods, fuel, and fodder
for the local people and their livestock.
Research and facilities: Meagre research seems to have been carried out in this
important region, and no recent information is available on the wetlands or their
wildlife.
Reference: Abdulali and Savage (1970); WWF India (1993).
UPPER GANGA RIVER (BRIJGHAT TO NARORA STRETCH)
The Ganga rises at 7,010 meters in Gangotri, Uttar Kashi District, Uttar Pradesh, on
the Southern slopes of the Himalayan range. It flows through three different States Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal covering a distance of 2,525 km before it joins
the Bay of Bengal. The entire river stretch from Brijghat to Narora is shallow with
only intermittent small stretches of deep-water pools and reservoirs upstream
barrages. The bank of the entire river stretch up to Narora is sandy and muddy, but
with significantly rich biodiversity and religious importance. Between Brijghat and
Narora, both the banks are embanked with boulders to check erosion.
The depth varies between 300–362 cm. and transparency ranges between 3–5 cm
during monsoon season. During dry season the stretch has low quantity of water with
a depth ranging from 50 cm to 150 cm. Irregular water flow from the reservoirs in the
upper reaches and inconsistent rainfall in the area are responsible for the irregular flow
of the Ganga River. The discharge record from the barrages shows a regular
fluctuation in the water level causing disturbance to the natural habitat of different
aquatic animals. It has a total water spread area of about 26,590 ha.
Abiotic factors: During the major part of the year the climate of the total river stretch
is influenced largely by the prevalence of dry air, extreme temperatures in summer and
winter. It is only during the monsoon months that air of oceanic origin reaches,
bringing with it increased humidity, cloudiness and rain. Climatologically, the year
may be divided into three seasons. The cold season, from about the end of November
to the beginning of March, followed by the hot season, which continues till about the
end of June where the south-west monsoon arrives. The monsoon season lass until
September and the next two months forming the transitional period.
Plants: The dominating plants along the river stretch are Shesham (Dalbergia
sissoo), Ashoka (Saraca indica), Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus Globulus), Banyan (Ficus
bengalensis), Bamboo (Dendrocalamus Strictus), Teak (Tectona grandis) and Neem
(Azadirachta indica), etc. Beside this, bamboo grasses and some aquatic flora like
Eichhorina common.
Phytoplankton: The density of Phytoplanktons varies from 36 to
2116 µ / l.
A total of 15 species of molluscs belonging to 10 families was also recorded.
Zooplankton: Zooplanktons species are dominated by four main taxonomic groups
Protozoa, Rotifera, Cladocera and Copepoda. A total of 40 forms of zooplanktons are
identified in the stretch with 10 species of Protozoans, 16 Rotifers, 4 Cladocerans and
5 Copepods.
Fishes: In addition to the red listed species, these are endemic to the area, such as
fishes - Tor tor, T. pitutora. Fish forms the largest group of living natural resources in
this river stretch. Fishes like Wallago attu, Chela laubuca, Colisa fasciatus, Chanda
ranga, Glossogobius giuris, Nangra punctata, Puntius sp. and P. sophore are
common in the river. According to the survey conducted by WWF India, a total of 73
species of fishes were identified. These are follows;
S.
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
Species Name
Ailia colia
Amblypharyngodon melettinus
A. mola
Badis badis
Bagarius bagarius
Barilus barila
B. bola
B. modestus
B. vagra
Botia Dario
Catla catla
Chaca chaca
Chanda nama
C. ranga
Channa gachua
C. marulius
C. punctatus
C. slewartii
C. striatus
Chela laobuca
Cirrhinus mrigala
C. reba
Clarias batrachus
C. magur
Clupisoma garua
Crossocheilus latius
Danio dangila
D. devario
Eutropiichthys vacha
Glossogobius giuris
Gudusia chapra
Labeo gonius
L. pangusia
Laubuca atper
Lepidocephalichthys guntea
Mastacembelus acculatus
S.
No
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
Species Name
M. puncalus
Mystus bleekeri
M. cavasius
M. oar
M. seenghala
M. tangara
M. vittatus
Nandus nandus
Nangra nangra
Nemochilus bevasni
N. botia
N. corica
N. montanus
N. multifasciatus
N. savena
N. scaturingina
N. zonatus
Notopterus chitala
N. notopterus
Ompok bimaculotus
O. pabda
Osteobrama cotio
Oxygaster bacaila
O. boopis
Pungasium pungasius
Puntius chola
P. sarana
P. sophore
P. ticto
Rasbora daniconius
Rita rita
Tor putitora
T. tor
Wallago attu
Xenentodon cancila
Reptiles: Two species of crocodiles i.e. endangered Gavialis gangeticus and
vulnerable Crocodylus palustris. Under the national legislation these species are also
protected as Schedule I of Wildlife protection Act 1972. Besides, out of 12 species of
turtles identified from this stretch, 6 species are considered as endangered including
Indian Softshell turtle (Aspideretes gangeticus). The following species of turtles
(freshwater) are recorded in this wetland, i.e.
S. Species Name
No
1 Aspideretes gangeticus
2 A. hurum
3 Chitra indica
4 Geoclemys hamiltonii
5 Hardella thurjii
6 Kachuga dhongoka
S.
No
7
8
9
10
11
12
Species Name
K. kachuga
K. smithii
K. tecta
K. tentoria
Lissemys punctata
Melanochelys trijuga
Birds: The numerous water birds use the shallow water pools for roosting and
breeding. More than 100 species of birds belonging to 34 families both aquatic and
terrestrial avifauna were identified along with there population. More than 20,000
birds are reported in the stretch which includes Pintails (Anas acuta) (1148), Brahmini
Duck (Tadorna ferruginea) (1136), Coot (Fulica atra) (8000), Cormorant
(Phalacrocorax fuscicollis) (3500), Purple moorhen (Porphyrio porphyrio) (2000),
Spoonbill (Platalea leucordia) (1500), Openbills (Anastomus oscitans) (500), Barheaded geese (Anser indicus) (600), Gulls (Larus ridibundus) (800) according to 2002
survey conducted by WWF India. List of Birds is provided in Appendix 1. (Total
yearly estimate is available in the annual dolphin survey reports of the Upper Ganga
River - WWF-India 1997 – 2004). During the dolphin survey in the river stretch in
winter, estimation of aquatic birds was collected. These are followes;
Family
Podicipitidae
Pelecanidae
Phalacrocoracidae
Ardeidae
Ciconiidae
Common Name
Little grabe
Great crested grabe
Grey pelican
Indian Shag
Large cormorant
Little cormorant
Darter
Grey Heron
Pond Heron
Cattle Egret
Little Egret
Large Egret
Intermediate Egret
White necked Stork
Black Stork
Black necked Stork
Open billed
Scientific Name
Podiceps cristatus
Phalacrocorax
fuscicollis
P. carbo
P. niger
Anhinga rufa
Ardea cinerea
Ardeola grayii
Bubulcus ibis
Egretta garzetta
E. alba
E. intermedia
Ciconia episcopus
C. nigra
Zzenorhynchus asiaticus
Anastomus oscitans
Threskiornithidae
Anatidae
Accipitridae
Phasianidae
Gruidae
Rallidae
Recurvirostridae
Burhinidae
Charadiidae
Laridae
Spoon bill
Bar headed goose
Grey leg goose
Brahmini Duck
Tufted duck
Common pochard
Pintail
Common Teal
Shoveller
Gad wall
Garganey
Wigeon
Spotbill Duck
Cotton Teal
Platalea ieucorodia
Anser indicus
A. anser
Tadorna ferruginea
Aythya fuligula
A. ferina
Anas acuta
A. crecca
A. clypeata
A. strepera
A. querguedula
A. penelope
A. poecilorhyncha
Nettapus
coromandelianus
Red crested pochard
Netta rufina
Comb Duck
Sarkidiornis melanotos
Blackwinged kite
Elanus caeruleus
Pariah kite
Milvus migrans
Brahminy kite
Haliastur indus
Shikra
Accipiter badius
Indian white backed Gyps bengalensis
vulture
Scavenger vulture
Ringed
tailed
fishingeagle
Common peafowl
Sarus Crane
Common Crane
Whitebreasted
Waterhen
Moorhen
Coot
Black winged Stilt
Pied Avocet
Stone curlew
Great stone Plover
Small
Indian
Pratincole
Red wattled Lapwing
Spur Winged Plover
Little Ringed Plover
Kentish Plover
Western curlew
Red shank
Common Sandpiper
Brown headed gull
Black headed gull
Indian River Tern
Halioeetus leucoryphus
Pavo cristatus
Grus antigone
G. grus
Gallinula chloropus
Fulica atra
Burhinus oedicnemus
Esacus magnirostris
Glareola lactea
Vanellus indicus
V. spinosus
Charadrius dubius
C. alexandrinus
Numenius arquata
Tringa totanus
T. hypoleucos
L. ridibundus
Sterna aurantia
Columbidae
Psittacidae
Cuculidae
Strigidae
Apodidae
Alcedinidae
Meropidae
Coraciidae
Upupidae
Alaudidae
Hirundinidae
Laniidae
Dicruridae
Sturnidae
Corvidae
Pycnonotidae
Muscicapidae
Motacillidae
Ploceidae
Black bellied Tern
Little Tern
Blue Rock Pigeon
Indian Ring Dove
Red Turtle Dove
Rose ringed Parakeet
Crow-Pheasant
Brown Fish Owl
House swift
White
breasted
Kingfisher
Pied Kingfisher
Blue tailed Bee-eater
Green Bee-eater
Indian Roller
Hoopoe
Red winged Bush Lark
Rufous tailed Finch
Lark
Swallow
Red rumped Swallow
Brown shrike
Grey shrike
Rufous backed Shrike
Black Drongo
Black headed Myna
Pied Myna
Common Indian Myna
Bank Myna
Indian Tree Pie
House crow
Jungle Crow
Red vented Bulbul
Common Babbler
Large Grey Babbler
Magpie robin
Indian Robin
Grey Wagtail
Large pied wagtail
House Sparrow
S. acuticauda
S. albifrons
Columba livia
Strerptopelia decaocto
S. tranquebarica
Psittacula krameri
Centropus sinensis
Bubo zeylonensis
Apus affinis
Halcyon smyrnensis
Ceryle rudis
Merops philippinus
M. orientalis
Upupa epops
Ammomanes
phoenicurus
Hirundo rustica
H. daurica
Lanius cristatus
L. excubitor
L. schach
Dicrurs adsimilis
Sturnus pagodarum
S. contra
Acridotheres oristis
A. ginginianus
Corvus splendens
C. macrorhynchos
Pycnonotus cafer
Turdoides caudatus
T. malcolmi
Copsychus saularis
Motacilla cinerea
M. maderaspatensis
Passer domesticus
Mammals: Upper Ganga River supports mammalian species like Ganges river
dolphins (Platanista gangetica) listed in CITES, IUCN Redbook as Endangered,
common-otters (Lutra lutra).
Endangered species: Ganges river dolphins (Platanista gangetica) listed in CITES,
IUCN Redbook as Endangered, common-otters (Lutra lutra), two species of
crocodiles i.e. endangered Gavialis gangeticus and vulnerable Crocodylus palustris.
Besides, out of 12 species of turtles identified from this stretch, 6 species are
considered as endangered including Indian Softshell turtle (Aspideretes gangeticus).
Land tenure: State-owned; surrounding areas are Government and Private owned.
Land use: The wetland is used for irrigation, fishing, pilgrimage, mass religious
bathing and post cremation activity and surrounding areas are used for agriculture and
grazing, nesting and basking ground for turtles and crocodiles.
Conservation measures taken: List national category and legal status of protected
areas, including boundary relationships with the Ramsar site; management practices;
whether an officially approved management plan exists and whether it is being
implemented.
There is no protected area created in the stretch from Brijghat to Narora to save the
endangered species. To save the dolphins and other animals including endangered
species, the Government of India have included these species in the Schedule I of the
Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972. The Act prohibits killing/trapping of the species. The
Ganges dolphin was also listed in Appendix II of the Convention of International
Trade in Endangered Species of wild fauna and flora (CITES).
Major threats identified in the river stretch includes: Pollution, Soil erosion and
Fishing. WWF-India is carrying out the following activities to address the threats:
1. Lobby with the Government to install Sewage treatment Plant at Anupsahar to
reduce the domestic sewage. Motivating the villagers to reduce the use of
chemical fertilizers and pesticides in the fields to control the Agricultural
pollution. (It should be noted that significant reduction of agricultural pollutant
has been recorded in this stretch).
2. Plantation activities are carried out regularly along the bank of the river to
minimize the soil erosion. (Last year we planted 3000 plants and this year 10,000
plants is to be planted along the bank in village Farida to check the soil erosion).
3. Lobbying with the Government to ban leasing of commercial fishing in this area.
Out of six districts in this area (both bank of the river stretch) three districts has
already issued notice to ban leasing on commercial of fishing.
Conservation measures proposed:
sanctuary but yet not declared.
Already proposed for a status of wildlife
Disturbance and threats: Domestic sewage pollution; Unspecified agricultural
runoff; Over-fishing; Industrial waste pollution; Urban development; Development/
xpansion of settlements; Pesticide/herbicide pollution; Fertilizer pollution; Erosion
and Fluctuation in water-level as a result of practice
Socio-economic values: All the ways from Brijghat to Narora most of the ghats have
religious importance and also importance for tourism, unspecified fishing, agriculture,
water supply, hydro-electricity, livestock grazing and current scientific research.
Large number of pilgrims use the river water for holy bath, cremation and post
cremation activities.
Pollution status: Overpopulation in the area in the recent years and subsequent
population pressure for ritual activities has caused major pollution in the river.
Research and facilities: WWF-India has involved in regular monitoring of the
stretch since 1997. Before that 1991 to 1995 Jiwaji University, Gwalior has conducted
the research on Bio-monitoring of the stretch Under the Ganges River Dolphin
project. WWF-India is conducting annual surveys to monitor the dolphin population
of the stretch. Beside river dolphins, data are also collected on the status of other
aquatic biodiversity present in the stretch such as crocodiles, turtles and aquatic birds.
Data related to the hydrology and other biology of the river stretch is also recorded
regularly. These data are regularly been updated in the satellite imagery (GIS maps).
Along with this Education and Awareness Programme is conducted to address
different target groups like students, villagers and fishermen communities. Education
materials were prepared and awareness created by giving regular, lectures, slide
shows, presentation and through street play. Measures have been taken to mitigate the
identified threats in this habitat with the help of local NGO’s, State Forest Department
and other relevant Government Departments.
WWF-India has established a field office to carry out day to day research work and
related activities in the river stretch and coordinating the work with NGO’s, villagers
and various Government departments.
Importance: Upper Ganga River supports mammalian species like Ganges river
dolphins (Platanista gangetica) listed in CITES, IUCN Redbook as Endangered,
common-otters (Lutra lutra), two species of crocodiles i.e. endangered Gavialis
gangeticus and vulnerable Crocodylus palustris. Under the national legislation these
species are also protected as Schedule I of Wildlife protection Act 1972. Besides, out
of 12 species of turtles identified from this stretch, 6 species are considered as
endangered including Indian Softshell turtle (Aspideretes gangeticus).
The Upper Ganga River supports a rich biodiversity. Besides, dominating plants along
the river stretch are Shesham (Dalbergia sissoo), Ashoka (Saraca indica), Eucalyptus
(Eucalyptus Globulus), Banyan (Ficus bengalensis), Bamboo (Dendrocalamus
Strictus), Teak (Tectona grandis) and Neem (Azadirachta indica), etc. Beside this,
bamboo grasses and some aquatic flora like Eichhorina common.
Zooplanktons species are dominated by four main taxonomic groups Protozoa,
Rotifera, Cladocera and Copepoda. A total of 40 forms of zooplanktons are identified
in the stretch with 10 species of Protozoans, 16 Rotifers, 4 Cladocerans and 5
Copepods.
The density of Phytoplanktons varies from 36 to 2116 µ / l. A total of 15 species of
molluscs belonging to 10 families was also recorded.
In addition to the red listed species, these are endemic to the area, such as fishes - Tor
tor, T. pitutora. The stretch is reported to be critical in their life cycle. The numerous
water birds use the shallow water pools for roosting and breeding.
More than 100 species of birds belonging to 34 families both aquatic and terrestrial
avifauna were identified along with there population. More than 20,000 birds are
reported in the stretch which includes Pintails (Anas acuta) (1148), Brahmini Duck
(Tadorna ferruginea) (1136), Coot (Fulica atra) (8000), Cormorant (Phalacrocorax
fuscicollis) (3500), Purple moorhen (Porphyrio porphyrio) (2000), Spoonbill
(Platalea leucordia) (1500), Openbills (Anastomus oscitans) (500), Bar-headed geese
(Anser indicus) (600), Gulls (Larus ridibundus) (800) according to 2002 survey
conducted by WWF India.
Fish forms the largest group of living natural resources in this river stretch. According
to the survey conducted by WWF India, a total of 82 species of fishes were identified.
Fishes like Wallago attu, Chela laubuca, Colisa fasciatus, Chanda ranga,
Glossogobius giuris, Nangra punctata, Puntius sp. and Puntius sophore are common
in the river.
Management authority: Provide the name and address of the local office(s) of the
agency (ies) or organisation(s) directly responsible for managing the wetland.
Wherever possible provide also the title and/or name of the person or persons in this
office with responsibility for the wetland. Chief Engineer, U.P. State Irrigation
Department, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Past and Present status
Site: Sewage discharge between Anupsahar and Narora; Pesticides and fertilizers
were also leached into the river through agriculture runoff from the bank-side
agricultural fields; Mass bathing by Pilgrims during various festivals; Post cremation
rituals; Washing of cloths at various sites were also recorded; Large scale fishing
activities
Surrounding area: Agricultural activities on the river bank side.
Reference: Anderson, J. 1878; Behera, S.K. 1995; Jones, S. 1982; Murtiet et al.,
1991; Rao, R.J. 1995; http://www.ramsar.org/ (Ramsar website).
WETLANDS IN CORBETT NATIONAL PARK
Corbett National Park situated (29° 25’–29° 40’ N, 78° 45’–79° 05’ E) in Ramnagar
District, Kumaon Foothills, 80 km north of Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh. The Ramganga
River flows from east to west through Corbett National Park into the Ramganga water
storage reservoir behind the Kalagarh Dam. The construction of the Kalagarh Dam
resulted in inundation of the lower riverine forested tracts together with important
grasslands, known as "chaurs". This has been partially compensated by an extensive
muddy margin around the reservoir which increases in width during the winter
months as the water level falls. The river is a fast-flowing torrent for much of its
course through the Park, but there are numerous backwaters, oxbow creeks and small
ponds within the flood plain, particularly near to Dhikala, the visitor centre in the
middle of the Park. Area of wetlands unknown; National Park 52,082 ha including a
core zone of 31,998 ha and a buffer zone of 20,084 ha.
Macrophytes: The emergent vegetation along sluggish backwaters and in ponds
consists of species of Phragmites, Typha and Scirpus.
Fishes: Several fish species occur including Barbus tor, B. chilinoides, Labeo
calbasu, Oxygaster bacaila and Bagarius bagarius.
Reptiles: The Marsh Crocodile or Mugger Crocodylus palustris is fairly common,
and the Gharial Gavialis gangeticus was re-introduced into the Park in the early
1980’s.
Birds: Many species of waterfowl have been recorded, but mostly in small numbers.
Ephippiorhynclius asiaticus probably breeds; Ciconia nigra is regular in spring (up to
60 in March), and Ciconia episcopus occurs in small numbers. Winter visitors include
Phalacrocorax carbo (up to 130), Mergellus merganser (common along the river) and
Ibidorhyncha struthersii (scarce). Birds of prey are common; Pandion haliaetus is a
common visitor, Ichthyophaga nana and Haliaeetus leucoryphus breed, and Aquila
clanga occurs in winter. The two fish-owls Ketupa zeylonica and K. flavipes occur in
the riverine forest.
Mammals: Mammals closely associated with the wetlands include the Common
Otter Lutra lutra and Fishing Cat Felisviverrina.
Land use: The area is a managed nature reserve and important tourist centre. Sport
fishing with rod and line is permitted at certain points along the river.
Conservation measures taken: Corbett National Park (52,082 ha) was first
established in 1936. Most of the wetland habitat is situated in the central part of the
Park and is well protected. The Gharial Gavialis gangeticus is the subject of a reintroduction programme; by January 1987, 27 young Gharials had been released in
the Park.
Disturbances and threats: The most serious threat to the wetland ecosystems is
deforestation in the upper reaches of the river outside the Park and consequent
increased silt load in the river. Tourists are a source of some disturbance at Dhikala,
and there may be a small amount of pollution in the Ramganga River.
Socio-economic values: The Ramganga is a fine scenic river flowing through
relatively undisturbed forests with great wildlife interest. The area is very attractive to
tourists, making Corbett one of the most visited National Parks in India (20,000
visitors in 1983/84).
Research and facilities: Corbett National Park has been part of Project Tiger since
1974. Numerous studies have been undertaken on the wildlife in collaboration with
the Zoological Survey of India.
WETLANDS IN KISHANPUR PASHU VIHAR SANCTUARY
Kishanpur Pashu Vihar Sanctuary is situated (28° 21’–28° 40’ N,
80° 20’–80° 24’
E) near the Nepalese border, 80 km NNE of Shah jahanpur, Uttar Pradesh. Wetland is
a permanent and seasonal freshwater ponds, marshes and areas of seasonally
inundated terai grassland in the Kishanpur Pashu Vihar Sanctuary. The wetlands are
fed by monsoon run-off and a tributary of the Ghaghara River rising in the foothills of
western Nepal, The water table is high; there are many artesian wells, and much of the
area is prone to water logging.
1,000 mm.
Macrophytes: No information is available on the aquatic vegetation. The main forest
type is North Indian tropical moist deciduous forest.
Fishes: Fish species include Rohu.
Birds: The rich avifauna probably includes Francolinus gularis and Houbaropsis
bengalensis.
Mammals: The Sanctuary supports a small population of the Swamp Deer Cervus
duvaucelli.
Land use: A managed nature reserve.
Conservation measures taken: The area was declared a Sanctuary in 1972 to
conserve a population of the Swamp Deer Cervus duvaucelli.
Disturbances and threats: Grazing by domestic livestock and forestry operations are
the main problems in the Sanctuary.
Socio-economic values: No information.
WETLANDS IN DUDHWA NATIONAL PARK
Dudhwa National Park is sitaued on (28° 21’–28° 41’ N, 80° 30’–
80° 55’E)
the Nepalese border about 180 km NNW of Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. The wetland is a
large National Park on a vast alluvial plain near the foothills of the Himalayas, with a
fine selection of terai ecosystems. Much of the Park is a mosaic of tropical semievergreen forest, tropical moist deciduous forest, dry deciduous forest, riparian forest
and swamp forest. The wooded areas are fragmented by extensive areas of
mesophyllous grassland known as phantas. Wetland habitats include a number of
small perennial rivers, ponds, lakes (known as tals) and marshes. The most important
lakes are Banki Tal and Kukra Tal. Together with Royal Sukla Phanta and Royal
Bardia National Parks in Nepal, Dudhwa is an example of the often marshy,
undulating alluvial lands between the Bhabar and the Gangetic Plain, an area that has
been largely converted to agricultural use elsewhere in the sub-continent west of
Assam. Area of wetland is unknown, however the National Park is 49,029 ha.
Abiotic factors: Tropical monsoon climate typical of the northern Indo-Gangetic
plain, with an average annual rainfall of about 1,000 mm. The monsoon rains occur
from June to October.
Macrophytes: The phanta grasslands are composed of
S. Species Name
No
1 Apluda nuitica
2 Bendosorghum sp.
3 Cymbopogon flexuosus
4 Demostachya bipinata
5 Dichanthium annulatum
6 D. glabrum
7 Echinochloa spp.
S.
No
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
Species Name
Hygroryza aristata
Narenga porphyrocoma
Panicum paludosum
Saccharum benghalensis
S. spontaneum
Themeda arundinacea
Vetiveria zizanoides
The riparian forest is principally composed of Acacia catechu, Dalbergia sissoo,
Trewia nudiflora, Mallotus philippensis, occasional Syzygium cuminii and
Barringtonia acutangula. The small lakes (tals) are eutrophic, with extensive
submerged and emergent vegetation; stands of Phragmites sp. and Typha sp. fringe
the lakes and Nymphaea spp. are abundant on the surface of the water.
Special floral values: Some exceptionally fine stands of sal Shorea robusta growing
in Dudhwa are often considered to be the best examples of this forest type in the
Indian sub-continent.
Fishes: Fishes include the Rohu.
Birds: The wetlands support important wintering populations of waterfowl including
Ciconia episcopus, Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus, Threskiornis melanocephalus,
Sarkidiornis melanotos and Grus antigone. A waterfowl census at Banki Tal in
January 1987 recorded: 700 Anser anser; 1,500 Dendrocygna javanica; 200 Netta
rufina; 200 Sarkidiornis melanotos; 500 Porphyrio porphyrio; 300 Pulica aira; 60
Hydrophasianus chirurgus together with smaller numbers of many other species.
Ciconia episcopus and Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus are both thought to breed in the
Park. Aythya baeri is an occasional winter visitor; four birds were present at Kukra
Tal in 1982. Other noteworthy wetland species recorded in recent years include
Pandion haliaetus, Ichthyophaga ichthyaetus, Aquila clanga, Circus melanoleucos,
Francolinus gularis, Saxicola leucura and Turdoides earlei. Phylloscopus fulgiventer
is a common winter visitor to the tals. The endangered Bengal Florican Houbaropsis
bengalensis is resident in the phanta grassland.
Mammals: The Sanctuary supports an internationally significant population of the
nominate race of the Swamp Deer Cervus duvaucelli, and there is a large population
of the Common Otter Lutra lutra. Healthy populations of Panthera tigris, Cervus
unicolor, Axis axis and Felis viverrina occur peripherally to the wetland areas, and
there is a small population of Asian Elephants Elephas maximus in the park (not more
than 20 individuals in 1987). The endangered Hispid Hare Caprolagus hispidus may
occur in the grassland areas.
Land use: A managed nature reserve.
Conservation measures taken: A first working plan was developed in 1886.
Sonaripur Sanctuary was established in 1958, and then in 1963, the sanctuary was
extended to its present size of about 61,000 ha and declared the Dudhwa Sanctuary. In
February 1977, the Government of Uttar Pradesh notified an area of 49,029 ha as
Dudhwa National Park under the Wildlife Protection Act (1972).
Conservation measures proposed: An area of 9,000 ha has been selected for the reintroduction of the rhinoceros Rhinoceros unicornis. It is predicted that this area could
eventually accommodate 100 individuals. A buffer zone around much of the Park
should absorb the majority of grazing incursions, but radical proposals are required to
reduce conflicts along the southern boundary.
Disturbances and threats: The major problems are poaching, illegal burning, grazing
by domestic livestock and a railway line which runs through the Park. The Dudhwa
forests are threatened by rising anti-tiger sentiments stirred by local politicians keen to
exploit the potential gains should the Park be reduced in area. Serious encroachment
has taken place in the past two decades resulting in increased confrontations between
tigers and people. Several people have been killed, and at least 15 tigers were illegally
shot or poisoned between December 1986 and December 1987. In order to reduce
conflicts, the buffer zone may be increased, but public sentiment peripheral to the
Park might prevent or even reverse any attempts to expand the area of the Park .
Socio-economic values: Potentially an important site for tourism. Re-introduction of
the Indian One-horned Rhinoceros Rhinoceros unicornis has stimulated an interest in
the Sanctuary, and the number of visitors is likely to increase. The site is almost
contiguous with Royal Sukla Phanta Wildlife Reserve in Nepal.
Research and facilities: Rhinoceros research is being funded by the Department of
the Environment. A PhD student from Lucknow is studying the ecology of Cervus
duvaucelli.
WETLANDS IN KATERNIAGHAT PASHU VIHAR SANCTUARY
The Sanctuary is situated on 28° 07’–28° 20’ N, 81° 03’–8l° 20’ E, near the Nepalese
border, 150 km north of Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. Katerniaghat Pashu Vihar
Sanctuary includes a stretch of the Ghaghara (Girwa) River, below its confluence with
the Kauriala River near the Nepalese frontier. The Ghaghara is a fast-flowing terai
river with seasonal sand banks, gravel bars and stoney islands. The Sanctuary also
includes several oxbow lakes (jheels), low-lying terai swamp lands along old
watercourses and in hollows, and areas of seasonally flooded grassland. The area of
the wetlands is unknown, however the Sanctuary is 40,000 ha.
1,000 mm.
Macrophytes: No information is available on the wetland vegetation. The Ghaghara
River flows through an area of moist deciduous Bhabar forest, Terminalia forest,
eastern seasonal swamp forest and low alluvial savanna woodland. The dominant tree
species are Shorea robusta, Terminalia tomentosa, Adina cordifolia, Diospyros
tomentosa, Cassia fistula, Dalbergia sissoo and Bombax malabaricum.
Fishes: Fishes include Barbus tor, Rohu, Bam and Bhakur.
Reptiles: An important refuge for Gharials Gavialis gangeticus, which are restricted
to a five km stretch of the river near the Nepalese border. In 1975, there were two
males, seven females, two near-adults, four sub-adults, 11 juveniles and two young,
i.e. 28 individuals, in the Sanctuary. This population increased in 1976 as animals
moved out of the Nepalese section of the river as a result of disturbance there. A large
number of captive-reared individuals (about eighteen months old and approximately
1.2 m in length) have subsequently been released in the Sanctuary (129 by January
1987). The Marsh Crocodile or Mugger Crocodylus palustris also occurs in the
Sanctuary.
Birds: No information is available on the waterfowl.
Mammals: Large mammals known to occur in the Sanctuary include Panthera tigris,
P. pardus, Melursus ursinus, Cervus unicolor, C. porcinus, Axis axis, Boselaphus
tragocamelus, Muntiacus muntjak, Sus scrofa and Hyaena hyaena.
Land use: The Sanctuary is a managed nature reserve.
Conservation measures taken: The Sanctuary was established in May 1976 under
the FAO/UNDP Crocodile Project, primarily to conserve a population of the
endangered Gharial Gavialis gangeticus. A captive-rearing project was established,
and by January 1987, some 129 Gharials had been released in the Sanctuary. The
Ghaghara River section of the Sanctuary is maintained as a core area where
disturbance is kept to an absolute minimum.
Disturbances and threats: Grazing by domestic livestock, poaching and illegal
burning are causing problems in the Sanctuary.
Socio-economic values: Nature-oriented tourism and scientific research.
Research and facilities: A Gharial breeding centre has been established and this
includes a research laboratory. A PhD student sponsored by the State Forest
Department is working on the ecology and management of the crocodilians.
NAINITAL LAKE
It is a crescent shaped natural water body of central Himalaya, Uttaranchal. Nainital
lake (Lat. 29° 24’ N and Long. 79° 28’ E) is one of the most picturesque lakes in the
Kumaum Himalaya of Uttar Pradesh. The length of the lake is 1432 m and breadth is
42 m. The maximum depth is 27.3 m. and total area of the wetland is about 48.2 m2.
The lake is surrounded on the north west side by the high and steep Naina peak, on
the south west side by Tiffin Top, and on the north by peaks such as snow view.
These hill tops are covered by coniferous forest trees. The lake receives water
carrying the household refuge, garbage, silt and unmeasured amount of sewage
through 24 open drains, out of which 2 are perennial and the rest 22 become active
only during rainy season.
and minimum of 0.5°C. The water is alkaline in nature (8.4–9.3).
Fauna: No information.
Land use: Drinking, Fishing and boating.
Socio-economic values: The lake is multipurpose in character, far aside from its use
as source of drinking water and fishing, boating, etc., it has a great bearing upon the
economy of the region as a major tourist attraction.
Pollution status: Nainital lake water is much more polluted by
(a) human
settlement on catchment leading to the construction of house, buildings and roads and
addition of domestic sewage, (b) tourism leading to boating, rowing and other
recreational activities and (c) removal of natural vegetation from shore line area
which facilities addition of eroded materials.
Reference: Rai and Rathore (1993).
SUNDARBANS MANGROVE
Sundarbans mangrove (Lat. 21° 32’–22° 40’ N and Long. 88° 85’–
89° 00’ E)
covering the major portions of the north and south 24 parganas districts. The region is
bounded by Bangladsh in the east, the Hugli river in the west, Dampier and Hodges
line in the north and the Bay of Bengal in the south. With a considerable degree of
marine characteristics in major portion of the ecosystem, the important morphotypes
of deltaic Sundarbans are beaches, mudflats, coastal dunes, sand-flats, estuaries,
creeks, inlets and mangrove swamps. The mangrove forests of the Indian Sundarbans
have been variously estimated to cover 4,18,888 hectares, 2,00,000 – 3,00,000
hectares and 4,26,300 hectares. It has further been estimated that approximately
1,78,100 hectares are water areas. The discrepancy in the figures for forest cover
possibly arises from the fact that some denote areas designated as forest land which
includes both the water bodies and degraded forest, while others represent an
assessment of the area covered with vegetations only.
SUNDARBANS MANGROVE
Abiotic factors: Tropical monsoon climate with an annual rainfall of 1500–2500
mm. January is the coolest month with a mean temperature of 20°C and minimum
temperature of 10°C. There is a pronounced dry season from December to April.
S. Species Name
No
Bacillaria paradoxa
Bacteriastrum comosum
B. hyalinum
B. hyalinum var. princeps
B. varians
Biddulphia sinensis
Ceratium extensum
C. extensum f. strictum
C. furca
C. horridum
C. trichoceros
C. trichoceros var. contrarium
C. tripos
S.
No
Species Name
Chaetoceros curvisetus
C. eibenii
C. lorenzianus
C. peruvianus
Coscinodiscus asteromphalus
C. concinnus
C. eccentricus
C. jonesianus
C. oculus-iridis
C. perforatus var. pavillardi
Diatoma vulgare var. lineare
Ditylum brightwellii
D. sol
Eucampia sp.
Hemidiscus cuneiformis
Lauderia annulata
Merismopedia glauca
Nitzschia seriata
Oscillatoria limosa
Peridinium depressum
Planktoniella sol
Pleurosigma elongatum
P. normanii
Protoperidinium depressum
Rhizosolenia alata
R. robusta
R. setigera
R. stolterfothii
Skeletonema costatum
Thalassionema nitzschioides
Thalassiothrix frauenfeldii
Triceratium favus
Trichodesmium thiebautii
C. indicus
Bluegreen algae: A total of 67 species were recorded. These are follows;
S. Species Name
No
Anabaena iyengarii
Aphanocapsa thermalis
Arthrospira gomontiana
Aulosira aenigmatica
Calothrix contarenii
Chamaesiphon curvatus
Crinalium magnum
Dermocarpa hemisphaerica
Gloeocapsa calcarea
Gloeotrichia raciborskii
Gloethece samoensis var. major
S.
No
Species Name
A. fertilissima
A. oryzae
A. roeseana
C. castellii
G. membranacea
G. montana
G. pleurocapsoides
G. raciborskii var. kashiense
H. meneghinianum
L. ceylanica
L. martensiana
Hydrocoleum lyngbyaceum
Lyngbya hieronymusii
Merismopedia tenuissima
Microchaete tenera
Microcoleus chthonoplastes
Microcystis litoralis
Myxosarcina spectabilis
Nostoc punctiforme
Oscillatoria formosa
Phormidium fragile
Polychlamydum isigne
Raphidiopsis indica
Schizothrix penicillata
Spirulina princes
Stichosiphon sansibaricus
Stigonema hormoides
Trichodesmium thiebautii
Xenococcus chaetomorphae
Spirulina major
Anabaena anomala
Anabaena gelatinicola
Aphanocapsa pulchra
Gloeocapsa kuetzingiana
Gloeocapsa rupestris
Lyngbya lutea
Lyngbya majuscula
Lyngbya semiplena
Lyngbya confervoides
Oscillatoria limosa
Microcystis bengalensis
Nostoc linckia
Oscillatoria curviceps
Oscillatoria subbrevis
Oscillatoria princes
Phormidium stagnina
Schizothrix lamyi
Xenococcus cladophorae
L. rubida
M. pulverea var. incerta
N. piscinale
O. chalybea
O. jasorvensis
O. margaritifera
P. retzii
Mangroves: A total of 58 species were recorded. These are follows;
S.
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Species Name
Acanthus ilicifolius
A. volubilis
Acrostichum aureum
Aegialitis rotundifolia
Aglaia cucullata
Atalantia correa
Avicennia alba
S.
No
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
Species Name
Dodonaea viscose
Exoecaria agallocha
Heliotrophium curassavicum
Heritiera fomes
Kandelia candel
Lumnitzera racemosa
Myriostachya wightiana
Nypa fruticans
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
A. marina
A. officinalis
Brownlowia lanceolata
Bruguiera cylindrical
B. gymnorhiza
B. parviflora
B. sexangula
Caesalpinia bonduc
C. crista
Cerbera odollam
Ceriops decandra
C. tagal
Clerodendrum inerme
C. neriifolium
Crinum defixum
Cryptocoryne ciliate
Cynometra ramiflora
Dalbergia spinosa
Derris indica
D. scandens
D. trifoliata
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
Pandanus tectorius
Pentatropis capensis
Phoenix paludosa
Porteresia coarctata
R. mucronata
Ruppia maritima
Salicornia brachiata
Sarcolobus carinatus
S. globosus
Scyphiphora hydrophyllacea
Sesuvium portulacastrum
Sonneratia apetala
S. caseolaris
S. griffithii
Suaeda maritima
S. nudiflora
Tamarix dioica
T. gallica
Xylocarpus granatum
X. mekongensis
Rare, Threatened and Endangered mangrove forest of the Indian Sundarbans:
Species
Acanthus volubilis
Aglaia cucullata
Atalantia correa
Brownlowia lanceolata
Bruguiera parviflora
Ceriops decandra
Cynometra ramiflora
Dalbergia spinosa
Heritiera fomes
Hydrophyllax maritima
Kandelia candel
Manikara hexandra
Nypa fruticans
Scyphiphora hydrphyllacea
Xylocarpus granatum
X. mekongensis
Status in Sundarbans
Very Rare
Rare
Very Rare
Occasional
Occasional
Occasional
Rare
Rare
Threatened
Very Rare
Occasional
Rare
Occasional
Occasional
Very Rare
Threatened
Threatened
Algae: A total of 39 species of algae are recorded. These are follows;
S. Species Name
No
Chlorophyta
1 Boodleopsis sundarbanensis
2 Chaetomorpha aerea
S.
No
Species Name
21
22
Pediastrum boryanum
P. duplex
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
1
1
2
3
C. brachygona
C. gracilis
Chara zeylanica
Chlorella vulgaris
Cladophora echinus
Cladophorella
sundarbanensis
Closterium acutum
Cosmarium depressum
C. striolatum
Enteromorpha clathrata
E. compressa
E. intestinalis
E. prolifera
Lola capillaries
L. implexa
L. tortuosa
Oedogonium undulatum
Pandorina morum
Chrysophyta
Achnanthes microcephala
A. minutissima
Amphora veneta
Anomoeoneis exilis
Asterionella japonica
Bacteriastrum cosmosum
B. delicatulum
B. varians
Biddulphia mobiliensis
B. sinensis
Chaetoceros curvisetus
C. flexuosus
C. laciniosus
C. subsecundus
C. tenuissimus
Climacodium
frauenfeldianum
Cocconeis placentula
Corethron hystrix
Coscinodiscus excentricus
C. gigas
C. granii
Cyclotella glomerata
Phaeophyta
Colpomenia sinuosa
Cyanophyta
Anabaena anomala
A. doliolum
A. gelatinicola
23
24
25
26
27
28
P. tetras
Radiococcus sp.
Rhizoclonium grande
R. hookeri
R. riparium
Scenedesmus bijuga
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
S. quadricauda
Spirogyra dubia
S. setiformis
S. ternate
Triplastrum abbreviatum
T. simplex
Ulva fasciata
U. lactuca
U. patengensis
Uronema confervicola
Volvox sp.
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
Cymbella ehrenbergii
Diatoma vulgare
Fragilaria vaucheriae
Gomphonema
sphaerophorun
Gyrosigma acuminatum
Hemidiscus cuneiformis
Melosira moniliformis
M. sol
Navicula cryptocephala
N. radiosa
Nitzschia acicularis
N. obtusa
N. sublinearis
Pinnularia viridis
Pleurosigma angulatum
Rhizosolenia imbricata
39
40
41
42
43
44
R. setigera
Stauroneis phoenicenteron
Stephanopyxis palmeriana
Synedra ulna
Vaucheria prescotti
Vaucheria sp.
2
Dictyota ceylanica
25
26
27
L. majuscule
L. semiplena
Mastigocoleus testarum
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
A. iyengarii
Anabaenopsis arnoldii
Aphanocapsa littoralis
A. pulchra
A. stagnina
Arthrospira platensis
Calothrix contarenii
Chamaesiphon curvatus
Dermocarpa hemisphaerica
D. leibleiniae
Gleocapsa aeruginosa
G. decorticans
G. kuetzingiana
G. punctata
G. rupestris
Hydrocoleum lyngbyaceum
Lyngbya birgei
L. confervoides
L. hieronymusii
L. lutea
Rhodophyta
Bostrychia tenella
Caloglossa adnata
C. leprieurii
Catenella impudica
C. nipae
C. repens
Compsopogon coeruleus
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
Microcoleus chthonoplastes
Microcystis bengalensis
Nostoc linckia
O. curviceps
O. limosa
O. nigroviridis
O. princeps
O. subbrevis
O. tenuis
Phormidium fragile
P. stagnina
Raphidiopsis curvata
R. indica
Schitzothrix lamyii
Scytonema hofmanni
Spirulina major
S. princes
Stichosiphon sansibaricus
Xenococcus chaetomorphae
X. cladophorae
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
Gelidiella acerosa
Gelidium pusillum
Herposiphonia dendroidea
Heterosiphonia sp.
Plerosiphonia pinnata
Polysiphonia denudata
P. mollis
Amphibian:
Rana cyanophlyctis, Rana tigarina, Rana limnocharis, Rana
hexadactyla, Microhyla ornata, Bufo malanostictus, Rhacophorus maculatus.
Lichen species
S.
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
Species Name
Arthonia antillarum
Arthopyrenia alboatra
A. cinefaciens
Bacidia convexula
B. medialis
Bombyliospora leprolyta
Buellia agrediens
Caloplaca aurantica
Chiodecton micrographum
Collema pulcellum
Dirinaria confluens
Graphina obtecta
Graphis scripta
Lecanactis salicina
S.
No
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
Species Name
Lecidea caliginosa
Opegrapha laeta
O. martii
O. stironi
Phaeographina grisea
Phaeographis leprosulans
Physcia aegialite
Pyrenula aspistea
P. nitida
P. nitidella
Pyxine cocoes
Ramalina calicaris
Rinodina intrusa
Sarcographa labyrinthica
15
16
31
32
Trypethelium luteum
T. tropicum
S. Species Name
No
Chondrichthyes
1 Aetobatus narinari
2 Carcharhinus limbatus
3 Chiloscyllium griseum
4 Dasyatis bleekeri
5 D. marginata
6 D. sephen
7 D. uranak
Osteichthyes
1 Acrichthys aor
2 Ambassis baculis
3 A. commersoni
4 A. nama
5 A. ranga
6 Amphipnous cuchia
7 Anguilla bengalensis
8 Anodonstoma chaeunda
9 Apocryptes bato
10 Arius arius
11 A. gagora
12 A. jella
S.
No
Species Name
8
9
10
11
12
13
D. zugei
Eusphyra blochii
Glyphis gangeticus
Pristis microdon
Rhinobatos anandalei
Stegostoma fasciatus
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
A. sagor
A. sona
A. sona
Awaonichthys menoni
Bathygobins orbicularis
Batrachocephalus mino
Batrichthys grunnieus
Boarius boarius
Boleophthalmus boddarti
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
22
Brachygobius nunus
85
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
Caranx carangus
Chanos chanos
Chysocentrus dorab
Coilia dussumierii
C. neglecta
C. ramearati
C. reynaldi
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
L. johni
Megalaspis cordyla
Megalops cyprinoides
Mugil cephalus
M. oligolepis
Mystus cavasius
M. gulio
M. vittatus
Nandus nundus
Nematolosa nasus
Nibea soldado
Odontamblyopus
rubicundus
Oesteogeniosus militaris
Oryzias melastigma
Otolithoides biauritus
Pama pama
Pampus argenteus
P. chinensis
Pangasius pangasius
Pelona ditchela
Periophthalmodon
schloserrri
Periophthalmus
chrysospiles
P. koelreuteri
P. malaccensis
P. vulgaris
P. weberi
Platicephalus indicus
Plotosus canius
Polydactylus indicus
Lecania pertenera
Lecanora distans
Fishes
Fin-fish species
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
Colea bleekeri
Corcia sabomia
C. saborna
Cynoglossus cynoglossus
C. lingua
Daysciaena albida
Drepane panculatus
Eleutheronema tetradactylum
Elops saurus
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
39
40
41
42
43
Etroplus suratensis
Eupleurogrammus muticus
Gazza minuta
Gerras oyena
Gerreomorpha setifer
102
103
104
105
106
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
Glossogobius giuris
Gobiopterus chuno
Gudusia chapra
Harpodon nehereus
H. tumbil
Ilisha elongata
Johnius belangerri
J. coitor
Kurtus indicus
Lates calcarifer
Leiognathus blochi
L. equulus
L. fasciatus
Lepturacanthus gangeticus
L. pantuli
L. savala
Liza macrolepis
L. parsia
L. tade
Lutjanus argentimaculatus
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
Polynemus paradiseus
Pseudapocrytes lanceolatus
Psiodonopsis boro
Raconda russeliana
Rhinomugil corsula
Rita rita
Scartelaos histophorus
Scatophagus argus
Scomberomorus
commersoni
Setipinnia phasa
S. taty
Silago sihama
Sillaginopsis panijus
Stigamatogobius
sadanundio
Stolephorus indicus
Streinateus sinensis
Strongylura leiura
S. strongylura
Tenualosa ilisha
T. toil
Terapon jarbua
Thryssa hamiltonii
T. purava
Thycenophrya indicus
Triacanthus brevirostris
Trichiurus lepturus
Trissocles hamiltonii
T. purava
Tryoauchen vagina
Valamugil cunnesius
V. speigleri
Xenentodon cancila
Zenarchopterus dispar
Shell fish:
S. Species Name
No
Crustacea
1 Acetes erythraeus
2 A. indicus
3 Carydina gracilipes
4 Macrobrachium malcomsonii
5 M. ruda
6 M. scrobiculum
7 M. rosenburgi
8 M. lamarrei
S.
No
Species Name
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
M. brevicornis
M. dobsonii
M. monoceros
Palaemon styliferus
P. tenuipes
Parapenaeopsis sculptilis
P. stylifera
Penaeus indicus
9
10
11
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
Reptiles
S.
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
M. mirabilis
M. javanicum
Metapenaeus affinis
Decapod
Calappa lophos
Charybdis marguiensis
C. orientalis
C. ornate
C. rostata
Doclea canalifera
D. japonica
Dorippa facchino
Dotillopsis brevitarsis
Dottila blanfordi
Ethusa indica
Hymenicus inachoides
H. masoni
Illyoplas gangeticus
Leucosia craniolaris
Macropthalmus pectinipes
Matuta victor
M. lunaris
M. plauipes
Metaplax crenulata
M. dentipes
M. distincta
M. intermedia
Metapograpsus maculatus
20
21
P. semisulcatus
P. monodon
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
M. messor
Ocypoda macrocera
Paratelphusa hydrodromus
P. jacquemontii
P. spinigera
Philyra globulosa
Portunus pelagicus
P. sanguinolentus
Scopimera globosa
Scylla serata
Sesarma bidens
S. edwadrsi
S. impressa
S. longipes
S. quadrata
S. smithii
S. taeniolatum
S. tetragona
Uca acutus
U. dussumieri
U. lactea annulipes
U. triangularis
Varuna litterata
Species Name
S.
No
8
9
10
11
12
13
Species Name
S.
No
Species Name
Batagur baska
Chitra indica
Eretmochetys imbricate
Geoclemys hamiltoni
Geomyda tricarinata
Kachuga kachuga
K. tecta
Lepidochelys olivacea
Lissemys punctata
Morenia ocellata
Pelochelys bibroni
Trionyx gangeticus
T. hurum
Mammals
S. Species Name
No
Cetacea
1 Neophocaena phocaenoides
2 Orcella brevirostris
3 Platinista gangetica
Carnivora
1 Canis aureus
2 Felis bengalensis
3 F. chaus
4
5
Sotalia plumbea
Stanella malayana
6
7
8
H. edwardsir
Panthera tigris tigris
Paraodoxurus
4
5
1
1
1
2
3
4
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
1
F. viverrina
Herpestes auropunctatus
Mustelidae
Lutra lutra
Insectivore
Suncus murinus
Rodentia
Bandicota bengalensis
B. indica
Cervus axis
Funambulus pennanti
Chiroptera
Cynopterus sphinx
Hipposideros bicolor
H. lankadiva
Megadarma spasma
M. lyra
Pipistrellus mimus
Primate
Macaca mulatta
Pholidota
Manis pentadactyla
9
10
hermaphroditus
Vivericula indica
Vulpes bengalensis
2
Lutra perpicillata
5
6
7
8
Hystrix indica
Mus musculus
Rattus rattus
Sus scrofa
9
10
11
12
13
Pteropus gqiganteus
Rhinolophus lepidus
Rhinopoma hardwickii
Scotophilus kuhli
Taphozous longimanus
Extinct, endangered and threatened fauna of Sundarbans mangals
Species
Ardea goliath
Batagur baska
Bos gaurus
Bubalus bubalis
Cervus porcinus
C. unicolor
C. duvaucelli
Crocodylus porosus
Felis bengalensis
F. viverrina
Kachuga tecta
Lepidochelys olivacea
Leptotilos dubius
Lissemys punctata
Manis pentadactyla
Muntjanus muntjack
Neophocaena phocaenoides
Orcaella brevirostris
Panthera tigris tigris
Pelecanus phillippensis
Platinista gangetica
Python morulus
Rhinoceros sondaicus
R. unicornis
Status in Sundarbans
Threatened
Threatened
Extinct
Extinct
Extinct
Extinct
Extinct
Threatened
Threatened
Threatened
Threatened
Threatened
Threatened
Threatened
Threatened
Endangered
Threatened
Threatened
Threatened
Threatened
Threatened
Threatened
Extinct
Extinct
Trionyx gangeticus
Varanus bengalensis
V. flavescens
V. salvator
Threatened
Threatened
Threatened
Threatened
Land use: Forest exploitation and fishing for finfish, prawns, and crabs. The more
robust mangrove species have been selectively felled. There are several human
settlements within the mangrove forest, and villagers from outside enter the forest to
collect wood.
Conservation measures taken: Some 258,477 ha of the Indian Sunderbans,
including almost all of the mangrove forest, were declared a Tiger Reserve in 1973
under Project Tiger. The core area was declared a National Park in 1982. This region
adjoins the Sunderbans Wildlife Sanctuary of Bangladesh. Management to date has
included the provision of freshwater ponds for herbivores, and excavation of at least
eleven ponds, 3.5 m deep and monsoon fed, to accustom tigers to a permanent source
of fresh water. Various measures have been taken to minimize the number of people
attacked by tigers. These include electrification of dummy wood-cutters, removal of
settlements from the core area, and rationalization of wood-cutting. Men must work in
groups of six and obtain a license from the Forestry Department. The cutting of
Phoenix paludosa has been discouraged. Diversionary baiting with pigs and goats has
been partially successful in drawing tigers away from the more densely populated
areas. The Estuarine Crocodile Crocodylus porosus, now much reduced in numbers
through over-hunting, is the subject of re-introduction programme by the State Forest
Department; the first release, of 40 individuals, was made in May 1979.
Conservation measures proposed: All major surveys conducted during the last thirty
years have indicated the urgent need for additional land-based studies combined with
remote sensing techniques to determine more precisely the area of mangrove forest
remaining, and to assess the magnitude of human interference in the region.
Possible changes in land use: Approximately 50% of the Sunderbans mangrove
forests have been cleared by man during the last two or three centuries, and about
150,000 ha have been cleared since 1880. In addition, some 3,400 km of bunds have
been built to prevent the ingress of salt water. In the past, gradual polderization has
been considered to be the most satisfactory approach to the development of the
Sunderbans. However, in recent years various engineering concerns have proposed
major reclamation schemes involving closure dams across the main estuaries
interconnected by reinforced dikes and encircling the entire Western Sunderbans. The
preparation of a regional master plan for the large-scale development of the
Sunderbans has been considered.
Major problems in the Indian Sundarbans
Following major problems were identified during field studies in the Indian
Sundarbans, these are:
1. Large scale destruction of forest land, deforestation of mangroves for human
settlements and rapid growing needs.
2. Management problems: Protection vs. loss of Bio-diversity in the Sundarbans is
acute.
3. Self engagement of vast rural people in the large scale netting out of shrimp seeds
vs. exploitation and damage of other fish, prawn and crab species and damage of
river dykes and mangrove forest areas have created lot of problems and
degradation of aquatic fauna.
4. Large scale operation of fine mesh nylon nets and exploitation of estuarine fish
juveniles indiscriminately, create problems towards loss of aquatic species
diversity.
5. Siltation on the river bed is alarming, which also cause frequent flood and over
flow of the estuarine rivers and frequent saline water ingress in the human
settlement areas and on the agricultural fields.
6. Transport facilities is not developed, only the country boats are common means of
transport.
7. Uncontrolled population growth and very marginal socio-economic status of the
rural people of Sundarbans is the main cause for all these aforesaid problems.
8. Agriculture is not much developed in this areas due to lack of irrigation facilities,
though these zones are very much potential.
9. As such, pressure on the natural mangrove forest is enormous and protection of
forest resource is not manageable.
10. Last nut most common problem is that the Sundarbans is a frequent and severe
cyclone prone area.
In this context, mention may be made that these cyclones and the other natural
calamities are inevitable and the mangrove forests cannot altogether stop these natural
phenomenon, but can protect as buffer and minimize the devastating effects of these
natural calamities in this deltaic region.
As such, prior to undertaking any developmental activities in this coastal region, due
considerations should be taken for proper planning and strict conservation or
management practices for this important but threatened mangrove ecosystem.
Research and facilities: There has been a relatively large amount of research
conducted in the Sunderbans partly because of the valuable fish stocks, partly with a
view to reclaiming the land, and partly because of the problems created by
interactions between Tigers and men in the forest. Few facilities are, however,
available for tourists, and the only mode of access is by chartering a boat through the
Sunderbans Launch Association based in Calcutta.
Reference: Nandi et al. (1993); Abhijit Mitra and Bhattacharryya (2001);
Kumudranjan Naskar, et al. (2004).
EAST CALCUTTA WETLANDS
The wetlands to the east of Calcutta are well known over the world for their multiple
uses. The wetland situated on Lat. 22° 27’ N and Long. 88° 27’ E, 5 km from the
eastern edge of Calcutta, in the West Bengal. The resource recovery systems
developed by the local people through ages using wastewater from the city is the
largest in the world. In the process it treats the wastewater and has saved the city of
Calcutta from constructing and maintaining a wastewater treatment plant. It also is the
only metropolitan city in the world where the Government has introduced
development controls to conserve the water-bodies. These wetlands, however, are
under an intense encroachment stress of urban expansion. The total area of this
wetland is about 12500 ha.
Abiotic factors: The climate shows features of a tropical region, with ample sunshine
and vast water regime. There is a cold season (mid-November-end of February) with
average temperatures of 20.2–20.6°C and precipitations amounting 76 mm. The hot
season lasts from March to mid-June with average temperatures of 30.4–31.1°C. The
rainy season starts in mid-June and ends in mid-September/October. The frequent
rains are associated with thunderstorms and northwestern winds. The average
temperature remains relatively high. Rainfall consists of hailing from the southwest
monsoon and is associated with cyclonic disturbances from the Bay of Bengal. Total
rainfall during the monsoon varies between 1,200–1,300 mm.
Macrophytes: Floristic diversity of the wetland is mediocre particularly in the core
area while the diversity of plants is rather high in the surrounding mesotrophic
wetlands. Vegetation cover of the wetland areas is significantly low. Eichhornia
crassipes and rarely Alternanthera philoxeroides are the only acceptable flora of these
wetlands. In addition to significantly rich population of planktonic algae. Sagittaria
sagittifolia, Rumex dentatus, Panicum spp., Brachiaria mutica and Colocasia
esculenta are the dominant flora of the waste water canals. Cryptocoryne ciliata and
several species of sedges are predominant in waste water canals receiving tidal flush.
Eichhornia crassipes and
S. sagittifolia may be considered as the indicator
species of these wetlands.
In the core area where netting is done regularly, Eichhornia crassipes, Sagittaria
sagittifolia, Monochoria hastata, Alternanthera philoxeroides Polygonum barbatum,
Lemna aequinoctialis, Spirodela polyrhiza are among the dominating flora of the core
area in hydrophase, while Alternanthera paranichioides, Marsilea minuta are
common in limosal ecophase.
Amphibians: Among the amphibians Rana hexadactyla, Rana cyanophlyctis, Rana
tigenna and Rana limnocharis are significant.
Reptiles: Threatened reptiles like, Indian mud turtle Lissemys punctuta (locally
threatened) is also reported occasionally from the adjacent locality. Among the
reptiles significant species are Xenochorphis sp., Enhydrus enhydrus, Varamus
salvator and Cerberus rhynchops are significant.
Birds: Presently more than 40 bird species comprising of both local and migratory
types are reported to visit these clusture of wetlands. Among these grebe, coot, darter,
shag, cormorant, teals, egrets, jacanas, snipes tern, eagle, sand piper, gulls, rails
kingfishers, etc. are significant.
Mammals: About 20 mammals are reported from this region. Amongst the rare
mammals Marsh mongoose (Herpestes palustris), small Indian mongoose (Herpestes
auropunctatus), Palm civet (Paradocurus hermaphroditus) and Small Indian civet
(Viverricula indica) are significant in and around East Calcutta Wetland area.
Endangered species: The site supports the IUCN red-listed species of mammal
Herpestes palustris.
Land tenure: State-owned; surrounding lands belong to private owners.
Land use: The wetland is used for waste water fisheries and surrounding areas is
used for vegetable farming on garbage substrate and effluent irrigated paddy
cultivation.
Conservation measures taken: The conservation area boundary for the east Calcutta
wetlands and waste-recycling region was mapped in 1985 by the State Planning
Board, Government of West Bengal.
This wetland area is protected by order of the Calcutta High Court in 1992, which
prohibits change in land use. High Court directed the State government to take
recourse to statutory cover, if required, to prevent any private alienation of land.
Recently the Director of land and Land Records, Govt. of West Bengal has issued a
fresh order informing the prohibition of any conversion of land use within the
conservation area boundary and all such conversions, if any such has taken place
since 1992, as void. Filling up of water bodies in this area is not permissible under
West Bengal Town and Country (Planning and Development) Act, 1979 as well as
under the West Bengal Inland Fisheries Act, 1984 (with amendment in 1993).
Conservation measures suggested: The development of environment of the
government of West Bengal is well versed with the problems and potential of the east
Calcutta wetlands. According to the understanding of this department these wetlands
should be ‘basically conserved as an urban facility and demonstrated a rare example
of using wetland functions subsidizing the life of one of the biggest cities in the
world’. No other wetlands, the department has observed further ‘has any record of
such organised practice of successively using the waste water from one land use to the
other spread over 12500 hectares, comprising vegetable farms (150 tonnes per day),
fish ponds (11,000 tonnes per year) and paddy fields (15,000 tonnes of additional
paddy per year)’.
The most significant function performed by this wetland area, according to this
department, ‘is its capability to treat the entire city sewage of about 800 million litters
per day’.
While suggesting conservation measures for the east Calcutta wetlands, the
department observed that: ‘Form the standpoint of ecosystem stability as well as of
social and economic significance the central water area of about 4000 hectares
covering the fishponds deserves a priority attention. For the purpose of conservation,
therefore, out of this total patch of land the area of about 4000 hectares comprising
most of the bheris or water areas need most vigorous land use protection and is
described as the Core Area (Zone A). No other economic activities can be introduced
to disturb the core area. The area may however allow scientific study and work plans
to reduce the risk or enhance the economic viability of the existing practices’.
‘Accordingly the remainder of about 8000 hectares can be designated as Buffer Area
for the interest of conservation and rational accommodation of marginal changes in
the existing land use. This buffer Area can be further sub-divided into Inner Buffer
Area (Zone-B) and Outer Buffer Area (Zone-C) depending upon the extent of
waterbodies such designated area include. Permissible changes in land use will
depend upon the category of Buffer Area within which a proposed activity is
intended’.
Disturbance and threats: The main adverse factor threatening the site is the
significant change of waste water quality flowing out from the city. This has been on
account of a large number of industries which make unauthorized connection of their
waste water effluent without treatment to the recently laid storm sewers emptying into
the city outfall channels flowing eastwards. This has caused substantial amount of
heavy metal deposition in the canal sludge and rendered waste water incapable of
ensuring the edible quality of the fish and vegetables grown in the wetlands. The
surrounding areas are threatened by encroachment and urban expansion. Another
advesre factor is the disappearing of know-how heritage. Because of institutional
indifference, the traditional mix of cultural practices and wonders of ecological
wisdom provided by the local people is slowly dying.
Socio-economic values: The wetland provides food (150 t of fresh vegetables, per
day; 10,500 t of fish, per year), sanitation (1,000 million l of city sewage can be
treated, with at least 30 days retention time) and livelihood (to 50,000 persons,
directly). The core area consists of fish ponds (4,000 ha), where waste water is treated
and fishing activities take place. The garbage farm lands are used for cultivating
different types of seasonal vegetables. They are irrigated with water from the
intermittent ponds where the waste waters are settled for purification. The
downstream area is mostly paddy growing (in regular course), with occasional patches
of settlements. On the eastern boundary of the designated conservation area, there is
an upcoming tannery complex. Significant amount of scientific study has been carried
out on the site (e.g. State Planning Board, Department of Environment, Institute of
Wetland Management and Ecological Design, Calcutta University). Conservation
education occurs in the form of students and schoolchildren visiting the site. The site
is frequently visited by birdwatchers during the winter. The surrounding area is used
for vegetable farming on garbage substrate, effluent irrigated paddy cultivation, and
aquatic sports. Recreational centres are coming up along the edge of the city.
Scientific research and facilities: Significant amount of research and investigations
has been carried out on the east Calcutta wetlands area. 1980 which marks the
beginning of such initiatives triggered by a study conducted by the State Planning
Board to search for the feasibility of using the wastewater of Calcutta. This study led
to the identification of the world’s largest wetland area using wastewater to grow fish,
vegetables and paddy in successive resource recovery practices developed by the
wisdom of local people. Initial task of research was to decipher the oral tradition and
understand the local practice. This was difficult because it needed the researcher to
gain the faith and confidence of the advanced and knowledgeable farmers who are
most reluctant to pass on their know-how to anyone. This was followed by sufficient
amount of studies in water quality and bacterial contamination in fishes. In both these
set of studies nothing was found to be of any cause of concern. However, since the
beginning of 90’s the water quality started deteriorating because of unauthorized
introduction of untreated effluent from a number of small-scale industries. Extent and
cause of damage has been fairly studied since last few years and it should be possible
to take remedial action.
Lately extensive study was carried out to understand the existing management system
strictly using the Ramsar guidelines and a reliable primary data on this system is now
available.
Subsequently a detailed study instituated by the Department of
Environment, of the hydraulic regime covering about 60 km of drainage network
(most of which is constructed by the local people and is not in the record of the State
Irrigation Department) has also been completed. Most of these studies have been
taken up by the Institute of wetland management and ecological design, various
departments of Calcutta University and the Creative Research Group engaged by the
department of Environment of the Government of West Bengal. A list of major
studies carried out so far is included in the Bibliographical resource that follows.
Management authority: Calcutta Metropolitan Development Authority
Past and Present status
Site Industrial effluent: A significant change has taken place in the wastewater
quality flowing out from the city. This has been on account of a large number of
industries making unauthorised connection of their waste water effluent without
treatment to the recently laid storm sewers emptying into the city outfall channels
flowing eastwards. This has caused substantial amount of metal deposition in the
canal sludge and rendered the waste water incapable of ensuring the edible quality of
the fish and vegetables grown in East Calcutta Wetlands. Available results form the
ongoing studies indicate that the situation which is definitely worrisome, is still
manageable and other than Pb remaining depositions can still be reduced and
restrained well below permissible limits.
Surrounding area
Encroachment: The Department of Environment, Government of West Bengal
constituted a high power committee to submit a report on Calcuttas’ Canals and
Wetlands under the Chairmanship of
Mr. C.D. Seshashri, Retired Engineer
in Chief as ex-officio Secretary to the Government. It has marked the year 1956 as
the beginning to losing stability in these vast wetlands. There had been instances of
forcible attempts to take over the right of land by small farmers. Such actions were
long overdue. For more than fifty years owners of small parcels of land were
systematically and heinously forced to give up their property rights in favour of a few
large landowners who clubbed and converted the land into large fisheries. The
unfortunate fall-out of that was that after some years when conditions favoured the
landless farmers, they retaliated. Fisheries were drained and cultivation of paddy was
attempted. Fishery is the most efficient ecosystem for the local farmers who are
natural growers of fish rather than paddy, apart from the multiplied benefit that the
fishery provided. At present this realization is a growing trend amongst the village
people and forcible takeover has been largely on the wane. However and much more
aggressively, the wetlands are under intense stress of urban expansion. There is an
active ‘promoter-real-estate-developer’ lobby waiting to grab this vital open space.
Disappearing heritage:
The compiler of this form has been visiting the East
Calcutta Wetlands since 1980 without any break. Even during the earliest years of
going there and although the institutional indifference had already been pronounced
by that time, the entire area provided a rich mix of brilliant interventions and wonders
of ecological wisdom. A closer look would have always brought out a remarkable
assortment of recycling practices and facinating use of local appurtenances. Today,
after decades of sustained apathy for such basic matters like providing wastewater to
the fish ponds or allowing hopes of real estate conversion to thrive, it seems that the
aggregate effect of this uncertainty has flattened all the diverse crease of creativity
and innovation in the East Calcutta Wetlands. The heritage, which we have failed to
recognise, is now dying. The situation indeed is in need of a truly enabling
governance. A governance that will bring back the confidence of the local people on
their own wisdom and cultural practices that they have inherited from their
forefathers, who were by all means the world’s foremost connoisseurs of wastewater
wise use and conservation.
Reference: Basic Manual (1995); Biswas (1969); Biswas (1927); Dasgupta (1973);
David (1959); De et al. (1989); Ghosh Dhrubajyoti (1983); Ghosh Dhrubajyoti and
Christine Furedy (1984); Ghosh Dhrubajyoti (1985); Ghosh Dhrubajyoti and Susmita
Sen (1987); Ghosh Dhrubajyoti (1991); Ghosh Dhrubajyoti and Susmita Sen (1992);
Ghosh Dhrubajyoti (1993); Ghosh Dhrubajyoti (1994); Ghosh Dhrubajyoti (1996);
Ghosh and Santra (1996); Ghosh Dhrubajyoti (1997); Mazumdar (1965); Roy
Chowdhury (1984); Sen (1941); http://www.ramsar.org/ (Ramsar website).
BRACE BRIDGE WETLANDS
The wetlands located on Lat. 22° 31’–22° 33’ N and long. 88° 17’–
88° 18’ E, a
14 km linear stretch in the Garden Reach area in southwestern Calcutta, West Bengal.
An area of ponds interconnected by culverts to keep water in constant circulation. The
profile till 1984–85 included, (i) a lake with an island (ii) swampy bed, (iii)
transitional mudflat, and (iv) flatland which often becomes a low watery meadow
during the monsoons. Land filling for garbage disposal was initiated by the Port Trust,
deteriorating the water quality of the lake. The total area of this wetland is about
494.2 (formerly more than 1235.5 ha (1960’s)).
Abiotic factors: Humid, tropical monsoon climate, with most of the rainfall
occurring from May to September.
Macrophytes: About 53 families of plants have been recorded from this wetland.
Birds: The following bird species have been recorded from the Brace Bridge
Wetlands between January 90 and January 91: Podiceps ruficollis, Phalacrocorax
niger, Ardea cinerea, Ardeola grayii, Bubulcus ibis, Egretta garzetta, E.alba, Larus
brunnicephalus, L. ridibundus and Tringa glareola.
Land tenure: The wetland and the adjoining area belongs to the Calcutta Port Trust
(CPT). In the mid-50s, the CPT granted fishing rights on about 54 ha of these
wetlands and in 1961, the Mudialy Fishermen’s Co-operative Society was formed.
Conservation measures taken: The area under the Mudialy Fishermen’s Cooperative Society has been developed into sewage-fed fisheries. Afforestation
programmes have been carried out and a nature park has been developed.
Land use: Principal activity is fishing
Disturbances and threats: The Calcutta Port Trust has started distributing portions
of the wetland area back to the dock authorities. Industrial effluents and silt from the
River Bhagirathi enter the wetlands.
Socio-economic values: These wetlands support a major fishery and help in
improving water quality before release into the Hooghly. The total production of fish
in 1989-90 was 285 tonnes, with a gross profit of Rs. 29,45,992. The Society also
sells processed fish in polythene packs to selected retail stalls. The Wetlands have
proved efficient in treating industrial wastewaters (70% of influent flow) as well as
domestic wastewaters (30% of influent flow). Faecal coliform bacteria is reduced by
99.9%
Reference: Ghosh (1991); WWF India (1993).
WETLANDS OF HUGLI DISTRICT
Hugli district (Lat. 22° 39’–23° 01’ N and Long. 87° 30’–88° 30’ E) entirely fall
under the physiographic subdivision known as ‘mature delta’ in the lower Ganga
Plain. The vast plain of this district is endowed with fertile alluvial soils, 70 per cent
of which is used for cultivation of paddy and kharif crops. Hugli is hemmed in
between Hooghly (Bhagirathi) river on the east and Rupnarayan river on the southwest and interested by Damodar river. These rivers provide a network of waterways,
notably the Damodar group with two branches viz., the Kana Damodar or Kausiki and
the old Damodar; and the Bhagirathi group with its branch, the Saraswati. Numerous
tributaries of the main rivers and creeks, called khals, which run dry or very shallow
in summer months serve as the natural drainage system of the Damodar-Bhagirathi
interriverine floodplain and Darakeswar-Damodar inter riverine floodplain areas of
this district. The triangular portion west of the Darakeswar comprising of Goghat
Police Station having an area of 378 sq. km. is the only upland region located in the
Hugli district. The total area of this wetland is about 179.75 ha. The names of the
wetland and nearest village/town are given bellow;
1. Madrasipara jheel situated near Bandel town/village
2. Locopara jheel situated near Bandel town/village
3. Tribeni jheel situated near Tribeni town/village
4. Hatgachha dighi situated near Kalitala town/village
5. Khanyan jola situated near Khanyan town/village
6. Jugihedo pond situated near Pandua town/village
7. Kalipur jheel situated near Arambagh town/village
8. Muktarpur jola situated near Bali-Dewanganj town/village
9. Kaknan jheel situated near Badar town/village
10. Jagatpur beel situated near Garerghat town/village
11. Krishinanagar pond situated near Khanakul town/village
12. Radhanagar pond situated near Khanakul town/village
13. Baligori jheel situated near Tarakeswar town/village
14. Kamarkundu jheel situated near Kamarkundu town/village
15. Dunkuni jola situated near Dunkuni town/village
and minimum of 14°C. The pH value ranged from 6.5 to 8.5.
Macrophytes:
S. Species Name
No
Floating hydrophytes
Azolla
Eichhornis crassipes
Lemna
Suspended hydrophytes
Ceratophyllum
Anchored
submerged
hydrophytes
Hydrilla
Najas
Anchored
floating
hydrophytes
Nelumbo nucifera
Nymphaea spp.
Emergent
amphibious
hydrophytes
Aeschynomene spp.
Alternanthera sessilis
Aponogeton spp.
Colocasia esculenta
Reeds
Phragmites karka
Sedge
Cypreus spp.
Weeds
Centenella asiatica
Solitary unicellular algae
Diatoms
Euglena
Colony forming algae
Volvox
Filamentons algae
Oscillatoria
Branched coenocytic algae
Chara
S.
No
Species Name
Pistia
Wolffia
Utricularia
Ottelia
Nymphoides spp.
Trapa spp.
Enhydra fluctuans
Ipomea aquatica
Marsilea quadrifoliata
Typha spp.
Microcystis
Spirogyra
Nitella
S.
Species Name
S.
Species Name
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
Alona affinis
A. davidi
A. intermedia
A. karua
A. kwangsiensis
A. rectangular
A. verrucosa
Alonella excise
Asplancha sp.
Bosmina longirostris
Branchionus calcyflorus
B. falcatus
Branchionus sp.
Camptocercus australis
Centrocypris sp.
Ceriodaphnia cornuta
Chydorus barroisi
C. eurynotus
C. ventricosus
Cyclesthera hislopi
Cypris spp.
Daphnia lumholtzi
Diaphanosoma brachyurum
D. excism
Diaptomus spp.
No
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
Dunhevedia crassa
D. serrata
Euryalona orientalis
Filinia sp.
Ilyocryptus spinifer
Indialona globulosa
Keratella sp.
K. tropica
Kurzia longirostris
Latonopsis australis
Macrothrix spinosa
M. triserialis
Mesocyclops hyalinus
M. leucarti
Moina nicrura
M. weismanni
Oxyurella singalensis
Paradiaptomus sp.
Scapholeberis kingi
Simocephalus expinosus
S. latirostris
S. vetulus
Spicodiaptomus sp.
Stenocypris spp.
Thermocyclops sp.
Molluscan:
S. Species Name
No
1 Assiminea francesiae
2 Bellamya bengalensis
3 B. dissimilis
4 Digoniostoma ceremeopoma
5 Gabbia orcula
6 Gyraulus convexiusculus
7 G. labiatus
8 Indoplanorbis exustus
S.
No
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
Species Name
Lamellidens marginalis
Lymnaea acuminata
L. luteola
Pila globosa
Thiara granifera
T. scabra
T. tuberculata
Arachnids: Pardosa, Hippasa, Lycosa and Tetragnatha.
Annelids: Metaphire posthuma, Lampito mauriti, Perionyx excavatus, Glossiphonia
weberi, Helodela nociva and Hemiclepsis marginata.
Coleopteran:
S. Species Name
No
1 Amphiops spp.
2 Berosus sp.
3 Canthydrus spp.
4 Clypeodytes spp.
S.
No
9
10
11
12
Species Name
Hydrocoptus sp.
Hydrophilus sp.
Hydrovatus spp.
Laccobius sp.
5
6
7
8
Cybister spp.
Eretes sp.
Helochares spp.
Hydaticus sp.
13
14
15
16
Laccophilius spp.
Regimbertia spp.
Sternolophus spp.
Uvarus sp.
S.
No
8
9
10
11
12
13
Species Name
Hemipteran:
S. Species Name
No
1 Anisops spp.
2 Corixa spp.
3 Diplonychus spp.
4 Gerris spp.
5 Hydrometra spp.
6 Laccotrephes spp.
7 Lethocercus sp.
Limnogonus spp.
Micronecta spp.
Naboandelus sp.
Plea spp.
Ramatra spp.
Rhagadotarsus spp.
Crustaceans: Macrobrachium rosenbergii, M. lamarrei, M. dayanum, Caridina sp.,
Varuna litterata, Paratelphusa hydrodromus and Sartoriana spinigera.
Fishes: A total of 48 species were recorded. These are follows;
S.
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
Species Name
Anabas testudineus
Aplocheilus panchax
Apocryptes bato
Badis badis
Catla catla
Chanda nama
C. ranga
Channa marulius
C. orientalis
C. punctatus
C. striatus
Cirrhinus mrigala
Clarias batrachus
Colisa fasciatus
Cyprinus carpio
Esomus danricus
Glossogobius giuris
Hypophthalmichthys molitrix
Labeo bata
L. calbasu
L. rohita
S.
No
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
Species Name
M. pancalus
Monopterus cuchia
Mystus cavasius
M. tengra
M. vittatus
Nandus nandus
Oligolepis acutipinnis
Ompak pabda
Ophiocara porocephala
Oreochromis mossambica
O. nilotica
Puntius gelius
P. javanicus
P. sarana
P. sophore
P. ticto
Rasbora daniconius
Salmostoma bacaila
Wallago attu
Xenentodon cancila
Amphibians: Rana cyanophlyctis, R. tigerina, R. limnocharis,
hexadactyla, Microhyla ornate and Bufo melanostictus.
R.
Reptiles: Lissemys punctata, Varanus bengalensis, V. flavescens, Enhydris enhydris,
Xenochrophis piscator and Naja naja kaouthia.
S. Species Name
No
2 A. dumetorum
3 A. stentoreus
4 Alcedo atthis
5 Amaurornis phoenicurus
6 Anas acuta
7 A. clypeata
8 A. crecca
9 A. quequedula
10 A. strepera
11 Anastomus oscitans
12 Anhinga rufa
13 Ardea purpurea
14 Ardeola grayii
15 Aythya ferina
16 A. fuligula
17 A. nyroca
18 Bubulcus ibis
19 Ceryle rudis
20 Densrocygna javanica
21 Egretta alba
22 E. garzetta
23 Gallinago gallinago
24 G. stenura
25 Gallinula chloropus
26 Halcyon smyrnensis
27 Haliaeetus leucoryphus
S.
No
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
Species Name
Haliastur indus
I. flavicollis
I. sinensis
Metopidius indicus
Orthotomus sutorius
Pelargopsis capensis
Phalacrocorax niger
Phylloscopus collybita
P. fuscatus
P. inornatus
P. trochiloides
Pluvialis dominica
Podiceps ruficollis
Pycnonotus cafer
P. jocosus
Tadorna ferruginea
Tringa glareola
T. hypoleucos
T. ochropus
T. tetanus
Vanellus indicus
V. malabaricus
Mammals: Bandicota indica, Lutra sp., Lutra perspicillata and Felis viverrinai.
Threatened Animals:
Haliaeetus leucoryphus, Lissemys punctata, Varanus
bengalensis, V. flavescens, Xenochrophis piscator, Naja naja, Rana hexadactyla, R.
tigerina.
Land tenure: Some wetlands are State-owned.
Socio economic values: Hugli district are dominated by small and medium sized
wetlands. These wetlands, besides day to day domestic use, support fisheries and offer
a number of economic activities, namely, irrigation, jute-retting, brick-making,
grazing as well as growing or cultivation of edible and economic species of aquatic
plants. A few wetlands are also important in respect of waterfowl habitat. Each and
every village and even its small units (paras) have a number of freshwater fish ponds.
These fish ponds and floodplain wetlands are important source of sustenance for
thousands of rural fisherfolks. They represent socially, economically and
educationally backward communities of West Bengal. Majority of these active
fisherfolks are women who earn their daily bread using a scoop-net (Chhakni jal) or
hand net in these wetlands.
The entire Hugli district is a gift of waterways, notably the Damodar group, and the
Bhagirathi group. This district is prone to frequent floods at Arambagh subdivision. In
the floodplain areas of Khanakul, Arambagh and Goghat Blocks, human settlements
are seen on high and raised land which remains above water during the monsoon
floods. During this period, each settlement (para) exposes itself as an isolate island
amidst vast expanse of flood water.
However, Hugli district are important in respect to economic activities in and around
the wetlands. In the Hugli district, a commercially important species of wetland plant
locally known as paniphal (Trapa bispinosa) is widely grown these days in the
hundred of railway jheels along Haora-Tarakeswar rail-link. Fruits of Trapa ispinosa
and Trapa maximowiczii (pahiphal) are eaten as food. It is sold at Rs. 4/- to Rs. 10/per kg. in the Calcutta market. While in and around Kulgachi-Birshibpur.
Several wetland plants are used for a variety of purposes such as food, vegetables,
fodder, (Nelumbium sp.) is cultivated at Kantapukur (near Kulgachia, Haora) and sold
for ritualistic purposes. The seeds of shapla and saluk (Nymphaea sp.) are made into
puffed grain by frying them like popcorn. The puffed seeds are eaten as such by the
poor people or made into home-made confectionery. The stem and leaves of shapla,
saluk, susni sak (Marsilea quadrifolia); kalmi sak (Ipomoea aquatica), kachu sak
(Colocasia esculenta), etc., are used as vegetables. These vegetable plants are
collected by the poor womenfolk for domestic consumption or for selling in the local
market. These species are quite common in the derelict and semi-derelict wetlands of
this district. The spongy petioles of shapla, saluki and kachu are made into delicious
dishes even by the affluents as holiday-dish.
The grasses belonging to the family Cyperaceae and Gramine, etc. are often used as
fodder for the cattle in adition to mat-making. Two species of Cyperceae viz.,
Cyperus tegetum (Madurkathi) and Juncellus inundatus (Pati) grown in Balarampur
(near Bishibpur) and Garbhabanipur (near Amta) respectively are used for matmaking.
The plants, flowers and seeds of some Nymphaeaceae are used as tonic for fever,
piles, skin disease and dysentery. The Brahmi sak (Herpestes monicria, Family
Scrophulariaceae) and Kulekhara (Hygrophila spinosa, Family Acanthaeccae)
naturally grown along the water edge of these wetlands are well known for their
medicinal value. Some plants like Bera-kalmi (Ipomoea sp.), also grown along the
water margin, are sun-dried and used as fuel by the poors. Dhanchi plant Coronitha
(= Sesbania) cannabina is cultivated in floodplain wetlands of Hugli district for fire
wood and often for natural manuring by making compost fertilizer. Water hyacinth,
Azolla and other free floating species are also used as compose fertilizer or utilized
for the bio-gas plant. These free floating species especially water hyacinth act as
water purifers as they are known to treat sewage and polluted water. It is worthmentioning that Calcutta’s sewage has under gone natural purification in east Calcutta
wetlands through this aquatic plant.
The temporary wetlands and roadside ditches are extensively used as paddy seed bed
(Bijtala) for boro (winter rice) cultivation and mostly for jute retting in late monsoon
months. During this time the water of these temporary wetlands turn black with a foul
smell due to jute steeping and, with the progress of steeping process, these place
prove to be notorius breeding grounds for mosquitoes. The floodplain wetlands of
Khanakul, virtually, left fallow during monsoon since no cultivation could be possible
due to flood water run-off. While in dry winter season robi (dry season, October to
March) crops (potato, gourd, mustard, cucumber, etc.) are extensively grown with the
supply of water from Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC). The cultivation of boro
paddy follows the robi crops in these floodplain wetlands.
Reference: Nandi et al. (1999).
PURBASTHALI LAKE
Purbasthali is a freshwater lake, situated in Kasthashali village, near Chupi of district
Burdwan on bandel-Katwa route, West Bengal. The lake, which came into existence
in the distant past by getting disjuncted form the main stream of river BhagirathiHugli. Today it has lost much of the depth that it had in past. At present with a
semilunar shape contour, it flows steadily north to south to connect the main stream
on both the extremes exposing unyielding bed of weed and marsh vegetation in
places. The total area of this wetland is 1600 ha.
Macrophytes: The lake vegetation chiefly consists of Vallisneria natans, a floating
leaf-rooted angiosperm, this occurs in abundance and flourishes all through the lake at
varying depths. Common Water Hyacinth Eichhornia crassipes has choked
substantial portion at the northernmost side whereas species of freshwater
Cholorophycean algae is seen sparsely colonizing alongside the lake margins.
Birds: The lake hosts over 70 spp. of birds (including other water dependent birds)
during its peak migratory season and at least-18–20 of these are intercontinental
migrants. These are follows;
S. Species Name
No
1 Accipiter badius
2 Acridotheres fuscus
3 A. ginginiancus
4 Aegithina tiphia
5 Alcedo atthis
7 Anas acuta
8 A. clypeata
9 A. strepera
11 Anthus novaeseelandiae
12 Ardea cinerea
13 A. purpurea
14 Ardeola grayii
15 Aythya nyroca
16 Bubulcus ibis
17 Calidris minuta
18 Ceryle rudis
19 Charadrius dubius
20 Circus aeruginosus
S.
No
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
Species Name
Halcyon smyrnensis
H. leucoryphus
Hirundo rustica
Ichthyophaga ichthyaetus
Megalaima asiatica
Metopidius indicus
Milvus migrans
Motacilla alba
Nectarinia asiatica
N. zeylonica
Oriolus oriolus
Pandion haliaetus
Phalacrocorax fuscicollis
P. niger
Platalea leucorodia
Podiceps ruficollis
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
Copsychus saularis
Dendrocygna javanica
Dicrurus adsimillis
D. caerulescens
Egretta garzetta
E. intermedia
Elanus caeruleus
Falco subbuteo
F. tinnunculus
Fulica atra
Gallinago gallinago
Glareola lactea
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
Porphyrio porphyrio
Sterna aurantia
Sturnus contra
S. pagodarum
Tadorna ferruginea
Tringa glareola
T. hypoleucos
Turdoides earlei
Tyto alba
Upupa epops
Vanellus indica
Socio-economic values: It is protection of large number of migratory birds.
Reference: Ghosh (2004).
WETLANDS OF HAORA DISTRICT
Haora district (Lat. 22° 13’–22° 47’ N and Long. 87° 51’–88° 22’ E) entirely fall
under the physiographic subdivision known as ‘mature delta’ in the lower Ganga
Plain. The vast plain of this two district is endowed with fertile alluvial soils, 70 per
cent of which is used for cultivation of paddy and kharif crops. Haora district have a
total area of 1467 sq. km. Haora hemmed in between Hooghly (Bhagirathi) river on
the east and Rupnarayan river on the south-west and interested by Damodar river.
These rivers provide a network of waterways, notably the Damodar group with two
branches viz., the Kana Damodar or Kausiki and the old Damodar; and the Bhagirathi
group with its branch, the Saraswati. Numerous tributaries of the main rivers and
creeks, called khals, which run dry or very shallow in summer months serve as the
natural drainage system of the Damodar-Bhagirathi interriverine floodplain and
Darakeswar-Damodar inter riverine floodplain areas of this district. The total area of
the all wetlands are about 125.08 ha. The name of the wetlands and nearest village are
given bellow;
1. Santragachi jheel situated near Haora town/village
2. Paddapukur jola situated near Haora town/village
3. Kulai jheel situated near Ranihati town/village
4. Phuleswar jheel situated near Uluberia town/village
5. Natibpur jheel situated near Uluberia Birshibpur town/village
6. Birshibpur jheel situated near Birshibpur town/village
7. Malanchberia jola situated near Birshibpur town/village
8. Kashipur jola situated near Kashipur town/village
9. Bagnan jheel situated near Bagnan town/village
10. Goalpota pond situated near Garchumuk town/village
11. Sujan Saheber dighi situated near Bara Garchumuk town/village
12. Gadiara pond situated near Gadiara town/village
13. Amta pond situated near Amta town/village
14. Siva daha situated near Amta town/village
15. Dadkhali daha situated near Amta town/village
16. Jhikhira pond situated near Jhikhira town/village
17. Udaynarayanpur pond situated near Udaynarayanpur town/village
34°C and minimum of 10°C. The pH range from 6.3–8.5.
Macrophytes:
S. Species Name
No
Floating hydrophytes
Azolla
Eichhornis crassipes
Lemna
Suspended hydrophytes
Ceratophyllum
Anchored
submerged
hydrophytes
Hydrilla
Najas
Anchored
floating
hydrophytes
Nelumbo nucifera
Nymphaea spp.
Emergent
amphibious
hydrophytes
Aeschynomene spp.
Alternanthera sessilis
Aponogeton spp.
Colocasia esculenta
Reeds
Phragmites karka
Sedge
Cypreus spp.
Weeds
Centenella asiatica
Solitary unicellular algae
Diatoms
Euglena
Colony forming algae
Volvox
Filamentons algae
Oscillatoria
Branched coenocytic algae
S.
No
Species Name
Pistia
Wolffia
Utricularia
Ottelia
Nymphoides spp.
Trapa spp.
Enhydra fluctuans
Ipomea aquatica
Marsilea quadrifoliata
Typha spp.
Microcystis
Spirogyra
Chara
Nitella
S. Species Name
No
1 Alona affinis
2 A. castata
3 A. davidi
4 A. intermedia
5 A. karua
6 A. kwangsiensis
7 A. monacantha
8 A. pulchella
9 A. quadrangularis
10 A. verrucosa
11 Alonella excise
12 Asplancha sp.
13 Bosmina longirostris
14 Bosminopsis deitersi
15 Branchionus calcyflorus
16 B. falcatus
17 Branchionus sp.
18 Camptocercus australis
19 Ceriodaphnia cornuta
20 C. reticulata
21 Chydorus barroisi
22 C. eurynotus
23 C. faviformis
24 C. pubescens
25 C. ventricosus
26 Cyclesthera hislopi
27 Cypris spp.
28 Daphnia lumholtzi
29 D. similis
30 Diaphanosoma excism
31 D. sarsi
32 Diaptomus spp.
S.
No
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
Species Name
S.
No
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
Species Name
Dunhevedia crassa
D. serrata
Euryalona orientalis
Filinia sp.
Graptoleberis testudinaria
Grimaldina brazzai
Guernella raphalis
Ilyocryptus spinifer
Indialona globulosa
Keratella sp.
K. tropica
Kurzia latissima
K. longirostris
Latonopsis australis
Leydigia acanthocercoides
Macrothrix spinosa
M. triserialis
Mesocyclops hyalinus
M. leucarti
Moina nicrura
Oxyurella singalensis
Paradiaptomus sp.
Pleuroxus denticulatus
P. similis
Pseudosida bidentata
Scapholeberis kingi
Simocephalus expinosus
S. latirostris
S. vetulus
Spicodiaptomus sp.
Stenocypris spp.
Thermocyclops sp.
Molluscan:
S. Species Name
No
1 Bellamya bengalensis
2 B. dissimilis
3 Digoniostoma ceremeopoma
4 Gabbia orcula
5 Gyraulus convexiusculus
6 G. labiatus
7 Indoplanorbis exustus
8 Lamellidens marginalis
Lymnaea acuminata
L. luteola
Neritina violacea
Pila globosa
Thiara granifera
T. scabra
T. tuberculata
Arachnids: Pardosa, Hippasa, Lycosa and Tetragnatha.
Annelids: Metaphire posthuma, Lampito mauriti, Perionyx excavatus, Glossiphonia
weberi, Helodela nociva and Hemiclepsis marginata.
Coleopteran:
S. Species Name
No
1 Altica sp.
2 Amphiops spp.
3 Berosus sp.
4 Canthydrus spp.
5 Cassida sp.
6 Clypeodytes spp.
7 Cybister spp.
8 Eretes sp.
9 Helochares spp.
S.
No
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
Species Name
Hydaticus sp.
Hydrocoptus sp.
Hydrovatus spp.
Laccobius sp.
Laccophilius spp.
Lema sp.
Regimbertia spp.
Sternolophus spp.
Uvarus sp.
Hemipteran: Diplonychus spp., Lethocercus sp., Corixa spp., Micronecta spp.,
Gerris spp., Limnogonus spp., Hydrometra spp., Rhagadotarsus spp., Ramatra spp.,
Laccotrephes spp., Plea spp. and Anisops spp.
Crustaceans: Macrobrachium rosenbergii, M. lamarrei, M. dayanum, Caridina sp.,
Varuna litterata, Paratelphusa hydrodromus and Sartoriana spinigera.
Fishes: A total 46 species were recorded. These are follows;
S.
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
Species Name
Anabas testudineus
Aplocheilus panchax
Badis badis
Catla catla
Chanda nama
C. ranga
Channa marulius
C. orientalis
C. punctatus
C. striatus
Cirrhinus mrigala
Clarias batrachus
Colisa fasciatus
Cyprinus carpio
Esomus danricus
Glossogobius giuris
Hypophthalmichthys molitrix
Labeo bata
L. calbasu
S.
No
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
Species Name
M. pancalus
Monopterus cuchia
Mystus cavasius
M. tengra
M. vittatus
Nandus nandus
Oligolepis acutipinnis
Ompak pabda
Oreochromis mossambica
O. nilotica
Puntius gelius
P. javanicus
P. sarana
P. sophore
P. ticto
Rasbora daniconius
Salmostoma bacaila
Wallago attu
23
L. rohita
46
Xenentodon cancila
Amphibian: Rana cyanophlyctis, R. tigerina, R. limnocharis,
hexadactyla, Microhyla ornate and Bufo melanostictus.
R.
Reptiles: Lissemys punctata, Varanus bengalensis, V. flavescens, Enhydris enhydris,
Xenochrophis piscator and Naja naja kaouthia.
S. Species Name
No
2 A. dumetorum
3 A. stentoreus
4 Alcedo atthis
6 Anas acuta
7 A. clypeata
8 A. crecca
9 A. quequedula
10 A. strepera
12 Anhinga rufa
13 Ardea purpurea
14 Ardeola grayii
15 Aythya ferina
16 A. fuligula
17 A. nyroca
18 Bubulcus ibis
19 Ceryle rudis
20 Densrocygna javanica
21 Egretta alba
22 E. garzetta
23 Gallinago gallinago
24 G. stenura
25 Gallinula chloropus
26 Halcyon smyrnensis
27 Haliaeetus leucoryphus
S.
No
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
Species Name
Haliastur Indus
I. flavicollis
I. sinensis
Metopodius indicus
Orthotomus sutorius
Phalacrocorax niger
P. fuscatus
P. inornatus
P. trochiloides
Pluvialis dominica
Podiceps ruficollis
Pycnonotus cafer
P. jocosus
Tadorna ferruginea
Tringa glareola
T. hypoleucos
T. ochropus
T. tetanus
Vanellus indicus
V. malabaricus
Mammals: Bandicota indica, Lutra sp., L. perspicillata and Felis viverrina.
Threatened animals: Haliaeetus leucoryphus, Lissemys punctata, Varanus
bengalensis, V. flavescens, Xenochrophis piscator, Naja naja, Rana exadactyla, and
R. tigerina.
Land tenure: Some wetlands are State-owned.
Socio economic values: Haora district are dominated by small and medium sized
wetlands. These wetlands, besides day to day domestic use, support fisheries and offer
a number of economic activities, namely, irrigation, jute-retting, brick-making,
grazing as well as growing or cultivation of edible and economic species of aquatic
plants. A few wetlands are also important in respect of waterfowl habitat. Each and
every village and even its small units (paras) have a number of freshwater fish ponds.
These fish ponds and floodplain wetlands are important source of sustenance for
thousands of rural fisherfolks. They represent socially, economically and
educationally backward communities of West Bengal. Majority of these active
fisherfolks are women who earn their daily bread using a scoop-net (Chhakni jal) or
hand net in these wetlands.
However, Haora district are important in respect to economic activities in and around
the wetlands. Haora district Typha (Hogla) species are widely grown in the derelict
and semi-derelict wetlands. Typha elephantina is commercially exploited for making
mats and screens. More than 300 bundles of hogla leaves are produced per hectare of
wetlands and one bundle of dried leaves of this species costs Rs. 50–60/- in the local
hogla shop. A large number of roadside shops are engaged in this trade.
Several wetland plants are used for a variety of purposes such as food, vegetables,
fodder, (Nelumbium sp.) is cultivated at Kantapukur (near Kulgachia, Haora) and sold
for ritualistic purposes. The seeds of shapla and saluk (Nymphaea sp.) are made into
puffed grain by frying them like popcorn. The puffed seeds are eaten as such by the
poor people or made into home-made confectionery. The stem and leaves of shapla,
saluk, susni sak (Marsilea quadrifolia); kalmi sak (Ipomoea aquatica), kachu sak
(Colocasia esculenta), etc., are used as vegetables. These vegetable plants are
collected by the poor womenfolk for domestic consumption or for selling in the local
market. These species are quite common in the derelict and semi-derelict wetlands of
this two district. The spongy petioles of shapla, saluki and kachu are made into
delicious dishes even by the affluents as holiday-dish.
The grasses belonging to the family Cyperaceae and Gramine, etc. are often used as
fodder for the cattle in adition to mat-making. Two species of Cyperceae viz.,
Cyperus tegetum (Madurkathi) and Juncellus inundatus (Pati) grown in Balarampur
(near Bishibpur) and Garbhabanipur (near Amta) respectively are used for matmaking.
The plants, flowers and seeds of some Nymphaeaceae are used as tonic for fever,
piles, skin disease and dysentery. The Brahmi sak (Herpestes monicria, Family
Scrophulariaceae) and Kulekhara (Hygrophila spinosa, Family Acanthaeccae)
naturally grown along the water edge of these wetlands are well known for their
medicinal value. Some plants like Bera-kalmi (Ipomoea sp.), also grown along the
water margin, are sun-dried and used as fuel by the poors.
The temporary wetlands and roadside ditches are extensively used as paddy seed bed
(Bijtala) for boro (winter rice) cultivation and mostly for jute retting in late monsoon
months. During this time the water of these temporary wetlands turn black with a foul
smell due to jute steeping and, with the progress of steeping process, these place
prove to be notorius breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
Reference: Nandi et al. (1999); Nandi et al. (2001).
WETLANDS IN JALDAPARA WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
Jaldapara wildlife sanctuary is situeted (Lat. 26° 45’ N and Long.
89° 20’ E)
on the Bhutanese border, about six kilometres northeast of Hasimara, Jalpaiguri
district, West Bengal. The total area of this sanctuary is about 11,563. The wetland in
this sanctuary is a number of small, permanent, and seasonal pools with associated
marshes and areas of seasonally inundated grassland on the alluvial plains of the
Torsa river, a tributary of the Brahmaputra, rising in the mountains of western Bhutan.
Over 50% of the area is still forested, the remainder being grassland and meandering
water courses, most of which are seasonal. Perennial streams are a feature of the
forest areas.
Abiotic factors: Humid, tropical monsoon climate with hot summers and cool
winters. Most of the rainfall occurs during the monsoon in June-October.
Macrophytes: Marsh and grassland communities along water courses are dominated
by species of Phragmites, Saccharum, and Imperata. The Sanctuary contains a
residual area of high, dense forest dominated by Albizzia procera, but this is severely
marred by the invasive exotic Mikania sp.
Special floral values: The Sanctuary contains an important relict of the once
widespread climax forests of the terai duars.
Mammals: The Wildlife Sanctuary was established primarily to protect a population
of the Indian one-horned rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) of which at least 40
members were surviving in 1983. Other large mammals include tiger (Panthera
tigris), Indian elephant (Elephas maximus), swamp deer (Cervus duvaucelli) and
possibly the rare pygmy hog (Sus salvanius).
Birds: The rich avifauna includes a variety of uncommon or local marsh and
grassland species such as the storks (Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus) and (Leptoptilos
javanicus), Bengal florican, swamp francolin, Jerdon’s bush chat and Finn’s baya
weaver (Houbaropsis bengalensis, Francolinus gularis, Saxicola jerdoni, and Ploceus
megahynchus). Sixty-five of the latter were recorded in this area in January 1987.
Land use: A managed nature reserve
Conservation measures taken: Protected in the Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary
(11,563 ha), established in 1943. Attempts are being made to eradicate the exotic
plant Mikania sp.
Disturbances and threats: A nearby military camp causes noticeable disturbance
and disruption within the Sanctuary, and the spread of Mikania is a serious problem.
Poaching is reported to be on the increase.
Socio-economic values: The Wildlife Sanctuary plays an important educational role
in promoting regional and local understanding of the ecological value of the
remaining forests. The Sanctuary is important for tourism, and provides a readily
accessible alternative for tourists unable to visit similar sites in Assam.
Research and facilities: There are good facilities for visitors in the Wildlife
Sanctuary, including a forest rest house and a youth hostel. Visitors are encouraged to
view wildlife from elephant-back.
Reference: Krishnan (1977); WWF India (1993).
DURGAPUR BARRAGE
Durgapur Barrage is situated on 23° 28’ N, 87° 18’ E in the Burdwan District, about
150 km northwest of Calcutta, West Bengal. In 1955 as part of the development of the
Damodar River in West Bengal and Bihar, a barrage was constructed across the
Damodar at Durgapur for flood control and irrigation purposes. This created a shallow
lake about 1.5 km wide and four km long. Many islands, some of considerable size,
have been formed in the lake as a result of salutation. The water level is kept almost
constant throughout the year, varying by only 50–75 cm. An area of about 13 ha along
the south bank has been enclosed for use as a fish farm. The riverbed downstream of
the barrage is similar to that of many of the larger rivers of the North Indian plains. In
the dry season, there is very little flow of water and extensive mudflats and sand
banks are exposed, but during the monsoon, the entire river becomes a raging torrent.
Sand has been extracted from the northern shore of the river, creating an area of
marshy land. The environs of Durgapur Barrage include several large industrial sites,
particularly to the northeast. The total area of the barrage is about 600 ha.
Abiotic factors: Tropical monsoon climate, with most of the rainfall occurring in
July-September.
Macrophytes: Extensive reed-beds of Phragmites, Juncus and Carex spp.,
particularly on the islands, and broad fringes of Eichhornia crassipes. Rice paddies,
villages and industrial sites in adjacent areas.
Land tenure: The wetland is owned by the Damodar Valley Corporation.
Land use: Primarily flood control and water supply for industrial and domestic
consumption. There is some fishing in the lake, and one of the larger islands supports
a village of reed-cutters. The reeds are harvested in rotation and are used for thatching
purposes. Cattle graze on some of the islands. An area of 13 ha enclosed by the south
bank efflux bund is used as a fish farm by the State Government.
Conservation measures taken: No official protection, but the Damodar Valley
Corporation has prohibited bathing, fishing and shooting on the lake, thereby creating,
in effect, a wildlife sanctuary.
Conservation measures proposed: It has been suggested that the site be granted
official recognition as a wildlife sanctuary in view of its importance to waterfowl and
accessible location.
Disturbances and threats: The only real disturbance comes from the small number
of local people who fish the lake from boats. Periodical draining and dredging of the
lake to restore its original storage capacity result in a temporary loss of breeding
habitat for waterbirds but have no serious long-term effects on the wildlife.
Socio-economic values: Water supply, flood control and fisheries production. The
lake provides an easily accessible site for viewing water birds (a National Highway
crosses the eastern bund), and thus has considerable potential for nature-oriented
outdoor recreation.
Birds: An important area for a wide variety of both resident and migratory waterfowl,
particularly during winter. Gauntlett (1972) recorded 76 species of waterfowl in the
late 1960s and early 1970s. Common residents included Tachybaptus ruficollis
(maximum 100), Phalacrocorax niger (maximum 150), Ardeola grayii, Bubulcus ibis,
Egretta garzetta (maximum 300), Dendrocygna javanica (maximum 3,000), Nettapus
coromandelianus (maximum 150), Hydrophasianus chirurgus (maximum 200),
Metopidius indicus (maximum 60), Vanellus indicus and Chlidonias hybridus. The
lake regularly holds over 10,000 ducks in winter; 13 species were recorded by
Gauntlett, the commonest being: Anas strepera (maximum 1,000); A. crecca (1,000);
A. acuta (18,000); A. querquedula (500); Aythya fuligula (200); Sarkidiornis
melanotos was also found to be a regular winter visitor, with up to 70 present at one
time. About 25 species of shorebirds were recorded on passage and in winter. Peak
counts included: 50 Pluvialis dominica; 40 Tringa erythropus; 20 T. nebularia; 20 T.
ochropus; 100 T. glareola; 100 Calidris minuta and several hundred C. temminckii.
Up to 100 Anastomus oscitans have been recorded as occasional visitors.
Research and facilities: Gauntlett made regular observations on the bird fauna from
March 1968 into the early 1970s.
SALT LAKES SWAMP
It is situated on 22° 28’–22° 35’ N, 88° 24’–88° 30’ E immediately southeast of the
Calcutta City boundary, West Bengal. A large area of saline lagoons, ponds and
brackish marshes at the head of the Matha waterway on the southeastern periphery of
Calcutta. The maximum depth of water is about 60 cm. A large proportion of the
wetland has already been reclaimed for urban expansion and agriculture.
Polderization began in 1953, and by 1968, 3,600 ha of the Northern Salt Lakes and
3,400 ha of the Southern Salt Lakes had been reclaimed. Former area of the wetland is
approximately 12,000 ha, now believed to have been reduced to 5,000 ha.
Abiotic factors: Humid tropical monsoon climate, with most of the rainfall occurring
in May-September.
Macrophytes: No information.
Birds: No recent information is available for the Salt Lakes Swamp, but large
numbers of ducks, particularly Dendrocygna javanica, Anas acuta and A.
querquedula, are known to winter at wetlands in and around Calcutta City (e.g.
Calcutta Zoological Gardens and Santragachi Pond), and presumably occur at the
Swamp as well.
Land use: The principal activity is fishing. Many of the lagoons and ponds have been
stocked with fish, mainly exotic carp and tilapias. The wetlands also act as natural
sewage treatment plants, oxidizing effluents from Calcutta. This process is augmented
by Eichhornia crassipes, which absorbs metallic ions.
Possible changes in land use: The whole area is likely to be drained for conversion
to industrial and housing land.
Disturbances and threats: There are plans to reclaim all of the remaining wetlands
for urban expansion of the Calcutta metropolis.
Socio-economic values: The wetlands support a major fishery, and serve as a flood
control mechanism. One area of 4,000 ha stocked with carp, tilapia and other species
provides employment for 20,000 fishermen and produces an annual harvest of 6,000
metric tonnes. The wetlands have also proved to be highly efficient oxidation ponds
for the treatment of domestic sewage. Coliform bacteria from human faces are
reduced by 99.9% in the well-stocked ponds.
Research and facilities: The West Bengal Department of Fisheries is conducting
research on sewage purification and fish production in the Swamp. The Institute of
Wetland Management and Ecological Design has conducted research on public health
issues such as fish culture using sewage, and has initiated studies on the ecological
significance and history of wetland conversion around Calcutta.
Reference: Fernandes (1987); Ghosh (1983); Maltby (1986); WWF India (1993).
MANGROVE WETLANDS OF MIDDLE ANDAMAN
Mangrove swamps are mainly located (12° 15’–12° 50’ N, 92° 40’–
93° 50’
E) along various creeks and sheltered areas of middle Andaman forest division,
Andaman. Most of the mangroves occur toward eastern side of Middle Andaman
Main Island and come under territorial jurisdiction of Bajalungta. Bakultala, Rangat,
Betapur and Long Island forest ranges. The total area of the mangrove is about 233.95
sq.km.
Abiotic factors: The temperature range from 23°C–30°C and relative humidity
varies from 70%–90%. Mean annual rainfall is 30.0 cm.
Mangroves: Nineteen mangrove species have been recorded. These are follows:
S. Species Name
No
1 Acanthus ilicifolius
2 Acrostichum aureum
3 Aegiceras corniculatum
4 Avicennia marina
5 A. officinalis
6 Bruguiera gymnorrhiza
7 Ceriops tagal
8 Excoecaria agallocha
9 Heritiera littoralis
10 Lumnitzera littorea
S.
No
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
Species Name
L. racemosa
Nypa fruticans
Phoenix paludosa
R. mucronata
Sonneratia alba
S. caseolaris
Xylocarpus granatum
X. moluccensis
Land tenure: Andaman Forest Division
Land use: Forest exploitation and fishing for finfish, prawns, and crabs.
Conservation measures taken: Andaman Forest Division.
Reference: Sunil Kumar (1998).
WETLANDS IN THE ANDAMAN AND NICOBAR ISLANDS
The 348 islands of the Andaman and Nicobar (7° 00’–15° 00’ N,
92° 00’–94°
00’ E) archipelagos are the peaks of a marine extension of the Arakkan Yomas in
Burma and the mountains of Sumatra. Biogeographically, they form a link between
the greater Sunda and Indo-Burmese faunas. Until recently, these islands constituted
an almost undamaged and highly diversified natural environment, with luxuriant rain
forests extending down from the hills to deserted beaches, fringing reefs and rich
coastal waters almost unpolluted by soil erosion or industrial activity. Conditiçns
have, however, changed considerably in recent years, with the recent colonization of
the islands by large numbers of immigrants and refugees. Some unique natural
environments persist, but the indigenous groups of hunter-gatherers are in immediate
danger of cultural and/or physical annihilation. Much the most extensive wetland
habitats in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are mangrove swamps, but there are
many small freshwater ponds and marshes throughout the islands of considerable
interest in a regional context. The total area of the wetland is approximately 115,000
ha of mangrove forest (total area of islands 813,600 ha).
Abiotic factors: Humid tropical monsoon climate, with an average annual rainfall of
between 2,750 mm and 4,550 mm. The islands receive precipitation from both the
Southwest and Northeast Monsoons which together account for nine to ten months of
the year. The dry months are February and March. Temperatures range from 19–
32°C.
Mangroves: There are an estimated 115,000 ha of Mangrove forest in the island, with
a zonation greatly resembling that of the Pichavaram and Kaveri systems in southern
India. Rhizophora mucronata is the commonest species and together with R. apiculata
forms a canopy 10m high along the principal watercourses. Tidal mangrove forest is
replaced upstream by riverine or lowland evergreen forest. Cerbera manghas,
Heritiera littoralis, Brownlowia lanceolata and Scyphiphora hydrophyllacea are
widespread transitional species. Towards the interior of the mangrove forest,
Bruguiera parviflora and B. gymnorrhiza are abundant, the trees occasionally
exceeding 25 m in height. Commonly there is an undergrowth of Ceriops tagal. The
Rhizophoraceae form a distinct coastal fringe in which Aegiceras corniculatum and
Xylocarpus granatum may also be found. This zonation varies in slight detail from
one bay to another. These are the only mangrove formations in India where the Nipa
Palm Nypa fruticans is common.
Large areas of primary forest remain on some of the islands, but most of the lowland
areas have now been cleared for agriculture. The flora has strong affinities with that
of Southeast Asia. In all, some 3,000 species of plants have been identified, including
about 150 species endemic to the islands.
Special floral values: There are about 130 species of ferns and 100 species of orchids
in an estimated 700,000 ha of forest (1984).
Birds: The Grey (or Andaman) Teal was once abundant in the Andaman Islands, but
numbers have fallen drastically in recent years. The endemic race of the Grey Teal
Anas gibberifrons is found in the wetlands. Little is known of the ecology of this bird.
Reptiles: The Estuarine Crocodile Crocodylus porosus and several species of marine
turtles.
Mammals: The wetlands support several rare and endangered wildlife species
including the Dugong dugon.
Many endemic species and races of terrestrial vertebrates remain in the unexploited
forests of both island groups.
Land use: Formerly subsistence agriculture in small areas and extensive huntergatherer utilization of the forested areas. These activities are now yielding to intensive
commercial exploitation. Selective felling is widespread in the mangrove forest, and
there is some clear-felling in
40 m strips. Two thirds of the strips are felled and the
rest are left for coastal protection and as a source of seed.
Conservation measures taken: Six National Parks and five Wildlife Sanctuaries
have been established in the islands. The following reserves include some coastal
habitat and mangrove forest:
1. South Butten Island Sanctuary (12° 13’–l2° 19’ N, 93° 01’–93° 52’ E); 300 ha; 0–
70 m above sea level.
2. Middle Butten Island National Park: 4,400 ha; 0–70 m above sea level;
established in 1979.
3. Andaman Crocodile Sanctuary: 10,200 ha; 0–l5 m above sea level; established in
1983.
4. North Reef Sanctuary: 13° 04’–13° 06’ N, 92° 36’–92° 38’ E; 348 ha; 0–30 m
above sea level.
5. South Sentinel Island Sanctuary (10° 44’–l0° 47’ N, 92° 05’–92° 07’ E); 161 ha;
0-40 m above sea level; established in 1977. The Andaman Forest Department
initiated a project on the conservation of the Estuarine Crocodile Crocodylus
porosus in 1979, with the assistance of the Government of India.
Possible changes in land use: Increasing external pressure on the islands is likely to
result in further degradation of the remaining terrestrial ecosystems with concomitant
damage to the mangrove forest, coral reefs and fisheries. The islands have been
designated as a "specially backward" region where industry can claim general
financial concessions in order to establish itself.
Disturbances and threats: Since the 1970s, a vast expansion of the logging
operations has clear-felled large areas with devastating ecological repercussions. For
example, Little Andaman is already reported to be 75% deforested. The effects of this
massive deforestation on the estuarine, mangrove and coral ecosystems has not been
investigated. Some 12,000 ha of mangroves have been clear-felled, mainly for
firewood, with detrimental effects on the offshore fisheries. Unrestricted persecution
of Estuarine Crocodiles by local people in the past has greatly reduced their numbers.
Choudhury and Bustard (1980) recorded 97% destruction of crocodile nests in the
1977 nesting season, almost entirely as a result of egg-robbing by settlers. Seventeen
per cent of the nest-guarding females were killed in that year alone. The creation of an
Andaman Island Free Port has been proposed in order to accelerate the development
of the islands; the outcome of meetings in Central Government on this topic are
unknown. The immense potential of the forests for renewable resource utilization has
been largely ignored in a rush to exploit the standing timber for powerhouse,
matchwood and plywood factories.
Socio-economic values: Under proper management, the terrestrial and mangrove
forests of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands would be capable of supporting a major
forestry industry on a sustainable basis. The mangrove forests are breeding and
nursery grounds for many commercially important fishes and crustaceans, and are
thus of crucial importance in maintaining the region's fisheries. The mangrove forest
also provides valuable coastal protection from cyclonic storms. Many of the islands
are of great scenic beauty and have tremendous potential for tourism.
Research and facilities: The Bombay Natural History Society and Zoological Survey
of India launched several expeditions to the Andaman Islands during the 1960s and
1970s.
Reference: Chatterjee (1977); Choudhury and Bustard (1980); FAO (1984);
Fernandes (1987); Kar (1984); Untawale (1985); Whitaker (1985); WWF India
(1993).
JAMUNA RIVER NEAR DELHI
A 35 km stretch of the Jamuna river (28° 30’ N, 77° 22’ E to 28° 46’ N, 77° 13’ E) in
the environs of Delhi, from approximately 10 km south to 10 km north of the city.
Although largely contained within bunded embankments, the narrow floodplain along
the Jamuna still constitutes a significant wetland environment. Small areas of marsh
remain in a mosaic of arable land, pasture, waste ground, and urban development.
Several dams and barrages, such as the Okhla Barrage, provide relatively large areas
of open water. At low water levels, extensive mudflats and sand banks are exposed.
There are undoubtedly other stretches of the Jamuna river that are as rich in wildlife
as the Delhi section, and probably several other rivers in northern India just as rich as
the Jamuna, but no information is available on these other sites.
Abiotic factors: Dry tropical monsoon climate typical of the Upper Ganges Plain,
with an average annual rainfall of 635 mm. Most of the rain falls during the monsoon
in June-September, but some 50–100 mm may fall in winter. There is a marked
annual range in mean temperatures (19°C), and a daily range of up to 17°C. January is
the coldest month (16°C) and May the hottest (32°C).
Macrophytes: There are large areas of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes),
particularly near the barrages, and reed-beds with species of Typha and Phragmites,
chiefly around the islands in the river. At low water levels, much of the exposed river
bed is cultivated.
Birds: A very important feeding and roosting area for a wide variety of both resident
and migratory waterfowl. In winter, many thousands of ducks, chiefly Anas strepera,
A. crecca, A. acuta, and A. clypeata, spend the daylight hours on the river and fly out
at night to feed on wet arable land. In March 1980, de Block observed: 300 Anas
penelope, 500
A. strepera, 700 A. acuta, 6500 A. clypeata, 400 Aythya
farina and 2400 A. fuligula on one small dam on the river. The muddy islands provide
secure roosting sites for large numbers of gulls and terns (2700 in January 1986), and
there is a very large winter roost of swallows and martins (Hirundinidae) in the reedbeds (e.g. 20,000 in February 1982). Many shorebirds, especially Tringa glareola,
Calidris minuta, C. temminckii, Philomachus pugnax, and Glareola maldivarum,
occur on passage, and to a lesser extent also in winter. Waterfowl counts at several
localities along the river and in the nearby Delhi Zoological Gardens in January 1986
and January 1987 recorded: up to
S. Species Name
No
1 Anas acuta 1980
2 A. clypeata 1100
3 A. crecca 2090
4 A. poecilorhyncha 220
5 A. strepera 200
6 Anhinga melanogaster 40
7 Aythya farina 100
8 A. fuligula 100
9 Calidris temminckii 50
10 Chlidonias hybridus 200
11 Fulica atra 350
S.
No
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
Species Name
Gelochelidon nilotica 75
Himantopus himantopus 50
Larus brunnicephalus 300
L. ridibundus 2,000
Mycteria leucocephala 125
Nycticorax nycticorax 75
Phalacrocorax niger 200
Philomachus pugnax 50
Recurvirostra avosetta 75
Vanellus spinosus 44
along with smaller numbers of six species of herons and egrets, Ephippiorhynchus
asiaticus, Platalea leucorodia, Phoenicopterus ruber, Anser indicus, Tadorna
ferruginea, Sarkidiornis melanotos, Netta rufina, Rostratula benghalensis, and 11
other species of shorebirds. Anas falcata has been recorded, and A. poecilorhyncha
breeds. There is a large breeding colony of cormorants, Anhinga melanogaster,
herons, egrets, and Mycteria leucocephala in trees in the Zoological Gardens, the
birds commuting to the riverine marshes to feed.
Land tenure: A mixture of private and public ownership.
Land use: Primarily agricultural land providing vegetables and dairy products for the
capital city. Water is taken from the river for a variety of industrial and domestic uses.
Possible changes in land use: As the city of Delhi continues to expand, new urban
and industrial developments and an intensification of current land use will continue to
erode the few remaining areas of semi-natural marsh.
Disturbances and threats: Pollution from domestic and industrial sources is a
growing problem, and is already at a critical level along some stretches of the river.
About 320,000 km of untreated sewage is discharged daily into the river. Factory
wastes containing high concentrations of DDT and chloral hydrates, which are
released into the river, have resulted in high toxicity. There is a considerable amount
of disturbance from the intense human activity in the area, and some shooting and
netting of waterfowl occurs.
Socio-economic values: Important agricultural areas are scattered along the whole
Jamuna river system. As pollution levels increase, the value of the river as a source of
water for domestic consumption will undoubtedly diminish. The area is often visited
by bird-watchers and, with a little management and the provision of basic facilities,
could easily be developed for this type of outdoor recreation on a large scale.
Research and facilities: Several waterfowl counts have been carried out, but no
systematic study seems to have been undertaken, despite the proximity of the site to
Delhi.
Reference: Gole (1982); Karpowicz (1985); van der Yen (1987); Jhingran (1991);
WWF India (1993).
OUSTERI LAKE
Ousteri lake is situated (11° 57’ N; 79° 45’ E) near the village Oussudueri, partly in
Tamil Nadu state and partly in Pondicherry Union Territory. Ousteri (derived from
Oussudueri-Tamil for Ousudu lake) is the most important freshwater lake of
Pondicherry region. It is also one of the most important wetlands of Asia. The total
water spread area is about 700 ha. The water in Ousteri lake comes from the following
sources: (i) the run-off from the lake basin and direct interception by the water body;
(ii) the water which is diverted by the Suthukenni check dam through the Suthukenni
channel to the lake.
•
OUSTERI LAKE
Abiotic factors: Tropical monsoon climate. The water is alkaline in nature (7.248.08).
Macrophytes: Over 60 families with more than 195 species of plants and trees have
been identified with Ousteri. These are follows;
S. Species Name
No
1 Abrus praecatorius
2 Abutilon indicum
3 Abutilon sp.
4 Acacia chundra
5 A. leucophloea
6 A. nilotica
7 Acalypha indica
8 Achyranthes aspera
9 Aerva lanata
10 Agave americana
11 Allophyllus serratus
12 Alysicarpus vaginalis
13 Amaranthus spinosus
14 Apluda mitica
15 Asystasis ganetics
S.
No
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
Species Name
Ichnocarpus frustescens
Indigofera hirsute
Ipomoea carnea
I. pecaprae
I. pestigridis
Ixora paverra
Jasmarium spp.
Jatropha curcas
Justicia simplex
Lannea coromandelica
Lantana camara
Lepidagathis cristata
Lepisanthes tetraphylla
Leptadenia reticulate
Leucas aspera
16
17
18
19
20
Atalantia monophylla
Atylosia sp.
Azadirachta indica
Barleria buxifolia
Bauhinia racemosa
114
115
116
117
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
Benkata malabarica
Boerhavia diffusa
Borassus flabellifer
Borreria sp.
Breynia vitis
Buchanania axillaries
Butea monosperma
Cadaba fruticosa
Calotropis gigantoa
Canavallia virosa
Canthium parviflorum
Capparis brevispina
C. sepiaria
Capparis spp.
Cardiospermum halicacabum
Carissa spinarum
Carmona retusa
Cassia auriculata
C. fistula
C. kleinii
C. occidentalis
Cassine glauca
Cassytha filiformis
Celastrus panicltus
Celosia argentea
Cissampelos pareria
Cissus quardrangularis
C. setosa
C. vitiginea
Citrus sp.
Clausena dentate
Cleome aspera
C. viscose
Cocculus hirsutus
Coldenia procumbens
Commelina sp.
Corchorus sp.
Corypha umbraculifera
Crossandra infundibuliforms
Crotalaria medicagenia
Croton boneplandianus
Croton sp.
Cyanotis tuberose
Cynodon dactylon
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
118
Lindernia sp.
Madhuca longifolia
Maerua oblongifolia
Mallotus philippinensis
Malvastrum
coromandelianum
Maytenus emerginata
Melilotus indica
Memecylon lushingtonii
M. umbellatum
Merremia emarginata
M. tridentate
Micrococca mercurialis
Mollugo disticha
M. pentaphylla
Morinds coreia
Ochna obtusata
Ocimum tenuifolium
Oldenlandia sp.
Opuntia dillenii
Ormocarpum sennoides
Pandanus odoratissimus
Parkinsonia aculeate
Passiflora foetida
Pavetta indica
Pergularia daemia
Phaseolus spp.
Phoenix loureirii
P. sylvestris
Phyla nodiflora
Phyllanthus gardeniarianus
P. rotundifolius
Pitecellobium dulce
Pithecanthus sp.
Plumbago zeylanica
Pogostemon sp.
Polycarpon prostratum
Polygala arvensis
P. javana
Portulaca oleracea
Prosopis juliflora
Pterosperum suberifolium
Randia brandissi
R. dumetorum
R. malabarica
Reissantia indica
Ricinis communis
Saccharum sp.
Salacia chinesis
Sanseviera sp.
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
Cypreus sp.
Dalbergia paniculata
Datura metal
Densrocalanmus stictus
Derris scandens
Derris sp.
Desmodium biarticulatum
Dichrostachys cinerea
Disopyros ferrea
Dodonaea viscose
Ecbolium viride
Ehretia pubescebs
Eulophia nuda
Euphorbia hirta
E. rosea
Ficus benghalensis
F. hispida
F. religiosa
Fimbristylis sp.
Flacourtia indica
Garcinia spicata
G. talbottii
Glinus oppositifolius
Glorisa superba
Glycosmis mauritiana
Gmelina asiatica
Gomphrena globosa
G. celosiodes
Grewia tenax
Heliotropium sp.
Hrmidesmus indicus
Hugonia mystax
Hybanthes enneaspermus
Hyptis suaveolens
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
Sapindus emarginata
Sarcostemma acidum
Sebestiana chamaelea
Securinega leucopyrus
Sesbania sp.
Sida sp.
Solanum sp.
S. surattense
Spermacoce hispida
Stachytarpheta jamaicensis
Striga asiatica
Strychnos colubrine
Stylosanthes fruticosa
Synedrella nodiflora
Syzygium caryophyllatum
S. cumini
Tamarindus indica
Tarenna asiatica
Tephrosia pulcherrima
Terminalia bellirica
Toddalia asiatica
Tragia involucrate
Tribulus terrestris
Trichurus monsoniae
Typha angustata
Vitex sp.
Waltheria indica
Wattakaka volubilis
Wrightia tinctoria
Zizyphus mauritiana
Z. oenoplia
Z. xyophyrus
Zornia gibbosa
Aquatic weeds: Hydrilla verticillata, Ipomea sp.
Fishes: No comprehensive account is available of the fish fauna of the lake, nor of
the possible association between the various fish species and the predator birds.
Cyprinus carpio, Ctenopharyngodon idella, Argentius carpio, Catla catla, Labeo
rohita, Cirrhina mrigala.
Birds: An important wintering area for migratory waterfowl, Ousteri Tank is much
more suitable for diving ducks than the nearby Kaliveli Tank. Peak counts in the
winters of 1986–87 and 1987–88 included 13,500 dabbling ducks (mainly Anas
querquedula. A. penelope, A. acuta, and A. clypeata) and: 100 Phalacrocorax spp.,
930 Egretta spp., 110 Ardea cinerea, 150 Anastomus oscitans, 320 Ciconia ciconia,
160 Threskiornis melanocephalus, 74 Plegadis falcinellus, 600 Aythya farina, 800 A.
fuligula, 100 Fulica atra, 250 Himantopus himantopus and 1000 other shorebirds.
Ousteri Tank benefits from its proximity to Kaliveli Tank, and when the latter dries
out, some species such as egrets, storks, and ibises, move to Ousteri. More than 103
species of native and migratory birds have been spotted in and around Ousteri. These
are follows;
S. Species Name
No
1 Accipiter badius
2 A. nisus
4 Acrocephalus dumetorum
5 Aegithina tiphia
6 Alauda gulgula
7 Alcedo atthis
8 Anas poecilorhyncha
9 Anastomus oscitons
10 Anthus hodgsoni
11 A. novaeseelandiae
12 Apus affinis
13 Arachnothera longirostris
14 Ardea alba
15 A. cinerea
16 Ardeola grayii
17 Athene bramea
18 Bubo bubo
19 Bubulcus ibis
20 Calidris minuta
21 Caprimulgus asiaticus
22 Carocina melanoptera
23 Ceryl rudius
24 Charadrius dubius
25 Chlidonias hybridus
26 Ciconia ciconia
27 Circus aeruguinosus
28 C. pygargus
29 Clamator jacobinus
30 Columba lilvia
31 Copsychus saularis
32 Coracias benghalensis
33 Coracina novaehollandiae
34 Corvus corax
35 C. macrorhynchos
36 C. splendens
37 Cuculus various
38 Cypsiurus parvus
39 Delihcon dasypus
40 Dendrocitta vagabunda
41 Dicaeum erythrorhycnchos
42 Dicrurus adsimilis
43 Dinopium benghalense
44 Egretta garzetta
45 Elanus caeruleus
S.
No
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
Species Name
Hirundo rustica
Lanius cristatus
L. excubitor
Megalaima haemacephala
Merops orientalis
M. philippinus
Milvus migrans
Mirafra assamica
Motacilla flava
M. maderaspatensis
Muscicapa latirostris
Nectarinia asiatica
N. zeylonica
Numenius arquata
Oasser domesticus
Oriolus oriolus
Orthotomus sutorius
Otus asio
Pellorneum ruficeps
Pericrocotus cinnamomeus
Phalacrocroax niger
Phoenicopterus roseus
Pitta brachyuran
Plataleu leucorodia
Podiceps ruficollia
Prinia subflava
Psittacula krameri
Pycnonotus cafer
Sterna acuticauda
S. aurantia
Sturnus pagodarum
Sylvia curruca
Tephrodronis pondicerianus
Terpsiphone paradise
Tringa glareola
T. hypoleucos
T. ochropus
T. stagnatilis
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
Eremopterix grisea
Falco tinnunculus
Gallinago gallinago
Halcyon samyrnensis
Haliaster indus
98
99
100
101
102
103
Turdoides affinis
T. caudatus
Tyro alba
Upupa epops
Vannellus indicus
V. malanbaricus
Land tenure: Pondicherry State-owned
Land use: The tank is used for Irrigation
Conservation measures proposed: C. Perennou has recommended that the tank be
declared a Bird Sanctuary and developed for bird-watching. Ousteri could then
become the first area in Pondicherry Union Territory dedicated to wildlife protection.
Disturbances and threats: Excessive grazing of aquatic vegetation and some illegal
hunting of waterfowl.
Socio-economic values: Ousteri is one of the 93 Indian wetlands identified as highly
important by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This
importance emanates from ousteri’s rich ecosystem of which a lot is still to be studied
and understood. Ousteri is a major wintering spot for a large number of migratory
birds and is a rich source of inland fisheries.
Pollution status: Quite a few of such industries are situated within an eye-shot of
Ousteri. Industrial waste dumped at the bank of Ousteri
Odour
Colour
pH
Conductivity
Sulphate
Nickel
Cobalt
Mercury
Offensive, caused dizziness
Dark, dingy
0.3 units
45,00,00 m
23,00,00 ppm
700 ppm
380 ppm
110 ppm
Research and facilities: C. Perennou conducted research on the aquatic avifauna of
Ousteri Tank and the nearby Kaliveli Tank in 1986–88.
Reference: Perennou (1987); WWF India (1993); Abbasi (1997).
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Wetland Inventory - Ministry of Environment and Forests

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