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Part of the Suchindram-Theroor-Manakkudy Wetland Complex, one of many two Ramsar websites in Kanniyakumari district, it has lengthy served as an vital stopover for migratory birds on the southern tip of the Central Asian Flyway. The waterbody additionally features as one of many prime heronries of Kanniyakumari district.
However, the lake is steadily falling prey to negligence, apathy, and indifference on the a part of each the federal government and the general public. Encroachments, sewage influx, unregulated waste dumping alongside the banks, the proliferation of weeds and water hyacinths, and unlawful lotus cultivation have collectively reworked Suchindram lake from a as soon as vibrant ecosystem right into a gasping, polluted waterbody.
Other waterbodies corresponding to Koonikulam, Nadu Kulam, and Parakkai Kulam, located close to Suchindram lake, have additionally borne the brunt of air pollution, encroachments, and waste dumping. The whole sewage from Parakkai panchayat now flows into Koonikulam, Nadu Kulam, and Parakkai Kulam, steadily turning the water murky.
“Eutrophication [the process whereby a body of water becomes overly enriched with nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen, leading to excessive plant and algal growth] attributable to the influx of sewage has resulted within the rampant progress of water hyacinth. While water hyacinth may be helpful to birds such because the water jacana and the moorhen, it leaves solely small patches of open water for birds — significantly pelicans — to swim freely,” says S. Balachandar, former deputy director, Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), and managing trustee, Migratory Bird Monitoring Trust (MBMT).
A vibrant ecosystem
The lake is dwelling to black-headed ibises, egrets, little egrets, cattle egrets, gray herons, little cormorants, evening herons, painted storks, and pelicans (although solely in small numbers). They nest on the timber rising on a mound within the lake. In the evenings, the branches of those timber flip white as tons of of egrets and different waterbirds perch upon them.
Birds perch on timber rising on a mound within the lake, creating an impressive scene | Photo Credit: S. Shivaraj
“The late ornithologist Robert Grubh used to say that he had noticed many whistling geese right here — however you can’t discover them anymore,” provides Mr. Balachandar. Grubh had additionally noticed pelicans, which initially got here solely to feed within the lake however later started constructing nests. However, their nests can now not be seen both.
As Kanniyakumari is a small district the place land values have elevated manyfold, there may be fixed stress on wetlands to make approach for housing initiatives. The development of four-lane roads by wetlands and waterbodies has already precipitated appreciable disturbance to the delicate ecosystem. A slim street now runs between the lake and tons of of acres of paddy fields in Suchindram and Kakkumur, that are irrigated by the lake. The wonderful days of the tank and paddy fields, which as soon as offered an enchanting sight, are vividly captured by historian Ok.Ok. Pillai, creator of Suchindram Temple.
“The cultivated space in and round Suchindram types essentially the most fertile area in the entire of Nanjil Nadu, fittingly described because the granary of erstwhile Travancore,” he says within the guide, first revealed in 1952. He writes that the excessive yield of the paddy crop within the locality is ascribable as a lot to the inherent richness of the soil as to the plentiful provide of water wanted for cultivation.
“The view of all the panorama, seen from the highest storey of the stately tower of the pagoda (Suchindram temple), is enchanting. The surroundings is great,” he says. The paddy fields additionally operate as a feeding floor. However, conversion of paddy fields is occurring unchecked — regardless of the district collector’s 2021 order banning non-agricultural exercise on moist agricultural lands — posing a hazard to biodiversity. M. Aravind, the then collector of the district, directed officers to grant permission for non-agricultural actions solely after making certain that the proposed growth space had no irrigation services and that there was no scope for agriculture sooner or later. This directive applies to canals, channels, lakes, tanks, rivers, poramboke lands, temple and Waqf Board lands, lands of trusts, public roads, and streets.
Even although the district boasts two Ramsar websites, honest efforts to guard the waterbodies that nurture and maintain the wetlands have been missing; in any other case, they might not have reached such a tragic state.
Rampant encroachments
Vinod Sadhasivan of the Kanniyakumari Nature Foundation (KKNF) is of the opinion that encroachments alongside the lake’s banks are a serious explanation for its air pollution and have additionally decreased its space. “At a number of factors alongside the Pathinettampadi stretch, makeshift cattle shelters and residential buildings have encroached upon the lake. Human settlements have occupied its mudflats,” he says.
The lake is affected by encroachments, waste dumping, and different points | Photo Credit: S. Shivaraj
A slim street runs between Suchindram lake and tons of of acres of paddy fields, alongside a tower utilized by the Forest Department to watch birds. However, waste is being dumped on either side of the street, and routine burning of this waste provides to the issue.
Lotus cultivation
Apart from encroachment, the rampant progress of water hyacinths and different weeds has choked a lot of the lake. “Lotus cultivation and the unfold of invasive crops disrupt oxygen ranges, affecting aquatic crops and fish species,” Mr. Sadhasivan says, urging authorities to handle the lake’s core points slightly than give attention to beautification.
Independent fowl researcher Anand Shibu echoes comparable issues, emphasising that encroachments alongside the banks of the lake are disrupting the mudflats, the main feeding grounds for wading birds. Fishing nets unfold throughout the lake, together with human intrusion to catch fish and pluck lotus, additionally disturb the birds.
“Most migratory birds desire the mudflats of the waterbody since they’re wealthy in small worms, molluscs, and different bugs. Dumping waste on the banks of the lake impacts the habitat of those small species, thus impacting the wading birds and different avian species,” Mr. Shibu notes.
Sewage circulate
Another main issue affecting the ecological steadiness of Suchindram lake is sewage intrusion by way of the irrigation channels of the Pazhayar river, says N. Udhayarajan, director of the Uvakai Research Foundation. The Parakkai canal, one among its feeders, is closely polluted due to sewage from Nagercoil Municipal Corporation areas.
“Though the Corporation has developed a sewage therapy plant (STP) on the Valampurivilai dumping yard, the underground drainage system (UGDS) work of the Corporation is but to be absolutely accomplished,” he explains.
Mr. Udhayarajan provides that the failure of efficient planning to run the UGDS had led to giant portions of untreated water flowing by the Parakkai canal, regionally generally known as Parakkin Kaal. The canal merges with the southern finish of the Suchindram-Parakkai Kulam, finally spreading to Suchindram lake. He emphasises that modular STPs can be extra applicable for cities corresponding to Nagercoil, the place the terrain varies throughout areas, making sewage therapy extra environment friendly.
A. Vins Anto of the Kodhayar Irrigation Committee stresses the necessity to desilt the Parakkin Kaal and take steps to stop sewage intrusion into it. Speaking on lotus cultivation within the waterbody, Mr. Anto clarifies, “Earlier, it was given on lease by the PWD (Public Works Department). However, after a authorized battle, the leasing course of has been fully stopped. But unlawful cultivation of lotus is constant in lots of waterbodies throughout the district, together with in Suchindram lake, as it’s a nice supply of revenue for the locals.”
He provides that although the Water Resources Department (WRD) had been taking numerous measures to test lotus cultivation in lots of locations, the follow couldn’t be fully stopped. “The authorities authorities ought to give precedence to restoring the waterbody, which offers a habitat for numerous fowl and aquatic species,” he says.
Desilting work
When requested concerning the situation of the lake, Nagercoil Corporation Mayor R. Mahesh says that the civic physique has begun desilting the Parakkin Kaal from Kariyamanikkapuram, at an outlay of ₹40 lakh, with an extra quantity looked for the venture. “Desilting the Parakkin Kaal will additional forestall the circulate of sewage into the channel,” he says.
An official from the WRD provides that the division had submitted a proposal for ₹25 lakh for desilting the Parakkin Kaal. He additional notes, “The sewage within the channel isn’t fully coming into the Suchindram-Parakkai Kulam, as many areas are blocked by silt and weeds.” Continuous motion was being taken towards lotus cultivators, he provides, and essential steps would even be taken to evict encroachments affecting Suchindram lake.
A. Anbu, District Forest Officer (DFO), Kanniyakumari, tells The Hindu that Suchindram lake comes below each the Forest and PWD departments, the place joint efforts had been being made to revive the waterbody. The district has 4 eco-development committees, together with one for the Suchindram-Parakkai Kulam, which displays rampant waste disposal close to the waterbody, unlawful lotus cultivation, and different components affecting its ecological steadiness.
“The Forest Department has a administration plan for the Suchindram-Theroor-Manakkudy wetland conservation venture from 2023-2024 to 2032-2033, and essential motion can be taken primarily based on the plan,” he says.
Mr. Anbu additionally reiterates that measures can be taken to evict encroachments and that the Kanniyakumari District Pollution Control Board can be directed to test and forestall sewage intrusion into Suchindram lake.
