Wetlands of India Portal

Brief Documents

Section 1: Identification, Location and Jurisdiction

1.1 Name of the Wetland (Alternative names, including in local language should be given in parenthesis after official name):

Wetland Name

1.2 Name of the Village(s), Tehsil(s), Municipal area (s)

1.3 Name of the District(s) in which wetland complex is located

Name of the State(s)

Name of the District(s)

1.4 Geographical coordinates (Latitude and Longitude, to decimal degree)

Latitude From

Latitude To

Latitude Centre Point

Longitude From

Longitude To

Longitude Centre Point

1.5 Name of the Department / Agency which has jurisdiction over the wetland / Wetlands complex / Management Authority Name of the Department/Agency *

1.6 Uniqueness
Uniqueness

1.7 Annotated Summary
Annotated Summary

1.8 Protection Status
Protection Status

1.9 Ramsar Site
Ramsar Site

Yes

No

Wetlands of International Significance

1.10 Date Of Designation
Date Of Designation

1.11 Ramsar Site No
Ramsar Site No

1.12 Criteria
Criteria

1.14 RIS Document
RIS Document

1.15 Fact Sheet
Fact Sheet

1.16 Ramsar Certificate
Ramsar Certificate

1.17 Ebird
Ebird

Section 2: Site Characteristics

2.1 Area of wetland / wetlands category (ha)

Area of wetland / wetlands category (ha)

2.2 Wetland type (Please tick appropriate categories and sub-categories)

Wetland Category	Wetland Subcategory
Natural (Coastal)	Coastal lagoon Estuary Intertidal mud, sand or salt flats Mangroves Coral reefs
Natural (Inland)	Permanent lakes Seasonal/ intermittent lakes Permanent streams/ creeks Seasonal/ intermittent streams/ creeks River floodplain Permanent freshwater marshes Seasonal/ intermittent freshwater marshes Shrub-dominated wetlands Tree-dominated wetlands Geothermal wetlands Karst and other subterranean hydrological systems Oxbow Main River Channel
Human-made	Aquaculture pond Tank Saltpan Dam / Reservoir

2.3 Depth

Depth (m) Average

Depth (m) Maximum

2.4 Elevation (m above mean sea level) above MSL

Elevation (m above mean sea level)

2.5 Water Regimes
(a) Main source of water (tick all applicable)

Rainfall

Groundwater

Direct / indirect inflow from river

Catchment runoff

Others

(b) Water permanence

Mostly permanent

Mostly intermittent

(c) Destination of water from wetland

Feeds groundwater

To downstream catchment

To river

To sea

(d) Water pH

Acid (< 5.5)

Circumneutral (5.5 - 7.4)

Alkaline (> 7.4)

Not known

(e) Water salinity

Fresh (< 0.5 g/l)

Brackish (0.5 -30 g/l))

Euhaline (30 - 40 g/l)

Hypersaline (>40g/l)

Not known

(f) Nutrient in water

Eutrophic

Mesotrophic

Oligotrophic

Not known

2.6 Climatic setting

(a) Annual Rainfall /Snowfall(mm)
(b) Temperature (oC)
(c) Humidity(%)

2.7 Area of Zone of Influence(in ha)
2.8 Major landuse within zone of influence (provide as approximate % of catchment area)

Major landuse within zone of influence
Forests	%
Plantation	%
Agriculture	%
Settlements (Rural)	%
Settlements (Urban)	%
Industrial	%
Others	%

2.9 Upload Documents

Document Title
Map of wetland complex
Map of zone of influence

Section 3: Biodiversity

3.1 Notable plant species present in wetland

(Common name(Scientific name))

Musk Mallow (Abelmoschus moschatus), Indian Mallow (Abutilon indicum), Common Wireweed (Sida acuta), Long-stock Sida (Sida cordata), Neem tree (Azadirachta indica), crab\'s eye,Jequirity, (Abrus precatorius), Pongam Tree (Pongamia pinnata), Algaroba (Prosopis juliflora), Common Tephrosia (Tephrosia purpurea), Golden shower tree (Cassia fistula), Forest Red Gum (Eucalyptus tereticornis), Love in a mist (Passiflora foetida), Carrot Grass (Parthenium hysterophorus), Tridax Daisy (Tridax procumbens), Crown Flower (Calotropis gigantea), Indian Ipecac, Indian ipecacuanha, emetic swallow-wort, vomiting swallow-wort (Tylophora indica), Datura metel, Bush Morning Glory (Ipomoea carnea), Common Leucas (Leucas aspera), Red hogweed (Boerhavia diffusa), Mountain Knot Grass (Aerva lanata), Calico Plant (Alternanthera ficoidea), Prostrate Gomphrena (Gomphrena serrata), Indian Copperleaf (Acalypha indic), Para Grass (Brachiaria mutica), Bermuda grass, Couch grass (Cynodon dactylon), Crowfoot Grass (Dactyloctenium aegyptium), Swollen Finger Grasss (Chloris barbata)

3.2 Notable animal species present in wetland

(Common name(Scientific name))

Grey Francolin (Francolinus pondicerianus), Painted Stork (Mycteria leucocephala), Glossy (Ibis Plegadis falcinellus), Indian Pond Heron (Ardeola grayii), Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis), Intermediate Egret (Mesophoyx intermedia), Little Egret (Egretta garzetta), Little Cormorant (halacrocorax niger), Red-wattled Lapwing (Vanellus indicus), Green Sandpiper (Tringa ochropus), Rose-ringed Parakeet (Psittacula krameri), Asian Koel (Eudynamys scolopaceus), Asian Palm Swift (Cypsiurus balasiensis), Indian Roller (Coracias benghalensis), White-throated Kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis), House Crow (Corvus splendens), Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica), Ashy Prinia (Prinia socialis), Common Tailorbird (Orthotomus sutorius), Blyth\'s Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus dumetorum), Yellow-billed Babbler (Turdoides affinis), Common Myna (Acridotheres tristis), Purple-rumped Sunbird (Leptocoma zeylonica), White-browed Wagtail (Motacilla maderaspatensis), Cattle (Bos taurus), Goat (Capra aegagrus hircus), Water Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis), Dog (Canis lupus familiaris), Indian Palm Squirrel (Funambulus palmarum), Common Garden Lizard (Calotes versicolor), Common Skink (Mabuya carinata), Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio), Grass Carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella), Silver Carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix), Tilapia, Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), Striped Snakehead, Butterfish (Channa striata), Spotted snakehead (Channa punctata), Green chromide (Etroplus suratensis), Stinging catfish (Heteropneustes fossilis), Giant River Prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii), Rohu (Labeo rohita), Climbing erch (Anabas testudineus), Bloch’s Gizzard Shad (Nematalosa nasus), Spiny loach (Lepidocephalichthys thermalis), Golden Dartlet (Ischnura aurora), Ruddy Marsh Skimmer (Crocothemis servilia), Ground Skimmer (Diplacodes trivialis), Green Marsh Hawk (Orthetrum sabina), Wandering Glider (Pantala flavescens), Common Picture Wing (Rhyothemis variegata), Common Rose (Pachliopta aristolochiae), Small Grass Yellow (Eurema brigitta), Common Grass Yellow (Eurema hecabe), Mottled Emigrant (Catopsilia pyranthe), Small Orange Tip (Colotis etrida), Plain Tiger (Danaus chrysippus), Common Crow (Euploea core), Tawny Coster (Acraea violae), Lemon Pansy (Junonia lemonias), Common Field Grasshopper (Chorthippus brunneus), Spittle bug (Clovia sp.), Water Strider (Gerris sp.), Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa latipes), Arborial Bicoloured Ant (Tetraponera rufonigra), Common Godzilla Ant (Camponotus compressus)

3.3 Species of conservation significance (rare, endangered, threatened, endemic species)

(Common name(Scientific name))

Eurasian curlew Numenius arquata near threatened, Black-tailed godwit Limosa limosa near threatened, Painted stork Mycteria leucocephala near threatened, Spot-billed pelican Pelicanus philippensis near threatened, Black headed ibis Threskiornis melanocephalus near threatened, White-bellied heron Ardea insignis Critically endangered, Black-bellied tern Sterna acuticauda Endangered, Silver carp Hypophthalmichthys molitrix near threatened, Giant grouper Epinephelus lanceolatus Vulnerable,

3.4 Major plant invasive alien species

(Common name(Scientific name))

Prosopis juliflora, Ipomoea sp.

3.5 Major animal invasive alien species

(Common name(Scientific name))

3.6 Species diversity

Section 4: Ecosystem services

Importance	Icon	Relevant for the site (please tick yes or no)	Degree	If Yes, Details
Freshwater for domestic use and irrigation		Yes No Not Assessed	High Medium Low Not Assessed
Water for energy production		Yes No Not Assessed	High Medium Low Not Assessed
Fisheries		Yes No Not Assessed	High Medium Low Not Assessed	An average 1200 tonnes of fish and crustaceans are harvested annually, of which prawns constitute 60%, followed by mullets.
Food		Yes No Not Assessed	High Medium Low Not Assessed
Fodder		Yes No Not Assessed	High Medium Low Not Assessed
Salt production		Yes No Not Assessed	High Medium Low Not Assessed
Medicinal and ornamental resources		Yes No Not Assessed	High Medium Low Not Assessed
Habitat for several migratory species		Yes No Not Assessed	High Medium Low Not Assessed
Climate regulation / carbon sink		Yes No Not Assessed	High Medium Low Not Assessed
Moderation of extreme events / flood buffer		Yes No Not Assessed	High Medium Low Not Assessed	Flood protection, storm surge control
Water purification		Yes No Not Assessed	High Medium Low Not Assessed
Erosion prevention / Sediment retention		Yes No Not Assessed	High Medium Low Not Assessed
Groundwater recharge		Yes No Not Assessed	High Medium Low Not Assessed
Lifecycle maintenance		Yes No Not Assessed	High Medium Low Not Assessed	Fish, prawn, many birds
Tourism and Recreation		Yes No Not Assessed	High Medium Low Not Assessed
Scientific and educational importance		Yes No Not Assessed	High Medium Low Not Assessed
Cultural and spiritual importance		Yes No Not Assessed	High Medium Low Not Assessed
Source of drinking water for people living and around		Yes No Not Assessed	High Medium Low Not Assessed
Source of water for agriculture		Yes No Not Assessed	High Medium Low Not Assessed
Cultivation of aquatic food plants		Yes No Not Assessed	High Medium Low Not Assessed
For buffalo wallowing and use of domesticated animals		Yes No Not Assessed	High Medium Low Not Assessed
Mining		Yes No Not Assessed	High Medium Low Not Assessed
Medicinal plants		Yes No Not Assessed	High Medium Low Not Assessed
Site of high congregation of migratory water birds		Yes No Not Assessed	High Medium Low Not Assessed
Buffering communities from extreme events as floods and storms		Yes No Not Assessed	High Medium Low Not Assessed
Acts as a sink for sediments		Yes No Not Assessed	High Medium Low Not Assessed
Supports noteworthy plants species		Yes No Not Assessed	High Medium Low Not Assessed
Supports noteworthy animal species		Yes No Not Assessed	High Medium Low Not Assessed
Supports life cycle of fish or amphibians		Yes No Not Assessed	High Medium Low Not Assessed
Is a recreational site		Yes No Not Assessed	High Medium Low Not Assessed	Boating, bird-watching
Is a site for recreation and tourism		Yes No Not Assessed	High Medium Low Not Assessed	Boating, bird-watching
Has significant cultural and religious values		Yes No Not Assessed	High Medium Low Not Assessed	Dutch Cemetery in town

Section 5: Pre-Existing Rights and Privileges

Nature of right and privilege	Relevant for the site (please tick yes or no)	Does this negatively impact the wetland's ecological health?	Brief description
Community Fishing (without any lease or permission from government dep	Yes No Not Assessed	Yes No Not Assessed	Padu fishing by which there is resource partitioning among villeges is practiced for prawn harvest from the lagoon
Fishing under lease from government department	Yes No Not Assessed	Yes No Not Assessed
Harvest of plants (without any lease or permission from government dep	Yes No Not Assessed	Yes No Not Assessed
Harvest of plants under lease from government department)	Yes No Not Assessed	Yes No Not Assessed
Agriculture or horticulture within wetland	Yes No Not Assessed	Yes No Not Assessed
Grazing	Yes No Not Assessed	Yes No Not Assessed
Religious practices	Yes No Not Assessed	Yes No Not Assessed
Withdrawal of water for domestic use	Yes No Not Assessed	Yes No Not Assessed
Withdrawal of water for agriculture or fisheries	Yes No Not Assessed	Yes No Not Assessed
Bathing or wallowing of domestic animals	Yes No Not Assessed	Yes No Not Assessed
Plying of boats	Yes No Not Assessed	Yes No Not Assessed	Boating for tourists as well as for transport
	Yes No Not Assessed	Yes No Not Assessed

Section 6: Present and Potential Threats

Present and Potential Threats

Threat	Icon	Present or Potential	Degree	Additional information, if any
Hydrological regime alteration		Present Potential Not Assessed	High Medium Low Not Assessed
Salinization		Present Potential Not Assessed	High Medium Low Not Assessed
Siltation		Present Potential Not Assessed	High Medium Low Not Assessed
Pollution		Present Potential Not Assessed	High Medium Low Not Assessed
Encroachment		Present Potential Not Assessed	High Medium Low Not Assessed
Unsustainable harvest of wetland resources		Present Potential Not Assessed	High Medium Low Not Assessed
Over grazing		Present Potential Not Assessed	High Medium Low Not Assessed
Unsustainable water abstraction		Present Potential Not Assessed	High Medium Low Not Assessed
Mining (e.g. salt, sand or laterite)		Present Potential Not Assessed	High Medium Low Not Assessed
Invasive species proliferation		Present Potential Not Assessed	High Medium Low Not Assessed
Regime fragmentation		Present Potential Not Assessed	High Medium Low Not Assessed
Tourism pressure		Present Potential Not Assessed	High Medium Low Not Assessed
Extreme events / Climate change		Present Potential Not Assessed	High Medium Low Not Assessed
Silt deprivation		Present Potential Not Assessed	High Medium Low Not Assessed
Intensive agriculture		Present Potential Not Assessed	High Medium Low Not Assessed
Aquaculture		Present Potential Not Assessed	High Medium Low Not Assessed
Coastal erosion		Present Potential Not Assessed	High Medium Low Not Assessed
Changes in water inflow and outflow		Present Potential Not Assessed	High Medium Low Not Assessed
Spread of invasive species		Present Potential Not Assessed	High Medium Low Not Assessed

Section 7: Activities Proposed to be prohibited (other than those listed in Rule 4(2) of Wetlands Rules)

	Activity	Prohibited within wetlands or zone of influence	Details of specific area wherein activity is prohibited	Name of department / agency responsible for regulation	Additional information, if any

Section 8: Activities Proposed to be regulated

Activity	Place a tick mark if relevant	Regulation within wetlands or zone of influence	Level of regulation (in terms of people, restricted area or any other)	Name of department / agency responsible for regulation	Additional information, if any
Withdrawal of water / Impoundment / diversion or any other hydrological intervention		Wetland / Wetlands complex boundary Zone of influence
Harvesting of Resources (living / non living)		Wetland / Wetlands complex boundary Zone of influence
Grazing		Wetland / Wetlands complex boundary Zone of influence
Discharge of treated sewage/ effluent / wastewater		Wetland / Wetlands complex boundary Zone of influence
Construction of boat jetties, and facilities for temporary use, as pontoon bridges		Wetland / Wetlands complex boundary Zone of influence
Aquaculture, agriculture and horticulture activities within the wetland boundaries		Wetland / Wetlands complex boundary Zone of influence
Any other, please list		Wetland / Wetlands complex boundary Zone of influence

Section 9: Activities Proposed to be permitted

Activity	Place a tick mark if relevant	Within wetlands or zone of influence	Additional information, if any
Aquaculture, agriculture and horticulture activities within the wetland boundaries.		Wetland / Wetlands complex boundary Zone of influence

Section 10: Listing of Available Scientific Resources Used

Listing of Available Scientific Resources Used

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pulicat_Lake_Bird_Sanctuary
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pulicat_Lake
S.K.M. Basha, E. Rajya Laksmi1, B. Ratneswara Rao1, C.V.N. Murthy and N. Savithramma, 2012. Biodiversity and Conservation of Pulicat Lake - Andhra Pradesh. International Journal of Geology, Earth and Environmental Sciences. 2 (2) May-August, pp.129-135 https://www.cibtech.org/J-GEOLOGY-EARTH-ENVIRONMENT/PUBLICATIONS/2012/Vol%202%20No%202/13-006%20JGEE%20BASHA%20Pulicat_lake.pdf
Sivalingam Govindan, Ravichandran Ramanibai and Thamodharan Balakrishnan, Avifaunal diversity and status of Pulicat Lagoon in Tamil Nadu, India. ZOO’s PRINT, Volume XXX, Number 6 June 2015
https://india.mongabay.com/2021/02/as-threats-increase-communitys-efforts-to-save-pulicat-lake-continues/
Govindan S, Ravichandran R (2016) Fish Fauna Diversity and Conservation Status of Pulicat Lagoon in Tamil Nadu. Ann Aquac Res 3(2): 1018.
Sanjeeva Raj, P.J. 2006. Macrofauna of Pulicat Lake. NBA Bulletin No. 6. National Biodiversity Authority, Chennai, TN
BirdLife International http://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/pulicat-lake-iba-india/details accessed 18 March 21
Kannan, V. et al. The Waterbirds of Pulicat Lake, Andhra Pradesh-Tamil Nadu, India, including those of the adjoining wetlands and Heronries. JBNHS, 105 (2), May-Aug 2008
R. Rajamanickam and S. Nagan, 2016. A Study on Water Quality Status of Major Lakes in Tamil Nadu. International Journal of Research in Environmental Science (IJRES)Volume 2,Issue 2,  pp 9-21
Dhinamala K, Pushpalatha M, Samuel T, Raveen R, 2015. Spatial and temporal variations in the water quality parameters of Pulicat Lake, Tamil Nadu, India. International Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Studies 2015; 3(2): 255-259

Required Information for Wetland Profile Page

Species of global conservation significance

Notable Species

Eurasian curlew Numenius arquata
Black-tailed godwit Limosa limosa
Painted stork Mycteria leucocepha

Critical Endangered

White-bellied heron Ardea insignis
White-rumped vulture Gyps bengalensis

Endangered

Black-bellied tern Sterna acuticauda

Vulnerable

Greater Spotted Eagle Clanga clanga
Epinephelus lanceolatus

Species Count

Birds

Fishes

Mammals

Reptiles & Ambhibians

Plants

Plant and Animal species

Data Source