The Centre has decided to take up research studies for rejuvenating the Pulicat Lake in the state. Pulicat Lake located in the border be-tween AP and Tamil Nadu is the second largest brackish water lagoon in India, covering 461 sq. km. The flora and fauna and bio-diversity in the lake attract thousands of migratory birds during winter fr-om various parts of the cou-ntry and even from Siberia.
Thousands of fishermen depend on the lake for their livelihood. However, decr-easing water-levels have been causing alarm to both fishermen depending on the lake as well as wildlife officials because of a decl-ine in the arrival of migratory birds. In this backdrop, authorities have been contemplating to hire a consultant group for extensive research shortly. They prepared an estimated Rs.21.80 crore five-year comprehensive action plan in November last year to secure funds under the nat-ional programme for conservation and management of wetlands to develop Puli-cat Lake, after studying the practices adopted by the management of the world famous Chilka lake in Odis-ha during November last year, following a visit by a team of wildlife officials.
According to Mr Pardhan-anda Prasad, divisional forest officer, wildlife, Sullur-peta, the Centre has decided to carry out a detailed research after examining the five year action plan submitted by wildlife aut-horities of the state. The research will cover necessary studies on the length and depth of the opening of the sea mouth into the lake at Kondurupalem and Ra-yadoruvu in SPSR Nellore district and advice on construction of groins or any structures to maintain the mouth openings.
The research will determine environmental flows of rivers and rivulets draining into the lake, examine the possibilities of enhancing fresh water flow into these, formulate catchment area treatment mechanis-ms to enhance freshwater flows and verify the effect of roads and other barriers on water spread of the lake and corrective measures for free flow/spread of wa-ter. The research will also cover habitat conditions for seasonal birds visiting Pulicat Lake every year.
Mr Prasad said that the Government of India officials were finalising the research agency.
