TIRUPATI: The Central Government is planning to protect wetlands in Pulicat Lake in Sullurpet Forest Division with coordinated action along with awareness programmes involving all stakeholders - police, forest department, farmers, aquaculturists, fishermen, community leaders, politicians, general public and schoolchildren.
Primarily, it has been proposed to maintain a 2 km buffer zone in Pulicat Lake. According to the official records, there are 600 sq km of wetlands marked along with the boundaries in the lake. The Centre is going to map and geo-tag the wetlands shortly. The mapping is aimed for inventory and monitoring existing resources.
Plans are also afoot to evaluate the existing situation around the wetlands in Sullurpet Forest Division as there are 200 aqua farms in the area. “Already, we are not allowing new aqua farms, because the existing 200 farms are letting their waste water into the wetlands spoiling natural conditions. Previously, the APTransco laid power lines on its own, but now the authorities are approaching us for advice to protect ecology,” Sullurpet DFO M Hima Sailaja said.
More stringent rules needed
The DFO said that more stringent rules were needed, as the wetlands provide place for migratory birds and hatching. “The wetlands are significant for natural and sea activities. Because of brackish water, a type of algae is formed which is a nutritional food for birds and it helps speedy reproductive activity,” she said.
The DFO said that the Central Government was keen on developing a buffer zone to protect the lake and the ecology.“A buffer zone is the area of land within 100 feet of coastal banks, inland banks, freshwater wetlands, coastal wetlands, tidal flats, beaches, dunes, marshes and swamps. Any activity in a buffer zone could have an impact on the nearby wetlands,” she said.
Wildlife norms
She said that at Pulicat Lake, wetlands are not bordering natural habitations, but human habitations. The effluents generated by aqua pose a threat to ecology in the area. “We have received certain norms from the National Board for Wildlife, even for formation or laying roads either in the wetlands or buffer zone,” she said. The interests protected by the norms are flood control, prevention of storm damage, curbing pollution, protection of fisheries, shellfish, groundwater, public or private water supply, and wildlife habitat.
Pupil programme
This year, the Sullurpet Forest Division is planning to cover all schoolchildren in the area and create an awareness among them about the significance of Pulicat Lake, wetlands and migratory birds. “The wetlands are home for several indigenous and migratory bird species and one must not interfere in their lives. Every Saturday, children of a school will visit Pulicat Lake and Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary as part of the awareness programme,” she added.