From the Kanniyakumari High Road at Edalakudy on one end to the Kasi Vishwanath Temple at Parakkai, on the other end Suchindram Eri (Lake) Kulam stretches for a few kilometers and serves as an important habitat for many bird species as well as a variety of freshwater fishes.
Part of the Suchindram-Therur-Manakkudi Wetland Complex, one of the two Ramsar sites in Kanniyakumari district, it has long served as an important stopover for migratory birds at the southern tip of the Central Asian Flyway. This reservoir also serves as one of the major reservoirs of Kanniyakumari district.
However, the lake is gradually falling prey to the negligence and indifference of both the government and the public. Encroachment, sewage flow, unregulated garbage dumping on the banks, spread of weeds and water hyacinth, and illegal lotus cultivation have combined to transform Suchindram Lake from a once vibrant ecosystem into a gasping, polluted reservoir.
Other water bodies like Kuonikulam, Naadu Kulam and Parakkai Kulam located near Suchindram Lake have also suffered the brunt of pollution, encroachment and waste dumping. The entire sewage of Parakkai Panchayat now flows into Koonikulam, Nadu Kulam and Parakkai Kulam, causing the water to gradually become dirty.
“Eutrophication (the process whereby a body of water becomes excessively enriched with nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen, leading to excessive plant and algae growth) due to sewage inflows has led to the massive growth of water hyacinths. While water hyacinths can be useful to birds such as jacanas and moorhens, it leaves only small areas of water open to birds – especially pelicans – to swim. leaves the body independently,” says S Balachander, former deputy director of the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) and managing trustee of the Migratory Bird Monitoring Trust (MBMT).
a vibrant ecosystem
The lake is home to black-headed ibis, egrets, little egrets, cattle egrets, gray herons, little cormorants, night herons, painted storks and pelicans (though only in small numbers). They nest on trees growing on a mound in the lake. In the evening, the branches of these trees turn white as hundreds of herons and other water birds perch on them.
Birds perch on trees growing on a mound in the lake, creating a spectacular view Photo courtesy: S.Shivraj
“The late ornithologist Robert Grubb used to say he saw a lot of whistling ducks here – but you can’t find them anymore,” says Mr Balachander. Grubhub also spotted pelicans, which initially came to the lake only to feed but later began nesting. However, now even their nests cannot be seen.
Since Kanniyakumari is a small district where land values have increased manifold, there is constant pressure on the wetlands to make way for housing projects. The construction of four-lane roads through wetlands and water bodies has caused considerable disturbance to the already delicate ecosystem. Now a narrow road runs between the lake and hundreds of acres of paddy fields at Suchindram and Kakkamur, which are irrigated by the lake. The glory days of the ponds and paddy fields, which once presented an attractive sight, have been vividly captured by historian KK Pillai, author. Suchindram Temple,
In the book, first published in 1952, he says, “The cultivated area in and around Suchindram is the most fertile region in the entire Nanjil Nadu, which has been described as the granary of erstwhile Travancore.” He writes that the high yield of paddy crop in the area is attributed to the inherent richness of the soil as well as the abundant supply of water required for farming.
He says, “The view of the entire landscape as seen from the top floor of the majestic tower of the pagoda (Suchindarram Temple) is breathtaking. The scenery is spectacular.” Paddy fields also serve as pastureland. However, conversion of paddy fields is going on unchecked – despite the District Collector’s 2021 order banning non-agricultural activity on wet agricultural lands – posing a threat to biodiversity. M. Arvind, the then Collector of the district, directed officials to allow non-agricultural activities only after ensuring that there are no irrigation facilities in the proposed development area and there is no scope for agriculture in future. This directive applies to canals, channels, lakes, tanks, rivers, poramboke lands, temple and waqf board lands, trust lands, public roads and streets.
Even though there are two Ramsar sites in the district, there has been a lack of sincere efforts to protect the water bodies that feed and maintain the wetlands; Otherwise they would not have reached such a sad situation.
massive encroachment
Vinod Sadasivan of Kanniyakumari Nature Foundation (KKNF) is of the opinion that encroachment on the banks of the lake is a major reason for its pollution and has also reduced its area. “At many places in the Pathinettampady area, temporary cattle shelters and residential structures have encroached on the lake. Human settlements have taken over its muddy plains,” he says.
The lake is affected by encroachment, waste dumping and other issues. Photo Courtesy: S.Shivraj
A narrow road runs between Suchindram Lake and hundreds of acres of paddy fields, next to which is a tower used by the forest department to monitor birds. However, garbage is being dumped on both sides of the road, and regular burning of this garbage further aggravates the problem.
lotus cultivation
Apart from encroachment, extensive growth of water hyacinth and other weeds has blocked much of the lake. “Lotus cultivation and spread of invasive plants disrupts oxygen levels, thereby affecting aquatic plants and fish species,” says Mr. Sadasivan, adding that he urged the authorities to address the core issues of the lake instead of focusing on beautification.
Independent bird researcher Anand Shibu also expresses similar concerns, stressing that encroachment on the lake shores is disrupting the mudflats, which are prime feeding ground for the birds. Fishing nets spread across the lake, along with human intrusion for fishing and lotus plucking, also disturb the birds.
Mr Shibu says, “Most migratory birds prefer the muddy plains of the reservoir as they are rich in small insects, mollusks and other insects. Dumping of garbage on the banks of the lake affects the habitat of these small species, thereby affecting the endangered birds and other bird species.”
sewage flow
Another major factor affecting the ecological balance of Suchindram Lake is sewage infiltration through the irrigation channels of the Pazhayar River, says N Udayarajan, director of the Uvakai Research Foundation. One of its feeders, the Parakkai Canal, is highly polluted due to sewage from Nagercoil Municipal Corporation areas.
“Though the corporation has developed a sewage treatment plant (STP) at the Valampurivilai dumping yard, the underground drainage system (UGDS) of the corporation is still not fully completed,” he explains.
Mr Udayarajan says failure of effective planning to run the UGDS led to large quantities of untreated water flowing through the Parakkai Canal, locally known as Parakkain Kaal. The canal merges from the southern end of Suchindram-Parakkai Kulam, eventually extending to Suchindram Lake. He emphasizes that modular STPs would be more suitable for cities like Nagercoil, where the terrain varies from area to area, making sewage treatment more efficient.
A of Kodhayar Irrigation Committee. Vince Anto stressed the need to take steps to desilt the Paraquin basin and prevent ingress of sewage into it. Speaking on lotus cultivation in the reservoir, Mr. Anto clarifies, “Earlier, it was given on lease by the PWD (Public Works Department). However, after the legal battle, the leasing process has been completely stopped. But illegal lotus cultivation continues in many reservoirs across the district, including Suchindram Lake, as it is a major source of income for the local people.”
He says that although the Water Resources Department (WRD) is taking several measures to stop lotus cultivation in many places, the practice has not been stopped completely. “Government authorities should give priority to restoring the reservoir, which provides habitat to various birds and aquatic species,” he says.
desilting
When asked about the condition of the lake, Nagercoil Corporation Mayor R. Mahesh says the civic body has started desilting from the Parakin period from Kariyamnikpuram, at a cost of Rs 40 lakh, with the demand for additional funds for the project. “Desilting from the Paraquin period will stop the flow of sewage into the channel,” he says.
A WRD official says the department had submitted a proposal of ₹25 lakh for desilting the Parakin period. He adds, “Sewage in the channel is not completely entering Suchindram-Parakkai Kulam, as many areas are blocked with silt and weeds.” He said that continuous action is being taken against lotus cultivators and necessary steps will also be taken to remove encroachments affecting Suchindram Lake.
Kanniyakumari District Forest Officer (DFO) A Ambu explains The Hindu Suchindram Lake comes under both the Forest and PWD departments, where joint efforts were being made to restore the water source. There are four eco-development committees in the district, including one for Suchindram-Parakkai Kulam, which monitor large-scale waste disposal near the reservoir, illegal lotus cultivation and other factors affecting its ecological balance.
“The forest department has a management plan for the Suchindram-Therur-Manakkudy Wetland Conservation Project from 2023-2024 to 2032-2033, and necessary actions will be taken based on the plan,” he says.
Mr. Ambu also reiterated that measures would be taken to remove encroachments and the Kanniyakumari District Pollution Control Board would be directed to check and stop sewage infiltration into Suchindram Lake.
