Reviving the biodiversity of Pulicat Lake

Updated on: Monday, December 21, 2009

The Department of Zoology and their Marine Studies and Coastal Resource Management Division, Madras Christian College, conducted the first of their series of workshops and training programmes, at their off-campus Estuarine Biological Laboratory at Pulicat.

A group of students from Madras Christian College, University of Madras and volunteers from various non-governmental organisations were exposed to ways and means to improve biodiversity of water bodies.

Fifteen participants including local fishermen attended the 3-day workshop and conducted a study on Pulicat Lake. They were taught about eco-technologies developed during the past 50 years, by the former Director of the Estuarine Biological Laboratory, P. J. Sanjeeva Raj.

Michael Swift, visiting professor (Biology) of Madras Christian College, inaugurating the workshop, highlighted the reasons for global environmental degradation and the urgent need to restore them.

J. Logamanya Tilak, organising secretary of the workshop, introduced the participants to the Pulicat Lake ecosystem, and detailed on its degradation and restoration.

Lectures by the staff of the Department of Zoology and Marine Studies programme on the Pulicat Lake as a wetland, its biodiversity loss, how Geographic Information System (GIS) and other modern technologies help in assessing the biodiversity and ways to revive biodiversity were conducted.

In an attempt to give participants a hands-on experience, they were asked to make thermocol models of the eco-restoration tools. “These tools are normally done in eco-friendly materials and introduced into the water body, which is said to improve the biodiversity. The workshop focussed on broadening the perspectives of the participants on the biodiversity,” said Mr. Tilak.

Some of the tools that were taught to them are artificial fish habitats (AFHs) and artificial reefs (ARs), which improved the biodiversity in many ailing water bodies.

The participants were urged to spread across the message to many people to develop biodiversity and balance the eco-system.

Anne Walters, visiting professor (Biology) of St. Olaf College, distributed certificates of participation.

The next extended international workshop will be held during summer 2010 and interested candidates may contact Mr. Tilak at 98846 17194 or email: [email protected]

Reviving the biodiversity of Pulicat Lake

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