Pallikarnai Marshland a Natural

Heritage
R J Ranjit Daniels
Care Earth Trust
www.careearthtrust.org

What is a natural
heritage?

Ecosystems
Biological
communities
Certain
geological
elements in
landscapes

Natural systems result from

Millions of years of evolution and
ecological succession

A heritage is often a remnant

It may be pre-historical in origin
A museum/storehouse of local
history

Natural elements and species

That have disappeared from the
landscape may be preserved in
Natural Heritage sites

Pallikarnai Marshland

What is special?
One of the few natural wetlands of India
Highly dynamic due to varied hydrology and
depth
Predominantly freshwater despite below sea
level topography and close proximity to sea
The single largest drainage system in Chennai
Typically a marsh
Kidney for South Chennai

Belongs to the
Bay of Bengal Large Marine
Ecosystem

Past history
2000 years has been a marsh
May have been 10-12 times more extensive
May have had some link to the Adyar river in the
past
Sub-fossilized animals have offered clue to
ancient history

Biological Value
More than 130 species of birds
Around 50 species of fish
Hundreds of species of other aquatic organisms

Ecological value
Habitat to thousands of birds including
threatened species
A reservoir of fish and other aquatic organisms

Has the potential of being a Ramsar Site

Service value
Moderates local climate
Drains flood water and mitigates natural
disasters
Offers livelihoods to people
Groundwater recharge services
Aesthetics
Recreation services
Education services

Threats to conservation
Encroachment (choking)
Interference with hydrological flows
Interference with sea water mixing
Changing landscape topography and bathymetry
Fragmentation
Dumping (waste disposal)
Changing vegetation succession