443
14.4 Coastal Wetlands of India
Coastal wetland Lakes of brackish water (Salt and Fresh Water Mix) (1) Ashtamudi
Lake, Kerala – 61,400 ha. (R) (2) Chilika Lake, Orissa – 116,500 ha – Largest
brackish water lagoon in Asia. (R) (3) Kuttanad lagoon, Kerala, Five major rivers
drain – Most area consists of freshwater – ‘kayal’ or backwaters – ‘One of the few
places below sea level with farming’ (4) Pulicat Lake, Andhra Pradesh & Tamil
Nadu, − 77,000 ha – Second largest brackish water lagoon in India – Unique for its
multi-ecosystem. (5) Vembanad-Kol Lake system, Kerala – 151,250 ha – Fed by ten
rivers -Two distinct segments of fresh water and salt water (R). In this paper it is
reported two coastal wetlands namely Chilika lake, Orissa and Vembanad Lake
Kerala.
14.4.1 Restoration of Chilika Lake, Orissa
The basic approach adopted for restoration is to be facilitated a community based
eco-management system for an integrated terrestrial and aquatic resource management programme, with a major emphasis on the capacity building at the community
level. This is to be done through a series of training and exposure visits, to pave the
way for preparation of the micro plan of watershed blended with indigenous knowledge at the community level for optimum utilization of the natural resources to
increase in the productivity. The increase in the productivity level is also helping in
the poverty alleviation in the catchment area. The watershed community also shares
the part of the cost of the treatment. This is creating an enabling situation for the
local community to take decision on the natural resource management within the
catchment. The self initiated good practices are indication of the confidence regained
by the stake holders on the lagoon ecosystem. The restoration of the Chilka Lake
started with the following objectives:
• To restore the ecological balance of the lake
• Provide the livelihood to the villages surrounding the lake/lagoon.
The Chilka Lagoon (Fig. 14.6) was placed under the Montreaux Record of Ramsar
due to adverse changes in its ecological character caused by pollution and other
anthropogenic pressure. The entire issue of better lagoon management and the restoration programme was initiated.
The major interventions for the restoration were Desiltation of the outer-channel
of the lagoon by dredging and Opening of an artificial mouth along the sand spit at
a distance of 11 km from the lake. The Following restoration measures would be
taken for restoration of Chilika lake.
• Control of Silt load by plantation in catchment area
• Improvement of water exchange and maintenance of salinity gradient. (Dredging;
• Bathymetry and Hydrologic monitoring)
14 Coastal Wetland Restoration: Concepts, Methodology, and Application Areas…
14.4 Coastal Wetlands of India
Coastal wetland Lakes of brackish water (Salt and Fresh Water Mix) (1) Ashtamudi
Lake, Kerala – 61,400 ha. (R) (2) Chilika Lake, Orissa – 116,500 ha – Largest
brackish water lagoon in Asia. (R) (3) Kuttanad lagoon, Kerala, Five major rivers
drain – Most area consists of freshwater – ‘kayal’ or backwaters – ‘One of the few
places below sea level with farming’ (4) Pulicat Lake, Andhra Pradesh & Tamil
Nadu, − 77,000 ha – Second largest brackish water lagoon in India – Unique for its
multi-ecosystem. (5) Vembanad-Kol Lake system, Kerala – 151,250 ha – Fed by ten
rivers -Two distinct segments of fresh water and salt water (R). In this paper it is
reported two coastal wetlands namely Chilika lake, Orissa and Vembanad Lake
Kerala.
14.4.1 Restoration of Chilika Lake, Orissa
The basic approach adopted for restoration is to be facilitated a community based
eco-management system for an integrated terrestrial and aquatic resource management programme, with a major emphasis on the capacity building at the community
level. This is to be done through a series of training and exposure visits, to pave the
way for preparation of the micro plan of watershed blended with indigenous knowledge at the community level for optimum utilization of the natural resources to
increase in the productivity. The increase in the productivity level is also helping in
the poverty alleviation in the catchment area. The watershed community also shares
the part of the cost of the treatment. This is creating an enabling situation for the
local community to take decision on the natural resource management within the
catchment. The self initiated good practices are indication of the confidence regained
by the stake holders on the lagoon ecosystem. The restoration of the Chilka Lake
started with the following objectives:
• To restore the ecological balance of the lake
• Provide the livelihood to the villages surrounding the lake/lagoon.
The Chilka Lagoon (Fig. 14.6) was placed under the Montreaux Record of Ramsar
due to adverse changes in its ecological character caused by pollution and other
anthropogenic pressure. The entire issue of better lagoon management and the restoration programme was initiated.
The major interventions for the restoration were Desiltation of the outer-channel
of the lagoon by dredging and Opening of an artificial mouth along the sand spit at
a distance of 11 km from the lake. The Following restoration measures would be
taken for restoration of Chilika lake.
• Control of Silt load by plantation in catchment area
• Improvement of water exchange and maintenance of salinity gradient. (Dredging;
• Bathymetry and Hydrologic monitoring)
14 Coastal Wetland Restoration: Concepts, Methodology, and Application Areas…