Berijam Lake - Conservation

Conservation

Threats

The catchment basin of the lake, historically dominated by extensive shola grass lands, drains into marshes at the head of the lake. However, most of the catchment area was afforested, during the 1960s, with Eucalyptus, wattle and pine. The main Berijam marsh has shrunk, as evidenced in March 2007, by walking across the marsh without getting one’s feet wet. This is attributed to less water discharging into the lake. Shrinking of the lake has also been noticed with the boating dock getting shifted to deeper waters on the opposite side of the creek.

The creek waters adjoining the marsh have been gradually invaded by marshland vegetation of water lilies, Torpedo grass and native sedges with shoots in water and roots at the nodes. The water lilies were planted there "reportedly" for ornamental purposes by the Forest Department. These marshland invasives are accelerating the siltation process and may eventually result in necessity of raising the height of the dam to compensate for loss of storage due to siltation.

A crisis in the water regime of the Palani plateau has been observed at Berijam Lake. The lake’s marshlands have been reported to dry out after the monsoon and marsh vegetation is seen encroaching into the deeper part of the lake.

Studies by the Sálim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History, Coimbatore, undertaken in 2006 in many areas of the Palani hills including Berijam, indicate that the population of the Grey-breasted Laughingthrush, a near threatened endemic bird species of the Western Ghats, has been affected by the degradation of its habitat. Remedial measures have been suggested.

Otter poaching in the Palani hills to the point of extermination has been reported. The Common Otter and Small-clawed Otter are trapped by Tribals from the Haryana State of India, who are in Palani hills with the sole aim of collecting Otter oil which is in demand in Northern India.

Mercury pollution was reported in Kodaikanal which affected lakes in the area.

The causes, originating from a Hindustan Lever thermometer factory nearby, were reported to be dispersal of elemental mercury to the atmosphere from improper storage and dispersal from surface effluents from the factory. Apart from tests conducted on Kodaikanal lake, moss samples collected from trees surrounding the Berijam Lake, located 20 km (12.4 mi) from the factory were also tested. These showed mercury level in the range of 0.2 µg/kg.

In 1902, important bauxite deposits were discovered in the hills north and south of Berijam Lake which The Geological Survey of India investigated during 1964–65.

Remedial measures

The following measures have been suggested or are under implementation by various agencies.

Plastics, smoking and consuming alcohol are prohibited at the lake area.

Promote Shola grass land afforestation in the catchment area of the lake, particularly towards Mannavanur where its absence is noticed. This remedial measure could be ecologically and biologically beneficial to restore the lake’s water source.

Grassland rehabilitation could be achieved, with NGO and community participation.

The Vatakanal Conservation Trust, a non-governmental organization in assosciation with the Tamil Nadu Forest Department has initiated efforts to restore the shola system. A pilot project was undertaken to protect the Pambar shola, adjacent to Kodaikanal.

Kurinji saplings associated with Shola grasslands and other native grasslands species have been successfully nurtured.

Excellent flowering of Krunji flowers on the cliffs near Berijam Lake have been noted during the August and September season.

Noting the effect on the breeding of the Grey–breasted Laughingthrush, the Sálim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History has recommended:

Expansion of plantations and restoration of grasslands and shola forests in the Palani hills should be halted

The larger shola forests of Kukkal and Mathikettan (Berijam) to be declared as bird sanctuaries with better protection for the proposed Palani Hills Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park.

Set up a GIS database with thematic details, including information on flora and fauna, to help monitor the globally Near threatened species.

Initiate a nature education programme to highlight importance of natural vegetation in Habitat conservation of biodiversity and watershed management of Palani Hills.