Flora Fauna

Introduction

The developmental activities and the population growth have severely damaged the economy as well as
the ecology of Kerala. The socio-economic-ecological costs the gods own country had to pay on
developmental activities were so great and vast. But even with this pressure, this demographically
blessed and ecologically endowed small state remains a beautiful location, with an abundance of
coconut palms, water bodies, mountains and natural features. The economy of the state has been under
extreme pressure on economical and environmental fronts. Kerala is credited for her high literacy rate,
for her highly qualified and competent labour force, of course with high salaries and standard of living.
Consequently, most of the heavy and light industry has pulled out, leaving the state relatively low on
manufacturing and exporting industries. Consequently, the Kerala unemployed youth have to try their
luck seeking opportunities in gulf countries. Now it also shows a down trend recently. The biodiversity
conservation and protection of environment are some areas where Kerala should concentrate in the
postmodern scenario, at a time when it enjoys both biodiversity and demographic advantages.

This second largest wetland in the Kerala State and deepest among all the estuaries of Kerala supports
some endangered species according to the Red Data Book of Indian Plants, such as Syzygium
travencoricum. This endowed ecosystem supports around 43 marshy and mangrove species, 57 species
of birds, 97 species of fishes and some unique copepod species. More than 20,000 waterfowl visit the
lake annually. Ashtamudi wetland supports some 97 species of fishes and is an important source of food,
a nursery and spawning ground.

Estuarine Eco-systems in Kerala

Estuarine eco-systems in Kerala are the most critical component of the coastal environment, which
sustains millions of people and the implications of degradation are disastrous. The shores of Ashtamudi
Estuary are home to thousands of people and become the bio-spots of Kerala by sheltering a large
species of flora and fauna. Their future will be significantly affected by decisions made today concerning
the estuarys resources and its sustainable management

The Ashtamudi is one of the largest wetland ecosystems in Kerala. This estuarine system lies in Kollam
district and is the second largest of the State. This estuary is the deepest among all the estuaries of
Kerala with a maximum depth of 6.4 m at the confluence zone. The major river discharging into the
Ashtamudi is the Kallada river, formed by the confluence of three rivers, viz., the Kulathupuzha, the
Chendurni and the Kalthuruthy. The Kallada river originates from the western ghats. It traverses through
virgin forests and finally falls into the Ashtamudi wetland, after travelling a distance of about 120 km.
The Kallada river is carrying an average runoff of 76,000 million cubic m of freshwater into the estuary
every year. The site lies within the Miocene-Quilon-Varkala geologic belt. Ashtamudi Lake has been
designated as a Ramsar Site in November 2002.

Biodiversity Values
Ashtamudi Wetland is of extraordinary importance for its hydrological functions, its biodiversity, and its
support for fish with nearly 100 species sustaining a lively fishing industry. It hosts endangered species
according to the Red Data Book of Indian Plants, such as Zyzigium travencoricum, and the endemic liane
Calmus rotang.

The site comprises an extensive estuarine system, the second largest in Kerala State, as well as
mangrove forests. The site is state-owned. The surroundings are privately owned. Thousands of
fishermen depend directly upon the estuary for their livelihood. It is the second biggest fish-landing
centre next to Vembanad estuary. Apart fishing the site is used for coir retting. The surrounding area of
the catchments is used for cultivation and industrial production.

True mangroves Avicennia officinalis, Bruguiera gymnorrhiza and Sonneratia caseolaris are present and
around 43 species of marshy and mangrove associates are present along with two endangered species
Syzygium travencoricum and Calamus rotang. The lake supports 57 species of avifauna, of which 6 are
migratory and 51 resident species, 97 species of fishes (42 are typically marine, 3 estuarine, 9 estuarine-
riverine, 15 marine-estuarine) and unique copepod species. It is also a congenial habitat for all species of
penacid and palaemonid prawns, edible crabs, black clams and a variety of fish.

Environmental Impacts

Population density and urban pressures pose threats to the site, including pollution from oil spills from
thousands of fishing boats and from industries in the surrounding area and conversion/destruction of
natural habitats for development purposes, e.g. shrinking of the fragile lake zone. The natural beauty is
disturbed by the industry with a negative impact on tourism. The catchments are threatened by huge
quantities of untreated sewage, disposal of human excreta, and the pollution from paper mills,
industries (aluminium, cearmic, sea food), as well as from coconut husk retting.

In a study it is interestingly noted that if the renowned octopus-shaped Ashtamudi Lake in Kollam owes
its name to its eight creeks, often described as the eight (ashta) locks of hair (mudi), the lake has already
lost one of its important creeks thereby compelling one to wonder whether the lake would have to be
soon rechristened "Sapthamudi" or the lake with seven locks of hair.

It is also observed that the loss of the creek, most shockingly, comes at a time when the lake was being
promoted as one of the important tourism destinations of the nation for providing some of the most
picturesque backwater locations under the sun.

Karimeen and Kanambu Connection

The waters of the Kanjiracode creek is famous for its "karimeen" (pearl spot) and "kanambu" (mullet)
fish varieties. The destruction of the creek had sound the death knell for the fishermen selling
"karimeen" for a livelihood. Not so long ago, at least 400 families in the area lived off selling "karimeen".
With no lake at Kanjiracode, the fishermen in the area were forced to migrate to Paravur and Varkala in
the south and some of them even moved up north to Kannur.
Not so long ago, at least 400 families in the area lived off selling "karimeen". With no lake at
Kanjiracode, the fishermen in the area were forced to migrate to Paravur and Varkala in the south and
some of them even moved up north to Kannur.

Coir Industry Becoming Extinct

It is the coir workers and the fishermen of the area who are worst affected since the destruction has
doomed their means livelihood.

The same misfortune befell those in the area who depended upon coir for a livelihood. Since there was
no lake to soak husks, the Kanjiracode coir industry became extinct and the coir workers there had to
look elsewhere for a living.

Massive Encroachments

The biggest conservation problem at Ashtamudi Lake is the large number of encroachments. According
to old survey reports, Ashtamudi Lake had an area of 54 sq km. But now it has shrunk to 34 sq km as a
result of the encroachments.

Massive encroachments were detected recently. The traditional mangrove forest areas of the lake had
been wantonly destroyed to facilitate encroachments. As a result of these encroachments, almost 80
per cent of the lake's banks comprised vertical walls built with laterite stones and granite. These walls
prevent spawning of fish.

Many species of fish found in the lake in the past are no longer there. It is feared that these fish species
could have gone extinct due to lack of spawning facilities on the banks of the lake. The lake also faces a
serious pollution problem.

(Ashtamudi Estuary Biodiversity Conservation and Management, Ashtamudi Lake: Biodiversity

Conservation and Management of Backwaters and Estuaries Prof (Dr.) C.V.Jayamani 3rd August 2008
Accessed 8/12/2017)