A sullied haven at Suchindram

Stretching from the Kanniyakumari High Road at Edalakudi at one end to the Kasi Viswanathar Temple in Parakkai at the other, the Suchindram Eri (lake) Kulam spans a few kilometres and serves as a vital habitat for numerous bird species as well as a variety of freshwater fish.

Part of the Suchindram-Theroor-Manakkudy Wetland Complex, one of the two Ramsar sites in Kanniyakumari district, it has long served as an important stopover for migratory birds at the southern tip of the Central Asian Flyway. The waterbody also functions as one of the prime heronries of Kanniyakumari district.

However, the lake is gradually falling prey to negligence, apathy, and indifference on the part of both the government and the public. Encroachments, sewage inflow, unregulated waste dumping along the banks, the proliferation of weeds and water hyacinths, and illegal lotus cultivation have together transformed Suchindram lake from a once vibrant ecosystem into a gasping, polluted waterbody.

Other waterbodies such as Koonikulam, Nadu Kulam, and Parakkai Kulam, situated near Suchindram lake, have also borne the brunt of pollution, encroachments, and waste dumping. The entire sewage from Parakkai panchayat now flows into Koonikulam, Nadu Kulam, and Parakkai Kulam, gradually turning the water murky.

“Eutrophication [the process whereby a body of water becomes overly enriched with nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen, leading to excessive plant and algal growth] caused by the inflow of sewage has resulted in the rampant growth of water hyacinth. While water hyacinth can be useful to birds such as the water jacana and the moorhen, it leaves only small patches of open water for birds — particularly pelicans — to swim freely,” says S. Balachandar, former deputy director, Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), and managing trustee, Migratory Bird Monitoring Trust (MBMT).

A vibrant ecosystem

The lake is home to black-headed ibises, egrets, little egrets, cattle egrets, grey herons, little cormorants, night herons, painted storks, and pelicans (though only in small numbers). They nest on the trees growing on a mound in the lake. In the evenings, the branches of these trees turn white as hundreds of egrets and other waterbirds perch upon them.

“The late ornithologist Robert Grubh used to say that he had spotted many whistling ducks here — but you cannot find them anymore,” adds Mr. Balachandar. Grubh had also observed pelicans, which initially came only to feed in the lake but later began building nests. However, their nests can no longer be seen either.

As Kanniyakumari is a small district where land values have increased manyfold, there is constant pressure on wetlands to make way for housing projects. The construction of four-lane roads through wetlands and waterbodies has already caused considerable disturbance to the fragile ecosystem. A narrow road now runs between the lake and hundreds of acres of paddy fields in Suchindram and Kakkumur, which are irrigated by the lake. The glorious days of the tank and paddy fields, which once presented a fascinating sight, are vividly captured by historian K.K. Pillai, author of Suchindram Temple.

“The cultivated area in and around Suchindram forms the most fertile region in the whole of Nanjil Nadu, fittingly described as the granary of erstwhile Travancore,” he says in the book, first published in 1952. He writes that the high yield of the paddy crop in the locality is ascribable as much to the inherent richness of the soil as to the abundant supply of water needed for cultivation.

“The view of the entire landscape, seen from the top storey of the stately tower of the pagoda (Suchindram temple), is enchanting. The scenery is superb,” he says. The paddy fields also function as a feeding ground. However, conversion of paddy fields is going on unchecked — despite the district collector’s 2021 order banning non-agricultural activity on wet agricultural lands — posing a danger to biodiversity. M. Aravind, the then collector of the district, directed officials to grant permission for non-agricultural activities only after ensuring that the proposed development area had no irrigation facilities and that there was no scope for agriculture in the future. This directive applies to canals, channels, lakes, tanks, rivers, poramboke lands, temple and Waqf Board lands, lands of trusts, public roads, and streets.

Even though the district boasts two Ramsar sites, sincere efforts to protect the waterbodies that nurture and sustain the wetlands have been lacking; otherwise, they would not have reached such a sad state.

Rampant encroachments

Vinod Sadhasivan of the Kanniyakumari Nature Foundation (KKNF) is of the opinion that encroachments along the lake’s banks are a major cause of its pollution and have also reduced its area. “At several points along the Pathinettampadi stretch, makeshift cattle shelters and residential structures have encroached upon the lake. Human settlements have occupied its mudflats,” he says.

A narrow road runs between Suchindram lake and hundreds of acres of paddy fields, alongside a tower used by the Forest Department to monitor birds. However, waste is being dumped on both sides of the road, and routine burning of this waste adds to the problem.

Lotus cultivation

Apart from encroachment, the rampant growth of water hyacinths and other weeds has choked much of the lake. “Lotus cultivation and the spread of invasive plants disrupt oxygen levels, affecting aquatic plants and fish species,” Mr. Sadhasivan says, urging authorities to address the lake’s core issues rather than focus on beautification.

Independent bird researcher Anand Shibu echoes similar concerns, emphasising that encroachments along the banks of the lake are disrupting the mudflats, the major feeding grounds for wading birds. Fishing nets spread across the lake, along with human intrusion to catch fish and pluck lotus, also disturb the birds.

“Most migratory birds prefer the mudflats of the waterbody since they are rich in small worms, molluscs, and other insects. Dumping waste on the banks of the lake affects the habitat of these small species, thus impacting the wading birds and other avian species,” Mr. Shibu notes.

Sewage flow

Another major factor affecting the ecological balance of Suchindram lake is sewage intrusion via the irrigation channels of the Pazhayar river, says N. Udhayarajan, director of the Uvakai Research Foundation. The Parakkai canal, one of its feeders, is heavily polluted because of sewage from Nagercoil Municipal Corporation areas.

“Though the Corporation has developed a sewage treatment plant (STP) at the Valampurivilai dumping yard, the underground drainage system (UGDS) work of the Corporation is yet to be fully completed,” he explains.

Mr. Udhayarajan adds that the failure of effective planning to run the UGDS had led to large quantities of untreated water flowing through the Parakkai canal, locally known as Parakkin Kaal. The canal merges with the southern end of the Suchindram-Parakkai Kulam, eventually spreading to Suchindram lake. He emphasises that modular STPs would be more appropriate for towns such as Nagercoil, where the terrain varies across regions, making sewage treatment more efficient.

A. Vins Anto of the Kodhayar Irrigation Committee stresses the need to desilt the Parakkin Kaal and take steps to prevent sewage intrusion into it. Speaking on lotus cultivation in the waterbody, Mr. Anto clarifies, “Earlier, it was given on lease by the PWD (Public Works Department). However, after a legal battle, the leasing process has been completely stopped. But illegal cultivation of lotus is continuing in many waterbodies across the district, including in Suchindram lake, as it is a great source of income for the locals.”

He adds that though the Water Resources Department (WRD) had been taking various measures to check lotus cultivation in many places, the practice could not be completely stopped. “The government authorities should give priority to restoring the waterbody, which provides a habitat for various bird and aquatic species,” he says.

Desilting work

When asked about the condition of the lake, Nagercoil Corporation Mayor R. Mahesh says that the civic body has begun desilting the Parakkin Kaal from Kariyamanikkapuram, at an outlay of ₹40 lakh, with an additional amount sought for the project. “Desilting the Parakkin Kaal will further prevent the flow of sewage into the channel,” he says.

An official from the WRD adds that the department had submitted a proposal for ₹25 lakh for desilting the Parakkin Kaal. He further notes, “The sewage in the channel is not completely entering the Suchindram-Parakkai Kulam, as many areas are blocked by silt and weeds.” Continuous action was being taken against lotus cultivators, he adds, and necessary steps would also be taken to evict encroachments affecting Suchindram lake.

A. Anbu, District Forest Officer (DFO), Kanniyakumari, tells The Hindu that Suchindram lake comes under both the Forest and PWD departments, where joint efforts were being made to restore the waterbody. The district has four eco-development committees, including one for the Suchindram-Parakkai Kulam, which monitors rampant waste disposal near the waterbody, illegal lotus cultivation, and other factors affecting its ecological balance.

“The Forest Department has a management plan for the Suchindram-Theroor-Manakkudy wetland conservation project from 2023-2024 to 2032-2033, and necessary action will be taken based on the plan,” he says.

Mr. Anbu also reiterates that measures would be taken to evict encroachments and that the Kanniyakumari District Pollution Control Board would be directed to check and prevent sewage intrusion into Suchindram lake.