The Vembanad - Kol Wetland
This unique Eco World comprising the Vembanad Lake and the area around the lake is the largest wetland ecosystem in South India. Preservation of this wetland is important for all its stake holders, the people who live around the Vembanad Lake, the houseboat owners and people employed in the local tourism industry and the unique flora and fauna that inhabit this eco world. Designated as a Ramsar Site, the WWF India is actively promoting its awareness. With due permission we are reproducing content of interest for all eco tourists regarding the region below.
The following has been reproduced with permission from WWF India
Overview
The Vembanad - Kol wetland system and its ten associated drainage basins are situated in the humid tropical region on the south west coast of the Indian peninsula and characterised by a continuous chain of lagoons or backwaters 96 kms long, one of the largest estuarine system in Kerala. The drainage basins may be divided physiographically into three near-parallel north - south zones, viz, the highland (above 75 m above sea level), the middle reaches (7.5 m - 75 m above sea level) and the lowland (below 7.5 m above sea level). Vembanad - Kol wetland system is fed by 10 rivers. All these rivers originate from the Western Ghats, flow westwards through the wetland system and join the Lakshadweep / Arabian Sea. The wetland is typically divided into two distinct segments, the freshwater dominant southern zone and the salt water dominant northern zone. The estuarine zone and organically rich sedimentary substratum of the inshore region makes it a highly preferred and desirable habitat for shrimps breeding. Vembanad is renowned for its live clam resources and sub-fossil deposits. Vembanad - Kol Wetland has been designated as a Ramsar Site in November 2002.
Justification for Designation as Ramsar Site
Vembanad Kol wetland system fed by 10 rivers, covering an area of 1512 sq km, is a typical and one of the largest estuarine systems of the western coastal wetland systems. It is renowned for its live clam resources and sub - fossil deposits.
The wetland supports vulnerable species spotbilled pelican (Pelicanus philippensis)
The Vembanad supports the third largest population of more than 20,000 waterfowls in India during the winter months. Ninety - one species of resident/local migratory and 50 species of migratory birds are found in the Kol area. The birds come from different regions and stay here for breeding and feeding.
The soft organically rich sedimentary substratum of the inshore region is an ideal habitat of shrimps. The estuarine zone plays an important role in the life cycle of many shrimps caught and the entire Vembanad Kol act as nursery for important shrimps like Panaeus indicus, P. monodon, Metapenaeus dobsoni, M.monoceros, M.affinis, Macrobrachium rosenbergii.
Vembanad serves as a habitat for variety of finfish, shellfish, a nursery of several species of aquatic life, and a transitional ecotone between sea and land. Many fish species depend on the wetland for food, spawning and nursery.
 Biodiversity Values
Flora
Mangrove vegetation is abundant at Kumarakom, Vypeen, Kannamali and Chettuva. Rare species found here are: Excoecaria agallocha, Bruguiera sexangula.
Fauna
Both resident and migratory waterfowl are abundant. Endangered species of waterfowl are: spotbilled pelican, oriental darter, water cock and blackbilled tern.
Social & Cultural Values
Retting and coir production is a major cottage industry in Vaikom area especially in the Chembu Panchayat. Live clam collection is a major occupation of women and children in the area. They fetch a good harvest from the area. The meat and shell have good market too. The meat forms a cheap protein food of the poor people of the locality. About 50 tonnes of clam shells are exported daily to different markets, both inside and outside of Kerala. The clam shells of this area are heavy and extra rich in calcium carbonate. Country canoes represent the only shing craft in the region. The giant fresh water prawn offers a lucrative fishery resource with a total production of 300-400 tonnes/year. Country canoes with arched roof are also used for transporting materials like sand, coconut husk, coir, household items, agricultural products, fishes, clams, shells etc.
Threats
Reclamation for agriculture and plantations.
Pollution due to industrial effluents, agrochemicals, sewage, etc.
Lime shell fishery - over extraction of lime shell.
Reclamation and bunding activities in the river mouth is affecting the natural facility for breeding and migration of species.
Conservation Measures
Management practices in the river basin, with the aim of augmenting landflows during summer crop and prevention of food during south - west monsoon are being implemented. One of the irrigation projects, presently under construction is intended exclusively for enabling the cultivation of rice during summer. In order to manage the floods it is proposed to create more storage facilities in the river basins.
- WWF India
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