Suchindram Lake, or Suchindram Eri Kulam, stretches for several kilometers, connecting Kanniyakumari High Road at Edalakudi to the Kasi Viswanathar Temple in Parakkai. This expansive waterbody is a crucial haven for a rich diversity of bird species and a vibrant array of freshwater fish.
As a key component of the Suchindram-Theroor-Manakkudy Wetland Complex, one of Kanniyakumari district’s two designated Ramsar sites, the lake holds immense ecological significance. It has historically served as a vital stopover for migratory birds traversing the southern reaches of the Central Asian Flyway and is recognized as one of the primary heronries in the region.
Sadly, this invaluable wetland is slowly succumbing to a combination of governmental neglect and public indifference. A growing list of threats, including rampant encroachments, untreated sewage discharge, uncontrolled waste dumping along its shores, the explosive growth of invasive weeds and water hyacinths, and illicit lotus farming, are collectively suffocating Suchindram Lake, transforming it from a thriving ecosystem into a polluted, struggling waterbody.
Adjacent waterbodies like Koonikulam, Nadu Kulam, and Parakkai Kulam are experiencing similar fates, burdened by pollution, encroachment, and indiscriminate waste disposal. Disturbingly, all the sewage from Parakkai panchayat now flows directly into these smaller lakes, steadily clouding their waters.
S. Balachandar, former deputy director of the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) and managing trustee of the Migratory Bird Monitoring Trust (MBMT), explains that “eutrophication – the over-enrichment of water with nutrients like phosphorus and nitrogen from sewage – has led to an explosion of water hyacinth.” While certain birds like water jacanas and moorhens find refuge in the hyacinths, this dense growth severely restricts open water, making it challenging for larger birds, especially pelicans, to swim freely.
A Once Thriving Ecosystem in Decline
This diverse lake supports a variety of birdlife, including black-headed ibises, various egret species (little, cattle), grey herons, little cormorants, night herons, painted storks, and a dwindling number of pelicans. Many of these birds nest on trees clustered on a small mound within the lake, creating a stunning visual each evening as branches turn white with hundreds of egrets and other waterbirds settling in for the night.
Part of the Suchindram-Theroor-Manakkudy Wetland Complex, one of the two Ramsar sites in Kanniyakumari district, Suchindram lake has long served as an important stopover for migratory birds at the southern tip of the Central Asian Flyway. However, the lake is gradually falling prey to negligence, apathy, and indifference on the part of both the government and the public | Photo Credit: S. Shivaraj
“The late ornithologist Robert Grubh once noted the presence of numerous whistling ducks here, a sight no longer witnessed,” laments Mr. Balachandar. Grubh had also documented pelicans, which initially visited the lake solely for feeding but eventually established nesting sites. Regrettably, those nests have now vanished.
In Kanniyakumari, a compact district facing soaring land values, wetlands are under relentless pressure to be converted into residential developments. The construction of four-lane roads directly through these sensitive wetlands and waterbodies has already severely disrupted the delicate ecosystem. A narrow road now cuts between Suchindram Lake and hundreds of acres of paddy fields in Suchindram and Kakkumur, traditionally irrigated by the lake. Historian K.K. Pillai, in his book Suchindram Temple, beautifully portrays the bygone splendor of these tanks and paddy fields.
“The cultivated land in and around Suchindram was once the most fertile area in Nanjil Nadu, aptly called the granary of the former Travancore kingdom,” Pillai states in his 1952 publication. He attributes the impressive paddy yields to both the soil’s natural fertility and the plentiful water supply from the lake.
Pillai describes the “enchanting” and “superb” view of the entire landscape from the Suchindram temple’s stately tower. These paddy fields also served as crucial feeding grounds for wildlife. Yet, despite a 2021 order from the then-district collector, M. Aravind, prohibiting non-agricultural activities on wet agricultural lands unless no irrigation or future agricultural scope exists, paddy fields are being converted without restraint. This directive was meant to protect canals, lakes, rivers, and other public lands, but its disregard poses a serious threat to biodiversity.
Despite Kanniyakumari district being home to two Ramsar sites, a lack of genuine effort to safeguard the interconnected waterbodies vital for their health has led to their current deplorable condition.
The Scourge of Encroachments
Vinod Sadhasivan of the Kanniyakumari Nature Foundation (KKNF) highlights that widespread encroachments along the lake’s banks are a primary driver of its pollution and a significant factor in its shrinking size. He points out, “Along the Pathinettampadi stretch, temporary cattle shelters and permanent residential buildings have encroached directly onto the lake, with human settlements now occupying its crucial mudflats.”
Birds perch on trees growing on a mound in the lake, creating a magnificent scene | Photo Credit: S. Shivaraj
A narrow road separates Suchindram Lake from vast paddy fields and runs past a Forest Department tower used for bird monitoring. Unfortunately, this road has become a dumping ground, with waste strewn on both sides. The regular burning of this refuse further exacerbates environmental damage.
The Problem of Illegal Lotus Cultivation
Beyond encroachment, the aggressive spread of water hyacinths and other invasive weeds has effectively choked large sections of the lake. Mr. Sadhasivan warns that “lotus cultivation and these invasive plants severely deplete oxygen levels, harming aquatic flora and fish populations.” He implores authorities to tackle these fundamental problems instead of prioritizing superficial beautification projects.
Independent bird researcher Anand Shibu shares these concerns, stressing that lakeside encroachments are destroying the mudflats, which are vital feeding grounds for wading birds. He adds that fishing nets spread across the water, combined with human activity like fishing and lotus harvesting, significantly disturb the avian population.
Mr. Shibu explains, “Migratory birds largely depend on the lake’s mudflats, which teem with small worms, mollusks, and various insects. When waste is dumped along the banks, it directly harms the habitat of these crucial small species, consequently impacting wading birds and other avian residents.”
The Unchecked Influx of Sewage
N. Udhayarajan, director of the Uvakai Research Foundation, points to sewage entering Suchindram Lake through the Pazhayar river’s irrigation channels as another critical threat to its ecological balance. He highlights the Parakkai canal, a feeder channel, as particularly contaminated due to untreated sewage from Nagercoil Municipal Corporation areas.
“While the Corporation has established a sewage treatment plant (STP) at the Valampurivilai dumping yard, the crucial underground drainage system (UGDS) remains unfinished,” he clarifies.
Udhayarajan further points out that a lack of proper planning for the UGDS has resulted in significant volumes of untreated wastewater discharging into the Parakkai canal, or Parakkin Kaal. This canal then feeds into the southern section of the Suchindram-Parakkai Kulam, ultimately impacting Suchindram Lake. He suggests that modular STPs would be a more suitable and efficient solution for sewage treatment in towns like Nagercoil, given their diverse terrain.
A. Vins Anto of the Kodhayar Irrigation Committee urges immediate action to desilt the Parakkin Kaal and to prevent further sewage contamination. Regarding lotus cultivation, Mr. Anto explains that while the Public Works Department (PWD) previously leased areas for this, the practice was halted after a legal dispute. Despite the ban, “illegal cultivation of lotus persists in many of the district’s waterbodies, including Suchindram Lake, as it provides substantial income for local residents.”
He notes that despite numerous efforts by the Water Resources Department (WRD) to curb lotus cultivation, the practice continues unabated. “Government authorities must prioritize the restoration of this waterbody, which is a vital habitat for countless bird and aquatic species,” he emphasizes.
Towards Restoration: Desilting and Conservation Efforts
Nagercoil Corporation Mayor R. Mahesh, when questioned about the lake’s condition, stated that the civic body has initiated desilting work on the Parakkin Kaal from Kariyamanikkapuram, allocating ₹40 lakh for the project and requesting additional funds. He believes that “desilting the Parakkin Kaal will significantly help in preventing sewage from flowing into the channel.”
A Water Resources Department (WRD) official confirmed that a proposal for ₹25 lakh to desilt the Parakkin Kaal has been submitted. The official clarified, “Sewage from the channel isn’t fully reaching the Suchindram-Parakkai Kulam because many areas are naturally blocked by silt and weeds.” They also added that ongoing measures are in place to deter lotus cultivators, and steps would be taken to remove encroachments impacting Suchindram Lake.
The lake is affected by encroachments, waste dumping, and other issues | Photo Credit: S. Shivaraj
A. Anbu, District Forest Officer (DFO) for Kanniyakumari, confirmed that Suchindram Lake falls under the joint jurisdiction of the Forest and PWD departments, which are collaborating on restoration efforts. He noted the presence of four eco-development committees in the district, including one specifically for the Suchindram-Parakkai Kulam, tasked with monitoring issues such as unchecked waste disposal, illegal lotus farming, and other ecological threats.
“The Forest Department has a comprehensive management plan for the Suchindram-Theroor-Manakkudy wetland conservation project, spanning from 2023-2024 to 2032-2033, and all necessary actions will be implemented according to this plan,” he assured.
Mr. Anbu reaffirmed commitments to remove encroachments and stated that the Kanniyakumari District Pollution Control Board would be instructed to monitor and prevent any further sewage discharge into Suchindram Lake.