Environment and ecology
Pallikaranai Marshland
- Context: Due to rapid urbanisation and indiscriminate dumping of waste, the Pallikaranai Marshland has shrunk to a small part of its original size.
About Pallikaranai Marshland
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- Pallikaranai Marshland is a freshwater marsh with partly saline wetland areas.
- Location: It is located about 20 km south of Chennai in Tamil Nadu.
- It acts as a natural flood buffer, helping protect the Chennai and Chengalpattu districts from flooding.
- The marsh includes 65 wetlands.
- Water flows into the Bay of Bengal through two outlets: Okkiyam Madavu, Kovalam Creek.
- The Buckingham Canal runs along the eastern side of the marsh.
- It is one of the Ramsar Sites of India, recognized as a wetland of international importance.
Flora and Fauna
- The marshland supports a rich variety of wildlife, including:
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- 115 species of birds, 10 species of mammals, 21 species of reptiles, 10 species of amphibians, 46 species of fish, 9 species of molluscs, 5 species of crustaceans, 7 species of butterflies
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- Some important species found here are:
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- Russell’s viper (Daboia siamensis), Glossy ibis (Plegadis falcinellus), Grey-headed lapwing (Vanellus cinereus), Pheasant-tailed jacana (Hydrophasianus chirurgus)
Threats
- The marshland is under pressure due to human activities such as:
- Illegal encroachments, Discharge of untreated sewage, Unplanned urban development, Dumping of waste, which has reduced its size and affected its ecosystem.
Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve
- Context : A special task force led by the Erode district administration recently sealed 21 illegal resorts located in the buffer zone of the Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve.
About Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve
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- The Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve is located in Tamil Nadu.
- It lies at the meeting point of the Eastern Ghats and the Western Ghats within the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.
- It is connected to:
- Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (Tamil Nadu)
- Bandipur Tiger Reserve (Karnataka)
- BRT (Biligiri Ranganatha) Tiger Reserve and Wildlife Sanctuary (Karnataka)
- Terrain
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- The reserve has hilly and uneven terrain.
- Its altitude ranges from 750 metres to 1,649 metres above sea level.
- Climate: It has a subtropical and dry climate.
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- Rivers
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- The important rivers flowing through the reserve are: Bhavani River, Moyar River, Noyyal River
- Tribal Communities
- The reserve is home to indigenous tribal groups such as: Irula, Kurumba.
- Vegetation
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- Southern tropical dry thorn forests
- Mixed deciduous forests
- Semi-evergreen forests
- Riparian (river-side) forests
- Flora: Teak, Sandalwood, Bamboo, Terminalia, Albizia
- Fauna: Elephant, Tiger, Leopard (Panther), Sloth Bear, Gaur (Indian Bison), Blackbuck, Spotted Deer, Wild Boar, Black-naped Hare, Common Langur,Nilgiri Langur, Striped-neck Mongoose, Bonnet Macaque.
