Ashtamudi Lake

Overview
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. It is a palm-shaped extensive water body with eight prominent arms, adjoining the Kollam town. The arms converge into a single outlet at Neendakara near Kollam, to enter the Lakshadweep sea. 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. Ashtamudi Lake has been designated as a Ramsar Site in November 2002.

Justification for Designation as Ramsar Site
It is the second largest wetland in the Kerala State and deepest among all the estuaries of Kerala with a maximum depth of 6.4m at confluence zone.
Supports some endangered species according to the Red Data Book of Indian Plants, such as Syzygium travencoricum.
Wetland 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.
Wetland supports some 97 species of fishes and is an important source of food, a nursery and spawning ground.


Biodiversity Values

Flora
True mangroves Avicennia officinalis, Bruguiera gymnorrhiza and Sonneratia caseolaris are present and around 43 species of marshy and mangrove associates are present alongwith two endangered species Syzygium travencoricum and Calamus rotang.

Fauna
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.

Social & Cultural Values
It is the second biggest fish trading centre next to Vembanad estuary, thousands of fishermen depend directly on the estuary for their livelihood. Coconut husk retting, fishing, inland navigation and a fishing harbour at Neendkara are other benefits provided by wetland.

Threats
Pollution from oil spills from thousands of fishing boats.
Pollution from industries such as paper mills; aluminum industries and ceramics.
Pollution from coconut husk retting.
Disposal of huge quantities of untreated sewage from Kollam city, direct disposal of human excreta from hanging latrines.
Natural habitat faces serious degradation including reclamation of the estuary.

Conservation Measures
Management plan is under consideration with Ministry of Environment and Forests .