Other RAMSAR Sites
Key Contact
Parikshit Gautam
Director, Freshwater & Wetlands Conservation Programme
WWF India,
New Delhi Main
+91 11 41504820
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 Novem ber 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.
