About Pallikaranai marshland:
- It is a freshwater marsh and partly saline wetland situated about 20 kilometres south of the city of Chennai,Tamil Nadu.
- On its eastern periphery, the Marsh is flanked by the Buckingham Canal.
- The diverse ecosystem of the marshland supports some 115 bird species, ten mammals, 21 reptiles, ten amphibians, 46 fish, nine molluscs, five crustaceans, and seven butterfly species.
- These include notable species such as Russell’s viper (Daboia siamensis) and birds such as the glossy ibis (Plegadis falcinellus), grey-headed lapwings (Vanellus cinereus) and Pheasant-tailed jacana (Hydrophasianus chirurgus).
- Apart from its biodiversity value, the wetland also plays a vital role in the prevention of flooding for the city of Chennai, soaking up water during wet periods and releasing it during dry spells.
- The site is threatened by invasive and non-native species, household sewage, urban wastewater and droughts.
- It is one of the Ramsar sites from India.
