About Pallikaranai Marshland:
- Location: It is a freshwater marsh and partly saline wetland situated about 20 kilometres south of the city of Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
- It serves as an aquatic buffer of the flood-prone Chennai and Chengalpattu districts.
- It encompasses many wetlands, through two outlets, viz., Okkiyam Madavu and the Kovalam Creek, and falls into the Bay of Bengal.
- On its eastern periphery, the Marsh is flanked by the Buckingham Canal.
- It is one of the Ramsar sites in India.
- Biodiversity
- The diverse ecosystem of the marshland supports bird species, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish, molluscs, crustaceans, and 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).
- Threats: It continues to face significant anthropogenic pressures, including encroachments and sewage discharge.
