View source for Pulicat Lake

{{Short description|Brackish water lagoon in India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2017}}
{{Use Indian English|date=March 2017}}
{{Infobox body of water
| name               = Pulicat Lake
| native_name        = 
| native_name_lang   = 
| image              = India - Pulicat Lake - 023 - lake landscape.jpg
| caption            = Palm trees lining the barrier islands
| alt                = Palm trees lining the barrier islands
| image_bathymetry   = 
| caption_bathymetry = 
| pushpin_map_alt    = Location of Pulicat Lake
| pushpin_map        = India Andhra Pradesh
| location           = [[Coromandel Coast]], [[Andhra Pradesh]]–[[Tamil Nadu]] border
| coords             = {{coord|13|33|57|N|80|10|29|E|type:waterbody_region:IN|display=inline,title}}
| type               = [[brackish]] to [[salt]]y
| inflow             = [[Arani River]], [[Kalangi River]] and [[Swarnamukhi]] River
| outflow            = [[Bay of Bengal]]
| catchment          = 
| basin_countries    = India
| length             = {{convert|60|km|mi|abbr=on|1}}
| width              = {{convert|17.5|km|mi|abbr=on|1}}
| area               = {{cvt|250|-|450|km2|mi2|0}}<br />(from low tide to high tide)
| depth              = {{convert|1|m|ft|abbr=on|1}}
| max-depth          = {{convert|10|m|ft|abbr=on|1}} at the mouth
| volume             = 
| residence_time     = 
| shore              = 
| elevation          = 
| islands            = [[Irukkam Island|Irrukam]], Venadu and several smaller ones
| cities             = [[Sriharikota]]<br/>[[Pulicat]]<br/>[[Armagon|Dugarājupatnam]]<br/>[[Sullurpeta]]
}}

'''Pulicat Lake''' is the second-largest [[brackish water|brackish-water]] [[lagoon]] in [[India]] (after [[Chilika Lake]]), measuring {{convert|759|km2}}. A major part of the lagoon lies in the [[Tirupati district]] of [[Andhra Pradesh]]. The lagoon is one of three important [[Wetland|wetlands]] that attracts [[northeast monsoon]] [[Nimbostratus cloud|rainclouds]] during the October-to-December season. The lagoon comprises the following regions: Pulicat Lake (Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu), Marshy/Wetland Land Region (AP), Venadu Reserve Forest (AP), and Pernadu Reserve Forest (AP). The lagoon was cut across in the middle by the Sriharikota Link Road, which divided the water body into lagoon and marshy land. The lagoon encompasses the [[Pulicat Lake Bird Sanctuary]]. The [[barrier island]] of [[Sriharikota]] separates the lagoon from the [[Bay of Bengal]] and is home to the [[ISRO|Indian Space Research Organisation]]'s [[Satish Dhawan Space Centre]].<ref name = Sanjeev/>

==History==
{{Main|History of Pulicat}}
[[File:Pulicat, Aerial view of Pellacata-1682.jpg|thumb|200px|left|Sketch of ''Pellacata'' {{circa}} 1602<ref name="CRENIEO4">{{cite book|last=Azariah |first=Jayapaul |title=History of Dutch Fort in Maps, The Fort and Its Settlements - Pallaicatta |publisher=CRENIEO |location=Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India |year=2007 |chapter=4. My Biography Paliacatte to Pulicat 1400 to 2007 |chapter-url=http://www.crenieo.org/books/PDF4.pdf |page=68 |access-date=2008-11-21 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090304011545/http://www.crenieo.org/books/PDF4.pdf |archivedate=4 March 2009 |df=dmy-all}}</ref>]] In the 1st century, the anonymous mariner who wrote ''[[Periplus of the Erythraean Sea]]'' listed Podouke (Pulicat)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.pfr2006.nic.in/MaritimeHistory3.htm |title=An Illustrated Maritime History of Indian Ocean Highlighting the Maritime History of the Eastern Sea Board |first=O. K. |last=Nambiar |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090619060909/http://www.pfr2006.nic.in/MaritimeHistory3.htm |archivedate=19 June 2009}}</ref> as one of the three ports on the east coast of India. In the 2nd century, [[Ptolemy]]'s list of ports on this coast included Podouke Emporion.<ref name=Francis>{{Cite book|last=Francis |first=Peter |title=Asia's Maritime Bead Trade: 300 B.C. to the Present |page=33 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zzZBdGQN_TIC&pg=PA33 |publisher=University of Hawaii Press |year=2002 |isbn=0-8248-2332-X}}</ref>

In the 13th century, [[Arabs]] migrated to the shores of the lagoon after they were banished from [[Mecca]] for refusing to pay tributes to a new [[caliph]]. Streets with dilapidated masonry houses once occupied by these Arab [[Muslims]] are still found in the area and resident families claim records in [[Arabic]] testifying the migration.<ref name = chennai>{{Cite web|url=http://www.chennai.org.uk/excursions/pulicat.html |title=Pulicat}}</ref><ref name=plans>{{Cite web|url=http://www.pulicatlake.net/plans.htm|title=Alternative Development Paradigm |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081120182109/http://www.pulicatlake.net/plans.htm |archivedate=20 November 2008 |df=dmy-all}}</ref>

The [[Portuguese people|Portuguese]] colonized the lagoon in 16th century, followed by the [[Dutch people|Dutch]]. The Dutch drifted to the lagoon as their ships got stuck on the shores of Karimanal village on the opposite side of the mouth of the lagoon. During the Dutch occupation, Pulicat was known by the name ''Pallaicatta''.<ref name="CRENIEO3">{{cite book|last=Azariah |first=Jayapaul |title=Pulicat Place Names Through History|publisher=CRENIEO|location=Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India|year=2007|chapter=3. My Biography Paliacatte to Pulicat 1400 to 2007 |chapter-url=http://www.crenieo.org/books/PDF3.pdf |access-date=2008-11-21|url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090304011712/http://www.crenieo.org/books/PDF3.pdf |archivedate=4 March 2009 |df=dmy-all}}</ref> [[Fort Geldria]] dating to 1609, a church, a cemetery with tombs, and mausoleums constructed by the Dutch are protected by the [[Archaeological Survey of India]] (ASI). The Dutch transacted business with the [[British East India Company]] and other countries in the region.<ref name = chennai/><ref name = plans/><ref name="CRENIEO5">{{cite book|last=Azariah |first=Jayapaul |title=Dutch Trade Relations |publisher=CRENIEO |location=Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India |year=2007 |chapter=5. My Biography Paliacatte to Pulicat 1400 to 2007 |chapter-url=http://www.crenieo.org/books/PDF5.pdf |access-date=2008-11-21|url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090304011532/http://www.crenieo.org/books/PDF5.pdf |archivedate=4 March 2009 |df=dmy-all}}</ref>

A scientific study of the [[palynological]] characteristics of the lagoon was conducted by taking [[sedimentary]] soil samples from four test pits. It shows that the vegetational reconstruction from [[peat]] beds at {{convert|4.98|m|ft}} [[Above mean sea level|a.m.s.l.]] and {{convert|1|m|ft}} (a.m.s.l.) in the west at [[Sullurpeta]] and Kasdredinilem, respectively, is indicative of a [[Raised beach#Morphology|palaeoshoreline]]. The sea level reached its maximum around 6650 ± 110 years [[Before Present|BP]] in Sullurpeta, {{convert|18|km|mi}} west from the present shoreline. The radiocarbon dates of peat bed at Kasdreddinilem reveal an age of 4608 ± 122 years BP, indicating the shift in [[mangrove]] line eastwards during the regressive phase.<ref name =iisc/>

==Geography and topography==
The lagoon's boundary limits range from 13.33° to 13.66° N and 80.23° to 80.25°E, with a dried part of the lagoon extending up to 14.0°N, with about 96% of the lagoon in Andhra Pradesh and 3% in Tamil Nadu. The lagoon is aligned parallel to the coast line with its western and eastern parts covered with sand ridges. The area of the lagoon varies with the tide, from {{convert|450|km2|mi2}} at high tide to {{convert|250|km2|mi2}} at low tide. Its length is about {{convert|60|km|mi}}, and its width varies from {{convert|0.2|km|mi}} to {{convert|17.5|km|mi}}. The climate of the lagoon's coastline is dominated by [[tropical]] [[monsoons]]. Its air temperature varies from {{convert|15|C|F}} to {{convert|45|C|F}}.<ref name = invent/> The large spindle-shaped [[barrier island]] named [[Sriharikota]] separates the lagoon from the [[Bay of Bengal]]. The sandy barrier islands of Irkam and Venad and smaller islands in the north are aligned north-south and divide the lagoon into eastern and western sectors. The morphology of the lagoons is categorized under four types, with large areas under mudflats and sandflats.<ref name =iisc>{{Cite web|url=http://www.iisc.ernet.in/currsci/nov252000/1484.pdf |title=Holocene sea-level and climatic fluctuations: Pulicat lagoon – A case study}}</ref><ref name = invent/> The fishing village of [[Pulicat]] is at the south end of the lake.<ref name = invent>{{Cite web|url=http://envfor.nic.in/divisions/csurv/Wetland%20Inventory.pdf|title=Inventory of Wetlands|access-date=20 November 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303183104/http://envfor.nic.in/divisions/csurv/Wetland%20Inventory.pdf|archive-date=3 March 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.india9.com/i9show/Pulicat-Lake-17459.htm|title= Pulicat Lake}}</ref> The [[Satish Dhawan Space Centre|Satish Dhawan Space Center]] is located on the north end of the island.<ref name="Sanjeev">{{Cite web |title=Macrofauna of Pulicat lagoon |url=http://nbaindia.org/uploaded/docs/bulletin6-pulicatlake.pdf |website=nbaindia.org}}</ref><ref name="ISRO 6 LOI">{{cite web|url=http://www.isro.org/pressrelease/Nov08_2008.htm |title=Chandrayaan-1 Successfully Enters Lunar Orbit |access-date=2008-11-08 |publisher=ISRO |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081118044517/http://www.isro.org/pressrelease/Nov08_2008.htm |archivedate=18 November 2008}}</ref> [[Pulicat]], [[Armagon|Dugarājupatnam]], and [[Sullurpeta]] are villages located on the periphery of the lagoon.<ref name=brit>{{Cite web|url=http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/483076/|title=Pulicat-Lake Pulicat Lake Lagoon}}</ref>

==Hydrology==
Two rivers which feed the lagoon are the [[Arani River]] at the southern tip and the [[Kalangi River]] from the northwest, in addition to some smaller streams. The [[Buckingham Canal]], a navigation channel, is part of the lagoon on its western side. The lagoon's water exchange with the Bay of Bengal is through an inlet channel at the north end of Sriharikota and an outflow channel of about {{convert|200|m|ft}} width at its southern end, both of which carry flows only during the rainy season.<ref name =iisc/><ref name = invent/><ref name = jaya>{{Cite web|url=http://www.globalnature.org/docs/02_vorlage.asp?id=20342&sp=E&m1=11089&m2=28219&m3=18849&m4=20342&m5=&domid=1011|title= "My Biography Palliacatta - The Pulicat 1400 to 2007" by Jayapaul Azariah}}</ref><ref name="andhra"/> The lagoon acts as a buffer to retain the accumulated floodwater until the floodwater is discharged gradually to the sea during the monsoon period and cyclones. The lagoon and its river basins are located both in [[Andhra Pradesh]] and [[Tamil Nadu]]. The lagoon and its drainage river basins are interstate river basins as per the [[Interstate River Water Disputes Act]] of 1956. Most of the lagoon area, including its water outlet to the sea, is located in Andhra Pradesh.

[[File:Pulicat.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Pulicat Lake flooded due to rains]]
The water quality of the lagoon varies widely during various seasons &ndash; summer, pre-monsoon, monsoon and post-monsoon &ndash; as the depth and width of the lagoon mouth varies, causing a dynamic situation of mixing and circulation of waters. The resultant salinity variation and [[dissolved oxygen]] affects the [[primary production]], [[plankton]], biodiversity, and fisheries in this lagoon. Salinity values vary from zero during the monsoon to about 52,000 [[parts per million|ppm]] (hypersaline) during the post- and pre-monsoon seasons. Adjustment to this wide variation is difficult for [[Sessility (motility)|sessile]] and sedentary species in the lagoon. However, [[euryhaline]] species still dwell in the lagoon. The [[benthic]] or bottom habitat of this lagoon is classified into three zones: the southern zone is dominated by sand with some admixture of mud, the northern zone is wholly muddy, and the third zone with sand and mud in equal parts is overgrown with patches of weeds and is reported to be rich in benthic biodiversity.<ref name = Sanjeev/> [[Toxicity]] levels of [[heavy metals]] such as [[magnesium]], [[lead]], [[zinc]], [[nickel]], [[cadmium]], [[Aluminium|aluminum]], and [[copper]] and chemicals such as [[ammonia]], [[Sulfate|sulphate]], and [[fluoride]] in the lagoon are well within permissible limits.<ref name = story>{{Cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/2007/04/17/stories/2007041715630300.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070419115321/http://www.hindu.com/2007/04/17/stories/2007041715630300.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=2007-04-19|title=At Pulicat lagoon, an ecological turnaround | location=Chennai, India |work=[[The Hindu]]|date=2007-04-17}}</ref> Recently, the lagoon likely experienced up to 40% desalination due to the impact of freshwater floods from the 2015 South India floods.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Santhanam|first1=Harini|last2=Natarajan|first2=Thulasiraman|date=2018-03-16|title=Short-term desalination of Pulicat lagoon (Southeast India) due to the 2015 extreme flood event: insights from Land-Ocean Interactions in Coastal Zone (LOICZ) models|journal=Ecological Processes|volume=7|issue=1|doi=10.1186/s13717-018-0119-7|issn=2192-1709|doi-access=free}}</ref>

==Flora and fauna==
The lagoon has rich flora and fauna diversity, which supports active commercial fisheries and a large and varied bird population.

===Limnology===
Fishing is the major occupation in the many villages located around the lagoon periphery and on the islands.<ref name = invent/> The lagoon has rich fish diversity, mostly marine species, some truly brackish-water, and a few freshwater species. [[Mullet (fish)|Mullet]]s and [[catfish]] are the major brackish-water fish, which have supported sustenance fishing for the lagoon fishermen. The lagoon is a nursery for several species of fish.<ref name = Sanjeev/> Two thirds of the settlements in the lagoon area are in Tamil Nadu and the balance in Andhra Pradesh. 12,370 fishermen live on full-time fishery in the lagoon (6,000 in Andhra Pradesh and 6,370 in Tamil Nadu).<ref name = paddu>{{Cite web|url=http://www.greengrants.org/ngo/cpda/cpdareport.html|title=Pulicat Lagoon Fishery Resources and Paadu System}}</ref>

An average 1,200 tonnes of fish and crustaceans are harvested annually, of which prawns constitute 60%, followed by mullets.<ref name = invent/> Seafood exports of white and tiger prawns, jellyfish, finfish, and live lagoon [[green crab]]s are also economic benefits from the lagoon.<ref name = hindu/> 168 total fish species are reported.<ref name = Sanjeev/> The frequently found ones are the [[Mugil|mullets]]: ''M. cunnesius'', ''M. jerdoni'', ''M. dussumieri'', ''M. cephalus'', ''M. bornensis'' and [[Tetraodontidae|blowfish]] ''T. nigropunctatus'', ''T. leopardus'', ''[[Barbus]] dorsalis'', [[Mystus|catfish]] ''Macrones vittatus'', [[Sardinella|sardines]], ''Sardinella fimbriata'' and [[Chanos chanos|milk fish]]. [[Finfish]], green crabs, [[clam]]s and [[prawns]] are the most commercially exploited fishes of the lagoon. [[Endangered]] [[Chelonia mydas|green sea turtles]] are found on the beaches of Sriharikota beach.<ref name = invent/> Salt is also produced from the lagoon.<ref name=brit/>

===Avifauna===
[[File:Pulicat-Spotted Pelican.jpg|thumb|200px|Spot-billed pelican at Pulicat Lake]]
The shallow lagoon is known for its diversity of aquatic birds and is an important stopover on migration routes and is reported to be the third-most-important wetland on the eastern coast of India for migratory shorebirds, particularly during the spring and autumn migration seasons. In view of the rich avifauna of the lagoon, two bird sanctuaries are established in the lagoon, one each in the Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu states.<ref name=andhra>{{Cite web |url=http://www.annauniv.edu/ceg/iom/iomour/pulicat%20lake%20Andhra%20coast.htm |title=Pulicat lake: Ecologically Important Areas of Andhra Pradesh Coast |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070911160539/http://www.annauniv.edu/ceg/iom/iomour/pulicat%20lake%20Andhra%20coast.htm |archivedate=11 September 2007 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref name=tamil>{{Cite web|url=http://www.iomenvis.nic.in/Pulicat%20lake.htm|title=Pulicat Lake: Ecologically Important Areas of Tamil Nadu Coast|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090410003604/http://iomenvis.nic.in/Pulicat%20lake.htm|archivedate=10 April 2009|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The Andhra Pradesh portion of [[Pulicat Lake Bird Sanctuary]], established in September 1976, has an area of {{convert|172|km2|mi2}} within the lagoon's total area in the state in the [[Tada, Nellore district|Tada]] Taluk of [[Nellore district]]. The Wildlife Division of the state has listed 115 species of water and land birds in the sanctuary.<ref name = Sanjeev/> [[Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary]] is also located nearby in its catchment area. The Tamil Nadu part of the lagoon of {{convert|60|km2|mi2}}, extending over the [[Ponneri]] and [[Gummidipundi]] taluks of [[Thiruvallur district]], was declared a bird sanctuary in October 1980.

Every year approximately 15,000 [[greater flamingo]]s are reported to visit the lagoon along with [[pelican]]s, [[kingfisher]]s, [[heron]]s, painted [[stork]]s, [[spoonbill]]s and [[duck]]s.<ref name="chennai"/> The highest concentrations of flamingo are found in the periphery of the lagoon where the water level is below {{convert|40|cm|in}}. The concentrations of flamingos are also associated with high algal, fish, and benthic diversity.<ref>Ramesh, D.A., Ramachandran, S. (2005) Factors influencing flamingo (''Phoenicopterus roseus'') distribution in the Pulicat Lagoon ecosystem, India. Wetlands Ecology and Management 13 (1):69-72</ref> Other water birds in the area include [[spot-billed pelican]], seven species of [[herons]] and [[egrets]], [[painted stork]], [[greater flamingo]]s, [[ducks]], 20 species of [[shorebirds]], [[gulls]], [[terns]], [[little grebe]], [[Indian cormorant]], [[little cormorant]], [[Asian openbill stork]], [[black-headed ibis]], [[Eurasian spoonbill]], [[lesser whistling teal]], [[Indian spot-billed duck]], [[great thick-knee]], and [[stone curlew]]. Several species of wintering waterfowl have been noted including [[bar-headed goose]], [[ruddy shelduck]], [[Eurasian wigeon]], [[common teal]], [[northern pintail]], [[garganey]], [[northern shoveller]], [[common pochard]], [[brown-headed gull]], [[black-headed gull]], [[whiskered tern]], [[gull-billed tern]], and [[Caspian tern]]. Birds of prey which appear in winter are the [[white-bellied sea eagle]], harriers, and [[peregrine falcon]]s.<ref name=TFD>{{Cite web|url=http://www.forests.tn.nic.in/WildBiodiversity/bs_plbs.html|title=Pulicat Lake Bird Sanctuary|publisher=[[Tamil Nadu Forest Department]]|access-date=2007-09-09|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170104162827/http://forests.tn.nic.in/WildBiodiversity/bs_plbs.html|archivedate=4 January 2017|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The largest concentrations of flamingos occur in the Andhra Pradesh part of the sanctuary, around the islands of Vendadu and Irukkam.

===Aquatic vegetation===
There are 59 species of aquatic vegetation, eight of [[Cyanophyceae]], seven [[Chlorophyceae]], and two [[Rhodophyceae]]. Patches of residual, dry, evergreen forest and large areas of littoral scrub in woodlands in fishing villages bordering the lagoon are seen. Invasive [[phytoplankton]] species of ''[[Prosopis juliflora]]'', ''[[Spirulina (genus)|Spirulina]] major'', ''[[Oscillatoria]]'' spp., ''[[Anabaena]]'' spp., ''Rhizosolenia castracanei'', ''Eucampia cornuta'' and ''Climacodium frauenfeldianum'' in the plains on the periphery of the lake have been recorded.<ref name = Sanjeev/><ref name = invent/>

==Threats and issues==
{{rewrite|section|date=August 2022}}
Due to [[climate change]] and delay in the northeast monsoons quite often, lack of dredging activities in the estuaries region like Duggarajapatanam, Mulapadava and Tupilipalem. The diversity of the lake looks like the semi-salt-desert of what was the [[Aral Sea]]. It directly impacts wildlife conservation in those areas and livelihoods of the people of the coastal community. Evidence of these changes were inevitable; bird migrations have decreased rapidly due to lack of maintenance of the lakebeds. It affects almost 160&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup> of the lake. Almost 40% of the lake was dried up by 2020. Recent trends and data show that Pullicat Lake is in the verge of destruction due to the lack of dredging activities. If these trends continue, it would be like another Aral Sea.

In the Andhra Pradesh part of the lagoon, several threats to the lagoon have been identified. These are pollution from sewage, pesticides, agricultural chemicals, and industrial effluents from [[Arani River|Arani]] and Kalangi rivers draining into the lagoon bringing fertilizers and pesticides with the runoff from the agricultural field into the drainage basin; domestic sewage; effluents and wastes from numerous fish-processing units; and oil spills from the mechanized boats. {{convert|4780|ha|acre}} the lagoon have been affected by the release of marine chemicals; the salt-manufacturing industry and shrimp farming in more than {{convert|1000|acre|ha}} on the eastern part of the lagoon have affected the Pulicat Bird Sanctuary. The livelihoods of 30,000 fishermen and 20,000 agricultural labourers (for whom fishing is an off-season economic activity) have also been disturbed. This activity is also reported to have serious impact on aquaculture development.<ref name="andhra" />

[[Siltation]] and periodic closure of the bar mouth due to the dynamic process of [[sediment transport]] has caused reduction of size and seasonal closure of the mouth of the lagoon. It has reduced fresh seawater exchange and made the lagoon shallow and turbid. It is reported that average depth, {{convert|1.5|m|ft}} in the early 20th century, has been reduced to less than {{convert|1|m|ft}} in the lagoon. This has caused difficulties such as the bar mouth getting silted up and being closed during the summer season (June&ndash;July to Oct&ndash;Nov), and an increase in flood levels during the rainy season. The lagoon acts as a large evaporating basin when the bar is closed, resulting in [[salinity]] levels remaining low or high subject to the flood discharge into the lagoon during the northeast monsoon. The fluctuation of water levels in the lagoon (above or below the sea level) affects flora, fauna, and fisheries; siltation has caused variation of the lagoon mouth, resulting in reduction of tidal inflows and consequent decline in stocking of commercially important species of prawns and mullets.<ref name = Sanjeev/><ref name=tamil/> The [[flood plains|floodplain]] reclamation in the Arani River basin for industrial and residential purposes is also increasing the lagoon's maximum water level during the floods.

Runoff from agricultural fields in the drainage basins of the Arani and Kalangi rivers into the lagoon has increased pollution load from fertilizers and pesticides; pollution from domestic sewage is also being released to the lagoon. A petrochemical complex, power plant, and satellite port on [[Ennore]] creek have further aggravated the problem;<ref name = invent/> there is threat of flooding of 14 island villages of the lagoon.<ref name = story/> After [[2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami|the tsunami in 2004]], the number of fishing boats have increased resulting in the "Catch Per Unit Effort" of fish, prawns and crabs declining from 1000 tonnes to about 700 tonnes;<ref name = story/> this has increased the social and fishing-rights conflicts between marine-based fishermen and the lagoon fishermen.

Due to the [[2004 Indian Ocean earthquake]], lagoon fishery was adversely affected, with many fishing communities losing all means of livelihood until the middle of April 2005, as the loss of lives, homes, and boats prevented them from going fishing in the sea and the lagoon. They subsisted on relief supplies provided by the government and other agencies. Many people in fish related trades were also affected.<ref name = global>{{Cite web|url=http://www.globalnature.org/docs/02_vorlage.asp?id=23911&sp=E&m1=11089&m2=28212&m3=23911&m4=&domid=1011 |title=Post Tsunami Restoration of Mangroves, Education and Reestablishment of Livelihoods (EU Asia Pro-Eco II B Post Tsunami Project)}}</ref> However, a beneficial effect of the tsunami was the widening of the opening to the lagoon.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://dod.nic.in/tsunami2.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051031015025/http://dod.nic.in/tsunami2.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=2005-10-31|title=Physics of the tsunami|page=33)}}</ref>

==Restoration and social activities==
Various groups and non-governmental organizations are active in the area. The [[AARDE Foundation]] maintains the Pulicat Museum at [[Pazhaverkadu]] to create awareness among inhabitants and city dwellers. The AARDE Foundation represented Pulicat at the United Nation's [[World Urban Forum]] and [[Habitat III]] as an associate-partner. Pulicat Day, part of [[Ramsar Convention|Ramsar]]'s [[World Wetlands Day]], is celebrated every February by AARDE to bring attention to this fragile environment. An expert plan on "Wildlife Action Plan for Conservation Measures on the Pulicat lagoon Sanctuary" has envisaged setting up a hydrobiological research station and visitor center, providing shallow-bottomed boats to enable sanctuary staff to patrol the lagoon, and preparing a management plan and conservation strategy for the entire area. COPDANET is striving to implement a traditional "Paadu system" and regular desilting to ensure adequate salt and fresh water mix in the lagoon, which could enhance fish resources.<ref name = paddu/> The Centre for Research on New International Economic Order (CReNIEO) has been promoting the welfare of fishermen and management of the natural resources of the lagoon.<ref name = global/><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.crenieo.org/content.asp?flag=pulicat|title=Pulicat - Projects |publisher=CRENIEO |year=2004 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080703043419/http://www.crenieo.org/content.asp?flag=pulicat|archivedate=3 July 2008 |df=dmy-all}}</ref> A research study by [[Loyola College, Chennai]] reported in 2007 that the lagoon has made an ecological turnaround, recording toxicity levels well within permissible limits.<ref name = story/> Under the Tsunami Emergency Assistance Project (TEAP), construction of a high-level bridge across Pulicat Lagoon along with approach roads on both sides of the lagoon has been constructed, providing a safe escape route for people residing on the islands and also access for emergency response operations.<ref name = story/><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.adb.org/Documents/Environment/IND/39114/39114-IND-SIEE.pdf|title=India:Tsunami Emergency Assistance (Sector) Project|access-date=20 November 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071028002115/http://www.adb.org/Documents/Environment/IND/39114/39114-IND-SIEE.pdf|archive-date=28 October 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The southern part of the lagoon in Tamil Nadu {{convert|5|km|mi}} from the estuary is rich in fishes, and the fishing is controlled by a traditional ''Paadu'' system.<ref name = paddu/> Paadu is a traditional system of getting entitlements to eligible members of a particular community for undertaking specified fishing activity in certain designated areas. The fishing grounds fall within a radius of {{convert|5|km|mi}} from the mouth of the lagoon with a salinity well-maintained without much drying even during low tides. However, this traditional practice is based on [[caste]] control of the access rights to the high-productivity areas and is opposed by eastern fishermen and ocean-side villages. As a result, conflicts leading to violence have been reported.<ref name = paddu/>

==Transportation==
The Tamil Nadu part of the lagoon is {{convert|60|km|mi}} north of [[Chennai]], and the nearest airport and major railway station are in Chennai. The nearest suburban railway station is at [[Ponneri]].<ref name = hindu>{{Cite web |url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/mag/2003/10/19/stories/2003101900280700.htm |title=... and a placid Pulicat experience |work=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=20 November 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100826092210/http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/mag/2003/10/19/stories/2003101900280700.htm |archive-date=26 August 2010 |url-status=usurped}}</ref> [[Sullurpeta]] station is {{convert|17|km|mi}} from [[Sriharikota]]. The [[Buckingham Canal]] on the western side of the lagoon is the navigation route through the lagoon used by cargo and passenger vessels.<ref name = invent/>

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Blue sail on Pulicat Lake.jpg|Traditional fishing boat
Image:Pulicat Bird Sanctuary.jpg|Asian openbill stork
Image:Dutch cemetery in pulicat town.jpg|Old Dutch Cemetery
File:India - Pulicat Lake - 003 - entrance to the Dutch cemetery.jpg|Entrance to the old [[Netherlands|Dutch]] [[Cemetery]]
File:ISS016-E-34954 - View of India.jpg|Pulicat Lake from [[International Space Station|ISS]]
Image:A Drama.jpg|Pulicat Lake
Image:Greater_Flamingo_sub_adult_standing_on_one_leg,_Pulicat_Lake.jpg|Greater flamingo (sub adult)
File:Spot-billed Pelican at Pulicat Lake.jpg|Spot-billed pelican (''Pelecanus philippensis'') at Pulicat Lake
Image:Crow still in Pulicat lake.jpg|House crow
Image:Tourist in pulicat lake.jpg|Tourist in Pulicat Lake
Image:Fisher men in Pulicat Lake.jpg|Fishermen in Pulicat Lake
Image:Ocean Like Backwater in Pulicat.jpg|Ocean-like backwater in Pulicat
Image:Fisherman cleaning his net in Pulicat lake.jpg|Fisherman cleaning his net in Pulicat Lake
</gallery>

==See also==
* [[Nadari river]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
* [http://www.aarde.in/activities Art & Architecture Research Development & Education (AARDE) Foundation]

{{Hydrography of Andhra Pradesh}}
{{Hydrography of Tamil Nadu}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Geography of Tirupati district]]
[[Category:Lakes of Andhra Pradesh]]
[[Category:Lakes of Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Coromandel Coast]]
[[Category:Wetlands of India]]
[[Category:Lagoons of India]]
[[Category:Inter-state disputes in India]]