Volume : 2, Issue : 9, SEP 2016

ECOLOGICAL HERITAGE SITES OF CHENNAI

Dr. P. Sudhakar

Abstract

There are hundreds of Ecological Heritage Sites (EHS) in India. For example the Sundarbans, Chilka and Pulicat Lake, Guindy National Park, IIT Campus, Theosophical Society Campus, Madras Christian College Campus and Kattupalli Island in Chennai are a few to worth mention.. Over 28 species of shrubs and herbs and 10 species of climbers are found here. The vegetation type of the campus is similar to that of the IIT campus. According to Sanjeeva Raj (2002), Adambakkam Lake, Mugappair Lake, Red Hills, Manali jheel, Madhavaram jheel, Korattur Lake, Ambattur Lake, Pulicat Lake, Pallikaranai, Velachery and Chembarambakkam Lake are a few of them. Rettai eri, Porur Lake, Sunnampu Kolathur Lake, Chetpet Lake, Vyasarpadi Lake and Chitlapakkam Lake are some of the other water bodies that still
exist today. It has been a home for naturally occurring plants (61 species), fish (46 species), birds (106 species), butterflies (7 species), reptiles (21 species) and some exotic floating vegetation such as water hyacinth and water lettuce, which are less extensive now and highly localized. Therefore, far from being an asset to the city, the river has turned into a black spot mainly due to human activities. The river is an “eye sore” to permanent residents and visitors alike and is not fit for any use.

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