Pulicat Day to bring about awareness on the waterbody

In order to protect this redundant waterbody for the survival of Chennai city, AARDE foundation, dedicated to the preservation and conservation of Pulicat lagoon, is organising the eighth annual Pulicat Day at Pazhaverkadu on February 2.

Xavier Benedict, founder trustee of AARDE Foundation, says, “We need to sensitise people about the importance of saving Pulicat Lagoon. We are organising the celebrations to bring attention and awareness about the waterbody in the country and its beautiful built heritage which is very unique to India. The World Wetlands Day is also falling on the same day. We have planned activities like catamaran race, kolam competition, quiz and drawing competition for children, heritage walk, and street folklore programmes.”

Located on the north of Chennai, the Pulicat Lagoon covers an area of 759 sq.km. But the lagoon has lost more than 315 sq.km in last four decades to real-estate development, and its depths have reduced from 11 feet to 1.5 feet causing a geographic disaster. This has raised many critical environmental issues which will directly affect Chennai city. “It has also reduced the livelihood of the fishermen who have been practicing traditional environmental management system called Padu since the 13th century. Padu means rotational rights to fish in particular area of the lagoon, which was a sustainable practice shaped over years and maintained a well-based environmental system till two decades ago. The lagoon which was the threshold of modern administration of India, and one of the two important wetlands which attract rain clouds during monsoon, is dying very fast due to unplanned urbanisation,” adds Xavier.