Smooth-coated otters spotted at the Nallavadu lagoon in Puducherry.
Puducherry is creating a database to track its rich biodiversity, focusing on the Puducherry-Villupuram-Auroville-Cuddalore (PVAC) area. This is part of the Know Your Bioregion project by Svarnim Puducherry, a unit of Sri Aurobindo Society.
The project encourages citizens, especially students, to contribute by capturing photos of local wildlife. They can use the iNaturalist app to upload these pictures along with the location coordinates. This help builds a biodiversity register for future generations.
T.P. Raghunath from Svarnim Puducherry notes that despite its small size, Puducherry supports a diverse range of species. The survey has begun in the Thengaithittu lagoon and will extend to areas like Mullodai and Panithittu.
Arunkumar Patchaiyappan, an ecologist, highlighted that the completed survey of the Nallavadu lagoon identified over 300 species, including fishes, birds, reptiles, and insects. Among the fascinating finds was the smooth-coated otter, an important apex predator in the marine ecosystem. The survey also covered various aquatic species, like mudskippers and commercially valuable fish such as the mangrove red snapper.
The lagoon is not just a hotspot for wildlife; it also serves as a crucial habitat for migratory birds, including redshanks and terns, and it may even be a breeding ground for sea turtles.
However, the survey revealed concerning issues. Stranded Olive Ridley turtles were spotted, highlighting the urgent need for conservation efforts. Additionally, invasive fish like Nile tilapia and Mozambique tilapia threaten local fish populations and biodiversity overall.
This initiative will expand to other lagoons and estuaries across the PVAC region. The aim is to conduct ongoing assessments and foster community-led conservation, capturing important seasonal and habitat data.
Keeping this biodiversity thriving is essential for maintaining the ecological balance in Puducherry.
Published – February 17, 2025 10:56 pm IST
