06-bioresourcesstatu.. - M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation

Vembanad Lake
gymnocephalus, Gerres filamentosa and among
prawns: Metapenaeus dobsoni, Penaeus indicus,
M.monoceros and among freshwater species of
fish - Labeo dussumieri and giant freshwater
praswn Macrobrachium rosenbergii. According
to Kurup (1997) Labeo .dussumieri is one of the
endangered species. Among molluscan species,
Vellorita cypri1wids is one of the major species
supplying to the lime industry of the state.
iii. Threatened species- mCN listed species
Loris tal"digradus
Macca silinus
Felis viverrina
Neclophl"yne
tubcl"cutosa
Cl"ocodlllus POl"OSUS- Indian crocodile
Labeo dussumieri
Macrobrachium
rosenbergii
the slender loris is vulnerable
long tail macaque is endangered
due to habitat destruction
fishing cat
Malabal" tree frog
endangered
tbreatened
a. Bio resources used by iocal communities from
mangroves:
A variety of products .are directly available
from mangroves:
• Construction poles, firewood, timber,
charcoal, tannin etc.
• It offers good pastures for cow, buffalo and
goat and stall-feeding is practiced with
fodder from mangroves rich in minerals and
vitamins.
• Minor uses are honey, medicines, fish
poisoning and hedge plants.
• This forms the nursery breeding ground of a
variety of fish; prawns and clams. This is
utilized by the local community.
iv. Conservation values
a. Buffering action / Shoreline and
inland protection :
Mangrove vegetation exerts protection against
encroachment of sea, destructive forces of tide
and hurricanes. It also saves the banks from flash
flood and saves lives and properties of the people.
It has the ability to stabilize the water area
against long-term climatic fluctuations and sea
level rise.
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b. Nursery / Breeding gronnds :
The lake is the nursery ground fOr several species
of fish and prawns. The chief among them being
the freshwater prawn Macrobrachium
rosenbergii. Apart from prawn, the lake is the
breeding ground for several species of fish like
Lates calcarifer, Labeo rohita, Etroplus
suratensis, Mugil cephalus etc.
c. Nesting grounds:
Kumarkom mangroves are famous as bird
sanctuary. Several cormorants of the
Phallacocorax species are seen. Darters like
Ahinga ahinga (L) are well represented here.
Herons by far outnumber the avian fauna. They
use the mangroves as fishing ground and for
nesting along with darters and cormorants. Gulls
and teals are commonly seen.
d. Refugium for endangered species :
The Kumarakom mangroves are famous as a bird
sanctuary. It shelters many species of birds like
teals in winter, cormorants, darters, egrets,
bitterns & water hens throughout the year. Herons
& darters- are also common. A good number of
endangered fish species are present in Vembanad
lake. Chief among them is the giant fresh water
prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii. Most of the
penaeid shrimps like Penaeus monodon, P.
indicus, Metapenaeus dobsoni, M. monoceros &
M. affinis have an estuarine phase in their life
history, I.e. the post larvae and juveniles migrate
to the estuaries which provide them the nursery
grounds. The soft, organically rich substratum of
inshore region is preferred by them.
e. Ecotourism :
Estuaries and backwaters are sources of
recreation. The Vembanad lake is no exception.
The Vembanad lake near CochinNypin islands
serves as the place of tourist interest. As Kashmir
has become out of reach for most of the tourists
from India and abroad; the number of tourists
hiring houseboats in the Cochin backwaters has
gone up considerably. The KTDC is encouraging
such ventures in a big way.
f. Water transport :
The Vembanad lake is by various water ways. Most
of the islands on the Vembanad estuary are
connected by boats owned by Govi. of Kerala.