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

Coconut groves could be tried also on the Pulicat
Lake to provide alternate means of livelihood for
the fisherfolk. Casuarinas groves flourish on the
east coast of India so well that wastelands around
the Pulicat -Lake can plant with them, since they
provide timher for rural housing and fuel wood for
the poor.
Palmyra trees, once so ahundant on the east coast,
have disappeared as huildiug materials. But they
are good shields against tidal waves and the seeds
can he used also for fastening catamaran logs and
fishing nets during a tidal wave. It can even help
to save valuable human life in houses constructed
on them during tidal waves, which are so common
on the east coast of India.
Sandy wastelands around the Pulicat Lake are the
natural habitat for the medicinal plant
Catharanthes rosea, which is exported for its
alkaloids known to be of therapeutic value against
oral cancer. Medicinal farming could be another
alternate occupation for the fisherman.
Fish catches could also be regulated through
regulating the type of gear, their mesh size, fishing
season and magnitude of catches. Licensing for
fishing could also be an important measure taken
towards a sustainable development of the lake
fisheries.
On an average more than 60% of the world's
population live in the coastal areas and depend on
the fish catches from the coastal aquatic systems
which accounts more than 95% of the world's
Acknowledgements
Pulicat Lake
marine catch. Rapidly increasing population
results in expansion and diversification of
economic activities in the coastal region leading to
high level of competition for resources affecting
the sustainability of coastal areas.
Rapid development and expansion of intensive
aquaculture for shrimp has resulted in wide
spread degradation of environment. Pumping of
untreated and partly treated chemical effluents,
fly ash and thermal wastes by the industries
causes irreparable damage to the system. Pollution
on one hand and unsustainable exploitation of
fishery resources on the other lessen the average
daily income of the fisherfolk and threatens their
livelihood. Sustainable fishing would lead to
prosperous livelihood for the surrounding islands.
The lake region is also historically known for its
rich tradition and culture with ancient temples,
monuments, and buildings, which, could be a
useful capital for ecotourism. Traditional smallscale
industries could also be a one of the
important livelihood opportunities to be
encouraged.
Policies have to be identified with the ground
realities, understanding the direct and intimate
closeness between the communities and their
common resources, over-ridding the community's
rights to livelihood. Constructive initiative of
prevention of unregulated fishing and possible
restoration of the ecology should emerge through
active involvement of the coastal communities.
I take this opportunity to thank Prof. M.S. Swaminathan, Chairman, MSSRF for providing me with this
opportunity to write this status report. I am also thankful to Prof. P.C. Kesavan for his support, Dr. Ajay
Parida for bis constant guidance and encouragement and Dr. Hemal Kanvinde for patiently editing the
report.
I also appreciate the administrative help given by Ms. Y. Dilhara Begam, MSSRF.
At this juncture I would also like to thank Dr. Kaliyamurthi, Prof. Chellaiah and Dr. John Joseph {)f
MSSRF for their valuable suggestions. I am also grateful to the organizations and individuals listed
below for their support:
A. Sreenivasan Rtd. Joint director of Fisheries, Dr. M.B. Ragunathan of Zoological Survey of India (ZSI),
Dr. E. Vevekanandhan CMFRI, Chennai, Ms. Padma, of State Fisheries, Dr. S.K. Sundarraj and Dr. N.
Narasimhan of Madras Christian College, Mr. Karunanidhi, Madras Christian College, Estuarine Lab
Technician, Mr. Reddy of Tamil Nadu Forest Office, Dr. S. Ramesh of Anna University Ocean department,
Dr. Balaji IFS, Department of Environment of Fbrest Chennai. Mr. L. Pushpha Kumar of C.P. Ramaswamy
Foundation, Ms. Banumathi of World Wildlife Forest,Tamii Nadu State Office, Prof. P.J. Sanjeevaraj of
Centre for Research on New International Economic Order (CReNIEO), Mr. Rajesh of Consumer Action
Group (CAG), Dr. G.R.M. Rao of Central Institute of Brackish water aquaculture (CIBA), Ms. Ramya
Rajagopalan of International Fish workers collective.
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