Kalivelli Wetlands

The Kalivelli lake is a centre of focus of FERAL's research and documentation work. One of the largest lakes in Southern India, Kalivelli is a unique and diverse ecosystem with an estuarine portion to its North. It is connected to the Bay of Bengal via this "neck". The lake exhibits a salinity gradient depending on season and proximity to its mouth. Although highly disturbed, the lake provides a wintering refuge to over 60,000 birds of more than a 100 species. 21 villages bordering the lake depend on it for ground water recharge, fodder, reeds and fish. Conserving it is a top priority. This illustrated booklet provides an overview of the Kalivelli lake and its inhabitants and the issues they are confronted with.