Wetland protection

Wetlands inside and around Thiruvananthapuram city are ecologically critical because they store floodwater, recharge groundwater, support fisheries and biodiversity, and regulate urban climate. Important wetlands in the district include Vellayani Lake, Akkulam–Veli Lake system, Kadinamkulam Lake, Pazhanchira wetlands, Punchakkari wetlands and Poovar estuary. Rapid urbanization has caused pollution, encroachment, and ecological decline in some wetlands such as the Akkulam–Veli lake basin, where environmental quality indicators have decreased over the past two decades due to human activities and land-use changes. Below is a structured municipal planning framework for Wetland Protection under TMC.

1. Wetland Identification and Mapping

  • Prepare GIS mapping of all wetlands within corporation limits.

  • Identify lakes, marshlands, canals, floodplains and paddy wetlands.

  • Create digital database with area, catchment, biodiversity and ownership.

  • Mark ecological buffer zones (minimum 30–50 m).

  • Classify wetlands as ecological / flood control / biodiversity / tourism zones.

2. Legal Protection and Zoning

  • Declare wetlands as protected ecological zones.

  • Enforce Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules 2017.

  • Restrict construction and land filling.

  • Prevent illegal reclamation of paddy wetlands.

  • Integrate wetland zones into the TMC Master Plan.

3. Encroachment Removal

  • Survey illegal constructions around lakes and marshlands.

  • Remove unauthorized land reclamation.

  • Restore natural boundaries of wetlands.

  • Introduce buffer plantation belts.

  • Establish permanent boundary markers.

4. Pollution Control

  • Stop sewage discharge into wetlands.

  • Install decentralized wastewater treatment plants.

  • Monitor industrial and commercial effluents.

  • Ban dumping of solid waste and plastics.

  • Regular water quality monitoring.

5. Hydrological Restoration

  • Reopen blocked canals and feeder streams.

  • Desilt lakes and wetlands periodically.

  • Restore natural water flow between wetlands and rivers.

  • Improve stormwater drainage connections.

  • Protect flood retention capacity.

6. Biodiversity Conservation

  • Create urban bird habitats and fish breeding zones.

  • Protect mangroves and wetland vegetation.

  • Control invasive plants like water hyacinth.

  • Introduce native wetland plants.

  • Establish urban biodiversity registers.

Wetlands like Vellayani Lake host many migratory birds and diverse flora and fauna, making them important biodiversity hotspots.

7. Community Participation

  • Form Wetland Protection Committees in each ward.

  • Encourage citizen monitoring programs.

  • Conduct environmental awareness campaigns.

  • Promote eco-volunteer groups and student participation.

  • Introduce local wetland guardians.

8. Eco-Tourism and Education

  • Develop eco-walkways and nature trails.

  • Create bird-watching platforms.

  • Establish wetland interpretation centres.

  • Promote environmental education for schools.

  • Encourage responsible tourism.

9. Climate and Flood Management

  • Use wetlands as natural flood buffers.

  • Integrate wetlands into the city’s climate resilience strategy.

  • Prevent urban flooding by restoring wetland storage capacity.

  • Monitor rainfall and water levels digitally.

  • Develop emergency water overflow channels.

10. Monitoring and Governance

  • Establish TMC Wetland Management Cell.

  • Annual ecological audits.

  • Satellite monitoring for encroachments.

  • Public transparency dashboards.

  • Collaboration with Kerala Biodiversity Board and research institutions.

✅ Expected Outcomes

  • Flood reduction in urban areas

  • Clean water bodies

  • Increased biodiversity and bird habitats

  • Improved groundwater recharge

  • Sustainable eco-tourism development