| Korattur Aeri | |
|---|---|
 Korattur Lake | |
  Korattur Aeri | |
| Location | Korattur,Chennai,India |
| Coordinates | 13°07′24″N80°10′50″E / 13.12330°N 80.18047°E /13.12330; 80.18047 |
| Type | Lake |
| Basin countries | India |
| Surface area | 990 acres (400 ha) (water spread area: 700 acres (280 ha))[1] |
| Islands | Vembu Pasumai Thittu |
| Settlements | Chennai |
Korattur Aeri, orKorattur Lake, also known asVembu Pasumai Thittu, is a lake spread over 990 acres inKorattur,Chennai,India. It is located to the north of theChennai–Arakkonam railway line. It is one of the largest lakes in the western part of the city.
Korattur Aeri is one of a chain of three water bodies, including the Ambattur Aeri and the Madhavaram Aeri, where surplus water from one is transported to another. The water from the lake had been supplied to Chennai residents for a brief period when there was a shortage in the late 1970s. However, over the years, the lake has been contaminated with sewage and industrial effluents from surrounding areas such as Pattaravakkam, Athipet and Ambattur.[2]
In 2013, the Water Resources Department decided to rejuvenate and beautify the lakes in Ambattur, Madhavaram and Korattur with parks and walkways.[2] The total project costs₹ 600 million.[3] In 2018, the corporation identified and removed about 550 encroachments along the bank of the lake and the bund will be strengthened to a distance of 3 kilometers.[4]
This Lake is an important wildlife refuge in northern and western parts ofChennai, together with the much largerPuzhal Lake and the like-sizedMadhavaram Lake andAmbattur Lake. According to the Care Earth Trust, a city-based biodiversity research organisation, nearly 40 bird species are present in these lakes, includingcommon tailorbird, thepurple-rumped sunbird, and the migratoryAsian openbill stork.[5]
A good part of greenery and natural vegetation was present in this lake, even till the last decade. Much natural vegetation once existed in the lake and its bund.Palmyrah,date palm,umbrella thorn trees dot the bund. Inside the lake,water hyacinth is to be seen. This apart, many aquatic vegetation,water lily and wetland rushes are present in the water body.
The lake has a multitude of birds, and is a major attraction for wildlife enthusiasts. Large and rare birds likegrey pelican,painted stork,Asian openbill,grey heron andlarge egret occur here. Other birds include divers such aslittle grebe,common teal,purple swamphen,common moorhen,coot,little cormorant are found. Waders includewhite-breasted waterhen,Indian pond heron,black-crowned night heron,cattle egret,little egret and rare ones likecommon snipe,black-winged stilt,chestnut bittern,black bittern andcinnamon bittern. Other rare birds includepheasant-tailed jacana,common kingfisher,white-throated kingfisher andpied kingfisher are also here.
Apart from water birds, other birdlife likeblack-rumped flameback, woodpecker,rose ringed parakeet,black drongo,paddyfield pipit,blue jay,golden oriole,common mynah,Eurasian hoopoe,Indian swiftlet,swallow,coppersmith barbet,Asian green bee-eater,blue-tailed bee-eater,Asian koel,Jacobin cuckoo,coucal andrufous treepie occur here.Birds of prey or raptors such asspotted owlet,black kite,shikra,black-winged kite are to be seen.
Threatened reptiles likeIndian flapshell turtle, water snakes such ascheckered keelback,olive keelback,striped keelback and tree snakes likeDaudin's bronzeback andgreen vine snake and land snakes likecommon wolf snake,streaked kukri snake and theOriental ratsnake are found. Even venomous ones likespectacled cobra andcommon krait occur here, but are rather rare. Lizards such asOriental garden lizard and skinks likekeeled Indian mabuya,bronze mabuya andLygosoma punctata occur here.Bengal monitor is rare here and is threatened and protected species.
Amphibians likegreen pond frog,skittering frog,Jerdon's bullfrog,Indian bullfrog,Indian tree frog,Asian common toad,ornate narrow-mouthed frog,Microhyla rubra andRamanella variegata occur here. All of these get very active during monsoon.
Mammals are rare here. Earlier, stray occasions of the predatorygolden jackal were known. But at present, their existence is doubtful.Indian grey mongoose andIndian palm squirrel are commonly seen. TheIndian pipistrelle bat is also commonly seen during late evenings.
