CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT OF YERCAUD LAKE

Abstract

The main objective of Conservation and Management Plan is to deals with the various elements of conservation and management of a Lake system and to suggest a suitable measure for restoring the Yercaud Lake. Due to continued population growth in the catchment area, increase in tourists and increased Sewage discharge, there is an urgent need for checking the deterioration of Yercaud Lake and take steps for its conservation. Some general recommendations to conserve the lake and restoration methods have also been discussed. The major problems faced all over the world, which have led to pollution in lakes are rapid urbanisation coupled with encroachment and degradation of the catchment area of the lakes. Other problems - are siltation and increased pollution, which includes domestic, industrial and agricultural waste being dumped into the lake and which leads to eutrophication. Solutions are best provided after identifying the problems and their sources, followed by eliminating or minimizing them through the use of the right cost effective technology, along with legal and policy measures. On the management front, it has been seen that active participation of all stakeholders that include primarily the residents in the catchment area,. industries, shop keepers, hotels and restaurant owners, fisherman and tourists who derive benefits from it, government departments under whose jurisdiction the lake and its catchment falls is required to ensure success of conservation measures and their sustainability.