Mookaneri Lake


Mookaneri lake is a lake spread over 58 acres in Kannankurichi, Salem, Tamil Nadu, India. It is located at the foot of the Shevaroy Hills, a major water body of the Salem city, source of Water for the Mookaneri Lake, has been from rainfall received in the Yercaud hill station. The rain water from the hills will reach the Puthu Yeri. The surplus water of Puthu Yeri reached Mookaneri Lake through the Kothukaran Odai.
The lake has 47 islands. Each island is about 10 feet high from the lake bed and sprawls on an area of a few thousand square feet. The lake islands are home to nearly 12000 trees. The island is created by removing the clay from the bottom of the lake using excavators and building a sort of a bund. Initially it is filled with millet saplings to arrest soil erosion. After a while, saplings of Neem, Banyan, jamun, peepal, and vetiver trees are planted.

Restoration

The Mookaneri Lake in Salem was dying from sewage and garbage. Salem Citizen’s Forum, a collective of urban citizens resurrected the lake at an outlay of Rs. 87 lakh under the public initiative. The Forum began work at Mookaneri in 2010 May after many pleas to the district administration failed to evoke a response.

Fauna

Mookaneri lake is a popular bird watching destination. The floating islands in the lake area with lush growth of trees helps in providing shelter for the birds, like a birds’ sanctum and their food needs are sufficed by the waterhole or lake. The most commonly sighted birds are egret and kingfishers. Over 169 species of birds have been spotted in the lake. The Pink-feathered Flamingos are magnificent to watch. Apart from this Garganey, Northern pintail, Grey Wagtail, Common sandpiper, Rosy starling, Whiskered tern, Baillon's crake, Yellow bittern, Paddyfield warbler, Citrine wagtail, Streak-throated swallow, Brown-headed gull, Painted stork, Oriental darter and Black-headed gull are the migratory birds sighted in the lake. Bird Watchers and naturalists in the city wants to obtain sanctuary status for the lake.

Fishing

The lake was a source of groundwater recharge for the surrounding areas. the lake has a few varieties of fishes such as rohu, catla kendai and kuruvai. Fishing is carried out by local fishermen and enthusiasts. The coracles of the fishermen is a part of the beautiful lake.

Facilities

The park has a children’s play area and mini auditorium set up in a natural environment, seating arrangements, flower pants on the bunds and walker’s path along the lake. Coracles available to visit islands of lake.

Environmental concerns

During Vinayaka Chaturthi every year there is a rampant pollution and damage caused to Mookaneri by the various organisations by immersing the idols.

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