Coimbatore, Nov. 25
In what could be termed as a significant development, City Corporation has roped in the services of scientists working with Centre For Urban Bio-diversity Conservation and Education (CUBE) and Institute of Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding (IFGTB) to survey the rich bio- diversity encompassing Singanallur lake.
"In continuation of its conservation efforts and to prevent the tank from degradation, the exercise of documentation of flora in the tank which is a home to 720 species including herbal plants is being undertaken with the help of scientists working with CUBE and IFGTB," said an official release.
It may be recalled that the Singanallur tank had already been declared by the City Corporation as City Bio-Diversity Conservation Zone to protect its bio-diversity.
Scientists belonging to CUBE and IFGTB will now employ their expertise to identify and document species belonging to both flora and fauna of Singanallur tank.
The findings of the survey will be documented at the New Delhi- based National repository,designated by Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and National Bio-diversity Authority, Chennai.
Being one of the biggest and significant tanks in the city fed by Noyyal river, Singanallur tank boasts of rare species of both flora and fauna.It attracts both resident and migratory birds besides being a home to Painted Storks, Asian Palm Swifts, Pelicans, barn swallows and ten species of plants that are on the verge of extinction.
Phyto- diversity study of Singanallur tank is a significant initiative from the City Municipal Corporation as it would throw llght not only on the existing species of flora inhabiting the tank but also on invasive species, which need to be eliminated at the first place, said Mr. Kunhikanan, a scientist working with IFGTB.
He was one of the three scientists involved in the survey of the Singanallur tank. Other scientists are, Uma Sekar, Executive member, CUBE, and Vinny .R.Peter, CUBE.
He further added that once the species were identified, their specimens will be preserved through scientifically tested and proven process.
"A good beginning has now been made on the front of conservation and protection of flora through phyto-diversity study concerning Singanallur lake, but it needs to be replicated across the lakes in the city and its suburbs,” said Mr. Kunhikanan.
According to him, the survey and documentation of flora encompassing Singanallur is likely to be finished by October next.
In what could be termed as a significant development, City Corporation has roped in the services of scientists working with Centre For Urban Bio-diversity Conservation and Education (CUBE) and Institute of Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding (IFGTB) to survey the rich bio- diversity encompassing Singanallur lake.
"In continuation of its conservation efforts and to prevent the tank from degradation, the exercise of documentation of flora in the tank which is a home to 720 species including herbal plants is being undertaken with the help of scientists working with CUBE and IFGTB," said an official release.
It may be recalled that the Singanallur tank had already been declared by the City Corporation as City Bio-Diversity Conservation Zone to protect its bio-diversity.
Scientists belonging to CUBE and IFGTB will now employ their expertise to identify and document species belonging to both flora and fauna of Singanallur tank.
The findings of the survey will be documented at the New Delhi- based National repository,designated by Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and National Bio-diversity Authority, Chennai.
Being one of the biggest and significant tanks in the city fed by Noyyal river, Singanallur tank boasts of rare species of both flora and fauna.It attracts both resident and migratory birds besides being a home to Painted Storks, Asian Palm Swifts, Pelicans, barn swallows and ten species of plants that are on the verge of extinction.
Phyto- diversity study of Singanallur tank is a significant initiative from the City Municipal Corporation as it would throw llght not only on the existing species of flora inhabiting the tank but also on invasive species, which need to be eliminated at the first place, said Mr. Kunhikanan, a scientist working with IFGTB.
He was one of the three scientists involved in the survey of the Singanallur tank. Other scientists are, Uma Sekar, Executive member, CUBE, and Vinny .R.Peter, CUBE.
He further added that once the species were identified, their specimens will be preserved through scientifically tested and proven process.
"A good beginning has now been made on the front of conservation and protection of flora through phyto-diversity study concerning Singanallur lake, but it needs to be replicated across the lakes in the city and its suburbs,” said Mr. Kunhikanan.
According to him, the survey and documentation of flora encompassing Singanallur is likely to be finished by October next.