Ousteri Wetland and National Park, Puducherry

Ousteri Wetland and National Park, Puducherry

Ousteri Wetland and National Park is located is situated at Osudu Village on Pondicherry – Villupuram Road via Osudu at Puducherry in Union Territory of Puducherry. The century old man-made Ousteri Lake - also referred to as Osudu Lake - is situated about 10 kms from Puducherry town. The Lake has been recognized as one of the important wetlands of Asia by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) and it is the most important freshwater lake in the Pondicherry region. Bombay Natural History Society has also nominated it as an Important Bird Area.

History

The tank, constructed during the Vijayanagara dynasty some 500 years ago, is connected through the Suthukanni channel to Gingee and Varaha Rivers.

Ousteri Wetland and National Park

The wetland covers an area of about 390 ha (lies in both Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry) with a wide range of aquatic species and is mainly a bird sanctuary. The structure of the lake is complex - consisting of water, wetland/marsh and mudflats; it acts as the single largest catchment of fresh water in Puducherry. The vegetation ranges from small herbs to trees, which supports migratory avifauna as well as native birds during summer and winter. 

The government of Pondicherry is proposing to set up an Ousteri National Park in the region acquiring lands from neighboring villages. More than forty migratory birds reside throughout the year at the Ousteri Lake. According to the Tourism Department, different species of golden oriole, open-bill stork, tailor bird, painted stork, white ibis, white-breasted water-hen and spotted owlets visit the water-body particularly after November every year.

In 1995 the lake recorded some 20,000 birds and in 1998 it went up to 25,000 birds of 44 species (BNHS, 2004). In addition to residents like Little Cormorant and Common Coot, Cotton Teal, Spot-billed Pelican, Spoonbills, White Ibis; migratory species like the Eurasian Wigeon were recorded in large numbers (up to 4600 individuals). Various species of ducks, herons, cormorants, hawks, kites, darters, terns, kingfishers, lapwings, flycatchers were abundant.

Ousteri plays a vital role in recharging the ground water aquifers. The Ousteri lake protects the level of groundwater and acts as an alternative source of drinking water. The Puducherry government has proposed to draw water from Ousteri Lake to meet the drinking water needs of Puducherry residents.

Conservation

Ousteri Lake will be developed on the lines of Vedanthangal water bird sanctuary near Chennai. The forest department has decided to document the varieties of birds visiting Pondicherry to update and prepare a comprehensive database about the winger visitors.  Under the government's renovation plan the region near the lake will be make litter-free so that it becomes favourable of the migratory birds. The lake region will be declared as no-horn and plastic free zone. They will take care of the maintenance of the newly declared bird sanctuary.

Sign boards with complete details of birds and eight feet by six feet multicolor paintings of birds will be set up at different places of the sanctuary. The department will also plant more tress near the water body. Apart from these, a three-floor interpretation centre with library and audiovisual room and a small park will also be established. The centre will enable visitors to attain complete information about the birds visiting the water body. 

Two telescopes are also proposed to be set up at the top of the centre to watch the birds. The government has planned to develop the region as a complete eco-tourism tourist destination. The tourism department has proposed to ban motor boating and fishing in the lake. Instead, pedal boating is introduced for visitor's leisure. The best time to visit here is from October to March.

Threats

The lake, however, faces numerous threats. Dredging and de-silting by the authorities has caused removal of some useful weeds that the birds would nest on. Trees have been uprooted to make the spot suitable for a children’s park; only a few trees stand on the lakeside giving just a handful of tree-nesting birds the opportunity to breed here. The lake is also facing problems of poaching, fertilizer poisoning, plastic waste pollution and inflow of various other pollutants that also flow in from nearby manufactories. Motor and pedal boats regularly ply in the lake when the water level is sufficiently high and that also happens to be the bird season.

A big hospital has been constructed nearby and a restaurant-cum-bar has grown ostentatiously.  Further urbanization, as has been proposed, around the lake will only add to the commotion and noise and additional pollution. Although the Government declared it a bird sanctuary in 2008, no positive action was taken to match the declaration. The Government has formed a committee that will take suitable action and will look into rights of different individuals and groups around the lake. The authorities have assured us that all-out action will be taken to maintain the integrity of the lake as a bird sanctuary once all the formalities are over.

Facilities

PTDC operates a small boat club at the lake. The 20-seater boats offer a 30-min ride that allows visitors to enjoy the cool breeze and visual treats. Kindly note that each Boat Ride requires a minimum head count. Rides will not start without the minimum Pax requirement. Boat Rides, Camera, Food and beverages are chargeable.

Ousteri Lake is located towards north at a distance of 10 km from Pondicherry town (Pondicherry– Villupuram road).

Connectivity

The Lake is located at about 500 meters from Osudu Eri Bus Stop, 2.5 kms from Pathukkannu Bus Stop, 10 Kms from Puducherry, 10 Kms from Puducherry Main Bus Stand, 11 Kms from Puducherry Railway Station, 10 Kms from Puducherry Airport and 150 Kms from Chennai Airport. The Lake is situated on Pondicherry Bus Stand to Pathukkannu Bus Route. Tourists can get down at Osudu Eri Bus Stop. The Lake is located at a walkable distance from this Bus Stop. Taxis and Autos are also available to reach this Lake from any part of Puducherry. Nearest Railway Station is located at Puducherry. Nearest Airport is located at Puducherry and Chennai.

Location