Fish diversity of Veeranam Lake in Cuddalore District, Tamil Nadu, India
S. Vijayaragavan
Deputy Director, Indira Gandhi National Open University, Regional Centre, Madurai, Tamilnadu - 625018 (India) Email: s.v.ragavann@gmail.com *Correspondence Author: Dr. S. Vijayaragavan Email: s.v.ragavann@gmail.com.
ABSTRACT
In the present study, to identify the fish diversity in the Veeranam Lake in Cuddalore district Tamilnadu, which is providing drinking water to Chennai city. Fishes are very important source of protein as well as an integral component of the food chain of an aquatic ecosystem. Fishes are the best bio-indicators of a water body. The Vadavar River is bringing water to the Veeranam Lake from the Cauvery tributary through distributary river Kollidam. The cement concretes have been made in the bottom of Vadavaar River by the new veeranam project from lower Anaicut to Veeranam Lake for overcoming wastage of water flow to the Veeranam Lake. The natural habitats such as sandy and muddy surface which is more vital for fish diversity of the river and also veeranam lake system, The fish diversity has been slightly reduced particularly muddy and sandy habitats fishes such as Anguilla bengalensis, Tenualosa ilisha, Anguilla bicolar, Oreochromis mossambicus and Anabas testudineus. It’s also observed that fresh water aquatic weed diversity has maximum decreased due to habitat destruction. It has been reported in the present study. The results presents here, strongly suggest that the mechanism of effect on habitats which has been affected the fishes living environments by the anthropogenic activities near the lake system. The present study listed the fish diversity in the Veeranam Lake.