About Pulicat Lake

• Pulicat Lake is located on the Coromandel Coast of India, between the states of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.
• It is the second-largest brackish water lake in the country (next to Chilika in Odisha).
• The lake is separated from the Bay of Bengal by Sriharikota Island, home to the Satish Dhawan Space Centre.
• Pulicat Lake Bird Sanctuary is located within the lake and hosts a rich biodiversity of birds and aquatic life.
• Major inflows to the lake include Arani, Kalangi, and Swarnamukhi rivers, while the Buckingham Canal serves as a navigation channel.
• The Flamingo Festival is an annual event that promotes tourism in this region.

Threats

• Despite its ecological significance, Pulicat Lake is facing several threats. One of the biggest threats to the lake is pollution, both from industrial activities and domestic sewage.
• The lake is also threatened by the encroachment of its banks by local communities and the illegal mining of sand. 
• The rapid development of aquaculture and fishing activities in the lake is also contributing to the degradation of its ecosystem.

Why in News?

• The biodiversity of Pulicat Lake is all set to get a boost as the Central and State governments will implement an ecosystem restoration project involving an expenditure of ₹128.80 crore.