imported>Cewbot: Fixing broken anchor: Remove 1 notification (When checking links to Dal Lake)

2025-05-23T17:32:03Z

Fixing broken anchor: Remove 1 notification (When checking links to Dal Lake)

New page

{{Use Indian English|date=July 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2014}}
{{Infobox body of water
| name = Berijam Lake
| image = Berijam Lake.jpg
| caption = Water lilies in a shallow bay
| alt = Water lilies in a shallow bay of Berijam lak
| image_bathymetry =
| caption_bathymetry =
| location = [[Dindigul district]], [[Tamil Nadu]], [[South India]]
| coords = {{coord|10|11|0|N|77|23|44|E|type:waterbody_region:IN|display=inline,title}}
| lake_type = Freshwater [[reservoir]]
| inflow =
| outflow =
| catchment = {{convert|7.8|km2|abbr=on}}
| basin_countries = India
| length = {{convert|3|km|mi|abbr=on|1}}
| width =
| area = {{convert|24|ha|acres|0|abbr=on}}
| depth =
| max-depth =
| volume = {{convert|2180000|m3|cufoot|abbr=on}}
| residence_time =
| shore =
| elevation = {{convert|2165|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| islands =
| cities = Forest Rest House
| pushpin_map = India Tamil Nadu
| pushpin_map_alt = Location of the lake within Tamil Nadu
}}
'''Berijam Lake''' is a [[reservoir]] near [[Kodaikanal]] town in [[Dindigul district]] of [[Tamil Nadu]], [[South India]]. It is at the old site of "Fort Hamilton", in the upper [[Palani hills]].
<ref>Compare Infobase Limited, Maps of India: [http://www.mapsofindia.com/kodaikanal/tourist-attractions/berijam-lake.html Berijam lake] Retrieved on 2007-12-27</ref>
The lake, created by a dam with [[Spillway|sluice outlets]], is part of a micro–watershed development project. [[Periyakulam]] town, {{convert|18.7|km|mi}} to the SE, gets its public [[drinking water]] from the lake. The lake's water quality is excellent.
<ref name = tales>{{cite web
|url= http://www.deccanherald.com/Content/Jul242007/snt2007072314657.asp
|title= Lurking tales
|access-date=2007-12-12
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080502110224/http://www.deccanherald.com/Content/Jul242007/snt2007072314657.asp  |archive-date = 2008-05-02}}</ref>

== Access ==
[[File:AMS Berijam Lake.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Old Fort Hamilton site at Berijam Lake]]
{{Further|Kodaikanal Lake}}
Berijam is located at the end of Pillar Rocks Road (old SR-18), {{convert|21|km|mi|abbr=on|1}} southwest of [[Kodaikanal Lake]]. [https://web.archive.org/web/20081218082545/http://in.maps.yahoo.com/#?lat=10.2228624&lon=77.4551582&z=5 map] There were two roads from Berijam, the [[Kodaikanal–Munnar Road]] to [[Munnar]] town, about {{convert|40|km|mi|abbr=on|1}} west and another going to [[Kavunji]] village, {{convert|9|km|mi|abbr=on|1}} north.
The old roads are now overgrown with vegetation and used as walking trails by local villagers and trekkers. Encounters with wild animals including [[Gaur|bison]], [[Indian elephant|elephants]] and [[Indian leopard|leopards]] sometimes occur on these trails.<ref name=mushroom>{{cite web |url= http://www.suryakumari.com/travel/bajiram.html |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20020211094350/http://www.suryakumari.com/travel/bajiram.html |url-status= live |archive-date= 2002-02-11 |title= Berijam lake |access-date= 2007-12-12 }}</ref>

The [[Tamil Nadu Forest Department]] has restricted entry into the Berijam Lake area to between 9.30 a.m. and 3 p.m. for the general public. Entry permits are issued at the Forestry Department Office in Kodaikanal. Only a limited number of visitors are allowed in the park each day.<ref name =escape />
There is a forest check–post which prohibits unauthorized entry through the road leading to Berijam Lake.
<ref name=Suresh>{{cite web|url=http://kodaitrip.com/best%20places.html |title=Moir Point |last=Suresh |first=Patel |year=2008 |work=Best Places to Visit in Kodaikanal |publisher=Kodaitrip.com |access-date=2008-12-09 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090502153008/http://kodaitrip.com/best%20places.html |archive-date=2 May 2009 }}</ref>
Beyond km marker 13 on the Berijam road there is an observation tower from where one may have a fine view of Berijam Lake and the surrounding forest.<ref name=Trek>5. Kodaikkanal – Berijam (Easy walk)</ref>

Berijam has a Forest Department Camp including an Eco-Education Center for visitors. Nature areas to be visited here include: swamp ecosystem, [https://web.archive.org/web/20160126074415/http://static.panoramio.com/photos/original/23490021.jpg fresh water ecosystem], nature trail, bridge, medicinal demonstration garden, museum, nature walk, grassland and shola.([https://web.archive.org/web/20091224062146/http://picasaweb.google.co.in/peter.vangeit/EscapeRoadMar08#5181161321012398914 guide map])

Site visits are organized for authorized researchers. Trekkers can get permission to stay overnight. There is a forest rest house with limited accommodations which serves as an overnight base camp for Forestry Department staff, researchers and trekkers.
Visitors must bring their own provisions.

== History ==
There was originally a [[swamp]] here known as the Berijam swamp.<ref name=Balinga>{{cite book
|last=Baliga
|first=B. S.
|title=Madras District Gazetteers
|page= 155
|publisher=Published and Printed by the Superintendent, Govt. Press
|location= Madras, India
|year=1957
|edition=Original from the University of Michigan
|url=https://books.google.com/books?num=100&hl=en&safe=off&client=safari&rls=en&q=drinking%20water%20berijam%20-com&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wp
}}</ref> The previous existence here of a large lake, evidence of which was visible nearby, was first recorded in 1864 by [[Douglas Hamilton|Colonel Douglas Hamilton]] of the 21st Regiment of the [[Madras Army|Madras Native Infantry]]. No written record or even local legend regarding the existence of this ancient lake survives. However, judging from visible traces of its shoreline which still remained in 1906, it must have been nearly {{convert|5|mi|km|abbr=on}} long, up to {{convert|3960|ft|m|abbr=on}} wide and up to {{convert|70|ft|m|abbr=on}} deep. It was apparently formed by the side of a hill slipping down into a valley which slopes northwards, and damming up the stream which ran to the [[Amaravati River]] at the bottom of it. This stream apparently eventually cut its way through the huge natural embankment so formed, and thus emptied the lake this landslide/dam had once created. The dam was about {{convert|600|ft|m|abbr=on}} long and the breach in it was about {{convert|300|ft|m|abbr=on}} across and {{convert|90|ft|m|abbr=on}} deep.<ref name="francis">{{cite book
|last=Francis, Indian Civil Service
|first=W.
|title=Madras District Gazetteers
|publisher=Superintendent, Government Press
|location=Madras
|year=1906
|volume=Madura
|pages=249
|chapter=Kodaikanal Taluk |chapter-url=https://archive.org/stream/madurafrancis01madr/madurafrancis01madr_djvu.txt
}}</ref>

In 1864, Colonel Hamilton submitted a report stating that the Berijam Lake area was the best site in the Palani Hills for a military [[cantonment]] or [[Sanatorium]]. A military outpost later built here, Fort Hamilton, was named for him.<ref name="Mathew">{{cite book
|last=Matthew
|first=K. M.
|title=The Flora of the Palni Hills, South India
|publisher=Rapinat Herbarium
|year=1999
|edition=Original from the University of California Digitized 8 February 2008
|volume=Item notes: v.1
|pages=xvii|isbn=978-81-900539-3-8
|url=https://books.google.com/books?q=berijam+hamilton&client=safari&lr=&num=100&as_pt=ALLTYPES&as_brr=0
}}</ref>
<ref name="Ham">{{cite book
|last=Hamilton
|first=General Douglas
|title=Records of sport in southern India chiefly on the Annamullay, Nielgherry and Pulney mountains, also including notes on Singapore, Java and Labuan, from journals written between 1844 and 1870
|editor=Hamilton, Edward
|publisher= R. H. Porter
|location=London
|year=1892
|pages= Illustrated, photo. Frontis of the author. Numerous illustrations, some full page. 284 pages. Quarto|oclc=4008435
|url=http://catalog.loc.gov/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?DB=local&CMD=lccn%2220023293%22&v3=1&CNT=10
}}</ref> There was in fact no 'fort' at the place, only a small hut.<ref name="francis" />

Berijam lake was artificially created in 1867, when Sir Vere Levigne, Collector of [[Madurai]], donated part of his personal retirement funds for building the dam.
<ref name="Bhatt">{{cite book
|last=Bhatt
|first=Vikram
|title=Resorts of the Raj: Hill Stations of India
|publisher=Grantha Corp
|year=1998
|edition=Original from the University of Michigan
|pages=192|isbn=978-0-944142-98-1
|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LSxuAAAAMAAJ&q=Berijam
}}</ref>
Subsequently, the dam and reservoir were enlarged and a pipeline was built to supply drinking water to the Periyakulam Municipality. The scheme was completed in 1912 at a cost equivalent to US$138,500.
<ref name=Balinga />

Berijam has a 100-year-old 2-story brick building, partly damaged and blackened over the years, with a bright yellow painted name reading "Britisher's Transit Camp". This is one of several transit camps built every {{convert|15|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} for the soldiers to rest along the {{convert|230|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} [[United Kingdom|British]] "[[Kodaikanal-Munnar Road|Escape Route]]" from Kodaikanal via [[Top Station]] and [[Munnar]] to [[Kochi, India|Kochi]], built during [[World War II]]. While most of the transit camps are now either dilapidated or demolished, the one at Berijam still stands.<ref name =escape>{{cite news
|url= http://www.hindu.com/mp/2005/09/17/stories/2005091701600300.htm
|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20060628074743/http://www.hindu.com/mp/2005/09/17/stories/2005091701600300.htm
|url-status= dead
|archive-date= 2006-06-28
|title= On the Escape Route
|access-date=2007-12-12|location=Chennai, India
|work= [[The Hindu]]
|date=2005-09-17
}}</ref>

Berijam Lake has been studied [[Palynology|palynologically]] revealing a 20,000 years story by [[pollen]] particles deposited in lake [[sediment]]s. The time span between 20,000-17,000 years [[before present]] (B.P.) experienced cold and dry climatic conditions. After this period arid oxidizing environmental conditions prevailed for a period of 2500 years. The time span between 14,500–7;000 years B.P. witnessed a climatic amelioration phase leading to a warm and humid climate. From about 7,000 years B.P. to present the area has had a cool and humid climate.<ref name="Bera et al">{{cite book
|last=Bera
|display-authors=etal
|title=Berijam Lake: 20,000 years sequence of palaeofloristics and palaeoenvironment in Palni hills, South India
|publisher=Geophytology
|volume=26 | issue = 1
|pages= 99–104
|year=1996
}}</ref>

== Hydrology ==
The Upper Palani Hills [[catchment basin]] drains into the Lake.
Rainfall is the chief source of water into the lake. Average annual [[rainfall]] in the hill area is {{convert|1500|mm|ft|abbr=on|1}}. The mean day [[temperature]] in the coolest months is below {{convert|17|C|F|abbr=on|1}} in the higher areas.
<ref>{{cite news|url= http://www.hindu.com/mp/2005/09/17/stories/2005091701600300.htm |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20060628074743/http://www.hindu.com/mp/2005/09/17/stories/2005091701600300.htm |url-status= dead |archive-date= 2006-06-28 |title= National Parks and Sanctuaries : Kodaikanal
|access-date=2007-12-12|location=Chennai, India|work= [[The Hindu]] |date=2005-09-17}}</ref>
The lake is formed below the Palani hill ranges at the origin of the Varahanadhi (Varaha River) which is used for purposes of water supply and irrigation.
As a part of the [[World Bank]] funded Water Resources Consolidation Project (WRCP) of Tamil Nadu, sedimentation condition was assessed for a large number of reservoirs including Berijam reservoir.
This indicated that the {{convert|1.91|hm3|acre.ft}} gross storage capacity of the reservoir in 1911 decreased to {{convert|1.804|hm3|acre.ft}} in 1987.
The percentage reduction of storage due to siltation is 23%, over a period of 76 years.
<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www-wds.worldbank.org/external/default/WDSContentServer/WDSP/IB/1993/11/01/000009265_3970716145921/Rendered/PDF/multi_page.pdf |title= Tamilnadu Water resources consolidation Project, Environmental Assessment pp. 90,91
|access-date=2007-12-12}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www-wds.worldbank.org/external/default/WDSContentServer/WDSP/IB/1995/05/19/000009265_3961019095014/Rendered/INDEX/multi0page.txt|title=Report No. 13506-IN Staff Appraisal Report India, Tamil Nadu Water Resources Consolidation Project, Table 5|publisher=The World Bank|access-date=2007-12-12}}</ref>
Berijam Lake had stable land conditions, thus erosion was less and the lake received less sediment but more organic matter in the proportion of (5.5–41.8%).
The rate of sedimentation is indirectly proportional to the influx of organic matter.
<ref name = tales />

;Water quality
On the basis of chemical parameters and [[nutrient]] load studies, the Berijam lake has been categorized as [[oligotroph]]ic with a tendency to [[eutrophication]] over time due to [[plankton]] growth in the lake.
This conclusion is supported by [[oxygen]] deficits in the bottom due to the [[chemocline]] condition of the lake.<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.geocities.com/indhydro/ihb10.htm
|title=Limnology of upland lakes and reservoirs of Tamilnadu, India
|access-date=2007-12-12
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090809013029/http://geocities.com/indhydro/ihb10.htm
|archive-date=9 August 2009
|url-status=dead
|df=dmy
}}</ref>

== Flora and funga ==
Berijam is rich in [[flora]] and [[fauna]] (''some are pictured in the gallery'') and has a few original eco–initiatives to its credit, namely, [[South India]]'s first field–oriented eco-education centre set up by the Forest Department, an exclusive [[Medicinal plants#Role of herbal medicine in modern human society|medicinal plants]] demonstration garden<ref name="test">[http://www.dindigul.tn.nic.in/forest.htm KODAIKKANAL FOREST DIVISION] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091031061543/http://www.dindigul.tn.nic.in/forest.htm |date=31 October 2009 }}, Dindigul District</ref> spread over {{convert|1.0|ha|acres|abbr=on}} and a model [[swamp]] observation area created to educate the public. A rare species of free floating [[insectivorous]] [[bladderwort]] plant called [[utricularia australis]] is said to be found here.<ref name =escape />

The catchment of the Berijam Lake in the Palani hills falls under the once extensive [[shola]] grassland ecosystem, also called the "cloud forest".
These grasslands constitute a complex and highly diverse plant community which in turn supports a wide range of fauna from insects to large mammals.
With the sholas they constitute one of the world's rarest, most biodiverse and spectacular of landscapes.
Where the grassland has been destroyed by industrial timber plantations, streams and marshes have dried out.
Data on [[germination]] and [[Plant cultivation|cultivation]] of c. 250 shola species and long term biographies of c. 70 shola tree species in the area have been published.<ref name = abstract>{{cite web|url= http://www.un.org.in/untrs/reports/Restoration_Workshop_Dec_2006_Abstracts.pdf |title= Ecological Restoration of Degraded Ecosystems in Tamil Nadu: Planning and Implementation, Changing priorities in the management of the sholagrassland Landscape Pages 39 to 43
|access-date=2007-12-12}} {{dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref>
;Medicinal flora and funga
Development and cultivation of medicinal plants like ''[[Digitalis]]'', ''[[Pyrethrum]]'', [[Atropa belladonna|belladona]], ''[[Dioscorea]]'' sp. and ''[[Mentha]]'' is an active programme launched by the [[Tamil Nadu Agricultural University]] through the {{convert|40|ha|acre}} research centre of the [[Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants]] (CIMAP) near Berijam.<ref>{{cite journal|author1=India Council of Scientific |author2=Industrial Research |name-list-style=amp |year=1979|title=Item notes: CMAP|journal=Journal of Scientific and Industrial Research|publisher=India Council of Scientific and Industrial Research|volume=v.38|issue=Original from the University of Michigan Digitized 20 December 2006|pages= 337|url=https://books.google.com/books?client=safari&um=1&num=100&q=medicinal+plants+berijam&btnG=Search+Books}}</ref>
Commercial marketing of high yielding varieties of these plants is now being actively pursued.
<ref name = medicine>{{cite web|url= http://www.kodaionline.com/wild.php|title= Wild Life Medicinal Flora|access-date= 2007-12-12|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081201110109/http://www.kodaionline.com/wild.php|archive-date= 1 December 2008|url-status= dead}}</ref>
[[Psilocybin mushrooms#Medicinal use|Psilocybin mushrooms]] which produce [[Psilocybin mushrooms#Modern|hallucinogenic effects]] when consumed, and other species of mushrooms grow around Berijam.<ref name = mushroom />

== Fauna ==
[[File:Berijam tiger sign.jpg|thumb|250px|Sign board at Berijam lake meaning:<br />
"Let us also Live"]]
The Upper Palni Shola [[forest reserve]] surrounding Berijam lake has a rich faunal population comprising the following.
;Avifauna
* Resident birds include [[crested serpent eagle]]s, [[Black kite#Subspecies|pariah kites]], pale-rumped [[swallow]]s and the [[edible-nest swiftlet]]s.
* Migratory birds wintering here include the [[common rosefinch]], the [[Indian blue robin|blue chat]], several [[leaf-warbler]]s and [[Blyth's reed-warbler]].
;Mammals
[[File:AMS-Upper Palani Reserve Forest copy.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Map of Upper Palani Reserve Forest area where the elephant corridors are proposed]]
* [[Threatened]] mammals including [[Gaur|bison]], [[Nilgiri langur]], [[Indian giant squirrel|Malabar giant squirrels]] and [[Indian elephant]]s are seen here as well as [[Indian crested porcupine]]s, [[wild boar]], [[Indian muntjac|barking deer]], [[Sambar (deer)|sambar deer]] and [[mouse deer]].<ref name = medicine />

In February 2010, tigers were sighted in Kodaikanal forests during a six-day [[carnivore]] survey. A tigress and her cub were spotted playing in the wild. Forest Department officials are studying survey data to estimate the local tiger population based on indirect evidence like pug marks, scats and scratches.
<ref name=Kodaitigers>{{cite news
|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-03-01/chennai/28133285_1_tiger-reserve-sathyamangalam-forests-mudumalai
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111013212422/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-03-01/chennai/28133285_1_tiger-reserve-sathyamangalam-forests-mudumalai
|url-status=dead
|archive-date=2011-10-13
|title=Sathyamangalam could be a tiger reserve
|date=2010-03-01
|work=[[The Times of India]]
|access-date=2011-01-02
}}</ref>

Of the two [[wildlife corridor]]s proposed for movement of Indian elephants in the Palani Hills Reserve Forest, the Berijam corridor connects to [[Top Station]] in [[Kerala]].
It is also being studied if a link corridor through the [[Kukkal]] area, could be established to the second corridor from [[Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park]] through [[Amaravathy]] and Kudhiraiyar to the Palar Dam, then up the valley almost to Ganesh Nagar, below [http://wikimapia.org/#lat=10.284001&lon=77.528812&z=18&l=0&m=s&v=9 Pethuparai] village.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.palnihills.in/ar07-9192.txt|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120912010947/http://www.palnihills.in/ar07-9192.txt|url-status=dead|archive-date=2012-09-12|title=The Palni Hills Conservation Council|access-date=2007-12-12}}</ref>
;Fish
In 1886 there were [[Cyprinus carpio|carp]] in the lake.<ref>{{cite book|last=Zoological Survey of India|title=Records of the Zoological Survey of India|publisher=Zoological Survey of India|year=1991|edition=Original from the University of Michigan|volume=v.89|pages=237|chapter=Item notes|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xwIcAAAAMAAJ&q=Records+of+the+Zoological+Survey+of+India.+berijam}}</ref>
In 1914 there was a scheme to introduce [[trout]] into Berijam reservoir.<ref name="Nicholson">{{cite book|last=Nicholson|first=Sir F. A. |title=Annual Reports of the Madras Fisheries Bureau|publisher=Madras Fisheries Bureau|year=1918|series=Bulletin no. 10|pages=105|chapter=20. Miscellaiieous — Palni hill streams. With reference to G.O.Mis. No. 359, Revenue, dated 3rd February 1914, the Palni hill|chapter-url=https://archive.org/stream/madrasfisheriesb10madr/madrasfisheriesb10madr_djvu.txt}}</ref>

== Conservation ==
;Threats
The catchment basin of the lake, historically dominated by extensive shola grass lands, drains into marshes at the head of the lake. However, most of the catchment area was afforested, during the 1960s, with [[eucalyptus]], [[Acacia mearnsii|wattle]] and [[Pinus patula|pine]]. The main Berijam marsh has shrunk, as evidenced in March 2007, by walking across the marsh without getting one's feet wet. This is attributed to less water discharging into the lake. Shrinking of the lake has also been noticed with the boating dock getting shifted to deeper waters on the opposite side of the creek.<ref name = shola>{{cite web|url =http://vctrust.blogspot.com/2007/11/managing-sholagrassland-in-21st-century.html |title= Larger Restoration Projects, Berijam Lake
|access-date=2007-12-12}} {{dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref>

The [[Stream|creek]] waters adjoining the marsh have been gradually invaded by marshland vegetation of [[Nymphaeaceae|water lilies]], [[Panicum|torpedo grass]] and native [[sedges]] with shoots in water and roots at the nodes.
The water lilies were planted there "reportedly" for ornamental purposes by the Forest Department.<ref name=Nath>{{cite web|url=https://www.palnihills.in/ar20-0405.txt|title=I. Field Biology Course|last=Nath|first=J.|date=2005-11-08|work=20th Annual report|publisher=Palni Hills Conservation Council, Kodaikanal|access-date=2008-12-28}}{{Dead link|date=November 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> These marshland invasives are accelerating the [[Siltation#Environmental impacts|siltation]] process and may eventually result in necessity of raising the height of the dam to compensate for loss of storage due to siltation.<ref name = shola />

A crisis in the water regime of the Palani plateau has been observed at Berijam Lake. The lake's marshlands have been reported to dry out after the [[monsoon]] and marsh vegetation is seen encroaching into the deeper part of the lake.<ref name = abstract />

[[File:TrochalopteronJerdoniMurray.jpg|thumb|right|200px|[[Near threatened]] grey-breasted laughingthrush]]
Studies by the [[Sálim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History]], [[Coimbatore]], undertaken in 2006 in many areas of the Palani hills including Berijam, indicate that the population of the [[grey-breasted laughingthrush]], a [[near threatened]] [[endemism in birds|endemic]] bird species of the [[Western Ghats]], has been affected by the degradation of its habitat. Remedial measures have been suggested.<ref name=Soma>{{cite journal|last=Somasundaram|first=S.|author2=Lalitha Vijayan|title=3. An assessment of the population and habitat use of the Grey — breasted Laughing thrush|journal=Annual Report 2006–2007|publisher=Sálim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History|location=Anaikatty, Coimbatore – 641 108 India|pages=19–20|url=http://envfor.nic.in/divisions/csurv/annual_report_E_2007.pdf|access-date=16 December 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303185529/http://envfor.nic.in/divisions/csurv/annual_report_E_2007.pdf|archive-date=3 March 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[Otter]] poaching in the Palani hills to the point of extermination has been reported.
[[Lutra lutra|Common]] and [[small-clawed otter]]s are trapped by [[tribals]] from the [[Haryana]] state of India, who are in Palani hills with the sole aim of collecting otter oil which is in demand in northern India.<ref>{{cite web |url =http://www.zoosprint.org/ZooPrintJournal/2002/February/696-698.pdf |title =Otter Poaching in Palani Hills |access-date =2007-12-12 |archive-date =29 September 2011 |archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20110929014017/http://www.zoosprint.org/ZooPrintJournal/2002/February/696-698.pdf |url-status =dead }}</ref>

[[Mercury poisoning#Organic mercury compounds|Mercury pollution]] was reported in Kodaikanal which affected lakes in the area.
{{Main|Kodaikanal#Mercury_pollution}}
The causes, originating from a [[Hindustan Lever]] thermometer factory nearby, were reported to be dispersal of elemental [[mercury (element)|mercury]] to the atmosphere from improper storage and dispersal from surface effluents from the factory. Apart from tests conducted on [[Kodaikanal lake]], [[moss]] samples collected from trees surrounding the Berijam Lake, located {{convert|20|km|mi|abbr=on|1}} from the factory were also tested. These showed mercury level in the range of 0.2 μg/kg.<ref>{{cite journal
|url=http://www.sipcotcuddalore.com/Kodaikanal/DAE%20Study%20Karunasagar.pdf
|title=Studies of mercury pollution in a lake due to a thermometer factory situated in a tourist resort: Kodaikkanal, India
|author1=D. Karunasagar
|author2=M.V. Balarama Krishna
|author3=Y. Anjaneyulu
|author4=J. Arunachalam
|journal=Environmental Pollution
|volume=143
|issue=1
|pages=153–158
|date=2005-10-19
|publisher=Elselvier
|access-date=2015-01-26
|doi=10.1016/j.envpol.2005.10.032
|pmid=16412540
|archive-date=15 April 2012
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120415013819/http://www.sipcotcuddalore.com/Kodaikanal/DAE%20Study%20Karunasagar.pdf
|url-status=dead
}}</ref>

In 1902, important [[bauxite]] deposits were discovered in the hills north and south of Berijam Lake<ref>{{cite book|last=Krishnaswamy|first=Subbier |title=India's Mineral Resources|publisher=Oxford & IBH|year=1979|edition=Original from the University of Michigan, Digitized 29 June 2006|pages=79|isbn=9780862494827 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rPwAAAAAMAAJ&q=Berijam+kodaikanal}}</ref> which The [[Geological Survey of India]] investigated during 1964–65.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://citypatriots.com/asia/india/tamil-nadu/kodaikanal |title=Archived copy |access-date=1 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151120121856/http://citypatriots.com/asia/india/tamil-nadu/kodaikanal |archive-date=20 November 2015 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

;Remedial measures
The following measures have been suggested or are under implementation by various agencies.
*Plastics, smoking and consuming alcohol are prohibited at the lake area.
*Promote Shola grass land afforestation in the catchment area of the lake, particularly towards [[Mannavanur]] where its absence is noticed. This remedial measure could be ecologically and biologically beneficial to restore the lake's water source.<ref name = shola />
*Grassland rehabilitation could be achieved, with NGO and community participation.<ref name= abstract />

The Vatakanal Conservation Trust, a non-governmental organization in association with the Tamil Nadu Forest Department has initiated efforts to restore the shola system.
A pilot project was undertaken to protect the Pambar shola, adjacent to Kodaikanal.
*Kurinji saplings associated with Shola grasslands and other native grasslands species have been successfully nurtured.
*Excellent flowering of krunji flowers on the cliffs near Berijam Lake have been noted during August and September.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl2317/stories/20060908001106600.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071021105803/http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl2317/stories/20060908001106600.htm|url-status=usurped|archive-date=2007-10-21|title=Neelakurinji in full bloom|access-date=2007-12-12}}</ref>
Noting the effect on the breeding of the grey–breasted laughingthrush, the [[Sálim Ali]] Centre for Ornithology and Natural History has recommended:
*Expansion of plantations and restoration of grasslands and shola forests in the Palani hills should be halted
*The larger shola forests of Kukkal and Mathikettan (Berijam) to be declared as bird sanctuaries with better protection for the proposed [[Palani Hills Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park]].
*Set up a [[GIS]] database with thematic details, including information on flora and fauna, to help monitor the globally [[near threatened]] species.
*Initiate a nature education programme to highlight importance of natural vegetation in [[Habitat conservation]] of [[biodiversity]] and watershed management of Palani Hills.<ref name = Soma />

== Gallery ==
<gallery>
File:Nilgir Pipit (Anthus nilghiriensis) 18-Apr-2007 12-12-32 PM.JPG|The [[Nilgiri pipit]] (''Anthus nilghiriensis''), a near threatened bird species
File:Little grebe.jpg|Little [[grebe]] in the lake
File:White-Bellied Shortwing, northern race.jpg|The white-bellied shortwing (''[[Brachypteryx major]]'')
File:Painted Lady I IMG 3978.jpg|''[[Vanessa indica]]'', butterfly
File:Ficedula nigrorufa collage.jpg|[[Black-and-orange flycatcher]], male and non-breeding female
File:Strobilanths kunthiana.jpg|Kurunji flower in mountain peak of Berijam lake
File:Nelumno nucifera open flower - botanic garden adelaide2.jpg|The national flower of India, ''[[Nelumbo nucifera]]'' introduced into the lake
</gallery>

== External sources ==
{{Commons category|Berijam Lake}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20081218082545/http://in.maps.yahoo.com/#?lat=10.1833330&lon=77.3955560&z=5&mt=h Satellite view of Berijam Lake]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20160303220201/http://www.panoramio.com/photo/7414816 Photo of Berijam entrance gate from Munnar road]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

{{Waters of South Asia}}

{{Hydrography of Tamil Nadu}}

[[Category:Reservoirs in Tamil Nadu]]

Berijam Lake - Revision history

imported>Cewbot: Fixing broken anchor: Remove 1 notification (When checking links to Dal Lake)