3. Objectives |
The purpose of the study was to identify the most immediate threats to the ecological status of the Varthur lake and to evaluate the necessity of undertaking restoration efforts in order to maintain the benefits provided by this tank. Three components of the Varthur lake ecosystem was studied namely the (i) morphometry, including depth profiling and calculation of volume, to evaluate the risks posed by sedimentation and to provide general morphometric information for future analysis of Varthur lake; (ii) water quality, to determine the extent of the pollution in Varthur lake during the post-monsoon and dry winter seasons and analysis of groundwater to detect potential contamination from lake seepage; and (iii) socio-economic status, of the stakeholders living in close proximity to Varthur lake to determine their dependency on the lake, how their use of the lake has changed over time, and their willingness to support restoration efforts. The results of this study will also provide a base for future analysis of the ecology of the lake and its importance to local residents.
