The intervention by the state government to restore the Pallikarnai marshland has started yielding results and the sighting of migratory birds has improved in the past few months.
Rare birds such as Comb Duck have started visiting the marsh and the bird population in the marsh has improved, according to environmentalists and ornithologists.
Ten years ago, one had to travel till Nallapattu sanctuary in Andhra Pradesh or Vedanthangal near Chengalpet to sight grey pelicans, but today they can be seen along Pallikarnai marsh.
Despite real estate pressure and urbanisation, the government has mooted the project considering the rich biodiversity of Pallikarnai and it is a welcome move, said K.V. Sudhakar, president, Madras Naturalists Society.
The polluted Pallikaranai marsh has started responding to conservation activities.
Even during the dry season the marsh supports over 5,000 water birds. The recent census has enthralled bird watchers and 57 species have been identified in Pallaikaranai, said K.V.R.K. Thirunaranan, founder, The Nature Trust.
Wildlife sources said the ambitious plan to restore and conserve the ecologically-sensitive marshland has gained momentum.
The conservation plan, which includes removal of weeds, formation of bunds, dredging water courses and forming a nature trail alongside the boundary of the marshland will be completed in three-to-four months.
The state forest department is keen on the venture as it is a the pet project of chief minister J. Jayalalithaa.
At present, 317 hectares of land are with the forest department and several hectares of land are with the Chennai Corporation, where a large part is used to dump the untreated solid waste.