The Site is one of the largest inland freshwater lakes in the State of Tamil Nadu. It provides important stopover and foraging ground for birds migrating along the Central Asian Flyway. Some 10,000 individuals of 14 colonial waterbird species have been found nesting here. The gum Arabic tree (Acacia nilotica) provides roosting and nesting grounds for threatened species such as spotted eagle (Aquila clanga), tawny eagle (Aquila rapax) and Indian darter (Anhinga melanogaster). When the water level starts receding after January, larger birds such as painted stork (Mycteria leucocephala) flock to the Site; it has recorded one of the largest congregations of waterbirds among all lakes in the State of Tamil Nadu. The Site also provides breeding habitat for the vulnerable Indian flap-shelled turtle (Lissemys punctata). During the driest period, between July and October, the water level of the Site is maintained with water from the Mettur Dam. The lake water is used to irrigate about 4,000 hectares of surrounding farmland. There are issues related to human-wildlife conflict, in particularly concerning the vulnerable bonnet macaque (Macaca radiata).