Pulicat Lake is the second largest brackish water lake in India, spread across two states, Andhra Pradesh and Tamilnadu. Being an estuary, where freshwater meets the sea, the lake is unique with exclusive biodiversity that can tolerate wide range of fluctuations in physico chemical parameters. In such unique ecosystem, the Department of Zoology, Madras Christian College has it’s ‘off campus research centre, the MCC Pulicat Estuarine Biological Research Centre, MCC PEBRC. The centre was establish in 1968 as the Estuarine Biological Laboratory by the then Head of the Department of Zoology, Dr. P.J. Sanjeeva Raj. Despite lack of adequate transport, intermittent power supply and salty water, the centre is primed with active research. More than 100 research articles / papers, 35 M. Phil’s, 21 Ph.Ds., 7 major research projects, 3 books, 2 national workshops and one Post graduate course emanated from this research centre. The centre has three wet labs, three earthen ponds, a large aquarium, smaller display aquarium, museum and a community college.
To revitalize the centre to facilitate research activities and research grants, it was unanimously decided to rename Estuarine Biological Laboratory as MCC Pulicat Estuarine Biological Research Centre (MCC PEBRC) to facilitate unquestioned finance by the funding agencies. Many research proposals, training programs have been submitted and a few have materialized. Fourteen training programs were conducted for the fisherfolk, women and unemployed youth of Pulicat with financial assistance of Rs. 14, 21, 500/- from National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB). A small museum displaying the biodiversity of the lake including the macro fauna has been set up at MCC PEBRC with the help of funds from the faculty of the department.
A new culture of Interdisciplinary research is in the process of evolution in the campus through the research activities of MCC PEBRC. This effort is expected to transform the education that is offered at MCC in line with the recent trends in global education system. Interdepartmental and inter-institutional collaboration in research is the norm in recent times. The Principal, Dr. Paul Wilson insisted on the faculty to make inroads into interdepartmental research breaking the barrier of the departments. Inter-institutional collaboration is attempted and possibility of Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate in research is in the process.
Skill development courses are in the process of evolving in the wake of the accreditation that is added to MCC as ‘Training Partner’ of National Skill Development Corporation. The MCC Pulicat Community College (MCC PCC) offers Diploma program in General Duty Assistant course from MCC PEBRC. There is tremendous scope for new programs and curriculum to be developed.
The old building established in 1968 was renovated and refurbished for better utilization of the lab. It was rededicated on 15 th April, 2023. Herbal garden, Crab and Shrimp farms, Ornamental fish culture and Mushroom culture units are to be established to provide periodic training programs for the fisherfolk to empower them with alternate livelihood. The facility will continue to be a great knowledge platform for scores of students, research scholars, academicians and local community. MCC PEBRC will be an invaluable asset of
learning.
