Nagapattinam - Birds Sanctuary

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Nagapattinam - Birds Sanctuary

Wild life and Birds Sanctuary

There is a sanctuary including Bird Sanctuary at Thalainayar village of Vedaranniyam Taluk in the Nagapattinam district spread over 1728.81 ha. This constitutes 14.92% of total forest area in the district. Point Calimere Wild life and Birds sanctuary is located on the coromandel coast in Nagapattinam district of Tamilnadu bounded by Bay of Bengal in the East and Palk Straits in the south forest area is extending over an area of approx. 333 Sq. Kms. which includes 23 Sq. Kms of tropical dry evergreen forests on the eastern extremity, 190 Sq. Kms. of Muthupet Mangrove forests towards the extreme west (proposed extension of sanctuary).

Vast saline marshes of the Great Vedarayam Swamp forms the major refuge for migratory and resident birds along-with rich terrestrial population in the adjoining tropical dry evergreen forest of Kodiakkadu represented by approx. 300 plant species. Both the habitats inhabit more than 260 spp of resident and migratory birds belong to 50 families. With the onset of NE monsoons during October, a large number of passerine and aquatic species migrate to the area from Soviet Union, Iran, Australia, Europe, N-India and other places. Important species include Greater and lesser flamingos, Pelicans, Storks, Gulls, Wild ducks, Stints, Sandpipers, Plovers etc. Most of the birds return by the end of January i.e. in the beginning of salt extraction activity.

A wild life sanctuary was formed at Point Calimere in 1967 on an area of 1729 hectares to preserve wild in the original surroundings. The sanctuary is unique of having a large concentration of black bucks or Indian antelopes. Due to the absence of hills and forests, the district is devoid of wild animals like tigers, elephants, panther?s etc. In the small belt of Jungle at Kodaikadu near Point Calimere are found spotted deer, antelopes and wild pigs. Jackals and foxes can be found almost in the entire district. Snakes exist in large numbers. All the Indian birds like the crow, the kite, the vulture, the owl etc. can be found here.

The swamps of Point Calimere are of great interest to ornithologist due to the abundance of variety of Avifauna. Special mention may be made of flamingoes visiting these swamps in thousands during winter months. The swarms of these birds with white and pink plumes are a rare sight and offer a spectacular display. Wild life census in Point Calimere Sanctuary indicates that 2043 animals are in the sanctuary. 1292 black bucks, 200 wild boars, 150 monkeys, 125 mongooses, 100 monitor lizards and other animals are protected in the sanctuary.

The fauna

Point Calimere sanctuary nurtures, interallia, a variety of rare and endangered animals in abundance. Following is the comprehensive list of fauna in the sanctuary.

Mammals

Blackbuck, Bonnet macaque, Black naped hare, Fruit bats, Spotted deer, Civet cat, Mangoose, Dolphins, Wild boar, Jackal, Semi wild ponies

Birds

The Great Vedaranyam swamp forms major refuges for migratory and resident water birds. 240 species of birds had been recorded here.

Water Birds

Flamingo, Gulls, Coots, Storks, Pelicans, Stilts, Plovers, Cormorants, Ducks, Egrets, Curlews, Lbises, Teals, Herons, Terns, Spoon bills, Sand pipers etc.,

Terrestrial Birds

Indian pitta, Bee eaters, Sparrows, Thrushes, Doves, Munias, Warblers, Owis, Kites, Wagtails, Flower peckers, Eagles, Swifts, White necked Stork.

Reptiles

Olive Ridley sea turtle, Starred tortoise, Marsh crocodiles, Monitor lizard, saw scalped viper, Green wiph snake, Cobra, Hook nosed sea snake, Rat snake, Common krait

The flora

Tropical dry evergreen forests represented by MANILAKARA HEXANDRA, MEMECYCLON, UMBELLATUM, MABA BUXIFOLIA, SYZYGIUM CUMINI etc.; there are 300 species within 218 genera and 77 families having a composition of 61% evergreen, 36% animals, 3% deciduous. Mangrove forests with the domination of AVICENNIA MARINA, AVICENNIA ALBA, AEGICEROS CORNICULATUS, RHIZOPHORA SP., ACANTHUS ILLICIFOLIUS, and SUAEDA SP.

In great vedaranyam swamp 106 species within 90 genera and 48 families represented by 60 species of herbs, 25 species of shrubs, 11 species of trees and 10 species of climbers had been recorded.

Nagapattinam - Birds Sanctuary

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