The 481 sq.kms Pulicat Lake Bird Sanctuary in Thiruvallur District is
situated on the border between the states Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.
This birdsanctuary draw many bird waters from other parts of India, especially
at weekends. One of the most beautiful wetland areas, it is the 2nd largest
brackish water lagoon in India after Chilka lake in Orissa. The lake is
about 60 km and width varying from 0.2 km to 17.5 km.
The lagoon which is about a million years old separated
from Bay of Bengal by a spit of land on which is situated the town of
Pulicat, 40 km north of Chennai. The Arani River at the southern tip,
the Kalangi River from the northwest and the Swarnamukhi River at the
northern end feed this water lagoon. During the monsoon period, the lake
is filled by nutritious water and large numbers microscopic plant grows
abundantly in the lake which provide food for invertebrates and fish.
As a result, large amount of wetland birds are attracted
to the lake. But nowadays, the lake faces many environmental issues such
as over-fishing, agricultural chemicals etc. Due to this, GNF (Global
Nature Fund) nominates Lake Pulicat as 'Threatened Lake of the Year 2010'.
The lagoon is an important habitat for 160 species of
fish, 25 species of polychaete worms, 12 species of prawn, 19 species
of mollusk, 100 speceis of birds both terrestrial and aquatic birds and
small mammals and reptiles. Migratory birds mainly from Central Asia and
Eastern Europe, visits this sanctuary. The sanctuary mainly attracts Greater
and Lesser Flamingoes, Grey Pelican, Painted Stork, Grey Heron, Ducks,
Marbled teal, Terns, Egrets, Kites and Patridges, Quails, Sea Gulls and
a number of Waders such as curlews, stilts, plovers, sand pipers, lapwings
and redshank. . During the winter season, the sanctuary attracts up to
15,000 flamingoes.
Some of the commonest wetland birds include Shoveler,
Garganey, Gadwall, Marsh Sandpiper and Black-tailed Godvit. Some of the
resident birds listed are Grey Pelican and Open-billed Stork. The lake
is also home to crabs, clams, mussels, oysters, snails, fish worms, insects,
spiders, sponges, anemone, prawns, plankton and so on
The sanctuary provides eco-tourism on this lake by traditional
punting or sailing in a flat-bottom boat rather than by a motorised boat.
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Wildlife 
