Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary with a 30 hectre wide lake is located in the
Kanchipuram District of Tamil Nadu. 30,000 birds from various countries
like Siberia, Australia, Pakistan and Sri Lanka migrate here after the
monsoon. The sanctuary is about 75 km from Chennai on National Highway
45 south of Chengalpattu.
The oldest bird sanctuary in India, it has been in existence
for more than 200 years. The area was a favourite hunting reserve for
the local landlords. Vedanthangal was originally protected since 1798
by the locals. In 1936, the area was notified as a sanctuary, and in 1962,
the Madras Forest Act legally accorded the status of a reserve forest
to Vedanthangal. Ten years later, in 1972 it was upgraded to a wildlife
sanctuary under the Wildlife Protection Act.
The region attracted a variety of birds because it was
dotted with small lakes that acted as feeding grounds for the birds. A
grove of Barringtonia and Acacia Nilotica trees in a tank form part of
the sanctuary. In addition dry evergreen scrub and thorn forests can also
be seen.
Breeding birds like Great cormorant, Egrets, Grey and
Purple heron, Painted stork, Open- billed stork, darter, Asian openbill,
Eurasian spoonbill, While Ibis, Night Herons, Spot billed pelican, Grebes,
Grey Pelican etc visit the sanctuary. The population of migratory birds
included Garganey Teals, Shovellers, Pintails, Stilts, Sandpipers etc.
December - January is the best season to watch these birds.
Some of the resident birds listed are White-breasted
Kingfisher, Coots and Moorhen, Terns. In all 115 species of birds have
been recorded in the this sanctuary. A very well-maintained sanctuary,
one can watch the birds from the observation tower on the edge of the
water. Binoculars affixed to these tower. One can walk along a shaded
raised path along the bank of the lake to see the nesting colonies of
birds. About 10,000 - 30,000 birds are estimated to arrive at the beginning
of the breeding season.
Besides birds, there are mammals seen here like Jackal,
Jungle Cat, Wild Boar, Black-naped Hare etc.
Entry Fee: Rs. 5, camera fee Rs. 25, video-camera fee
Rs. 150 Open: Daily 6-6; Freelance Naturalist guides are also available.
|
Wildlife 
