Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary

Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary

Known to be the oldest water bird sanctuary in the country, Vedanthangal is home to myriad types of migratory birds including 26 rare species.

Established in the year 1936, the Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary spreads over an area of 74 acres and is located in the Kanchipuram district of the Madurantakam taluk in the state of Tamil Nadu. The sanctuary has a lake, which is situated 122 m above sea level and supplies water to 250 acres of agricultural land around the area. The maximum depth of the lake is about 5m and is bordered by a long bund on its western and southern sides whereas the northern and eastern sides extend to the agricultural lands. In 2013, the lake was de-silted and deepened to hold more water.

Climate of Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary
The climate in Vedanthangal is extremely hot and humid during the summer months from March to July, when the temperature can reach a maximum of 40° C. The winter season on the other hand is pleasant and mild when the temperature ranges between 16° C to 27° C. During the monsoon season, the area receives heavy rainfall mostly from the north-east monsoon winds and the average annual rainfall is about 10mm.

Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary, Tamil Nadu

Flora and Fauna of Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary
The Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary features a plethora of plant and birdlife from all over the world. There is a wide spectrum of birds from cormorants, darters, grebes, large and little egrets, moorhens, and night herons to paddy birds, painted storks, pintails, pond herons, sandpipers, shovellers, terns, white ibises and many more. There are also a variety of migratory birds like the garganeys and teals from Canada, the snake birds and gloss ibises from Sri Lanka, the grey pelicans from Australia, grey herons and open-billed storks from Bangladesh, painted storks from Siberia, and the spoonbills and spot-billed duck from Burma. Other than these, there are also monkeys and other common mammals that are found here. The flora here includes trees like Barringtonia acuntangula, Acacia nilotica, and Alangium salviflorum trees and dry evergreen scrub and thorn forests.

Visiting Information on Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary
The nearest airport to Vedanthangal is in Puducherry at a distance of 58 km and the closest railway station is the Chengalpattu Junction at a distance of 21 km. By roadways, one can take the National Highway 45 from Chennai, which is at a distance of about 75 km.

Recently Updated Articles in Flora & Fauna


•	Indian Bharal Bharal is an animal of the Tibetian Plateau. Bharal are social generally remains above timber-line, from three thousand and five hundred metres upward to the limit of vegetation at five thousand and five hundred metres.

•	Ibex Wild Goat Ibex are several types of wild goats which dwell in the arid regions of the Himalayas in India.

•	Indian Pika Pika is similar to large hamster or small guinea-pig. In the regions of India there are about five species of Pikas.

•	Indian Black Bear The Indian black bear, a medium-sized arboreal species native to Asia, inhabits the Northern part of the country, especially the Himalayan region. Noted for its black fur and distinct chest patch, it faces significant threats from deforestation and poaching, despite protective measures.

•	Indian Hoolock Gibbon Hoolock Gibbon is only ape of its kind which is found in India. There is very little or no difference between a male and female Hoolock with regard to size and weight.

E-magazine

Subscribe to E-Magazine on Reference