Tamil Nadu Forest Department

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Chitrangudi Bird Sanctuary

The bird sanctuary was declared in 1989, with an estimated area of 47.63 ha. The sanctuary area is within the community tank embankments and its immediate water holding channel, measuring approximately 15 meters from the bottom of the embankment. Most notable feature of the sanctuary is the prominent growth of Babul (Acacia nilotica) trees.

Spoonbill

Location

Map

Chitrangudi Bird Sanctuary is otherwise known as “Chitrangudi Kanmoli” and is located at 9o19’N and 78o28’ E . It is a part of Chitrangudi village of Mudukulathur taluk, Ramanathapuram district. An aerial view of the sanctuary gives out a crescent or fish tail shape. The Kanmoi starts at a northern point where a channel from the Gundar flows into the Kanmoi through an aqua duct. Total length of the embankment is 4.010 kms. There are 5 sluices that drain water to the agricultural lands. Excess water is let out during flood conditions through a sluice gate about 0.5 km from the inlet aqua duct towards Chitrangudi village

Flora

The sanctuary vegetation can be classified generally as that of tropical dry deciduous type. It is dominated by Babul (Acacia nilotica) along with Prosopis Juliflora and grasses such as Cynodon dactylon and Eremopogan faveolatus. The tank bund and the area outside the tank are having Tamarindus indica, Ficus Spp, Neem (Azadirachta indica), Thespesia Populnea, Albizzia amara, Moringa oleifera and Palmyra (Borassus flabellifer). The plantation of Acacia nilotica was raised in 1979 by Farm forestry division’. Presently there is no area in the sanctuary which is devoid of vegetation, every nook and corner is occupied by Prosopis. Cascuta creepers are also growing widely in the sanctuary and many a times retarding the growth of Prosopis. In addition the medicinal plants such as Ocimum sanctum, Gloriosa superba are also found in the area.

Fauna

The sanctuary offers ideal habitat for winter migratory birds with considerable diversity in nesting and feeding behaviours. It is one of the preferred nesting sites for heronry species and colonial birds migrating to South India . The feathered visitors flock the sanctuary from October to February. The wetland is irregular in depth and retains water for 3 to 5 months if rain is normal. Breeding population consists of Spot billed Pelican, Open billed stork, Liitle egret, Large egret, Grey hreon, Purple heron, Pond heron .

Approach

	120 kms from Madurai 45 kms from Ramanathapuram 12 kms from Sayakudi town.
	Railway: Ramanathapuram 45 kms
	Airport: Madurai 130 kms

Tourist info

Open Season Throughout the year
Best time to visit -

Acccommodation

Contact:

Wild life warden
Gulf of Mannar biosphere reserve
Mandapam, Ramanathapuram.
Phone:04567-230079

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