Point Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary came into existence in 1967 for Blackbuck conservation, which is an endemic and endangered species of India due to lack of legal protection and poaching. It was first identified by the late Dr. Salim Ali, the world famous ornithologist, in 1962 as an area of high significance needing conservation. Located is the Nagapattinam district of Tamil Nadu, this is one of the greatest avian spectacles to be found in India. Here the Bay of Bengal meets the Palk Strait. The reserve was further enlarged in 1988 by when the Talaignayar Reserve Forests and the Great Vedaranyam Forests were included within it. The wildlife and bird sanctuary covers an area of 17.26 sq km of sandy coast bordered by thorny scrub and saline swamps around the backwaters.

Flora, Fauna & Avian

There are more than 150 species of medicinal plants in the Tropical Dry Evergreen Forest of the Point Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary. Manikarahexandra or Palai is one of the most important species of this sanctuary.

Blackbuck is the most important species of this sanctuary. They graze in the vicinity of the open grassland most of the time. Spotted dear, civet, jackal, wild boar, bonnet macaque, jungle cat, cheetah, common Indian mongoose and blacknapedhare are some of the important animals found in this reserve. The presence of feral horses is quite a notable feature here.

Olive Ridley turtles nest in the beach quite often. Dolphin can also be seen along the coast during winter. A huge variety of birds are also found here. The list includes gulls, terns, herons, storks and vast congregations of coastal waters. However, the most spectacular are the Greater and the Lesser flamingos.The Greater flamingos come a long way from the Rann of Kutch, Gujarat, Northern Russia and Caspian Sea.

Though a lot of animals are spotted here but this sanctuary is famous for being the house and rest house for a huge and quite impressive collection of birds. About 250 species of birds have been sighted here.More than a hundred different species of migratory birds start coming during the arrival of north east monsoons in this sanctuary. They include painted storks, flamingo, teals, pelicans, teals, terns and several varieties of shore birds. Every year, around 20000 flamingoes visit this reserve. The rare spoonbill sandpiper has been spotted here.

Some of the important bird species include Montagu’s harrier, white bellied sea eagle, white-eyed buzzard, peregrine falcon, blue faced malkoha, common kestrel, osprey, pied cuckoo, blue tailed bee eater, chestnut-tailed starling, Asian paradise - flycatcher, greater flamingo, lesser flamingo, spot billed pelican, great cormorant, grey heron, purple heron, spoon-billed sandpiper, black tailed godwit, great crested tern, Asian dowitcher, Pallas’s gull, Caspian tern, black-capped kingfisher, yellow billed babbler, red-crested curlew, Eurasian spoonbill, western reef egret, Northern shoveler, etc.

Things to Do and See

Most people visit the Point Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary for bird watching. Apart from this, boating can be done in the lake to be found within the lake itself. There is a children’s park as well in this sanctuary. Moreover, one can avail the facilities of the education and interpretation center, binoculars, slides, films and library. One can also have a nice time visiting the room dedicated to the memory of Dr. Salim Ali. It contains his photographs, bust, personal effects and write ups.

One can explore the sanctuary by taking a jeep, which can be booked at the Reception itself. Historical sites like Modimandapam, Ramar Padam and Old Chola lighthouse can be visited since they are located within the sanctuary itself.

Weather

The climate remains between 20°C and 40°C from March to October. The area receives an annual rainfall of around 1500 mm.

Best Time to Visit

Though the sanctuary is open throughout the year but the best time to visit is between November and April, which is when one can see a lot of migratory birds as they arrive here during the winter.

Where to Stay

Flamingo House (Poonaraillam), which is a Forest Rest House, is available at Kodikkarai.

How to Reach

Rail

Thiruthuraipoondi is the nearest railway station located about 42 km away from the sanctuary

Air

The nearest airport is located at a distance of 225 km at Tiruchirapalli.

Road

The sanctuary is well connected with major towns and nearby areas through roads. It is about 60 km away from Nagapattinam, 110 km from Thanjavur and 360 km from Chennai.