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Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary

Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary is one of the oldest bird sanctuaries with a history that goes back to the 18th century. The sanctuary is very small in size but attracts the largest number of birds, especially during October and January. One can see thousands of resident as well as migratory birds during these months and from close quarters.

Location

Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary is located 75 kilometers south of Chennai and is in the Kancheepuram District of Tamil Nadu. It is spread over 75 acres of protected area and attracts over 40,000 varieties of birds from all over the world at specific times of the year. These include some 26 rare species.

History

Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary has a unique history. This is perhaps the only bird sanctuary in the country which has been protected by the local villagers for centuries now and for a very special reason. Way back in 1798, the villages realized that bird droppings that fell into the village tank caused an increase in the nitrogen content of the water. This water, when used for irrigation resulted in a high yield of crops. The benefits of protecting the birds were multifold. Firstly, it increased agricultural production and secondly, they did not have to spend on costly fertilizers.

Other Details

The region attracts a large variety of birds because there are numerous small lakes that act as feeding grounds for the birds. The British Government realized the ornithological importance of the place quite early and undertook steps to develop Vedanthangal into a bird sanctuary as early as 1798. It was established in 1858 by the order of the Collector of Chingleput District.

The popular bird sanctuary consists of a large body of water interspersed with some islands heavily covered with shrubs and bamboo plants. At the edge of the sanctuary, there is a raised, crescent shaped brick-laid path which is used by visitors to walk around the sanctuary. There’s also a viewing tower inside the sanctuary from where visitors can get a close view of many species of birds.

Flora

The Vedanthangal tank gets water from the rains and is therefore dry during most of the summer season. There is an earthen embankment along its western precincts that locks away the water when the tank begins to fill in the monsoon season. Permanent water plants do not grow here. The Barringtonia trees at the edges and the center of the tank are where the nests are built in large numbers. The crowns of the tree appear like leafy green islands in the water and serve as nesting platforms and perch-sites for birds.

Fauna

The entire area of Vedanthangal Bird sanctuary is covered with evergreen scrub and thorn forests. The most commonly seen birds in the sanctuary includes the egrets, darters, grebes, cormorants, Darter, night herons, moorhen, paddy birds, painted storks, pond heron, pintails, shovelers, sandpipers, White Ibis, terns, snake birds, grey pelican and lots more.

Tourist Information

While the sanctuary is open throughout the year, the best time to visit is from November to April when the number of birds visiting the sanctuary is at its peak. Accommodation is available at the site in the Forest Rest House.

How to Reach

By Bus

Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary is 86 kilometers from Chennai and 35 kilometers from Chengalpattu. There are state-transport buses running on the route in adequate numbers.

By Rail

The nearest railway head is Chengalpattu is around 35 km from the sanctuary.

By Air

The nearest airport is Chennai International Airport which is approximately 70 km from the sanctuary.

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