Bird sanctuaries at Vedanthangal to open on Friday
Posted on: 19/Nov/2013 12:43:45 PM
Vedanthangal and Karikili bird sanctuaries, around 82 km southwest of Chennai, will be opened to public on Friday. Currently, water overflow from these lakes has reached the two major channels that fill the Vedanthangal Lake.
A forest official said, “Birds have started to flock to the sanctuary. Ahead of the season, we had planted around two lakh Barringtonia saplings in the sanctuary to allow birds to nest. We have also provided basic amenities including water taps, toilets and additional watchtowers for visitors.”
Open-bill storks, night herons, pelicans, little cormorants and white ibises have arrived and begun nesting.
Officials of the State forest department have laid a concrete pathway running to a length of 1.4 km in the sanctuary to enable bird-watchers to take a closer look at the birds. Besides, visitors can also avail of the free binoculars on offer.
Forest officials have also held talks with village heads in neighbouring regions to ensure adequate water in the sanctuary throughout the season. Spread over 73 acres of land off Grand Southern Trunk (GST) Road, the sanctuary is the oldest water bird sanctuary in the country.
Over 40,000 birds, including 26 rare species, from various parts of the world visit the sanctuary during the migratory season annually.
Some of the commonly-seen migratory birds are little cormorant, night heron, grey heron, spoonbill, little egret, large egret, white ibis, cattle egret, pintail, common teal, pond heron or paddy bird, shoveller duck, dab chick, Indian moorhen, darters or snake bird, grey pelican and open-bill stork.
