Points Calimere Bird Sanctuary is a special place in India where many birds come to live and visit, especially during the winter season. It is known for its calm surroundings, beautiful nature and colorful birds like flamingo and pelicans. This bird sanctuary is also home to some animals and plants. People who love nature and birds visiting this peaceful and lovely place every year.
Location of Point Calimere Bird Sanctuary
Point Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary is located in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It lies at the southeastern tip of Nagapattinam District, where the Palk Strait meets the Bay of Bengal. The sanctuary was created in 1967. Its main purpose was to protect the blackbuck, a type of Indian antelope. It also attracts thousands of migratory waterbirds, especially greater flamingos.
Geography and Natural Features
Point Calimere Sanctuary covers 21.47 square kilometers. It is surrounded by the Bay of Bengal, Palk Strait, swampy backwaters and salt pans. It has sand dunes, tidal mud-flats, ponds and dry evergreen forests. The highest point is called Ramar Padam, where there is a small temples.
History of the Point Calimere Bird Sanctuary
In the beginning, the focus was on stopping poaching and giving water to animals. Now, water is supplied through tanks and bore wells. Tree planting has not worked well except for Casuarina trees. Since 1991, a yearly wildlife count has been done.
Flora and Fauna of the Sanctuary
This place has many types of plants like magroves, grasslands, mudflats and dry forests. There are 364 types of flowering plants and about half of them are used as medicines.
The sanctuary is home to 14 mammals, 18 reptiles and 9 amphibians. The most famous animal here is the blackbuck. Other animals include chital, jackals, monitor lizards, wild boars and dolphins. In 2002, a whale was rescued here – the first successful rescue of a stranded whale in Asia!
Birds in Point Calimere Sanctuary
The sanctuary has the second largest group of migratory waterbirds in India. Over 100,000 birds com here, including rare and endangered species. Birds come from Siberia, Russia, Central Asia and Europe during October and return in January. Some common birds are painted storks, flamingos, ibis and pelicans.
Threats to the Sanctuary
Some major problems for the sanctuary include:
- Loss of bird habitats
- Salt pans increasing soil salinity
- Spread of Prosopis juliflora, an unwanted plant
- Grazing by cattle
- Not enough fresh water
Cultural Heritage Inside the Point Calimere Bird Sanctuary
There are also religious and historical places inside the sanctuary:
- Ramsar Padam: A shrine with Lord Rama’s footprints
- Mattumunian Kovil: A temple visited throughout the year
- Avulaiganni Dargarh: A Muslim saint’s grace
- Shevrayan Kovil: A small forest shrin
Also, there is an old Chola lighthouse and a modern lighthouse near Kodaikarai Beach.
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