Sunday, November 15, 2015

Chitrangudi Bird Sanctuary, Ramanathapuram

Chitrangudi Bird Sanctuary, Ramanathapuram
Chitrangudi Bird Sanctuary locally known as "Chitrangudi Kanmoli" is a .4763 km2 (0.1839 sq mi)  Protected area declared in 1989 and a part of Chitrangudi village, Mudukulathoor Taluk, Ramanathapuram District, Tamil Nadu, India. It is adjacent to Kanjirankulam Bird Sanctuary. It is notable as a nesting site for several migratory heron species that roost in the prominent growth of Babul trees there. International name: Chitrangudi and Kanjirankulam Bird Sanctuary, IBA Code: IN261, Criteria: A1, A4i.




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.
This crescent shaped sanctuary in Ramanathapuram Distinct, Tamil Nadu, attracts a host of migratory birds in winter. In fact, it is one of the natural habitats and preferred destinations for winter migratory birds.
Chitrangudi Kanmoli is a great weekend getaway – a charming destination for a visit to indulge in bird watching or just enjoy the scenic beauty through long refreshing nature walks!
Chitrangudi Bird Sanctuary is a bird lover’s paradise! From grey herons, painted storks, grey pelicans, black ibis and white ibis to open-billed storks, gray pelicans, dabchick, cattle egret, Indian darters, pond herons and little egrets, you will have a pleasurable time spotting and identifying the many species of colorful winged creatures that inhabit or visit the sanctuary. Come armed with your walking shoes, binoculars and bird-watching books so you can enjoy spotting them and learning more about these beautiful creatures. Between October and February is when the graceful winged visitors flock to the sanctuary from faraway lands.




Another distinctive sighting here is of Black Crowned Night Herons. These graceful birds rest in the trees during the day and at night they swoop down to feed on rats, eggs and the chicks of other birds. These birds are a remarkable indicator of the health of an ecosystem and they are referred to as ‘Urban Birds’.
Chitrangudi Bird Sanctuary is rich in flora too and one of its distinguishing features is the fairly prominent proliferation of Babul (Acacia nilotica) trees. With its bright golden-yellow hued flowers, it is a distinctive feature of the sanctuary. Chitrangudi landscape is predominantly dry deciduous forest with grassy areas. The wetland area is irregular in terms of its depth, and is usually full to the brim during the rainy seasons, which could last from 3 to 5 months.
Location
Mudukulathoor Taluk of Ramanathapuram District
Area
47.63ha
Forest type
Tropical Dry Deciduous Type. Notable spp is Acacia nilotica. Every nook and corner is occupied by Prosopis
Avifauna
Cormorants, Egrets, Ibis, Herons, Teals, Other ducks, Pelicans, White storks, Painted storks
Annual rainfall
715.2 mm
Nearest airport
Madurai - 130 Km away.
Nearest Railway station
Paramakudi – 16 Km
Best season
November to February
Accommodation
PWD Rest House at Mudukulathoor,
Forest Rest House at Sayalgudi
History
Chitrangudi Bird Sanctuary is a fairly recent one having been declared a bird sanctuary in 1989. It covers an estimated area of 47.63 ha.
Geography
The sanctuary area is within the 15 m (49 ft) high embankments of the community irrigation tank. The total length of the embankment is 4.010 km (2.492 mi). The crescent-shaped Kanmoi starts at a northern point where an  aqueduct from the Gundar River flows into the Kanmoi. There are five sluices that drain water to the agricultural lands. The wetland is irregular in depth and retains water for 3 to 5 months if rain is normal. Excess flood water is let out towards Chitrangudi village through a sluice gate about .5 km (0.31 mi) from the inlet aqueduct.





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 Mudukulathoor taluk, Ramanathapuram district. An aerial view of the sanctuary gives out a crescent or fish tail shape.
Flora
The vegetation here is mostly Tropical Dry Deciduous forest. Apart from this there are other tress like Prosopis juliflora, Bermuda grass and Dichanthium foveolatum. The first Babul plantation was done by Farm forestry division in the year 1979. Tamarind trees, Silk trees, Fig trees, Portia trees, Neem trees, Palmyra palms and Drumstick trees can be seen within the irrigation tank bund and the area outside the tank. The invasive Prosopis is slowly encroaching on much of the sanctuary area, retarding growth of babuls.






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.
It is an important nesting site for the seasonal migratory birds. Heron species of birds come in abundance and take shelter in the thickly growing Babul trees in the area. The sanctuary area is enclosed within the 15 m high embankments of the community irrigation tank.
Fauna
The sanctuary is one of the preferred nesting sites for heron species and other colonial birds migrating to South India. The feathered visitors capture the sanctuary in flocks from October to February. Chitrangudi Bird Sanctuary is an ideal habitat for winter migratory birds. Various species of Heron and colonial birds can be seen here. 





The sanctuary provides extensive diversity in nesting. Other than these there are many other birds found here like Spot billed Pelican, Little egret, Grey heron, Large egret, Open billed stork, Purple heron, Pond heron. Tourists and nature lovers mostly visit the sanctuary during the months from October to February. Tourists visiting the sanctuary can put up at PWD Rest House at Mudukulathoor, Forest Rest House at Sayalgudi and at Paramakudi. 
The sanctuary is not only a delightful place for bird lovers and ornithologists but also a charming destination for bird watching. Visitors can enjoy the mesmerizing scenic beauty through long refreshing nature walks.
Visitor Information
The sanctuary is open year round and can be reached by road from Mudukulathoor 4 km and Sayalgudi 12 km, Ramanathapuram 45 km and Madurai 120 km. The nearest railway station is Paramakudi and the nearest airport is Madurai.
Accommodation is available at PWD Rest House at Mudukulathoor 10 kilometers (6.2 mi), the Forest Rest House at Sayalgudi and at Paramakudi
Contact
Wild life warden 
Gulf of Mannar biosphere reserve,
Ramanathapuram.
Phone:04567-230079
Connectivity
The Chitrangudi bird sanctuary is locally known by the name Chitrangudi Kanmoli. This is a declared protected area established in the year 1989. The spectacular bird sanctuary is located near the famous pilgrim center Rameswaram belongs Ramanathapuram district in Tamil Nadu. It is adjacent to the Kanjirankulam Bird Sanctuary in the district.
Chitrangudi Bird Sanctuary is well connected with all modes of transports. It is 120 kms from Madurai,45 kms from Ramanathapuram and 12 kms from Sayakudi town. The nearest railway station is located at Ramanathapuram that is 45 kms away. The nearest Airport is at Madurai that is at a distance of 130 kms.