Koonthakulam Bird Sanctuary, Thirunelveli

Koonthakulam Bird Sanctuary, Thirunelveli

Koonthakulam Bird Sanctuary or Koonthakulam is a 1.2933 km2 (0.4993 sq. mi) protected area declared as a sanctuary in 1994. It adjoins the tiny village of Koonthakulam in Nanguneri Taluk of Thirunelveli District, Tamilnadu, India. It is an Important Bird Area, code: IN269, criteria: A1, A4i. It is just 28 Kms away from Thirunelveli (a bustling town on the banks of the Tambiraparani River). It is composed of Koonthakulam and Kadankulam irrigation tanks, conveniently linked by tar road. This is the largest reserve for breeding water birds in South India. It may soon be catapulted into the list of popular water bird sanctuaries in the country.

This village is sparsely populated. Migratory birds start coming by December end and fly away to their northern homes by June or July after they lay eggs, hatch them and the young ones grow old enough to fly with the older ones. About 35 species of birds visit this calm but congenial village for breeding. The birds called Painted strokes are coming from North India and East European Countries to this place. Similarly the flamingoes which flew in mainly from the Rann of Kutch have hatched and reared their young ones in the village.

The birds coming to their backyards for five generations are protected vehemently by villagers and regarded as harbingers of luck. The excreta of birds – ‘guano’ are collected by villagers in summer along with silt to use as fertilizer in their fields. From children to grannies in the village all protect them, their nests and fledglings. Chicks fallen are taken care of in the rescue centre till they are able to fly on their own. Anybody troubling the nests are punished inn their own methods of shaving the head, or making the procession on donkey. Koonthakulam Sanctuary is the biggest breeding water bird reserve in south India.

It attracts a staggering number of birds annually - over one lakh birds. Whether you are a bird lover or nature lover, this beautiful place is a must visit if you are in Thirunelveli District. You will be charmed by the beauty of the place and the way the villagers and their winged friends coexist in harmony. The sanctuary has watch tower, interpretation center, Children Park etc. can be visited throughout the year. Nearly 43 species of birds visits this sanctuary. As per the survey nearly 10000 migratory birds visit the reserve during the winter seasons.

Its natural beauty and enamoring greenery can be breathtaking making the experience more inexplicable for the bird watchers. Amongst the truest laps of nature lies the Koonthakulam Village that houses this bird sanctuary which makes it one of the most panoramic places to blend into nature. Koonthakulam is a small and natural picturesque village, which is covered with natural forests and ponds. Migratory birds from Australia, United States, Myanmar, Siberia, etc. all travel here to nest and raise their young ones. Birds from the other parts of the sub-continent also pay a visit to this sanctuary to take in the magical natural ambience of the place. Tourists flock this place to witness the colorful parade of birds making the Koonthakulam Bird Sanctuary their home.  

It can be said that Koonthakulam Bird Sanctuary is one of the luckiest to host a wide range of feathered species and the enormousness of this can be overwhelming. Quails, White Ibis, Cormorants, Babblers, Partridges, etc. are some of the other birds that flock in numbers to this village. The never ending list of birds offer a pleasant sight to sore eyes and these birds can be spotted easily as they come in large numbers and can be found almost everywhere in the entire village.

Geographical Position

Koonthakulam Bird Sanctuary in Tirunelveli is located at 8°29'46.0"N 77°45'23.4"E or 8.496103, 77.756493.

History

Koonthakulam Bird Sanctuary consists of Koonthakulam and Kadankulam tanks and is spread over an area of 129.33 hectares. It was declared a sanctuary in 1994. The quaint Koonthakulam village is over 500 years old.

Flora

Acacia nilotica trees are grown in the tank foreshores by the Social Forestry Division of Forest Department. The Babul plantation of 30 hectares in Koonthakulam is the main breeding ground.

Fauna

The Koonthakulam Bird Sanctuary is the winter home for some winged visitors who fly from adverse cold conditions to warmer climates to nest. January to April are the months to spot the Egrets, Kingfishers, Flycatchers, Minivets, White Ibis, Spot-bill ducks, Cormorants, Pelicans and Painted Storks, flying all the way from Australia, United States, Sri Lanka, Siberia, Pakistan and Myanmar. In addition to that, Chipmunks and Pheasant-tailed Jacanas can also be seen at times.

Tourists from all over the globe flock in numbers to see this paradise on earth, Approximately about 5000 tourists visit the sanctuary on a daily basis, making the Koonthakulam Bird Sanctuary one of the most popular sanctuaries in the country. Some birds are regular migrants at the Koonthakulam Bird Sanctuary. The Greater Flamingo, White Stork visit every year from Germany. The Common Sandpiper from the Ladakh region pays a visit with its extensive family as well.

The Siberian Coot and Spotted Sandpiper, Pintail, Pallavan, Green Sandpiper, Common Teal and Bar Headed Goose are some other birds that are regulars here in the sanctuary. As per the statistics available with the Forest Department, more than 43 water birds are visiting Koonthakulam every year in January or February and used to leave the place in July or August after nesting, hatching and nurturing the young ones. Large water birds like Painted Stork nest throughout the year annually around Koonthakulam village as well as in the trees inside the tank.

Dabchick or Little Grebe, Grey Pelican, Large Cormorant, Lesser Cormorant, Grey Heron, Purple Heron, Darter or Snake Bird, Large Egret, Pond Heron, Cattle Egret, Smaller or Medium Egret, Little Egret, Night Heron, Painted Stork, Openbill Stork, Small king fisher, Glossy Ibis, Spoonbill, Spoonbill Duck, Cotton Teal or Pygmy Goose, Indian Moorhen, Purple Moorhen, Pheasant-tailed Jacana, Bronze-winged Jacana, Brahminy Kite, White-breasted Water Hen, Black-winged Stilt, Red Lapwing, Pied Kingfisher, White-breasted Kingfisher and Indian Pied Wagtail are some of the birds recorded at this sanctuary.

Moreover migratory birds such as Barheaded Goose, Pintail, Spotted Sand Piper, Green Sand Piper, Green Shank, Coot, White Stork, Large Flamingo, Common Sand Piper and Common Teal have also been sighted here. Now, only 30 birds can be seen in the entire Koonthakulam tank while Kadankulam is bone-dry and the birds’ squeaking has almost vanished.

The following migratory birds visit this area from other countries;

1.	Barheaded Goose	Siberia
2.	Pintail	Siberia
3.	Spotted Sand Piper	Siberia
4.	Green Sand Piper	Siberia
5.	Green Shank	Northern end of Siberia
6.	Coot	Central Siberia
7.	White stork	Germany
8.	Large flamingo	Partially from Germany
9.	Common Sand Piper	Lower part of Ladakh
10.	Common Teal	Siberia
11.	Pallavan	Siberia

Following Water Birds can also be spotted regularly here;

1	Dabchick or Little Grebe
2	Grey or Spotted billed Pelican
3	Large Cormorant
4	Lesser Cormorant
5	Little Cormorant
6	Grey Heron
7	Purple Heron
8	Darter or Snake Bird
9	Large Egret
10	Pond Heron
11	Cattle Egret
12	Smaller or Medium Egret
13	Little Egret
14	Night Heron
15	Painted Stork
16	Openbill Stork
17	Small king fisher
18	White Ibis
19	Glossy Ibis
20	Spoonbill
21	Spot bill Duck
22	Cotton Teal or Pygmy Goose
23	Indian Moorhen
24	Purple Moorhen
25	Pheasant-tailed Jacana
26	Bronze winged Jacana
27	Brahminy Kite
28	White breasted Water hen
29	Black winged Stilt
30	Red wattled Lapwing
31	Pied Kingfisher
32	White breasted Kingfisher
33	Indian Pied Wagtail

Community Involvement

This sanctuary is actively protected and managed by the Koonthakulam village community. The local people take a keen interest in protecting this sanctuary. Birds coming to villagers' backyards are protected vehemently and regarded as harbingers of luck. The excreta of birds and silt from the tanks is collected by villagers in summer and applied as fertilizer to their fields. All villagers protect the birds, their nests and fledglings. Fallen chicks are taken care of in the rescue centre till they are able to fly on their own.

Anyone disturbing the nests is punished by shaving their head, or making a public procession on a donkey. The Indian festival Diwali is not celebrated here because the sound of crackers would drive away the winged visitors. An interpretation centre, watch tower, children's park and dormitory are open for public use throughout the year. Koonthakulam Bird Sanctuary is blessed to be in a village where the villagers themselves are bird lovers.

Many birds nest on top of their houses, gardens and backyards, these are cared for by the people and hence the reason for them to return in numbers each year. Chicks that fall off the nest are cared for, feed and comfortable nesting sites are made available for the birds to make Koonthakulam their home during the months that the feathered friends are there.

Activities

The tourists apart from the birds that flock in numbers have plenty more to enjoy here at Koonthakulam. Adventure lovers will love the place by exploring, walking and trekking the area. This has become an ideal spot to come along as a family or a group to take in the wonders of nature along the entire stretch. Koonthakulam Bird Sanctuary is well connected by roads and hence transportation will never be a problem. Bird watchers from Ariyakulam Bird Sanctuary can visit here without much trouble as it is located just 30 kilometers from Koonthakulam.

Season

·        Open Season Throughout the year 

·        Best time to visit - November to April

·        Climate (March to October) 20ºC – 40ºC

Connectivity

Koonthakulam Bird Sanctuary is well connected with all modes of transport. It is located at about 28 Kms from Thirunelveli, 20 Kms from Nanguneri, 70 Kms from Thoothukudi, 190 Kms from Madurai and 136 Kms from Thiruvananthapuram. Nearest Railway Station is located at Thirunelveli and Nanguneri. Nearest Airports are located at Madurai, Thiruvananthapuram and Thoothukudi.