Melselvanur-Keelselvanur Bird Sanctuary, Ramanathapuram
Melselvanur
– Keelselvanur Bird Sanctuary is located near Sayalgudi in Ramanathapuram
district. The sanctuary was declared in the year 1998. This is the biggest
bird’s sanctuary in Tamil nadu. The total area of the sanctuary is 593.08 ha
This 5.93 km2 (2.29 sq mi) sanctuary in Ramanathapuram District is
home to grey pelican and painted stork.
Location
Melselvanur
– Keelselvanur Bird Sanctuary is located in Melselvanur, Keelselvanur village
tanks at 9o13’ N and 78 o 32’30 E gratitude. It forms part of Melselvanur and
Keelselvanur villages of Kadaladi taluk of Ramanathapuram district.
Flora
Majority
of its area is now invaded and covered with Prosopis thickets. The Acacia
nilotica plantation situated in the area is the nesting site for Migratory
birds.
Fauna
Pelicans,
Painted Storks, Open billed Storks, White ibis, Spoon bills and Egrets
regularly nest in the sanctuary. This sanctuary is considered to be the best
heronry site in Ramanathapuram district. The vegetation of the tank is
dominated by Prosopis in few locations with babul and on the boundaries with
tamarind trees.
Accommodation
The
boarding and lodging facilities are available at Sayalgudi (12 Km.),
Ramanathapuram (45 Km.) and Paramakudi (52 Km.).
Contact
Wild
life warden
Gulf of Mannar biosphere reserve
Mandapam, Ramanathapuram.
Phone:
04567-230079
Connectivity
By Road:
The
sanctuary is only approachable by road and is 130 Kms away from Madurai. The
nearest towns are Sayalgudi (12 Km.), Kadaladi (15 Km.), Mudukulathoor (27 Km.)
& Ramanathapuram (45 Km.).
By Train:
The
nearest railway station is Ramanathapuram (45 Km.).
By Air:
The
nearest Air port is in Madurai.