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Tamil Nadu Wetlands Mission

Kazhuveli Bird Sanctuary

The Site, the second largest brackish lake in Peninsular India, was designated as a Bird Sanctuary in 2021. It is connected to the Bay of Bengal in the north via Uppukalli creek, and receives seawater during high tides or cyclones. As a result, the salinity of the wetland varies, with saltier water in the north transitioning to fresh water in the south at Kazhuveli basin. This variation allows the wetland to act as a migratory path and spawning ground for multiple fish species. The gum arabic tree Vachellia nilotica and Jerusalem thorn Parkinsonia aculeate found in the Site provide nesting areas for over 2,000 colonial nesting birds each breeding season, particularly for the spot-billed pelican Pelecanus philippensis. Located along the central Asian flyway, the Site also provides feeding grounds for migratory species such as the vulnerable spotted eagle Aquila clanga, imperial eagle Aquila heliacal and river tern Sterna aurantia. Its swampy areas offer suitable nesting grounds for the vulnerable Indian flap-shelled turtle Lissemys punctata and Indian star tortoise Geochelone elegans. Overall, the diverse habitats support 229 species of birds, 85 fish, 72 butterflies, 39 reptiles, 13 amphibians and 14 mammals. Hence, the Site is popular amongst nature enthusiasts, bird watchers, wildlife photographers and researchers.

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Location Villupuram
Area 5151.6 hectares
Wetland Type Marine or coastal wetlands - Coastal brackish / saline lagoons
Date of Designation 14-08-2024
Ramsar Site No. 2548

Values and Benefits

  • Provisioning Services
  • Food for humans
  • Fresh water
  • Wetland non-food products
  • Regulating Services
  • Climate regulation
  • Erosion protection
  • Cultural Services
  • Recreation and tourism
  • Scientific and educational
  • Supporting Services
  • Biodiversity
  • Nutrient cycling

Threats

  • Human settlements (non agricultural)
  • Housing and urban areas
  • Commercial and industrial areas
  • Water regulation
  • Salinisation
  • Canalisation and river regulation
  • Agriculture & aquaculture
  • Livestock farming and ranching
  • Energy production and mining
  • Mining and quarrying
  • Biological resource use
  • Gathering terrestrial plants
  • Fishing and harvesting aquatic resources
  • Hunting and collecting terrestrial animals
  • Natural system modifications
  • Vegetation clearance/ land conversion
  • Dams and water management/use
  • Invasive and other problematic species and genes
  • Invasive non-native/ alien species
  • Pollution
  • Household sewage
  • urban waste water
  • Agricultural and forestry effluents
  • Industrial and military effluents
  • Climate change & severe weather
  • Droughts
  • Storms and flooding

Ramsar Criteria

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Species of Global Conservation Significance

Vulnerable: 8

Species Count

Birds 229
Fishes 82
Plants 242
Mammals 14
Reptiles & Ambhibians 39
Butterflies 72

Site Images