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Tamil Nadu Wetlands Mission

Koonthankulam Bird Sanctuary

Koonthankulam Bird Sanctuary or Kunthankulam is an important human-made wetland in the state of Tamil Nadu. Spreading over 72.04 ha, the wetland is located near Koonthankulam village in Nanguneri Taluk of Tirunelveli district. The wetland was declared as a bird sanctuary in 1994 and comes under the jurisdiction of Tamil Nadu Water resources department (PWD) and Tamil Nadu Forest Department, Tirunelveli district. The inland tank was built few centuries ago, interconnected by canals that bring water from the rivers originating in the Western Ghats. These rivers and tanks support rich social and cultural heritage and economically support agriculture. It irrigates about 190 acres of paddy. While socio-economic and cultural significance exist, very little is known about their ecological importance. The site experiences tropical humid climate, receiving water only through seasonal rainfall ranging from 750-850 mm. The major sources of water for the wetland is rainfall, groundwater, surrounding runoff from catchment and Manimutharu Dam. The wetlands consist in the form of irrigation tanks, interconnected by an ancient network of canals, and fed by the rivers originating from the Western Ghats. These irrigation tanks have socio-economic and cultural significance.

Salient Features

Actively protected and managed by the koonthankulam village community, One of the largest breeding water bird reserves in south india and attracts more than 1,00,000 birds annually, Irrigates about 190 acres of paddy, Bird excreta (guano) enriches the water resulting in high crop yield, Listed as international bird and biodiversity area with iba site code : in-tn-14, by bird life international and is part of central asian bird migratory flyway

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Location Tirunelveli
Area 72.04 hectares
Wetland Type Human-made wetlands - Pond - Fresh water lake
Date of Designation 08-11-2021
Ramsar Site No. 2479

Values and Benefits

  • Regulating Services
  • Hazard reduction
  • Maintenance of hydrological regimes
  • Climate regulation
  • Erosion protection
  • Cultural Services
  • Recreation and tourism
  • Spiritual and inspirational
  • Provisioning Services
  • Food for humans
  • Fresh water
  • Supporting Services
  • Biodiversity
  • Nutrient cycling
  • Soil formation
  • Pollination

Threats

  • Climate change & severe weather
  • Storms and flooding
  • Habitat shifting and alteration
  • Droughts
  • Temperature extremes
  • Pollution
  • Household sewage
  • urban waste water
  • Agricultural and forestry effluents
  • Garbage and solid waste
  • Invasive and other problematic species and genes
  • Invasive non-native/ alien species
  • Natural system modifications
  • Vegetation clearance/ land conversion
  • Human intrusions & disturbance
  • Recreational and tourism activities
  • Biological resource use
  • Fishing and harvesting aquatic resources
  • Human settlements (non agricultural)
  • Housing and urban areas
  • Water regulation
  • Water releases
  • Water abstraction
  • Drainage
  • Agriculture & aquaculture
  • Livestock farming and ranching

Ramsar Criteria

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Management Authority District Forest Officer and Wildlife Warden, Tirunelveli Division
Protection Status Bird Sanctuary

Species of Global Conservation Significance

Notable Species: Notable waterbirds species observed from the site include Indian pond heron (Ardeola grayii), Eurasian wigeon (Anaspenelope), short-billed pelican( Pelecanus philippensis), oriental darter (Anhinga melanogaster), and Northern pintail (Anas acuta)

Species Count

Birds 223
Fishes 12
Plants 69
Mammals 10
Reptiles & Ambhibians 29
Arthropods 66

Site Images