This bird sanctuary is one of the oldest bird protected areas in the country as well as in the State of Tamil Nadu. The sanctuary is located in Maduranthagam Taluk of Chengalpattu District (erstwhile Kancheepuram). The sanctuary comprises a small irrigation tank with an area of 40.348 ha in Vedanthangal village and the surrounding 5 km zone around the lake. This site is also recognized internationally, as an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) with a code IN284, Criteria A1, A4iii. It belongs to the Coromandel Coast biotic province. The topography of the Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary is undulating with a gentle slope in few parts. The landscape surrounding the tank is flat, comprising primarily of rocky plains. There are frequent low ridged, denuded small hillocks. Soil in the wetland is mostly clay with a fertile guano layer. Maximum depth of the tank is 5 m near the bund on the Western boundary of the wetland. The wetland is having a 950 meters long bund on the entrance side to control soil erosion. The terrain is flat and slope is gentle from east to west direction. Kancheepuram/ Chengalpattu district generally experience hot and humid climatic conditions. The climate is typically tropical, as in most parts of Tamil Nadu. Temperature is uniformly high throughout the year. Chengalpet district is part of the Palar River Basin, of which the Maduranthakam taluk is considered part of the Palar – Cheyyar sub-basin. Soil in the Lake is mostly clay with a fertile guano layer. Maximum depth of the tank is 5 m near the bund on the Western boundary of the Lake. The outflow is controlled through sluices in the bund. The terrain is flat and slope is gentle from East to West direction. The outflow is controlled through sluices in the bund. Northeast and Southwest monsoons contribute 54% and 36% respectively to the total annual rainfall. The southwest monsoon rainfall is highly erratic and summer rains are negligible. The rainfall fluctuates greatly from year to year varying from about 400 mm to almost 1700 mm.

Salient Features

• Barringtonia and acacia nilotica trees in the tank serve as both nesting and roosts site for birds.
• Bird excreta called “guano” enriches the water and benefits the farmers by increasing their agriculture yield
• Listed as international bird and biodiversity area with iba site code : in-tn-29, by bird life international

RAMSAR Certificate