Kanjirankulam Bird Sanctuary

Kanjirankulam Bird Sanctuary

Kanjirankulam Bird Sanctuary is in Ramanathapuram District in Tamil Nadu. It is a 1.04 km2 (0.40 sq mi) protected area near Mudukulathoor declared as sanctuary in 1989. Geographical Position is 9°20N 78°29E. It is adjacent to Chitrangudi Bird Sanctuary. It is notable as a nesting site for several migratory heron species that roost in the prominent growth of babul trees there. International name: Chitrangudi and Kanjirankulam Bird Sanctuary, IBA Code: IN261, Criteria: A1, A4i. 

The bird sanctuary was declared in the year 1989, with an estimated area of 66.66 hectares in Keela Kanjirankulam and 37.55 hectares in Mela Kanjirankulam. The sanctuary area is within the community tank embankments and its immediate water holding channel, measuring approximately 15 meters from the bottom of the embankment. Most notable feature of the sanctuary area is the prominent growth of Babul (Acacia nilotica) trees.

It is located 5 km from Mudukulathoor and 25 km from Paramakudi, in a drought prone area. The floral diversity is very poor and the area seems to be scrub jungle type. The area has been planted with Prosopis chilensis and Acacia nilotica in the villages and around the tanks; the two species were introduced and planted by the Forest Department on a massive scale to sustain firewood collection. Tamarind Tamarindus indicus is the only common tree, seen sporadically on the roads and the tank bunds. Due to the nature of the soil and scanty rainfall, the natural vegetation is sparse.

Flora

The sanctuary vegetation can be classified generally as that of Tropical Dry Deciduous type. It is dominated by Babul (Acacia nilotica) along with Prosopis juliflora and grasses such as Cynodon dactylon and Eremopogan faveolatus. Prosopis is slowly encroaching large extent of the sanctuary area and is retarding the growth of Babuls. The tank bund and the area outside the tank are having Tamarindus indica, Ficus Spp., Neem, (Azadirachta indica), Thespesia Populnea, Albizzia amara, Moringa oleifera and Palmyra (Borassus flabellifer)

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Fauna

The sanctuary also offers ideal habitat for several winter migratory birds. Some of them include Painted stork, White ibis, Black ibis, little egret, Great egret. These birds can be mainly seen here during the months between October and February. The Kanjirankulam Bird Sanctuary has with considerable diversity in nesting and feeding behaviors. Heronry species, a colonial bird can be seen here in huge numbers. The sanctuary is visited by almost 170 species of birds. The wetland here is irregular in depth and holds water for 3 to 5 months when the rain is normal.