Sathyamangalam Wildlife Sanctuary

Sathyamangalam Wildlife Sanctuary

The Sathyamangalam Wildlife Sanctuary, home to 28 tigers – the highest density of tigers in India - is currently contesting to be named Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve. The large population of sambhar, spotted deer and gaur is the main reason for the high density of the striped wild cat as the former makes for perfect prey base. At SWS you are closer to catching a glimpse of the striped hyena, as it is one of the last few places where they exist. Another rare species you can spot is the four-horned antelope. SWS have an excellent population of blackbuck. What is intriguing about this particular animal in Sathyamangalam is that, it is the only landscape in the country where the blackbuck and tiger co-exist; to observe the two together is an opportunity that is one in a million. This sanctuary is also home to more than 850 pachyderms, making it India's largest elephant habitat.

First declared in 2008 and enlarged in 2011, it covers a forest area of 1,411.6 km2 (545.0 sq mi) and is the largest wildlife sanctuary in Tamil Nadu. In 2013, it became the fourth Tiger Reserve as a part of Project Tiger in the state of Tamil Nadu. The sanctuary covers parts of Sathyamangalam taluk and Gobichettipalayam taluk of Erode District in the north western Tamil Nadu. Conservation of the Sathyamangalam Forest Division is administered by the Tamil Nadu Forest Department governed through Conservator, Erode, Divisional Forest Officer, Gobichettipalayam and District Forest Officer, Sathyamangalam.

Mugger crocodiles are indigenous to Sathyamangalam. These crocs have not been strategically introduced but are found here in the wild. Other animals you can find here are Bengal tiger, leopards, wild boar, sloth bear, barking deer and more. The flora for these animals is mostly tropical dry forest. SWS has five forest types, they are: tropical evergreen, semi-evergreen, mixed-deciduous, thorn forests and dry deciduous. They occur alternately with evergreen forests in limited patches of the higher altitudes, between 750 and 1649 meters above mean sea level. Most areas are found to be mixed shrub land and grassland, ideal feeding grounds for the preferred prey of the tigers.

In recent years, the Moyar River valley has seen a small but growing population of threatened gyps. This is just one of the 230 bird species that you can view at Sathyamangalam Wildlife Sanctuary. Four rare species of vulture – White backed Vulture, Nephron Vulture, King Vulture and Long billed Vulture – thrive here. They are almost non-existent in the rest of the country with their population seeing a steady decline of 99.9% in the past twenty years.

Srivilliputhur Grizzled Squirrel Sanctuary

Srivilliputhur Grizzled Squirrel Sanctuary

The Grizzled Squirrel Wildlife Sanctuary (GSWS), also known as Srivilliputtur Wildlife Sanctuary, was established in 1988 to protect the vulnerable grizzled giant squirrel (Ratufa macrora). Occupying an area of 485.2 km2, it is bordered on the southwest by the Periyar Tiger Reserve and is one of the best preserved forests south of the Palghat Gap.

The sanctuary covers 485 square kilometers (187 sq mi) in western Tamil Nadu, South India in the eastern water-shed of the Western Ghats and consists of high hills and valleys, with a number of peaks reaching up to 1,800 metres (5,900 ft).

It is located by the eastern water shed of South India in the Western Ghats. The sanctuary posses a number of high hills, many valleys and also large numbers of peak, with a maximum height of 1,800 meters.

The Grizzled Squirrel Wildlife Sanctuary also known as Srivilliputtur Wildlife Sanctuary is home to the endangered, grizzled giant squirrel Ratufa macrora.

The tributaries of the river Vaipaar and few rivulets draining into the river Gundar River are running through the sanctuary which provides water in the habitat for vegetation and wildlife.

There are two dams viz. Pilavakkal and Koilar situated along the foothills of the sanctuary which are the best places to see water birds and other wildlife. There is one rest house situated inside the sanctuary in Mudaliar Oothu, one of the best places to see the Nilgiri Tahr.

Besides Grizzled Giant Squirrel, the sanctuary is a habitat for endangered species such as tiger, leopard, Nilgiri Tahr and Lion-tailed Macaque. There are no roads, so the sanctuary can only be visited on foot and guides are available on request from the Sanctuary office to accompany tourists on treks.

The climate is generally hot and dry in the foothills. Hot tropical climate prevails in the upper elevations. The average annual rainfall ranges from 800- 2300 mm.

The sanctuary can be visited throughout the year.

The forest officials also take care of all tourists' requirements and provide them with comfortable and affordable accommodation either at the Forest Rest House at Mudungiar, Pudupatti, Mudaliaroothu or at the PWD Rest House at Srivilliputhur and also provides transportation.

The craggy mountains, the dense forests, the exciting wildlife, the opportunities to trek and the escape into the lap of nature, make Grizzled Squirrel Wildlife Sanctuary an attractive destination!

karikili bird sanctuary

karikili bird sanctuary

Karikili Bird Sanctuary is located about 86 KM from Chennai in Madurantakam Taluk of Chengai Anna District, this is one of the most tranquil and beautiful place near Chennai. Spread over 61.21 ha, this comprises of two rain fed irrigation tanks. The water enriched by bird droppings results in increased yield. Beginning with the open billed storks, the birds start arriving in Sept-Oct. Karikili is a haven for ducks and waders. Pin tailed ducks, Garganey teals, common teals, Shoveller, Little Grebe or Dab chick, Herons and Egrets are the other avian visitors. 

Karikili Bird Sanctuary is a place of lush greenery which has huge number of birds. It is a conservative forest of barringtonia and acacia nilotica. Among the many getaways around Chennai is Karikili Bird Sanctuary. This small sanctuary is home to a number of avian beauties, especially migratory ones.

Karikili Bird Sanctuary is one of the famous bird sanctuaries located in Kanchipuram District in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is situated close to the small town of Padalam and is almost 86 Kms from Chennai in Madurantakam Taluk of Chengai Anna District. Chengalpattu is the nearest town from Karikili Bird Sanctuary. The sanctuary is one of the most beautiful and tranquil place to visit.

Flora

Dry evergreen scrub and thorn forests characterize the vegetation here and the two rain-fed irrigation tanks of this sanctuary help with plant growth. Interestingly, the bird droppings that fall into these tanks enhance the fertility of the soil on which their water is used.

Fauna

It is considered as place of ducks and waders. This sanctuary is well-known for the cormorants. , Egrets, Grey heron, Open-charged stork, Darter, spoonbill, White lbis, Night herons, little grebes and Grey pelican.  There are many migrated birds can be found here like Garganey blue-greens, Common blue-greens, Shoveller, Pin tailed ducks, Stilts, Sandpipers, etc. here fledgling birds like Coots, Moorhen and Terns can likewise be seen.

Karikili is spread over an area of 61 hectares and is the perfect place to spend a few days in peace. It is barely accessible by public bus, but with Chengalpattu as the nearest town, there are other means of making your way to it. If you are around Chennai between November and February and are looking for a quiet space to which you can retreat for a couple of days – bird watching in Karikili is just the thing you need.

gangaikondan wildlife sanctuary

gangaikondan wildlife sanctuary

Tamil Nadu now has an exclusive sanctuary for spotted deer with the State government notifying the formation of Gangaikondan Spotted Deer Sanctuary.

An order from the Environment and Forests Department said this follows an announcement this May by Chief Minister Jayalalithaa in the Assembly that the sanctuary in Tirunelveli district would be formed in the current fiscal.

With this, there would be 11 wildlife sanctuaries in the State.

Subsequently, the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief Wildlife Warden sent necessary proposal for declaration of Gangaikondan Spotted Deer Sanctuary under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and it was accepted by the government with effect from October 1.

According to the notification, the Gangaikondan reserve forest is an important habitat for spotted deer. This is the southern most habitat of spotted deer outside the Western Ghats. It is also a habitat for peafowls, mongoose, varied reptiles, avifauna.

There is adequate ecological, faunal, floral, geo-morphological, natural and other zoological significance for the purpose of protection, propagation and management of the wildlife and its environment.

Forest officials said the sanctuary is spread over in 250ha and surrounded by patta lands. Due to this a perimeter wall has to be built around the sanctuary area. The forest type is dry deciduous and scrub jungle, which is strategically located on the National Highway 7 and 10km away from the Tirunelveli town.

The department proposes to introduce eco-development activities by involving the locals. The activities included skill development for youth, asset creation and micro enterprises for livelihood, the authorities added

Nellai Birds Sanctuary

 Nellai Birds Sanctuary

The wildlife rich state Tamil Nadu houses 5 national parks, 14 wildlife sanctuaries and 14 bird sanctuaries. According to reports the area falling outside Kalakkad Mundanthurai Wildlife Sanctuary i.e Tirunelveli forests and the Ousteri Lake was waiting the approval from the government for a long period. Let us learn about this 15th bird and wildlife sanctuary in detail; so that the next time you are in Tamil Nadu you do not miss out on visiting this exotic place.

A tiny village in the far south, Koonthankulam in Nanguneri Taluk of Tirunelveli District is emerging as a new favourite of the migratory birds. It is just 38 Kms. away from Tirunelveli and is in the nearby Nanguneri Taluk. It may soon be catapulted into the list of popular water bird sanctuaries in the country. This village is sparsely populated. Migratory birds start coming by December end and fly away to their northern homes by June or July after they lay eggs, hatch them and the young ones grow old enough to fly with the older ones. About 35 species of birds visit this calm but congenial village for breeding.

The birds called Painted strokes are coming from North India and East European Countries to this place. Similarly the flamingoes which flew in mainly from the Rann of Kutch have hatched and reared their young ones in the village.

The birds coming to their backyards for five generations are protected vehemently by villagers and regarded as harbingers of luck. The excreta of birds –‘guano’ is collected by villagers in summer along with silt to use as fertilizer in their fields. From children to grannies in the village all protect them, their nests and fledgelings. Chicks fallen are taken care of in the rescue centre till they are able to fly on their own. Anybody troubling the nests are punished inn their own methods of shaving the head, or making the procession on donkey

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.