Point Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary
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| ?Point Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary Tamil Nadu • India |
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| IUCN Category IV (Habitat/Species Management Area) | |
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| Coordinates: | |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+5:30) |
| Area • Elevation |
21.47 km² (8 sq mi) • 7 m (23 ft) |
| Climate • Precipitation Temperature • Summer • Winter |
• 1,280 mm (50.4 in) • 24 °C (75 °F) • 32 °C (90 °F) |
| Nearest city | Chennai (Madras) |
| District(s) | Nagapattinam |
| Established | 1967 |
| Visitation/year | |
| Governing body | Tamil Nadu Department of forests |
| Website = http://www.forests.tn.nic.in/WildBiodiversity/ws_pcws.html | |
Coordinates: Point Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary (PCWBS) is a 21.47 km² protected area located adjacent to and east of Kodaikarai and Kodaikadu villages along the Palk Straight where it meets the Bay of Bengal at Point Calimere at the southeastern tip of Nagapattinam District in Tamil Nadu, South India. The sanctuary was created in 1967 for conservation of the near threatened Blackbuck Antelope, an endangered endemic mammal species of India. It is famous for large congregations of waterbirds, especially Greater Flamingos. PCWBS forms the easternmost and most biologically diverse part of RAMSAR site no. 1210 which, in 2002, was declared a place of international importance for the conservation of waterbirds and their wetlands habitats. This 385 km² site is comprised of PCWBS, Panchanadikulam Wetland, Unsurveyed Salt swamp, Thalainayar Reserved Forest and Muthupet Mangroves. It is all part of the Great Vedaranyam Swamp, except the reserved forest.
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[edit] Geography
The sanctuary is basically an Island surrounded by the Bay of Bengal to the east, the Palk Straight to the south and swampy backwaters and salt pans to the west and north. Coordinates are between 10.276 to 10.826 N and 79.399 to 79.884 E. Low sand dunes are located along the coast and along the western periphery with coastal plains, tidal mud-flats and shallow seasonal ponds in between. Sand dunes in the east are mostly now stabilized by Prosopsis and the higher dunes in the west are stabilized by dense tropical dry evergreen forests. The tallest dune in the sanctuary and the highest point of land in Nagapattinam District is 7 m. at the northwest corner of the sanctuary at Ramar Padam.
[edit] History
Forest management practices in the area began in 1892 with the creation of the 14.75 km2 Kodaikadu Reserved Forest. Before this the local people had rights to collect firewood, fish and minor forest products. the forests were administered by the Revenue Department and Temple trustees A small area near the Sanyasin Muniaswar Temple was used by the British as a hunting ground and later cleared and replanted with Casurina and Eucylyptus for firewood production. Some of these old trees remain. Palmyrah trees were planted mark the village forests from the Reserved Forest near Munniappan Lake.
l is a shrine to the deities Shevrayan and Soni located deep in the forests of the northern part of the sanctuary. A small village near Shevrayan Kovil shrine was relocated outside the sanctuary after the creation of Kodaikarai Reserve Forest. A few uncommon Thespesia populnea and Azdirachta indica trees from this old settlement still remain.
In 1922 this reserved forest was put under the control of the Revenue Divisional Officer, Mannargudi by the Governor of Madras. In 1936 a rail line was extended to Kodaikorai. In 1938, Kodaikarai Extension No. 1 (23.66 km2), Kodaikarai Estension No. 2 (.1 km2) and Kodaikarai Estension No. 3 (.07 km2 were added to form the present area of the sanctuary. During World War II a radar station was constructed and operated by Army personnel who had unquestioned access to the forests. In 1943 an experimental Casurina plantation was begun and soon extended by destruction of most of the natural forest. This resulted in a major decrease in numbers and variety of wild animals in the area.
The reserve forest was under the control of the Trichy - cum - Thanjavor Forest Division in 1911, the Tiruchirapalli Forest Division in 1950 and the Thanjavur Division in 1957 and the State Wildlife officer in Chennai in 1965. The sanctuary was created in 1967 and put back under control of the Thanjavar Division and then to the Wildlife Division in Nagapattinam when that was created in 1986.
In the early years of the Sanctuary management concentrated on prevention of poaching and provision of water to the wildlife. Poaching has been controlled but Water supply is a continuing effort. In 1979 the first of several water troughs supplied from water barrels transported by bullock cart and open wells were built. Beginning in 2001-02 several perennial water holes supplied by pipe from bore wells and a large elevated water tank on the western edge of the sanctuary were built. In 1999 many speed breakers were installed on the Vedaranyam - Kodaikorai road which have effectively prevented the killing of wildlife by speeding vehicles.
Several tree planting schemes to increase biodiversity have yielded poor results, with the exception of Casurarina equisetifolia. Current practice is to avoid new tree planting and concentrate on removal of the invasive Prosopsis juliflora. An annual wildlife census has been conducted since 1991.
The Bombay Natural History Society has been conducting regular bird migration studies in the sanctuary since 1959. Since then over 200,000 birds have been captured, studied, ringed and released. In 2007 it is building a new field station in Kodaikadu. In 2004 - 2005 nearly 100 boundary pillars were erected for boundary demarcation.
[edit] Cultural Heritage
Several sites of religious, historical or cultural importance are located within the sanctuary:
- Ramar Padam (literally: Ramas Footprint) located on the highest point of land in the sanctuary, is a small shrine containing the stone footprints of Lord Rama. Large numbers of Rama devotees gather here during the 2nd week of April to celebrate Ram Navami Festival.
- Sanyasin Muniaswar Kovil is a shrine between the eastern bank of Muniappan Lake and Kodaikarai Road visited by devotees on all auspicious occasions. On March 20 a special Puja is celebrated here.
- Mattumunian Kovil is a small temple in the south of the sanctuary where people worship and offer prayers throughout the year. A major festival occurs here on the 3rd Friday of September.
- Modi Mandapam is a shrine located near Ramar Padam where people of all castes worship. Hindu legend says that Lord Vedaraneswarer spends a night here with his consort during January - February. In the first week of March a major festival is held here.
- Avulaiganni Dargah is the grave of a Muslim saint located near the road by Ramar Padam. His death anniversary is observed here at the end of November.
- Shevrayan Kovil is a shrine to the deities Shevrayan and Soni located deep in the forests of the northern part of the sanctuary. A small village near this shrine was relocated outside the sanctuary after the creation of Kodaikarai Reserve Forest. A large congregation of devotees from Arcothurai celebrate a special festival here in June/July.
- Adivasi Colony is a backwards community of Ambalakars living in ramshackle huts of mud, coconut fronds and palmyrah leaves on the edge of Kodaikarai village. Their traditional livelihood was the collection of non-timber forest products in the areas that are now the sanctuary. These practices are now prohibited but not fully eliminated. Many of these people catch fish and small prawns in the nearby mudflats and swamps simply by groping in the water with their hands. Some work as day labour in the nearby salt pans. They have little interaction with other communities on the island.
- Chola Lighthouse is the remains of a brick and mortar lighthouse near Point Calimere said to have been built by the Cholas more than a thousand years ago. This structure was badly damaged by the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami but can still be seen in the intertidal zone near the British lighthouse.
- British Lighthouse is an operating lighthouse built by the British at the tip of Point Calemere in 1905.
- Kodaikarai Lighthouse is a tall modern aid to navigation located near Kodaikorai Beach and is not accesable to the public. This dominates the sanctuary and may be seen by seamen far at sea.
[edit] Fauna
This sanctuary is an area of high biodiversity, with many unique species of animals and birds.
[edit] Land Animals
PCWBS is inhabited by 14 mammal species, 18 reptile species and 9 amphibian species. The flagship species of the sanctuary is Blackbuck, the most numerous large animal. Other notable animals include: Spotted Deer, Jackel, Bonnet Monkey, Wild Boar, Monitor lizard, Short-nosed Fruit Bat, Small Indian Civet, Star Tortoise, Indian Grey Mongoose, Black-naped Hare, Jungle Cat and Feral Pony.
[edit] Marine Animals
Bottlenose Dolphin is frequently seen along the shore of the sanctuary in morning and evening hours during the winter. The shoreline beaches of the sanctuary are a regular nesting site of the endangered Olive Ridley Turtle. In 2002 a pair of Bryde's Whale were found washed ashore near the sanctuary. One 10 ton 35 foot whale was successfully towed back to sea. This was the first successful rescue of a beached whale in Asia.
[edit] Waterbirds
This site has recorded the largest congregation of migratory waterbirds in India, with a peak population in excess of 100,000, representing 103 species. In October these waterbirds arrive from Rann of Kutch, Eastern Siberia, Northern Russia, Central Asia and parts of Europe for their feeding season and start returning to those breeding places in January. These waterbirds include threatened species as Spot-billed Pelican, Spotted Greenshank, Spoonbill Sandpiper and Black-necked Stork. Near threatened species include White Ibis, Asian Dowitcher, Lesser Flamingo, Spoonbill, Darter and Painted Stork.
[edit] Landbirds
[edit] Flora
This site is a mix of salt swamps, mangroves, backwaters, mudflats, grasslands and Tropical dry evergreen forests. 364 plant species are found in the sanctuary, of which 198 have medicinal properties. Manikara hexandra, locally called Palai, is an important species here.
[edit] Threats
Decline of species diversity due to invasion by Prosopis, habitat loss from soil and water salinization by salt pans, and cattle grazing are major threats to the sanctuary.
[edit] Visitor information
The best time to visit the sanctuary is during November and December when the area is cooled by the Northeast monsoon and the grasslands are the most luxuriant. Many animals and migratory waterbirds may be seen at this time.
The sanctuary entrance and police checkpoint is located 5 km south of Vedaranyam, 55 km south of Nagapattinam and 380 km south of Chennai. A 6 km paved road leads from the checkpoint to the villages of Kodaikadu and Kodaikarai. Vehicles are prohibited in the core of the sanctuary. Forest Department guides are available, with prior request, to escort visitors for bird and wildlife watching in the core of the sanctuary.
There are several watchtowers accessible to the public that provide panoramic views of the sanctuary. They are located at:
- Ramar Padam, a popular pilgrimage destination. The watchtower here is near the road at the northwest corner of the sanctuary just inside the entrance at Ramam Padam.
- in the center of the sanctuary that may be reached with the aid of a guide.
- at the eastern end of the sanctuary that may be reached with the aid of a guide.
- in the birding area is a rickety steel tower about 1/2 km west of the road near Muniappan Lake.
- at the constables post on Kodaikarai beach at the end of the road near the southwest corner of the sanctuary is a tall damaged watchtower that requires a police escort to climb. It is not in the sanctuary, but it provides a good view of it.
Lodging and restaurants are available at Vedaranyam. Lodging in the sanctuary is available only at the Forest Department Rest House named Flamingo House (Poonarai illam), in Kodaikarai, with prior approval of the Wildlife Warden, Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu: 611002, Tel: 04365-253092, Email: [1]
[edit] Notes
- ^ Baruah A.D. (March 2005) Point Calimere Wildlife & Bird Sanctuary - A Ramsar Site, 180 pp illus. color, Tamil Nadu Forest Department, Wildlife Warden, Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu: 611002 India
Tamil Nadu Forest Department, Copyright 2007, Email: tnfdgis@vsnl.net Site Maintained by National Information Centre
