Kazhuveli Bird Sanctuary

Subject – Environment

Context – Kazhuveli notified as 16th bird sanctuary in Tamil Nadu

Concept –

The ecologically important Kazhuveli wetlands in Villupuram district is the 16th bird sanctuary in Tamil Nadu.
The area has adequate ecological, faunal, floral and geomorphological significance for the purpose of protecting, propagating and developing wildlife and its environment.
As many as 13 villages fall under the sanctuary. Kazhuveli is a wetland of international importance on the East Coast.
The sanctuary lies adjacent to the Bay of Bengal along the east coast.
The declaration was made in exercise of the power conferred in subsection (1) of section 18 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
Kazhuveli or Kaliveli wetland system is one of the largest waterfowl congregation sites in Tamil Nadu, and a well-known raptor roosting site for species like the Eastern Imperial Eagle, Greater Spotted Eagle, Red-necked Falcon and several harriers.
The Grey-tailed Tattler, a rare migratory wader, has been recorded only here and in Pulicat across the country.
Kazhuveli is unique as it falls in the Central Asian migratory path of birds and is home to the second-largest brackish water lake in South India.