POINT CALIMERE

Subject: Environment

Context: The arrival of flamingos from far flung areas has started at Point Calimere, one of the popular destinations in the State for the winged visitors.

Concept:

• It is located in Nagapattinam district of Tamil Nadu spreads across an area of 30 sq.km and comprises sandy coastal, saline swamps and thorn scrub forests around the backwater.
• It is a protected area(Wildlife Sanctuary) and a Ramsar site.
• It harbors the single-largest stretch of the unique dry-evergreen forest in the country besides open grasslands and tidal mudflats is of interest to tourists.
• Around 100 species of birds including the Greater Flamingo, Painted Stork, Little Sting, Sea Gull and Brown-headed gull have been making their presence felt since September.
• Blackbuck (AntilopeCervicapra) is the flagship species of the sanctuary.
• Other important animals are the spotted deer, black-napped hare, wild boar, Indian jackal, feral horses, palm civet, short-nosed fruit bat, jungle cat and monitor lizard.