Location:
90-Km Southeast Of Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu
Area : 17.26-Sqkms
Also Called: Kodikkarai Wildlife
Sanctuary
Best Time To Visit: Between November And
January
Sprawling on
17.26-sq-kms surrounded by sea and shore, c mprising
forests of tidal swamps, dry evergreen forests of mangroves, this
coastal sanctuary also known as "Kodikkarai", is 90-km
southeast of Thanjavur in a wetland which juts out into the Palk Strait
separating India and Sri Lanka. It is noted for the vast flocks of
migratory waterfowl, especially flamingos, which congregate here every
winter.
The sanctuary is
vast, mostly shrub-land, shaped by the violent monsoon winds and treated
mercilessly by feral cattle, horses and the graceful buck. At present
cultivation of lobster has been started as the number of birds is
decreasing.
Fauna
Point Calimere
sanctuary is bestowed with population of varied wild life such as
Chital, Wild boar, Bonnet macaque, Black Buck, Flamingos, Teals, Gulls,
Terns, Plavers and Stilts. Special attractions are close encounters with
Dolphins and Turtles, which often come quite close to the shore.
Variety Of
Birds Visiting The Sanctuary
Between November
and January, the tidal mud flats and marshes are covered with Teals,
Curlews, Gulls, Terns, Plovers, Sandpipers, Shanks, Herons and up to
3000 Flamingoes at one time.
In the spring, a
different set of birds - Koels, Mynas and Barbets are drawn here by the
profusion of wild berries. From April to June there's very little
activity; the main rainy season is between October and December.HOW TO
GET THERE
Road: The easiest
way to get to Calimere is by bus from Vedaranyam, which is the nearest
town linked by frequent bus services to Nagappattinam or Thanjavur.
WHERE TO STAY
There's a Forest
Department Rest House with adequate rooms at Point Calimere, though all
meals will have to be arranged with the staff. It's best to make a
reservation for the rest house with the Forest Officer in Thanjavur.
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