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With the migratory bird season all set to start, the Tamil Nadu Forest Department has began upgradation of infrastructure on the Oussudu bird sanctuary in Poothurai to appeal to extra guests to the district’s major eco-sensitive area.
Located between the Pulicat and Point Calimere wetlands, the Oussudu lake is recognized as a wetland of nationwide significance below the National Wetland Conservation Programme of the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), and has additionally been declared as one of many 93 important wetlands in Asia by the Asian Wetland Bureau.
The inter-state lake covers an expanse of 800 hectares, of which over 400 hectares lies in Villupuram district. The Forest Department has despatched a proposal for growing the bird sanctuary to add worth and be sure that it turns into a centre for studying about migratory birds.
“We have proposed basic infrastructural facilities including fencing around the lake, bird interpretation centre, watch towers and other protection activities at a cost of ₹2 crore.
The works will be taken up under a centrally sponsored scheme with a 60:40 split between Central and State funding. The works will begin after the government accords sanction,” mentioned District Forest Officer Abhishek Tomar.
The bird interpretation centre will cater to wildlife lovers, environmentalists, vacationers and college students. It would supply complete info on the natural world of the Oussudu lake particularly migratory birds.
The division has additionally proposed nature and bird trails and wildlife lovers and researchers can witness the birds of their pure habitat, Mr. Tomar mentioned. The interpretation centre may even have reveals on birds that present the trail every migratory birds takes earlier than stopping on the Oussudu lake.
Instances of poaching have additionally come down on the Villupuram aspect thanks to strict enforcement and the division has deployed 5 Anti-Poaching Watchers (APW) to stop poaching of migratory birds, Mr. Tomar mentioned.
According to {K}. Raman of Indigenous Biodiversity Foundation (IBF), a non-profit organisation, “As many as 66 species of birds belonging to 47 families were coming in large numbers and stay in the sanctuary for few months from October every year.” The critically endangered Spoon-billed sandpiper and endangered White-bellied sea eagle had been additionally sighted, he mentioned.
Flamingoes, Oriental Darter, Spot-billed pelican, Great White Pelican, Painted Stork, Eurasian Spoon Bill and Pallid Harrier are frequent guests to the lake. Another common is the Grey-breasted Prinia, whereas one of many species that arrives in flocks is the Common Coot.
Bird watching camps are organised right here yearly and the event of bird sanctuary is predicted to increase the tourism potential right here, Mr. Tomar mentioned.
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