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Site description (2004 baseline):

Chitrangudi (48 ha) and Kanjirankulam (104 ha) Bird Sanctuaries are situated in the Ramanathapuram district of Tamil Nadu, in the villages of the same names. The Sanctuaries are c. 5 km from Mudukulathur and c. 25 km from Paramakudi, in a drought prone area. The floral diversity is very poor and the area seems to be scrub jungle type. The area has been planted with Prosopis chilensis and Acacia nilotica in the villages and around the tanks; the two species were introduced and planted by the Forest Department on a massive scale to sustain firewood collection. Tamarind Tamarindus indicus is the only common tree, seen sporadically on the roads and the tank bunds. Due to the nature of the soil and scanty rainfall, the natural vegetation is sparse.

AVIFAUNA: The site qualifies as an IBA as the threatened Spot-billed Pelican Pelecanus philippensis breeds here. A maximum of 100 birds reportedly breed, i.e 2.5% of the species biogeographic population at the 1% level of 40 birds (Wetlands International 2002). Chitrangudi and Kanjirankulam Bird Sanctuary are two of the oldest known pelicanries in the state. Since time immemorial, the locals have protected both the pelicanries. In January 1988, in Chitrangudi Sanctuary, 934 Pelicans and 100 nests were found (BirdLife International 2001). Johnson et al. (1993) have seen 700 pelicans in January 1989, and 286 in 1991 in the same tank. Besides the Spot-billed Pelican, the Asian Openbill Anastomus oscitans, Little Egret Egretta garzetta, Large Egret Casmerodius albus, Grey Heron Ardea cinerea, Purple Heron Ardea purpurea, and Indian Pond Heron Ardeola grayii are known to breed in both villages. In Kanjirankulam, Abraham (1973) found Painted Stork Mycteria leucocephala breeding on the same trees as pelicans nests were found. During his visit, the nesting colony was on 60 trees, mainly Ficus religiosa, Thespesia populnea and Acacia arabica. He also found nesting colonies of Oriental White Ibis Threskiornis melanocephalus and Black Ibis Pseudibis papillosa, about 1.6 km away from Kanjirankulam.

OTHER KEY FAUNA: Due to the presence of scrub jungle and surrounding agricultural fields, the vegetation cover does not permit the presence of large or medium sized mammals.

MAIN THREATS: Poaching; Encroachment.

While poaching at the nesting site is not a major problem, many adult birds are killed by tribals for food. Traditional nesting trees are dying due to drought and poor rainfall. The tanks need reconstruction of their bunds to collect and store adequate water during the monsoon season to safeguard the nesting trees of the pelican. Forest Department should take remedial measures or alternate ways to protect the trees. Conservation education is needed to inform and motivate the locals in order to restrict the anthropogenic pressure on the avifauna.

Key contributor: V. Kannan.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Chitragudi and Kanjirankulam Bird Sanctuary (India). Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/chitragudi-and-kanjirankulam-bird-sanctuary-iba-india on 25/11/2024.