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Site description (2004 baseline):

The Vettangudi Bird Sanctuary is located in the Sivagangai district, although its administration is under the authority of Ramanad district. The sanctuary is about 2 km from Solasakarakottai village, about 10 km from Tirupattur and about 51 km from Madurai on Madurai-Melun-Tirupattur road. The Vettangudi Bird Sanctuary (38.4 ha) consists of three freshwater tanks: Periyakollukudikanmai (13.5 ha), Chinnakollukudi-kanmai (6.2 ha) and Vettangudi-kanmai (18.2 ha). All three tanks are in the vicinity of villages and were together declared as a sanctuary in 1997. The Sanctuary receives its major rainfall from the northeast monsoon, with 330-390 mm precipitation between October and December. The southwest monsoon also brings some showers between June and September, with a maximum rainfall of 300 mm. Thus, from June to December, rainwater helps to sustain the breeding birds at Vettangudi. Besides this, Vaigai, the major river of the district, and surrounding paddyfields also provide foraging grounds. The area surrounding the wetland has been invaded by Prosopis chilensis, which was introduced a few decades ago. Acacia nilotica trees grow in the lake and remain submerged for a few months. On the bunds, large Tamarindus indica, Azadirachta indica and Mangifera indica trees are present which provide roosting sites for birds.

AVIFAUNA: This site was selected as an IBA due to the large breeding colony of up to 5,000 birds. More than 250 nests of Asian Openbill Anastomus oscitans have been seen. The 1% threshold of Oriental White Ibis Threskiornis melanocephalus is 100 (Wetlands International 2002). In Vettangudi, up to 250 birds are found. Similarly, the Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus is also found above 1% threshold of its total biogeographic population (Wetlands International, 2002). Little Cormorant Phalacrocorax niger and Indian Shag Phalacrocorax fuscicollis also breed here. Waterfowl such as the Spot-billed Duck Anas poecilorhyncha, Northern Shoveller A. clypeata and Common Teal A. crecca also congregate at Vettangudi. Darter Anhinga rufa, and Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia are also seen in small numbers. The Spot-billed Pelican Pelecanus philippensis appears in Vettangudi to feast on the abundant fish life, depending upon water conditions (Manakadan and Kannan 2003).

OTHER KEY FAUNA: All the three tanks harbour fish species such as Ambasis urotaenia, Channa punctatus, Ophiocephalus sp. and Mystus tenegra. Some of these fish are the major prey component for pelicans, storks and cormorants.

MAIN THREATS: Draining of water for irrigation during bird breeding season; Firewood collection; Tree felling; Cattle grazing.

There is a need to strengthen the tank bunds to avoid any breach due to heavy flow of water during the monsoon. This will help to store more water, which would be beneficial to both birds and farmers. The Forest Department intends to plant more trees inside the tanks. This would help in providing more space for roosting and nesting of birds. Owing to siltation, the depth of the tank is decreasing. There is a need to deepen the tanks by dredging. Perhaps villagers can be involved in this activity as they are the direct beneficiaries of the water. The Forest Department should also allow the farmers to collect bird guano for agriculture after the breeding season is over. This will help in creating more local support for the Sanctuary. As the Sanctuary is very close to human habitations, the anthropogenic disturbances increase during festivals. For example, the birds start breeding from October. By the time chicks emerge in November, Diwali, the major festival is on and lasts for about a week. Loud music and firecrackers are heard, which sometimes scare away the birds. This disturbance could be minimized through environmental awareness and cooperation of the villagers. Sometimes the water is drained for irrigation while the birds are breeding, exposing young chicks to ground predators. With the consultation of villagers, attempts should be made to retain some water around nesting trees.

Key contributor: V. Kannan.

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