Ecologically Important Areas of Tamil Nadu Coast
Vedaranyam

Home Introduction Objectives Methodology Ecologically Important Areas Information in Detail	Vedaranyam:       Vedaranyam is one of the coastal blocks of Thanjavur district. It is situated on the coast of Bay of Bengal, and is of historical importance, since during ancient days of chola kingdom. It falls within the co-ordinates of 10º15'-10º35'N latitudes and 79º20'-79º55'E longitudes. It has a tropical transitional bio-climate which is characterized by monthly average temperature above 27ºC. total annual rainfall varies from 1000 to 1500 mm with a dry period of 5 to 6 months. Vedaranyam is one of the six major wildlife sanctuaries and also important coastal wetland in Tamil Nadu. Table 6 shows the different wetland categories and its extent. This wetland serve as a nursery ground for several species of fish and shellfish and act as a seasonal home for a variety of migratory birds. Fig:    Eologically Important Area in Tamil Nadu: Vedaranyam Table 6. Different Wetland Categories and its extent in Vedaranyam Mangrove in km² Reserved Forest in km² Salt Marsh in sq,km Tidal lat in km² Salt Pan in km² 24.53 19.58 24.53 97.95 34.70 Bird Sanctuary:       Vedaranyam is the migratory place of birds, which is one of the major wintering grounds for migrant birds from North India, Europe, Asia and Africa. Its uniqueness lies in its having a coastal marine system and tropical forests. The number of reservoirs formed here for making salt serves as feeding grounds for migratory birds like small Waders and waterfowls and to the resident population. These swamps host around 240 species of birds both migratory and resident. Among this 48% is aquatic and the rest is terrestrial. November to January is the peak migratory period.       During winter every year thousands of migratory waterfowls visit this area. The migrants include Garganey, teals, Shovellers, Whistling teals, Caspian terns, Godwits, Golden plovers, Great stone plover, Sand pipers, Little stints, Red Shanks, Green Shanks, Ringed Plovers, Reef Heron, Whimbrels and red necked Phaloareps. During spring the trees and shrubs with wild berries attract Frugivorous birds like the koels, mynas and barbets. As winter sets in a huge wave of insectivorous birds come down at Vedaranyam attracts by the abundance of insects and vegetable food. During the peak season of migration, the important long legged and small wanders found in reservoirs are greater and lesser flamingoes, gray heron, purple Heron, Reef heron, large, medium and little egrets, spoon bills and painted strocks etc. Long distant migrants constitute the majority of short-legged waders such as Calidris minuta, Calidris testacea and Charadris mongolus.       In addition to the regular migrants occasional migrants like Cormorants, Darter Black Kite, Booted hawk-eagle, Short toed eagle and ringed Plovers are also seen in this sanctuary. Among the seasonal migrants are Little Grebe, Purple Heron, White Necked Stork, Black Necked Strok, White Ibis, Flamingoes, Indian Cuckoos and Larks. Various types of gulls, such as Herring gull, great and lesser, Black backed Gull, Brown headed Gull are common in this sanctuary. Many kinds of terns like white winged black tern, Whiskered tern, Gull billed Tern, Caspian Tern, Rosy Tern, and Indian lesser crested tern are also seen in Point Calimere.       The sanctuary includes reptiles like monitor Lizard, Chameleon, and Sharred tortoise, Cobra, Saw Scaled Viper, Green Viper Snake and Olive Ridley Turtle.       The Mammals found in Vedaranyam area are Black buck, Spotted Deer, Wild boar, Semi wild ponies, Jackal, Black napped hare, Bonnet Macaque, Civet Cat, Jungle cat, Mongoose etc. The sanctuary includes reptiles like monitor Lizard, Chameleon, and Sharred tortoise, Cobra, Saw Scaled Viper, Green Viper Snake and Olive Ridley Turtle. Threats:       A small part of the area is protected in the Vedaranyam Wild life sanctuary gazette in March 1968, but the most important wetlands are unprotected. However the wetland has been proposed for designation as wetland of international importance under the RAMSAR convention. Recently, few small-scale aquaculture farms have also established here. Thus there is a threat to the marine and wild life due to the industrial and aquaculture details. This area is also one of the most vulnerable sites affected by cyclonic storms, which cause great damage to the ecosystem due to flooding and siltation. The other problem is deforestation due to felling of trees for fire wood requirement of the local people. The deforestation leads to soil erosion and environmental degradation.       The Institute for Ocean Management, Anna University has studied the changes in coastal wetlands of Vedaranyam between the years 1976 and 1989 and summarized the institution findings below. More than 40% of the mangrove forest has been reduced due to indiscriminate cutting of wood for firewood during this period. The reduction in mangrove forests has resulted in increased coastal erosion and also a decrease in the supply of nutrients to the sea and thus affecting the fish production in this area. In this area about 66% of the dense marsh vegetation has been degraded. Around 32% of the saltpan area has been increased at the expense of mangrove forests. The salt affected area has also increased to about 4.5 times due to drying up of mud flats and expansion of saltpans.
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