Vettangudi Bird Sanctuary (18410)
India, Asia

Site overview

KBA status: confirmed

Year of last assessment: 2004

National site name: Vettangudi Bird Sanctuary

Central coordinates: Latitude: 10.0980, Longitude: 78.5397

System: freshwater, terrestrial

Elevation (m): 70 00

Area of KBA (km²): 0.56973

KBA classification: Regional

Legacy site: Yes

Site details

Site description: 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.

Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that was identified using previously established criteria and thresholds for the identification of Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) and for which available data indicate that it does not meet global KBA criteria and thresholds set out in the Global Standard.

Additional biodiversity: 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.

Habitats

Land use: fisheries/aquaculture | forestry | water management

IUCN Habitat	Coverage %	Habitat detail
Wetlands(Inland)	33
Artificial - Aquatic	33
Artificial - Terrestrial	33

Threats

Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: 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.

Threat level 1	Threat level 2	Threat level 3	Timing
Agriculture & aquaculture	Livestock farming & ranching	Small-holder grazing, ranching or farming	Ongoing
Natural system modifications	Dams & water management/use	Abstraction of surface water (agricultural use)	Only in the future
Biological resource use	Logging & wood harvesting	Unintentional effects: subsistence/small scale (species being assessed is not the target) [harvest]	Ongoing
Pollution	Agricultural & forestry effluents	Soil erosion, sedimentation	Ongoing
Human intrusions & disturbance	Recreational activities		Ongoing

Additional information