Karikili Bird Sanctuary
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Overview
Karikili is a small bird sanctuary in Chengalpattu district of Tamil Nadu, about 75 km south of Chennai, built around two irrigation tanks.
In the north-east monsoon season it hosts nesting colonies of cormorants, egrets, herons, spoonbills and open-billed storks. Farmers welcome the birds because their droppings enrich the tank water used for irrigation.
It was designated a Ramsar site in 2022, one of many tank-based sanctuaries in the state added that year.
Geography and key facts
- Chengalpattu district, Tamil Nadu
- Tank-based bird sanctuary
- Breeding colonies of cormorants, egrets, storks
- Ramsar site (2022)
Why it matters for UPSC
Tamil Nadu has the largest number of Ramsar sites in India; nearby Vedanthangal is the oldest of its bird sanctuaries.
Note for UPSC
Ramsar site (wetland of international importance), Tamil Nadu.
Ramsar sites come up as wetland–state pairs and in questions on conservation status.
Asked in PYQs
No question in our Prelims bank names Karikili Bird Sanctuary yet.
Key facts
- Type
- Ramsar site
- State / UT
- Tamil Nadu
- Coordinates
- 12.598°N, 79.843°E
From the Map Explorer data; positions are for orientation.
In the lessons
- Forests, Wetlands, Mangroves and Coral Reefs (map lesson)