Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary
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Overview
Vedanthangal in Tamil Nadu is a small bird sanctuary and a Ramsar site.
It is in Chengalpattu district and is one of the oldest protected bird sanctuaries in India.
Local villagers have protected the birds for centuries because bird droppings fertilise their fields.
It was designated a Ramsar site in 2022.
It was protected by the British collector's order in 1798 at the request of villagers.
Birds such as painted storks, pelicans, cormorants and egrets nest in the barringtonia trees in the lake.
The sanctuary is fed by rain and the lake tank system.
It is only about 75 km from Chennai.
Geography and key facts
- Tamil Nadu
- Ramsar site
- Chengalpattu district
- Community protection
- Ramsar site 2022
Why it matters for UPSC
Asked on wetlands.
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 Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary yet.
Key facts
- Type
- Ramsar site
- State / UT
- Tamil Nadu
- Coordinates
- 12.546°N, 79.856°E
From the Map Explorer data; positions are for orientation.
In the lessons
- Forests, Wetlands, Mangroves and Coral Reefs (map lesson)