The Tamil Nadu government has notified the Kazhuveli swamp/wetland in Vanur and Marakkanam taluks of Villupuram district as Kazhuveli Wetland Birds Sanctuary – 16th bird sanctuary in the State. The declaration was made under subsection (1) of section 18 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. The Kazhuveli wetlands are referred to as the 2nd largest Brackish Water Lake in South India, only after Pulicat lake.
About Kazhuveli Bird Sanctuary:
It covers 5,151.60 hectares of land in Vanur taluk and 3,027.25 hectares in Marakkanam taluks. The sanctuary lies adjacent to the Bay of Bengal along the East coast of Tamil Nadu.
Kazhuveli is a wetland of international importance that is spread over 670 square km in the east coast of Tamil Nadu. Note- Southern part of the wetland was declared reserved land in the year 2001. The Sanctuary covers 13 villages in the Villupuram district. The place is home to a diverse species of flora and fauna, giving accommodation to long-distance migrant birds from Central Asia and Siberia.
