Pulicat Lake Bird Sanctuary,Andhra Pradesh,India

The lagoon which is about a million years old separated from Bay of Bengal by a spit of land on which is situated the town of Pulicat, 40 km north of Chennai. The Arani River at the southern tip, the Kalangi River from the northwest and the Swarnamukhi River at the northern end feed this water lagoon. 

This Sanctuary is a haven for bird lovers and Ornithologists. Stretching across 481 square kilometers, Pulicat is the 2nd largest brackish water ecosystem in India after lake Chilika of Orissa.

This Sanctuary is especially known for its migratory birds including some of the commonest wetland birds namely Garganey, Marsh Sandpiper, Gadwall, Shoveler, and Black-tailed Godvit and most notably, during the colder months, the sanctuary attracts up to 15,000 Flamingoes.

Pulicat is an extremely sensitive area environmentally and is under threat of disappearing due to excessive siltation. Environmentalists are currently in the process of getting Pulicat declared as a site under the Ramsar Convention.

Pulicat Bird Sanctuary, spanning northern Tamilnadu and southern Andhra Pradesh is the 2nd largest brackish water ecosystem in India. Hundreds of thousands of migratory waterfowl throng the lake from October to April, including large numbers of Greater and Lesser Flamingos.

The best time to visit Pulicat Lake Bird Sanctuary is between October to March. The temperature is mild and pleasant and makes travelling to the area easy. This is also the best time to observe the migratory birds and especially the flamingos. Seeing the Flamingos in the wetland is a once in a lifetime experience.

How to Reach

By  Airport – The nearest airport is Meenambakkam Airport in Chennai (90 km away).

By Railway  – The Pulicat Lake Bird Sanctuary is 10 kilometers by road from Sullurpet Railway Station.

By Road  – To reach Pulicat the National Highway 5 from Chennai has to be taken towards Nellore, and further on to the Thatchoor Kootu Road to Ponneri village, which is roughly 19 km away from Pulicat village.

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