Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary

About this place

Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary is located near Vedanthangal Karikili in the district of Kanchipuram in Tamil Nadu. It covers an area of 0.3 sq kms. Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary is one of the oldest bird sanctuaries in India, and has been fiercely protected by the local population for well over 250 years. The best time to visit this sanctuary is from November to March. During this time birds are mostly busy in building and maintaining their nests. The best time for bird watching is in the morning. Vedanthangal is a home for migratory birds such as pintail, garganey, grey wagtail, blue-winged teal, common sandpiper and many more of the like. It is one of the oldest water bird sanctuaries in the country. Vedanthangal in Tamil means hamlet of the hunter. The region attracts a variety of birds because it is dotted with small lakes that act as feeding grounds for the birds. Realising its ornithological importance, the British government undertook steps to develop Vedanthangal into a bird sanctuary as early as 1798.