Wildlife of Tamil Nadu

The topography of Tamil Nadu is delightfully varied and diverse. Of the 1,30,058 sq km land area, 17.6 is covered with forest area. These spreads over the plain and on mountain slopes. Dry lands are bestowed with dry-deciduous forests, thorn forests, scrubs and mangroves. The Western Ghats and a few cooler regions are endowed with moist deciduous, wet evergreen forests, sholas and grasslands.
Tamilnadu is rich in flora and fauna. Some of the major wildlife sanctuaries of Tamilnadu like Madumalai and Annamalai (or Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary), are situated in the Western Ghats. These hills are ideal havens for elephants, tigers, bisons, monkeys and deer. Of the 3,000 and more plant species found in Tamilnadu, a majority is found in the mixed deciduous forests of this region. One of the most noteworthy flowers is the Kurinji of Kodaikanal, which blooms once in 12 years. Cinchona, from which the anti-malarial drug quinine is extracted, and the medicinal eucalyptus grow abundantly in the Nilgiri hills. Forests of other medicinal herbs are found in Palani hills and Courtallam.
Palmyra trees grow profusely in Tirunelveli and its products are used as raw materials for several cottage industries. Rubber is the main plantation crop in Kanyakumari and sandalwood grows in the Javadhu hills of Vellore district.

Vedanthangal Water Birds Sanctuary
One of the most spectacular breeding grounds in India. Cormorants, herons, storks, pelicans, grebes and many others.The Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary has been protected by the local people for well over 250 years. The sanctuary gets its name from a nearby village and is only 75 Km from Chennai. The bird life (resident & visitors) includes Cormorants, Darters, Herons, Egrets, Open billed Stork, Spoonbill and White Ibis, Little Grebe, Indian Moorhen, Black Winged Stilts, a few migratory ducks and occasionally Grey Pelicans. November to February is the ideal season to visit the sanctuary.
Vedanthangal is a home not only to migratory birds but also to many ornithologists who camp here for weeks observing the birds at close quarters. With a powerful pair of binoculars, you can spot a Cormorant or a Snake Bird dive under the water to gobble up a nervous fish which is its staple diet. Soon after the hunt, the Cormorant must come up to the shore to dry its feathers as nature has not endowed it with oil-glands to water-proof the feathers. The Spot-Billed Grey Pelican, on the contrary, moves in groups lashing the water with powerful wing strokes driving the fish to a shallow corner for the ultimate assault. The Spoon Bill, however, prefers to devour frogs and insects in the muddy water with its bills half open. The winged visitors regulated by biological clocks land at Vedanthangal after the monsoon with amazing clock-work precision and get into the breeding act quietly. The population of the migratory birds swells to around 40,000 by the middle of January.

Point Calimere Bird Sanctuary
Sprawling on 17.26 sq km surrounded by sea and shore, comprising forests of tidal swamps, this sanctuary is situated in Nagapattinam district. It is bestowed with populations of varied wild life such as Chittal, Wild Boar Sprawling on 17.26 sq km surrounded by sea and shore, comprising forests of tidal swamps, dry evergreen forests of mangroves, this sanctuary is situated in the Nagapattinam district. It is bestowed with population of varied wild life such as Chital, Wild boar, Bonnet macaque, Black Buck, Flamingoes, Teals, Gulls, Terns, Plavers and Stilts. Special attractions are close encounters with Dolphins and Turtles which often come quite close to the shore.

Crocodile Bank
This Crocodile Bank has been established with an aim to protected and conserve the endangered reptiles such as crocodiles, Alligators etc. Situated 14 kms from Mamallapuram, this Trust now houses more than six species of crocodiles.arrangements; 7.Located 42-km from Chennai (Madras) is a farm where several species of Indian and African crocodiles and alligators are bred in captivity. This crocodile bank is on the way to Mahabalipuram and is run by Romulve Whittaker. About 5,000 species are kept in their natural surroundings in open pools. They can be viewed from a safe distance. The Crocodile Bank occupies an area of 3.2 hectares and has been established with an aim to protect and conserve the endangered reptile s such as Crocodiles, Alligators, etc. Tourists in large numbers visit the crocodile bank to see a variety of reptiles, all in one place.

Kunthakulam Bird Sanctuary
Kunthakulam bird sanctuary is situated 33-km south of Tirunelveli in Nanguneri taluk. Kunthakulam is a small and natural scenic village, which is covered with natural forests and ponds. During the season January to April every year more than 10 thousand birds from various countries like Pakistan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, USA, Australia migrate here and when the season is over the birds return. Every day more than 5,000 people come here and enjoy. Ariyakulam, 13-km east of Tirunelveli has another bird sanctuary.

Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary
Spread over 958 sq kms, this sanctuary can be reached though Top slip in Anamalai Hills on the Western Ghats. An ecological Paradise, this sanctuary encompasses a National Park with an area of 108 sq kms. About 800 species out of 2000 South Indian Flora are distributed here. Tribal cmmunities like Kadar, Malasar, Malai Malasar, Muduvar, Pulayar and Eravalar reside within the area of sanctuary.

Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary
Located in Nilgiri Hills, the offshoot of the Western Ghats meet the Eastern Ghats. This 321 sq km wide sanctuary encompasses a National Park measuring an area of 103 sq kms. This sanctuary is located where the Niligiri Hills, the offshoot of the Western Ghats meet the Eastern Ghats.

Mukkurthi National Park
Mukurthi National Park is located on the high altitudes of the Nilgiris, 40 kms from Udhagamandalam. It contains a viable population of Nigiri Tahr (Hamitrgus-hilocrius) because of which it was earlier known as the Nilgiri Tahr National Park. Located on the high altitudes of the Nilgiris, comprising rolling downs interspersed with temperate sholas, this park is also a part of Nilgiri Bio-sphere Reserve (India's first International Biosphere).

Kalakkadu Wildlife Sanctuary
The Kalakkadu wildlife sanctuary is located in the beautiful hills of the Western Ghats, covering an area of 223 sq kms in the Tirunelveli District. The sanctuary along with Mundanthurai sanctuary together form the Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve. For tourists desirous of visiting the sanctuary, the ideal time should be anytime between September to March.

Guindy National Park
Guindy National Park is situated in Chennai. Guindy National Park is one of the prime visiting spots for those who come to Chennai during vacation period. It attracts visitors over three lakhs during a season. A recommended picnic spot for the entire family to spend a day amidst nature and return home joyfully in the evening.