Vedaranyam is one of the major wintering grounds for migrant birds from North India, Australia, Europe, Asia and Africa. The uniqueness of Vedaranyam lies in its having a coastal marine system and tropical forests. The number of reservoirs formed here for making salt serves as feeding grounds for migratory birds like small Waders and waterfowls and to the resident population. The swamps host around 240 species of birds both migratory and resident. Among this 48% are aquatic and the rest terrestrial.
Chemplast Sanmar, which has its salt works at Vedaranyam partnered with the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) in setting up a study centre at Kodiyakkarai. The BNHS-Sanmar centre is a boon for bird watchers who gather to watch migratory birds from across the globe swarming the swamps of Vedaranyam between October and March every year. Boats are also available for cruising.
The centre spread across two-and-a-half acres of land purchased by BNHS is the first of its kind in the country. The main flora of the Sanctuary consists of dry evergreen forests, wetlands and mangrove forests. A lot of shrubs can be found here. The sanctuary is bestowed with varied wild life including Greater Flamingo from Rann of Kutch, Grey Pelican from Iran and Iraq, Lesser Flamingo and Grey Heron from Russia, Red and Green Shank from Siberia, Little Stint, Curlew and Sand Piper from Australia, Lesser Sand Plover and Painted Stock from Mongolia, Caspian Tern from Caspian, Little Tern from Arctic Ocean, Marsh Sand Pipers from Siberia, Pintail Duck, Gorcony and Plovers from Siberia, Large Egret from Pakistan and Brown Headed Gull and Black Headed Gull from Mongolia.
The sanctuary also includes reptiles like Monitor Lizard, Chameleon, Starred tortoise, Cobra, Saw Scaled Viper, Green Viper Snake and Olive Ridley Turtle.
This site has recorded the second largest congregation of migratory waterbirds in India, with a peak population in excess of 100,000, representing 103 species. Bombay Natural History Society researchers have captured, studied, ringed and released over 200,000 birds during the course of several ornithological studies here in the past several years.
The swamps of Vedaranyam showcasing our feathered brethren in action have caught the attention of naturalists and bird lovers. The sight of the migratory birds thronging the salt works of Vedaranyam is a rare visual treat indeed!