Pulicat Lake Bird Sanctuary, Bird sanctuary in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, India
Pulicat Lake Bird Sanctuary is a bird sanctuary spread across brackish water surfaces and shallow islands between Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. The area consists of open water, reed belts, and sandbars that vary in size depending on the season.
The lagoon formed through natural deposits of sand and sediment that gradually separated the water from the open sea. The area was officially designated as a protected zone for migratory birds in the mid-20th century.
Fishermen from nearby villages use shallow wooden boats and nets adapted to the low depth of the water, continuing methods passed down over generations. The name Pulicat comes from the former Dutch trading post on the western shore, traces of which remain visible today.
Boats take visitors to observation points on the water, where binoculars help spot birds at greater distances. The best time of day for watching is early morning or late afternoon, when many species are active.
A narrow strip of sand separates the lagoon from the Bay of Bengal and forms a natural barrier that protects the calm water inside. In some places this strip is only a few hundred meters wide and you can see both the lagoon and the open sea.
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