From Chennai, the Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary is an easy day trip. Located about 80 km from the city, it is a 30-hectare protected area that’s home to more than 40,000 birds and 26 or so rare species.
History
Well before the British arrived in India, the local people of the Kancheepuram District knew that they depended on birds for their livelihood. They understood that, when bird droppings fall into the water, its nitrogen content increases, creating a natural fertiliser. So when, in the late 18th century, British soldiers started shooting at the birds, the locals took action, demanding that Vedanthangal be protected. Official recognition was granted in 1936 and, in 1962, the area received legal reservation status under the Madras Forest Act. It was in 1988 that it gained its current name and identity.
What to expect
Birds come to Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary from as far as Siberia. While some are permanent residents, others are temporary visitors, stopping over during their migratory adventures. Just a few of the species to be spotted are grey wagtails, common sandpipers, blue-winged teals, cormorants, egrets, painted storks and pond herons. You can expect to see quite a few land-bound animals poking about, too, including monkeys, jungle cats, wild boars, jackals and black-naped hares.
The infrastructure is simple, but well-maintained. You won’t come across air-conditioned educational complexes and cafeterias, but there are walkways, benches, viewing towers, taps and rubbish bins.
When to visit
Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary is interesting at any time of year, but it’s especially good to visit between October and January. It is during this period that you’re most likely to see birds nesting in high concentrations, in other words, in their thousands, and they’re easily visible within close range. Opening hours are 6am to 6pm and, for utterly spectacular views, try to visit at sunset, the combination of dying light, bird song and abundant wildlife is absolutely beautiful. That said, the early morning is stunning, too. Keen ornithologists can expect to spend at least three hours wandering around; those with a more moderate interest should leave themselves a good hour.
Getting there
From Chennai, the trip is about 90 minutes by car. You can also catch a public bus, but take note that they’re not terribly frequent. If you do decide on this option, double check the timetable to make sure you’ll be able to get home. Alternatively, ask your accommodation providers to assist you with travel arrangements. There are some great hotels in Chennai to stay at and the staff are usually friendly and helpful.
Top tips
First up, there aren’t many restaurants in the vicinity. There’s a few kiosks at the gate, including a stall selling some rather refreshing and zingy ginger tea. But if you’re a fussy eater and/or likely to work up a big appetite, it might a good idea to throw some spare rations in your bag. Secondly, don’t forget a pair of binoculars. That way, you’ll be able to see the birds clearly and differentiate between species, even if you are some distance away. Enthusiastic nature photographers should try to take a camera with a decent zoom lens.
To enter, you’ll need to pay an admission fee. For adults, it’s 5 Rupees, and for children aged 3-12, it’s 2 Rupees. Car parking costs 30 Rupees.
Contact details
You’ll find Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary at 259 Anna Salai, DMS Compound, Teynampet. To organise a visit, ask a question or find out more, contact the wildlife warden on 044-24321471.
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