Name: Nellore
Rating: 3.6

Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary, Nellore Overview

Renowned for being one of the most significant pelican habitats in South-east Asia, the Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary in the Nellore District is every bird watcher's dream come true. This mesmerising sanctuary is located just near the village of Nelapattu and is spread over a total area of about 459 hectares.

The sanctuary is also a crucial breeding site for the spot-billed pelicans and is also home to significant plant communities like the Barringtonia swamp forests and the southern dry evergreen scrub. Other than the spot-billed pelican, the sanctuary is an important breeding ground for other birds as well, such as white ibis, openbill stork, night heron and little cormorant.

In all, 189 different species of birds can be found at the Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary, of which 50 species are migratory. These migratory birds include common teal, shoveler, Spot-bill duck, grey heron, black-winged stilt, and garganey gadwall. It was declared as a sanctuary in the year 1997 by the government of India.

Flora and Fauna at Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary

The Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary is like heaven on earth for birdwatchers as well as nature lovers, who flock to the sanctuary in large numbers every year to catch a glimpse of the exotic species of birds that can be found there. The sanctuary is, of course, famous for being one of the largest habitats for pelicans in south-eastern Asia, but it is also home to around 189 other species of birds, many of which are now endangered.

The range of birds found here includes the openbill stork, white ibis, night heron and little cormorant. The migratory birds that can be seen here frequently include common teal, pintail, shoveler, dabchick, coot, grey heron, Spot-bill duck, darter, black-winged stilt and garganey gadwall among others.

Large parts of the sanctuary are covered with southern dry evergreen scrub covers, while the significant shrub and tree species include Memicylon edule, Manilkara hexandra, Maba buxifolia, Buchanania Angustifolia, Zizyphus xylopyrus and others. The sanctuary is also home to animals such as the spotted deer, jackal, monitor lizard, slender loris and tortoise. Snakes of various types are also found in this sanctuary.

Other Attractions at Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary

The Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary also boasts of numerous other features that visit the sanctuary worthwhile for the tourists and further add to their knowledge. One can find an environmental education centre, a museum as well as a library which offers vital information for those who are interested in the subject. The sanctuary also has an auditorium that is equipped with audio-visual systems and holds seminars and discussions.

Nelapatty Bird Sanctuary — Felimngo Birds At Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary

What adds to the beauty of the sanctuary other than the breathtakingly beautiful bird species found here is the strategic location of the sanctuary. The Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary is located just near the Pulicat Lake, which is the second-largest salt lake in all of India. The easy accessibility to the sanctuary from nearby major towns and cities is a bonus, which makes this destination on the top of the list of places to visit in Andhra Pradesh.

Flamingo Festival at Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary

The annual festival by the name of Flamingo is conducted at the Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary every year in the first and second week of January. This three-day festival begins at the famous brackish waters of Lake Pulicat in Nelapattu Bird and aims to bring ornithologists, environmentalists, bird watchers, and forest and tourism officials together.

The festival provides ample opportunities for visitors to study the biodiversity of the sanctuary and also generates awareness about the need to conserve the biozones for the generations to come, using means of sustainable development. Numerous entertainment and cultural programmes also take place at the sanctuary during this festival, and ecotourism is also promoted.

How To Reach Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary

The Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary is easily accessible from major towns and cities in southern India. The sanctuary is just 50 kilometres away from Chennai and is located in the Nelapattu Village, on the eastern coast of Andhra Pradesh.

The nearest railway station to the sanctuary is at Sulurpet, and the final destination is well connected by state transport and bus facilities.