Pulicat Lake

Pulicat Lake stands as the Asia’s second largest brackish water lagoon after Chilka Lake in Orissa, is sprawled over an area of482 sq km is a seclude area in the district of Thiruvallur of the state of Tamil Nadu, part extending to Chengalpattu district, falls in the southern most part of the country, India. The lake has been given an international name as Pulicat Lake Wildlife Sanctuary. The Pulicat sanctuary is drained by Arni River while the Buckingham canal brings in the city’s drainage water. At the southern end, the park is enclosed with an opening of Bay of Bengal with its shallow mouth of 200 m in breadth. The rest of the lake is enveloped by a sand bar being there, parallel to the Bay of Bengal as the Sriharikota Island. The lake provide food to hundreds of families, who consume crabs, prawns and fishes as a source of energy. Pulicat Lake holds total inhabitants of 21,460 persons.

The water body possesses 17 prevalent species including red crab, prawns and crabs however many of them are gradually disappearing. Amongst these migrants, flamingos are housed in a large number. Bu spattering over the swampy area of the lake, they render a tinge of pink color to the lake. Other birds in the lake are ducks, herons, cranes and painted storks. the lake also houses several mammals such as slender loris, jackals, spotted deer and reptiles including tortoise, snakes and monitor lizards. There is also an event that is held in mid-December or in the beginning of January every year, known as the Flamingo festival, which is organized by the Tourism Development Board. The place is a haven for bird watching.