Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary

Image of the Wetland
Image of the Wetland
Grey Heron and Garganey seen in the Karaivetti wetland
A pair of Black Winged Stilt mating in the Karaivetti wetland
Painted Stork
Painted stork foraging in the Karaivetti wetland.

Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary

  • Country: 
    India
  • Site number: 
    2537
  • Area: 
    453.7 ha
  • Designation date: 
    24-05-2023
  • Coordinates: 
    10°58'N 79°02'E
Materials presented on this website, particularly maps and territorial information, are as-is and as-available based on available data and do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat of the Ramsar Convention concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area, or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.

Overview

The Site is one of the largest inland freshwater lakes in the State of Tamil Nadu. It provides important stopover and foraging ground for birds migrating along the Central Asian Flyway. Some 10,000 individuals of 14 colonial waterbird species have been found nesting here. The gum Arabic tree (Acacia nilotica) provides roosting and nesting grounds for threatened species such as spotted eagle (Aquila clanga), tawny eagle (Aquila rapax) and Indian darter (Anhinga melanogaster). When the water level starts receding after January, larger birds such as painted stork (Mycteria leucocephala) flock to the Site; it has recorded one of the largest congregations of waterbirds among all lakes in the State of Tamil Nadu. The Site also provides breeding habitat for the vulnerable Indian flap-shelled turtle (Lissemys punctata). During the driest period, between July and October, the water level of the Site is maintained with water from the Mettur Dam. The lake water is used to irrigate about 4,000 hectares of surrounding farmland. There are issues related to human-wildlife conflict, in particularly concerning the vulnerable bonnet macaque (Macaca radiata).

Administrative region: 
Ariyalur District

  • National legal designation: 
    • Bird Sanctuary - Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary
  • Last publication date: 
    31-01-2024

Downloads

Ramsar Information Sheet (RIS)