Chitrangudi Bird Sanctuary locally known as "Chitrangudi Kanmoli" is a .4763 km2 (0.1839 sq mi) Protected area declared in 1989 and a part of Chitrangudi village, MudukulathurTaluk, Ramanathapuram District, Tamil Nadu, India. It is adjacent to Kanjirankulam Bird Sanctuary. It is notable as a nesting site for several migratory heron species that roost in the prominent growth of Babul trees there. International name: Chitragudi and Kanjirankulam Bird Sanctuary, IBA Code: IN261, Criteria: A1, A4i.[2] The sanctuary has been designated as a protected Ramsar site since 2021.[1]
Geography
The sanctuary area is within the 15 m (49 ft) high embankments of the community irrigation tank. The total length of the embankment is 4.010 km (2.492 mi). The crescent-shaped Kanmoi starts at a northern point where an aqueduct from the Gundar river flows into the Kanmoi. There are five sluices that drain water to the agricultural lands. The wetland is irregular in depth and retains water for 3 to 5 months if rain is normal. Excess flood water is let out towards Chitrangudi village through a sluice gate about .5 km (0.31 mi) from the inlet aqueduct.
The sanctuary is open year round and can be reached by road from Mudukulathur 4 km and Sayalgudi 12 km, Ramanathapuram 45 km and Madurai 120 km. The nearest railway station is Paramakudi and the nearest airport is Madurai.
Accommodation is available at PWD Rest House at Mudukulathur 10 kilometers (6.2 mi), the Forest Rest House at Sayalgudi and at Paramakudi.[3]