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Point Calimere, is a low headland on the Coromandel Coast, in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. It is the tip of the Cauvery River delta, and marks a right-angle turn in the coastline, which supports the Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary here. These include a cape and three natural habitat vegetations, namely the dry evergreen forests, Mangrove forests, and wetlands.
The forests of Point Calimere, are one of the last refuges of the dry evergreen forests that were once characteristic of the East Deccan dry evergreen forests. The Point Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary was created on June 13, 1967, with an area of 24.17 Sq.km's. In 1988, the sanctuary was expanded to include the Great Vedaranyam Swamp and the Talaignayar Reserve Forest, and named the Point Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary, with a total area of 377 sq.km's.
Point Calimere is a marine coastal wetland with a wide diversity of habitats and ecological features, including intertidal salt marshes and brackish to saline lagoons.
The area of Point Calimere is spread with Saltpans which are large shallow open pans use to evaporate brine for the production of salt. They are usually found on the coast, where there is a supply of brine.
Point Calimere has a population of varied wild life such as Chital, Bonnet macaque, Flamingoes, Teals, Gulls, Terns, Plavers and Stilts. Fourteen species of mammals have been reported from the Sanctuary. The larger mammals are the blackbuck, spotted deer, wild boar and jackal. Special attractions are close encounters with Dolphins and Turtles, which often come quite close to the shore
Some of the major water bird species in Point Calimere are The Greater Flamingo and the Lesser Flamingo, Spot - Billed Pelican, Spoonbilled Sandpiper, Asian Dowitcher, Whitebellied Seaeagle, Brahminy Kite and osprey. Land birds here include Paradise Flycatcher, Indian Pitta, Rosy Starling, Blyth Reed Warbler, Crested Serpent Eagle and Brown Shrike.
Mangroves are woody trees or shrubs that grow in coastal habitats like Point Calimere Coastline, for which the term mangrove swamp also applies. Mangrove plants are found in depositional coastal environments where fine sediments, often with high organic content, collect in areas protected from high-energy wave action.
Mangrove plants in Calimere Coastline have developed a set of physiological adaptations to overcome the problems of anoxia, salinity and frequent tidal inundation.
Inter tidal wetlands are found in coastal areas of Point Calimere where air temperature, wave action, salinity levels, and sediment movements are moderated by the location features of the estuarine environment and ecosystem.
The best time to visit the park is from November to February when the birds migrate here.
Wildlife in Point Calimere
Birds in Point Calimere
Flora in Point Calimere
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