Perungulam tank seeks Ramsar recognition in Tamil Nadu

The Thoothukudi district administration and the Tamil Nadu Forest Department have initiated efforts to secure Ramsar recognition for the Perungulam tank. Spanning 860 acres in the Perungulam town panchayat, the wetland is fed by the Thamirabarani River and serves both irrigation needs and local biodiversity.

A study conducted between July 2023 and June 2024 identified 147 bird species across 22 orders and 60 families. While 100 of these are resident species, the wetland also serves as a critical stopover for migratory birds such as the Little Tern, Caspian Tern, and Slender-billed Gull.

The site hosts several species with significant conservation status. The Egyptian Vulture is listed as ‘Endangered’, the Curlew Sandpiper is ‘Vulnerable’, and five species—including the Spot-billed Pelican and Bar-tailed Godwit—are classified as ‘Near Threatened’. Additionally, 14 species found at the wetland are protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act.