Oussudu Bird Sanctuary

Oussudu Bird Sanctuary
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area)
Great egret in the Sanctuary
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Location	Puducherry, India
Area	3.9
Established	2008

Oussudu or Ousteri Bird Sanctuary is the first and the only wildlife sanctuary in the Indian union territory of Puducherry. ^[1] It was created in 2008. ^[1] It spans over 390 acres around the Ousteri lake. ^[2]

Flora and fauna

Little cormorant in the sanctuary

The lake is home to around 200 species of birds. ^[3] About 40 species of migratory birds visit the sanctuary after November everyear including golden oriole, openbill stork, tailor bird, painted stork, white ibis, white-breasted water-hen and spotted owlets. ^[1] The vegetation ranges from small herbs to trees, which supports migratory avifauna as well as native birds during summer and winter. ^[4]

However, bird poaching poses a significant threat to the sanctuary. ^[5] In 2022, the Wildlife Department in Puducherry seized 57 bird carcasses, which had been poisoned and killed by poachers. ^[6]

References

1. "Puducherry gets its first bird sanctuary". The Times of India. 2008-12-09. ISSN   0971-8257 . Retrieved 2024-04-20.
2. "Oussudu lake, a fully protected wetland now". The Hindu. 2015-04-23. ISSN   0971-751X . Retrieved 2024-04-20.
3. Nair, Rajesh B. (2022-12-11). "Lack of amenities keep visitors at bay from scenic Ousteri lake". The Hindu. ISSN   0971-751X . Retrieved 2024-04-20.
4. "Pondicherry" (PDF). www.bnhs.org. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 July 2010. Retrieved 2023-05-25.
5. Perier, Bagalavan (2022-02-11). "Bird census finds illegal poaching at Puducherry's Ousteri lake". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2024-04-20.
6. Prasad, S. (2024-03-10). "57 carcasses of birds seized in Puducherry; poachers flee". The Hindu. ISSN   0971-751X . Retrieved 2024-04-20.