Nelapattu, Pulicat in Limelight on World Migratory Bird Day Today

Amid growing concerns over the declining bird population globally, this year’s theme calls for collective action to safeguard migratory birds in urban and peri-urban landscapes.

Few places embody this vision better than the Pulicat and Nelapattu Bird Sanctuaries in Andhra Pradesh. Nestled between the bustling Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota and the town of Sullurpeta in Andhra Pradesh, these protected wetlands are natural havens for hundreds of migratory bird species, in a stark contrast to concretisation of modern cities.

Each year beginning in early October, Pulicat Lake—India’s second-largest brackish water lagoon—and Nelapattu Sanctuary transform into a vibrant wintering ground for feathered visitors, which travel from as far away as Siberia, Central Asia and the Rann of Kutch.

Species like the Greater Flamingo, Grey Pelican, Painted Stork and Glossy Ibis flock to these wetlands, turning them into a spectacular visual feast for visitors from Nellore, Tirupati and Chennai.

“This is truly nature’s theatre—watching the graceful flamingos in flight or pelicans training their young—is a humbling and awe-inspiring experience,” says K. Karthik Sai, a noted bird watcher and wildlife photographer from Tirupati.

With over 160 species of birds visiting every winter, including rare species like the Rosy Pelican, Darters and Purple Swamphen, these sanctuaries are not just breeding grounds, but also critical stopovers for migratory birds crossing continents.

The birds are drawn by the region’s ecological wealth – a thriving aquatic ecosystem rich in fish, prawns, crustaceans and plankton – and the relative safety offered by the region’s protected status.

Adding to the ecological value is reverence shown by local villagers, who consider the birds sacred and safeguard them during their seasonal stay. “We call the flamingos Samudrapu Ramachilukalu – Parrots of the Sea. We treat them like celestial visitors,” says a local resident of the Pulicat region.