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Oussudu Bird Sanctuary

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Great egret in the Sanctuary

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 2018.[1] It spans over 390 acres around the Ousteri lake.[2]

Flora and fauna

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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

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  1. ^ a b c "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.