|
Pitchavaram is an excellent picnic spot covering
about 3000 acres of mangrove forests which sprawl over 11000
hectares of backwaters. It is about 16 kms from Chidambaram and 56
kms from Cuddalore. There are numerous channels and creeks ideal for
boating. Pitchavaram is one of the most scenic spots with varied
tourism resources.
 The
Pichavaram forest not only offers waterscope and backwater cruises
but combine another very rare occurrence- the mangrove forest trees
permanently rooted in a few feet of water. Pitchavaram is considered
as one of the most healtheist mangrove forests in the world.
To a botanist, rare species like Avicennia and Rhizophara will
present a special attraction; to an ornithologist, no doubt, the
sight of numerous birds like Watersnips, Cormorants, Egrets, Storks,
Herons, Spoonbills and Pelicans holds great interest. TTDC offers
boating facilities to the visiting tourists.
The Pichavaram mangrove wetland consists of 3 Reserve Forests -
Killai, Pichavaram and Pichavaram
Extension area. Pichavaram is known for it's unique mangrove
ecosystem, found in areas such as the Sunderbans in West Bengal and
in Australia. At present one has to stay at Chidambaram and take the
well-beaten road to Pichavaram which actually has a rope strung
across it for a toll-gate.
These mangroves are the rainforests by the sea and are comprised of
taxonomically diverse, salt-tolerant tree and other plant species
which thrive in inter-tidal zones of sheltered tropical shores, and
estuaries. Pichavaram is also an important habitat for a variety of
resident and migratory waterfowls and other birds, with over 200
species having being recorded from here. The season for birds is
from September to April every year. Peak population of birds could
be seen from November to January.
|
