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Chennai's New Bird Havens: How Otteri Lake and Melmaruvathur Tank Are Thriving

New spots in Chennai are becoming crucial for migratory birds. Otteri Lake and Melmaruvathur Tank are seeing thousands of visitors, both feathered and human. These areas have thrived due to specific conservation actions like installing platforms and maintaining water levels. Their success shows how targeted efforts can create vital refuges amid urban growth.

Key Points: Otteri Lake Melmaruvathur Tank Emerge as Chennai Bird Havens

  • Otteri Lake expects nearly 3,500 birds including painted storks and spoonbills
  • Melmaruvathur tank transformed by iron nesting platforms installed in 2013
  • SRMC campus in Porur hosts large flocks but access is restricted
  • Conservation efforts like desilting are creating resilient urban bird habitats
2 min read

New spots emerge as roosting, breeding grounds for migratory birds in Chennai

Discover Otteri Lake and Melmaruvathur Tank, Chennai's new hotspots for migratory birds like painted storks and spoonbills, thanks to local conservation efforts.

"Sustained water levels... have already drawn more than 5,000 birds after this year’s monsoon. - Senior Park Official"

Chennai, Dec 1

In Tamil Nadu, the Otteri Lake in Vandalur, the sprawling Melmaruvathur tank, and the tall tree clusters inside the Sri Ramachandra Medical College (SRMC) campus in Porur are emerging as this season’s busiest roosting and breeding grounds for migratory birds.

While SRMC remains closed to the public, the other two locations are witnessing a steady flow of visitors eager to see flocks settle in for the winter.

At Otteri Lake inside the Arignar Anna Zoological Park, officials said the migratory season has begun early. Egrets, grey herons, and Asian open-billed storks have already arrived to explore nesting sites. They will soon be joined by painted storks, cormorants, and spoonbills, pushing the overall count to nearly 3,500 birds during peak winter.

The lake supports the successful breeding of several species, including open-billed storks, spoonbills, white ibis, grey herons, pond herons, large egrets, and darters. Spot-billed pelicans visit regularly but do not breed here, a senior park official noted.

Painted storks, often late arrivals in January, extend the migratory season until April. Their presence depends on water availability, and sustained water levels -- thanks to desilting and restoration efforts -- have already drawn more than 5,000 birds after this year’s monsoon.

Further south, the Melmaruvathur tank has quietly grown into a dependable habitat for migratory birds for more than a decade.

Local bird monitors recall that the turning point came in 2013, when Melmaruvathur Trust installed iron nesting and roosting platforms inspired by bird sanctuaries in other states. Trustee G.B. Anbazhagan led the effort, helping convert the tank from a seasonal stopover into a thriving winter refuge.

Meanwhile, the SRMC campus at Porur continues to support large flocks on its towering trees, though entry restrictions limit observations to researchers and staff. These growing hotspots underline how scattered wetlands and tanks across the Chennai region are taking on greater ecological significance.

With urbanisation squeezing traditional habitats, the rise of such alternative destinations shows how targeted conservation -- whether through community support or institutional action -- can create resilient spaces for migratory birds.

As the peak season unfolds between November and March, these quiet refuges are becoming essential lifelines in the city’s wider biodiversity network.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

A
Arjun K
Great to see Melmaruvathur getting recognition. The local trust's initiative with the iron platforms is a brilliant example of grassroots conservation. More towns and villages across TN should adopt such simple, effective measures. Our tanks are not just for water, they are ecosystems.
R
Rohit P
While this is positive, I hope the "steady flow of visitors" mentioned is properly managed. We've seen in other places like Pulicat Lake that too much human disturbance can drive the birds away. The forest department needs to ensure responsible tourism.
S
Sarah B
As a birder who recently moved to Chennai, this article is a fantastic guide! It's amazing how these birds travel thousands of kilometers. The detail about water levels being crucial for the painted storks is key. Conservation is truly about maintaining these delicate conditions.
V
Vikram M
The work at Melmaruvathur since 2013 shows what long-term commitment can achieve. Kudos to the Trust and Mr. Anbazhagan. This is a model that should be replicated in every district. Our migratory birds are a shared natural heritage.
K
Karthik V
It's a bit disappointing that the SRMC campus is closed to the public. While I understand the need for restrictions, couldn't they organize guided tours or designated viewing days? Public access fosters a wider culture of appreciation and conservation.
M

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