Wetlands of India Portal

Brief Documents

Section 1: Identification, Location and Jurisdiction

1.1 Name of the Wetland (Alternative names, including in local language should be given in parenthesis after official name):

Wetland Name

1.2 Name of the Village(s), Tehsil(s), Municipal area (s)

1.3 Name of the District(s) in which wetland complex is located

Name of the State(s)

Name of the District(s)

1.4 Geographical coordinates (Latitude and Longitude, to decimal degree)

Latitude From

Latitude To

Latitude Centre Point

Longitude From

Longitude To

Longitude Centre Point

1.5 Name of the Department / Agency which has jurisdiction over the wetland / Wetlands complex / Management Authority Name of the Department/Agency *

1.6 Uniqueness
Uniqueness

1.7 Annotated Summary
Annotated Summary

1.8 Protection Status
Protection Status

1.9 Ramsar Site
Ramsar Site

Yes

No

Wetlands of International Significance

1.10 Date Of Designation
Date Of Designation

1.11 Ramsar Site No
Ramsar Site No

1.12 Criteria
Criteria

1.14 RIS Document
RIS Document

1.15 Fact Sheet
Fact Sheet

1.16 Ramsar Certificate
Ramsar Certificate

1.17 Ebird
Ebird

Section 2: Site Characteristics

2.1 Area of wetland / wetlands category (ha)

Area of wetland / wetlands category (ha)

2.2 Wetland type (Please tick appropriate categories and sub-categories)

Wetland Category	Wetland Subcategory
Natural (Coastal)	Coastal lagoon Estuary Intertidal mud, sand or salt flats Mangroves Coral reefs
Natural (Inland)	Permanent lakes Seasonal/ intermittent lakes Permanent streams/ creeks Seasonal/ intermittent streams/ creeks River floodplain Permanent freshwater marshes Seasonal/ intermittent freshwater marshes Shrub-dominated wetlands Tree-dominated wetlands Geothermal wetlands Karst and other subterranean hydrological systems Oxbow Main River Channel
Human-made	Aquaculture pond Tank Saltpan Dam / Reservoir

2.3 Depth

Depth (m) Average

Depth (m) Maximum

2.4 Elevation (m above mean sea level) above MSL

Elevation (m above mean sea level)

2.5 Water Regimes
(a) Main source of water (tick all applicable)

Rainfall

Groundwater

Direct / indirect inflow from river

Catchment runoff

Others

(b) Water permanence

Mostly permanent

Mostly intermittent

(c) Destination of water from wetland

Feeds groundwater

To downstream catchment

To river

To sea

(d) Water pH

Acid (< 5.5)

Circumneutral (5.5 - 7.4)

Alkaline (> 7.4)

Not known

(e) Water salinity

Fresh (< 0.5 g/l)

Brackish (0.5 -30 g/l))

Euhaline (30 - 40 g/l)

Hypersaline (>40g/l)

Not known

(f) Nutrient in water

Eutrophic

Mesotrophic

Oligotrophic

Not known

2.6 Climatic setting

(a) Annual Rainfall /Snowfall(mm)
(b) Temperature (oC)
(c) Humidity(%)

2.7 Area of Zone of Influence(in ha)
2.8 Major landuse within zone of influence (provide as approximate % of catchment area)

Major landuse within zone of influence
Forests	%
Plantation	%
Agriculture	%
Settlements (Rural)	%
Settlements (Urban)	%
Industrial	%
Others	%

2.9 Upload Documents

Document Title
Map of wetland complex
Map of zone of influence

Section 3: Biodiversity

3.1 Notable plant species present in wetland

(Common name(Scientific name))

Indian oak (Barringtonia acutangla)
Mesquite/ Karivelam Prosopis juliflora
Cuddapah almond Buchanania angustifolia
Indian gum/ babul   Acacia arabica
Bitter Albizia Albizia amara
Palmyra Palm Borassus flabellifer
Antique Spurge Euphorbia antiquorum
Subabul Leucaena leucocephala
Bunchgrass Eragrostis tenella
Ipomea spp.

3.2 Notable animal species present in wetland

(Common name(Scientific name))

Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis Little Cormorant Phaiacrocorax niger Grey Heron Ardea cinerea Indian Pond-Heron Ardeola grayii Black-crowned Night-Heron Nycticorax nycticorax Eurasian Bittern Botaurus stellaris Eastern Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis Little Egret Egretta garzetta Large Egret Casmerodius albus Openbilled Stork Anastomus oscitans Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea Northern Pintail Anas acuta Common Teal Anas crecca Spot-bill Duck Anas poecilorhyncha Gadwall Anas strepera Garganey Anas querquedula Northern Shoveller Anas clypeata Common Pochard Aythya ferina Comb Duck Sarkidiornis melanotos Whitebreasted Waterhen Amaurornis phoenicurus Indian purple Swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio Swamphen Gallnula chloropus Eurasian Coot Fulica atra Black winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus Redwattled lapwing Vanellus indicus Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus Common Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos Lesser-Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis Small Blue Kingfisher Alcedo atthis Whitebreasted Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis Painted stork Mycteria leucocephala Golden Jackal Canis aureus Black-naped Hare Lepus nigricollis Monitor Lizard Varanus bengalensis Indian Chameleon Chamaeleon zeylanicus

3.3 Species of conservation significance (rare, endangered, threatened, endemic species)

(Common name(Scientific name))

Darter or Snake Bird Anhinga melanogaster near threatened Oriental White Ibis Threskiornis melanocephalus near threatened Red Crested Pochard Rhodonessa rufina critically endangered Grey or Spotbilled Pelican Pelecanus philippensis near threatened

3.4 Major plant invasive alien species

(Common name(Scientific name))

3.5 Major animal invasive alien species

(Common name(Scientific name))

3.6 Species diversity

Section 4: Ecosystem services

Importance	Icon	Relevant for the site (please tick yes or no)	Degree	If Yes, Details
Freshwater for domestic use and irrigation		Yes No Not Assessed	High Medium Low Not Assessed	Villagers use the tank water for irrigating their crops as it is high in dissolved nutrients from bird guano
Water for energy production		Yes No Not Assessed	High Medium Low Not Assessed
Fisheries		Yes No Not Assessed	High Medium Low Not Assessed
Food		Yes No Not Assessed	High Medium Low Not Assessed	Cultivation
Fodder		Yes No Not Assessed	High Medium Low Not Assessed
Salt production		Yes No Not Assessed	High Medium Low Not Assessed
Medicinal and ornamental resources		Yes No Not Assessed	High Medium Low Not Assessed
Habitat for several migratory species		Yes No Not Assessed	High Medium Low Not Assessed	Flamingoes and other aquatic birds
Climate regulation / carbon sink		Yes No Not Assessed	High Medium Low Not Assessed	Trees and shrubs
Moderation of extreme events / flood buffer		Yes No Not Assessed	High Medium Low Not Assessed	The tank is seasonal, it fills up only during the monsoon and thus serves as a flood buffer
Water purification		Yes No Not Assessed	High Medium Low Not Assessed
Erosion prevention / Sediment retention		Yes No Not Assessed	High Medium Low Not Assessed
Groundwater recharge		Yes No Not Assessed	High Medium Low Not Assessed	Water retention in the tank post monsoon helps in gw recharge
Lifecycle maintenance		Yes No Not Assessed	High Medium Low Not Assessed	At least 9 species of birds breed here
Tourism and Recreation		Yes No Not Assessed	High Medium Low Not Assessed	Large number of visitors to the sanctuary
Scientific and educational importance		Yes No Not Assessed	High Medium Low Not Assessed	Migratory birds especially pelicans and storks
Cultural and spiritual importance		Yes No Not Assessed	High Medium Low Not Assessed	Local villagers believe birds bring them luck especially because they fertilize the water with guano, this water is used for irrigation
Source of drinking water for people living and around		Yes No Not Assessed	High Medium Low Not Assessed
Source of water for agriculture		Yes No Not Assessed	High Medium Low Not Assessed
Cultivation of aquatic food plants		Yes No Not Assessed	High Medium Low Not Assessed
For buffalo wallowing and use of domesticated animals		Yes No Not Assessed	High Medium Low Not Assessed	water for cattle and other livestock
Mining		Yes No Not Assessed	High Medium Low Not Assessed
Medicinal plants		Yes No Not Assessed	High Medium Low Not Assessed
Site of high congregation of migratory water birds		Yes No Not Assessed	High Medium Low Not Assessed
Buffering communities from extreme events as floods and storms		Yes No Not Assessed	High Medium Low Not Assessed	Floodwater retention
Acts as a sink for sediments		Yes No Not Assessed	High Medium Low Not Assessed
Supports noteworthy plants species		Yes No Not Assessed	High Medium Low Not Assessed
Supports noteworthy animal species		Yes No Not Assessed	High Medium Low Not Assessed	Birds
Supports life cycle of fish or amphibians		Yes No Not Assessed	High Medium Low Not Assessed
Is a recreational site		Yes No Not Assessed	High Medium Low Not Assessed	Bird observation
Is a site for recreation and tourism		Yes No Not Assessed	High Medium Low Not Assessed	Yes, boating is organised by the AP tourism dept; flamingo festival is held in nearby Pulicat sanctuary to which large numbers of people come
Has significant cultural and religious values		Yes No Not Assessed	High Medium Low Not Assessed	To the extent local villagers welcome the birds

Section 5: Pre-Existing Rights and Privileges

Nature of right and privilege	Relevant for the site (please tick yes or no)	Does this negatively impact the wetland's ecological health?	Brief description
Community Fishing (without any lease or permission from government dep	Yes No Not Assessed	Yes No Not Assessed
Fishing under lease from government department	Yes No Not Assessed	Yes No Not Assessed
Harvest of plants (without any lease or permission from government dep	Yes No Not Assessed	Yes No Not Assessed
Harvest of plants under lease from government department)	Yes No Not Assessed	Yes No Not Assessed
Agriculture or horticulture within wetland	Yes No Not Assessed	Yes No Not Assessed
Grazing	Yes No Not Assessed	Yes No Not Assessed
Religious practices	Yes No Not Assessed	Yes No Not Assessed
Withdrawal of water for domestic use	Yes No Not Assessed	Yes No Not Assessed
Withdrawal of water for agriculture or fisheries	Yes No Not Assessed	Yes No Not Assessed
Bathing or wallowing of domestic animals	Yes No Not Assessed	Yes No Not Assessed
Plying of boats	Yes No Not Assessed	Yes No Not Assessed
	Yes No Not Assessed	Yes No Not Assessed

Section 6: Present and Potential Threats

Present and Potential Threats

Threat	Icon	Present or Potential	Degree	Additional information, if any
Hydrological regime alteration		Present Potential Not Assessed	High Medium Low Not Assessed
Salinization		Present Potential Not Assessed	High Medium Low Not Assessed
Siltation		Present Potential Not Assessed	High Medium Low Not Assessed
Pollution		Present Potential Not Assessed	High Medium Low Not Assessed
Encroachment		Present Potential Not Assessed	High Medium Low Not Assessed
Unsustainable harvest of wetland resources		Present Potential Not Assessed	High Medium Low Not Assessed
Over grazing		Present Potential Not Assessed	High Medium Low Not Assessed
Unsustainable water abstraction		Present Potential Not Assessed	High Medium Low Not Assessed
Mining (e.g. salt, sand or laterite)		Present Potential Not Assessed	High Medium Low Not Assessed
Invasive species proliferation		Present Potential Not Assessed	High Medium Low Not Assessed
Regime fragmentation		Present Potential Not Assessed	High Medium Low Not Assessed
Tourism pressure		Present Potential Not Assessed	High Medium Low Not Assessed
Extreme events / Climate change		Present Potential Not Assessed	High Medium Low Not Assessed
Silt deprivation		Present Potential Not Assessed	High Medium Low Not Assessed
Intensive agriculture		Present Potential Not Assessed	High Medium Low Not Assessed
Aquaculture		Present Potential Not Assessed	High Medium Low Not Assessed
Coastal erosion		Present Potential Not Assessed	High Medium Low Not Assessed
Changes in water inflow and outflow		Present Potential Not Assessed	High Medium Low Not Assessed
Spread of invasive species		Present Potential Not Assessed	High Medium Low Not Assessed

Section 7: Activities Proposed to be prohibited (other than those listed in Rule 4(2) of Wetlands Rules)

	Activity	Prohibited within wetlands or zone of influence	Details of specific area wherein activity is prohibited	Name of department / agency responsible for regulation	Additional information, if any

Section 8: Activities Proposed to be regulated

Activity	Place a tick mark if relevant	Regulation within wetlands or zone of influence	Level of regulation (in terms of people, restricted area or any other)	Name of department / agency responsible for regulation	Additional information, if any
Withdrawal of water / Impoundment / diversion or any other hydrological intervention		Wetland / Wetlands complex boundary Zone of influence
Harvesting of Resources (living / non living)		Wetland / Wetlands complex boundary Zone of influence
Grazing		Wetland / Wetlands complex boundary Zone of influence
Discharge of treated sewage/ effluent / wastewater		Wetland / Wetlands complex boundary Zone of influence
Construction of boat jetties, and facilities for temporary use, as pontoon bridges		Wetland / Wetlands complex boundary Zone of influence
Aquaculture, agriculture and horticulture activities within the wetland boundaries		Wetland / Wetlands complex boundary Zone of influence
Any other, please list		Wetland / Wetlands complex boundary Zone of influence

Section 9: Activities Proposed to be permitted

Activity	Place a tick mark if relevant	Within wetlands or zone of influence	Additional information, if any

Section 10: Listing of Available Scientific Resources Used

Listing of Available Scientific Resources Used

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nelapattu_Bird_Sanctuary
http://www.forests.ap.gov.in/nelapattu.php
M. Bubesh  Guptha et al., 2011. The Water Birds of Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary Andhra Pradesh India. World Journal of Zoology 6(3): 249-254.   https://www.idosi.org/wjz/wjz6(3)11/6.pdf
Basha, S.KM. 2016. Biodiversity Conservation of Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary- Nellore District, Andhra Pradesh, India  https://www.researchgate.net/publication/303842180_biodiversity_conservation_of_nelapattu_bird_sanctury_nellore_d  accessed 22 March 21
N. V. Nanda Kumar, A. Nagarjuna, D. C. Reddy, C. Mallikarjuna Rao and P. V. Chalapathi Rao, Management of Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary and Conservation. The Ecoscan, 1: 35-44.       https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Nagarjuna-Avula/publication/284829248_MANAGEMENT_OF_NELAPATTU_BIRD_SANCTUARY_AND_CONSERVATION/links/5659511908ae4988a7b7d32c/MANAGEMENT-OF-NELAPATTU-BIRD-SANCTUARY-AND-CONSERVATION.pdf?origin=publication_detail
Kannan, Vaithianathan. (2007). Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary: An Overview. Zoos Print. XXII. 24. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/200097210_Nelapattu_Bird_Sanctuary_An_Overview/citation/download
BirdLife International (2021) Important Bird Areas factsheet: Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 17/03/2021

Required Information for Wetland Profile Page

Species of global conservation significance

Notable Species

Grey or Spotbilled Pelican Pelecanus philippensis 
Openbilled Stork Anastomus oscitans
Painted stork

Critical Endangered

Red Crested Pochard Rhodonessa rufina

Endangered

Vulnerable

Oriental White Ibis Threskiornis melanocephalus 
Darter or Snake Bird  Anhinga melanogaster
Grey or

Species Count

Birds

Fishes

Mammals

Reptiles & Ambhibians

Plants

Plant and Animal species

Data Source