Drawing birds and tourists

CHENNAI: Pulicat Lake, the second largest brackish water lake in India, houses a bird sanctuary that attracts scores of tourists.Located about 60 km from Chennai city, the lake flows along the Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh border.The lake system is fed by three major rivers. The Arani River at the southern tip, the Kalangi River from the northwest and the Swarnamukhi River at the northern end, apart from a few smaller streams.While the lake has been facing threats due to pollution and destruction of environment, continuous eco-restoration and awareness activities have resulted in a steady influx of tourists. The bird sanctuary is reported to be the third most important wetland on the eastern coast of India for migratory shorebirds, particularly during the spring and autumn migration seasons.Every year approximately 15,000 Greater Flamingos are reported to visit the lake every year.