Erode In a remarkable display of ecological harmony, residents of over a dozen villages surrounding the Vellode Bird Sanctuary in Erode district are celebrating a cracker-less Deepavali for the 20th consecutive year to ensure a peaceful breeding season for thousands of winged visitors.
The waterbody is primarily sustained by seepage from the Lower Bhavani project canal and monsoon run-offs. The annual bird season, which spans from October to March, transforms the sanctuary into a bustling nursery. Domestic species such as the Painted Stork, Asian Openbill, Black-Headed Ibis, Little Cormorant, and Grey Heron arrive in large numbers. They are joined by migratory flocks travelling from as far as Siberia, Russia, Australia, and New Zealand, including Pelicans, Sandpipers, Caspian Terns, and Black-Necked Storks.
Spread across 240 acres, the sanctuary features a 50-acre pond capable of holding water up to a depth of 30 feet.
