OUSTERI LAKE : Bird park visit, Pondicherry

Hi friend, today I am going to tell you some information about one of the best bird park in India.

Best Time to visit: The winter months from September to January is the best time to visit.

The century old man-made Ousteri Lake - also referred to as Osudu Lake - is situated about 10 kms from Puducherry town.

Opening Time : 09:00:00
Closing Time : 17:00:00

Img 1 source:- IndiaMART

Ousteri, as it is usually spelt, is the large water-body in Ossudu village, north of Kaveri River, some 10km from Pondicherry town. The tank, constructed during the Vijayanagara dynasty some 500 years ago, is connected through the Suthukanni channel to Gingee and Varaha Rivers.

In 1995 the lake recorded some 20,000 birds and in 1998 it went up to 25,000 birds of 44 species (BNHS, 2004). In addition to residents like Little Cormorant and Common Coot, Cotton Teal, Spot-billed Pelican, Spoonbills, White Ibis; migratory species like the Eurasian Wigeon were recorded in large numbers (up to 4600 individuals!).

Various species of ducks, herons, cormorants, hawks, kites, darters, terns, kingfishers, lapwings, flycatchers were abundant.Ousteri Lake has been designated as one of the important wetlands of Asia by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN).

Img 2 source:- Trip advisor

The lake region will be declared as no-horn and plastic free zone. They will take care of the maintenance of the newly declared bird sanctuary. Sign boards with complete details of birds and eight feet by six feet multicolour paintings of birds will be set up at different places of the sanctuary.

The department will also plant more tress near the water body. Apart from these, a three-floor interpretation centre with library and audiovisual room and a small park will also be established. The centre will enable visitors to attain complete information about the birds visiting the water body.

Img 3 source:- India's Endangered

Two telescopes are also proposed to be set up at the top of the centre to watch the birds. The government has planned to develop the region as a complete eco-tourism tourist destination. The tourism department has proposed to ban motor boating and fishing in the lake. Instead, pedal boating is introduced for visitor's leisure. The best time to visit here is from October to March.

PTDC operates a small boat club at the lake. The 20-seater boats offer a 30min ride that allows visitors to enjoy the cool breeze and visual treats. If lucky, one could spot birds rarely seen in the region.

The government of Pondicherry is proposing to set up an Ousteri National Park in the region acquiring land from neighbouring villages.

Charges
Boat Rides, Camera, Food and beverages are chargeable.
Kindly note that each Boat Ride requires a minimum head count. Rides will not start without the minimum pax requirement.

Img 4 source:- Trip advisor

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