Foundation stone laid for International Bird Centre at Agaram Reserve Forest in Villupuram district

The International Bird Centre coming up at Agaram Reserve Forest and the Kazhuveli Wetland Bird Sanctuary in Villupuram district, will be a hub for global bird conservation. The centre will feature a conservation centre, research and training facilities, nature trails, bird-watching tower and boardwalks.

District Collector Sheik Abdul Rahman on Thursday laid the foundation stone for the centre after the project was virtually launched by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin.

According to the Forest Department, the IBC will be established under the Tamil Nadu Strengthening Coastal Resilience and the Economy Project (TN-SHORE) at an estimated cost of ₹50.3 crore. The centre is envisaged as a hub for bird conservation awareness through both interior (displays and models) and exterior (wetland mimic area/nature trail) interpretation.

At the Agaram Forest, the IBC will be developed over an area of 47.46 acres. It will include a range of amenities — a conservation centre, a wetland mimic area, and research and training facilities — all aimed at promoting conservation awareness.

The plan also is to construct a scaled model of Kazhuveli lake that traces its history through large interpretation boards, multimedia experiential space and digitally enabled stations where visitors can listen to calls of birds native to the sanctuary.

A bird-watch tower will also be established. The tower, proposed to be 10.8 metres high, will consist of three levels, each providing approximately 450 sq.ft. of space for exploration and observation.

A. Periyasamy, Chief Conservator of Forests, Villupuram Circle and officials attended.