Thoothukudi

TUTICORIN

Tuticorin, also known as Thoothukudi is a port city and a Municipal Corporation and an industrial city in Thoothukudi district of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The city lies in the Coromandel Coast off Bay of Bengal. Thoothukudi is the headquarters of Thoothukudi District. It is also called as "Sea Gateway of Tamil Nadu".

The region, surrounding Thoothukudi is liberally dotted with rain fed tanks. Red soils found on the southern side of the Tuticroin town is composed quartz and variable quantities of fine red dry dust. The port is an all weather one. The bay formed by the Hare Island, Devils point and the main land gives ample protection to the lighters from monosonic weather.

Islands in Thoothukudi District

The Gulf of mannar is situated on the eastern side of the district. Five coral islands in the Gulf of Mannar fall within the administrative control of Thoothukudi district. Twenty islands in the Gulf are devided into four groups(i.e) the Thoothukudi group, Vembar group, Kilakarai group and Mandabam group.Pandiyan Theevu, Van Theevu, Koswari Theevu, Kariyashuli Theevu and Villangushuli Theevu are included in Thoothukudi group of islands.

THAMIRABARANI RIVER

The Thamirabarani River originates from the famous Agastyarkoodam peak in the hills of the Western Ghats above Papanasam in the Ambasamudram taluk and flows through Tirunelveli and Tuticorin districts of the Tamil Nadu state of southern India. It was called the Tamraparni River in olden days, a name also associated with Sri Lanka. The old Tamil name of the river is Porunai. From the source to sea, the river is about 125 kilometres (78 mi) long.

WILDLIFE AND BIRDS

Vallanadu Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected area of Tamil Nadu in South India created for the protection of Blackbuck Antelope. Located on an isolated hillock in Vallanadu Village of Srivaikundam Taluk, it is the southernmost place in India where a natural population of Blackbuck exists.

WILDLIFE

• Black buck
• Spotted deer
• macaques 
• Jungle cat 
• Monkeys 
• Wild cat 
• Mongoose 
• Black naped Hare
• Scaly Ant eater- Pangolin
• Viper
• Rat snake live here.

The Blackbuck population is around 20-40. Thick acacia growth makes it difficult to determine a precise population count. The Blackbucks regularly come out of the scrubs and graze in wastelands on the eastern side of the sanctuary.

BIRDS

• Peacock
• Heron
• Stork
• Grey partridges
• Jungle Craws
• Common quails
• Pied crested Cuckoo 
• Crested-hawk Eagle
• Black-winged Kite
• Curlew
• Lapwing
• Nightjar
• Sparrows
• Horned owl.