About
It is named after a village Nelapattu, and it is a wetland, is mainly for migratory water birds. The farmers of Nelapattu and their bird visitors have a symbiotic relationship. The bird waste matter acts as a natural fertilizer to the crops and the villagers, in turn, protect the birds.
The largest breeding ground for the Grey pelicans in South East Asia, with approximately 1,500 pelicans breeding every year(count changed in the year 2020 – 2021). The local people of Nelapattu, Muchalagunta, Mylangam, etc; protect the birds as celestial birds, as their arrival brings good rains and good crops.
Flora: About 108 plant species including; herbs, shrubs, climbers, trees are found in Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary. Plants like Buchnania Angustifolia, Barrington Actutangula, Acacia arabica, Albizzia Amara, Borassus flabellifer, Euphorbia Antiquorum, etc; are a few of the dominant species in this wetland Sanctuary.
Fauna: Scorpion fish, Catfish, Freshwater Silark; etc; account for the amazing fish fauna. The birds also feed on prawns found in the water. The majority of the faunal composition in the Sanctuary is birds with over 186 species of birds like Spot-billed pelican, Grey frigate bids, Black bittern, Lesser whistling teal, Black-capped kingfisher, Whimbrel, Painted snipe, Spotted sandpiper, Gull-billed tern, Orange-breasted green pigeon, Indian pitta, Loten’s sunbird, Ashy minivet, Shama, etc; are to name a few. The mammalian life is represented by Jackal, Black napped hare, Jungle cat, etc.
Location and protected status
Nelapattu is named after the village of the same name in Doravani Sathram mandal, formerly part of Nellore district. BirdLife International’s site factsheet says it was notified as a bird sanctuary in 1976 and describes it as supporting the largest pelicanry of the spot-billed (grey) pelican in India. The Andhra Pradesh Forest Department’s administration report gives the area as 1,134 acres (458.92 hectares) and states that the sanctuary was set up on the recommendation of the Indian Board for Wild Life for the conservation of water birds, especially the grey pelican.
The same report says the sanctuary has two components: scrub forest and the Nelapattu water tank, and that it lies about 97 km north of Chennai (then Madras) and 75 km south of Nellore. It is looked after by the Wildlife Management Division at Sullurpeta, which also covers Pulicat Lake Wetland Sanctuary. The area now falls under Tirupati district following the district reorganisation.
Birds recorded as breeders
BirdLife International lists the spot-billed pelican, white ibis, Asian openbill, little cormorant, Eurasian spoonbill and black-crowned night heron among the major breeding species at the sanctuary.
Timings to visit Nelapattu
06:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Timings are not confirmed on an official website; check with the temple before travelling.
Entry Fees at Nelapattu
| S.No | Entry Fee | INR |
| 1 | Adults | 2/- |
| 2 | Kids | 1/- |
| 3 | Foreigners | 400/- |
| 4 | Car/Jeep | 50/- |
| 5 | Bike/Three wheeler | 10/- |
| 6 | Camera | 50/- |
These fees are not confirmed on an official website and are revised from time to time; confirm them with the Forest Department at the gate.
Best Time to Visit Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary
November – February
How to reach Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary
By Air: Tirupathi International Airport – 67 km,
By Train: Naidupeta Railway Station – 27 km, Sulurpeta Railway Station – 13 km, Gudur Railway Station – 41 km,
By Bus: Sullurpeta – 11 km,
Address
Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary, Railway Station, Near Doravarisatram, Nelapattu, Andhra Pradesh, 524126.
AP Forest Dept. Official website of Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary
Also Read Place To Visit In And Around Nellore District
Nelapattu Hotels Booking
Check hotels in Nelapattu on Booking.com
