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Pitchavaram Backwaters

Pitchavaram is an excellent picnic spot covering about 3000 acres of mangrove forests which sprawl over 11000 hectares of backwaters. It is about 16 kms from Chidambaram and 56 kms from Cuddalore. There are numerous channels and creeks ideal for boating. Pitchavaram is one of the most scenic spots with varied tourism resources.



The Pichavaram forest not only offers waterscope and backwater cruises but combine another very rare occurrence- the mangrove forest trees permanently rooted in a few feet of water. Pitchavaram is considered as one of the most healtheist mangrove forests in the world.
To a botanist, rare species like Avicennia and Rhizophara will present a special attraction; to an ornithologist, no doubt, the sight of numerous birds like Watersnips, Cormorants, Egrets, Storks, Herons, Spoonbills and Pelicans holds great interest. TTDC offers boating facilities to the visiting tourists.
The Pichavaram mangrove wetland consists of 3 Reserve Forests - Killai, Pichavaram and Pichavaram Extension area. Pichavaram is known for it's unique mangrove ecosystem, found in areas such as the Sunderbans in West Bengal and in Australia. At present one has to stay at Chidambaram and take the well-beaten road to Pichavaram which actually has a rope strung across it for a toll-gate.
These mangroves are the rainforests by the sea and are comprised of taxonomically diverse, salt-tolerant tree and other plant species which thrive in inter-tidal zones of sheltered tropical shores, and estuaries. Pichavaram is also an important habitat for a variety of resident and migratory waterfowls and other birds, with over 200 species having being recorded from here. The season for birds is from September to April every year. Peak population of birds could be seen from November to January.