About Muthupet Mangroves & Lagoon

The great vedaraniyam swamp is one of the largest coastal wetlands found in the state of Tamil Nadu. It is located in the southernmost end of the Cauvery delta, extending from Adirampattinam in the west (Thanjavur District) to Point Calimer in the east (Nagapattinam District). The Muthupet mangrove wetland is a part of the Great vedaraniam swamp. The muthupet mangrove wetland is bordered in the south by Palk Strait.

Muthupet is an ideal place for fishing, pearl hunting and bird hunting. It is well known for its fishing industries such as finfish (koduva), shrimp and crab. A natural mangrove forest, Alayathi Kadu, is one of the largest of its kind in India. Muthupet Lagoon is located at the southern end of the Cauvery river delta on the Bay of Bengal, covering an area of approximately 6,803.01 ha of which only 4% is occupied by well-grown mangroves.

Muthupet Dargah

The 700-year-old Islamic shrine here has glorious aspects and a traditional background. This Dargah, Andavar Sheikh Dawood Khamil Oliyullh, was built using traditional architecture. People irrespective of caste, creed and religion visit this holy place of worship. Maximum numbers of worshipers are from Kerala and Karnataka. Some of the international peoples from Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Malaysia etc., are also attend the main functions. There are a few peoples being worshiped.

Specialties

Saltpans

About 14 saltpans, occupying area of about 4082 acre are present around the Muthupet mangrove wetland. Most of the saltpans are located very close to the Palanjur Reserve land, Tamaram kottai, Maravakkadu.

Shrimp farms

Apart from the saltpan, a total number of 27 prawn farms are also located close to mangrove forest. The total area of these farms is about 580 acre. Out of this, 376 acre is located on the Eastern side.

Flora & Fauna

The Muthupet mangrove ecosystem embraces a heterogeneous mixture of mangrove elements of plants and animals. Among the six principal mangrove species, Avicennia marina, is most common and abundant followed by Exoecaria agallocha, Aegiceros corniculatum, Acanthus ilicifolius, Suaeda maritima and S monoica in that order.

Aqua Farms

Muthupet is famous for its coconut and fishing as well as Aqua Farms. The ancient occupation of the people is fishing.