Pichavaram Forest

The Pichavaram Forest is one of the mangrove forests situated in the Cuddalore District in Tamil Nadu. This is located near the Chidambaram and Pondicherry at a distance of 57Km. Let we see about other famous tourist place in ooty..

History

The Pichavaram Forest spreads over an area of 1100 hectares, thus serves as  one of the India’s largest mangrove forests. The two estuaries, the Coleroon estuary in  South and the Vellar estuary in the North are there on the two sides of this Pichavaram Forest. 

Special things to see

              This forest is a beautiful site with nearly 177 bird species including the snipes, storks, pelicans and spoonbills.

Features of the Pichavaram forest

              The most attractive part in this Forest is the Boat ride. This Pichavaram Forest is the best place for nature lovers and  adventurers. The total area covered by this forest is 1100 hectares, that meets the Bay of Bengal along the sand bank. Inside this forest, there are nearly 50 islands of different sizes and 4400 channels of various sizes.               

              Then these mangrove forests are the second largest in the world after the Sundarban forests. These Mangrove forests have permanent roots under the water that flows in this area.

Best time to visit

              The best time to visit this forest is from the November month to February month. Here the Tamil Nadu Forest Department and the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation maintain the boating activities.                   

Transport facilities

              There are national highways in the Cuddalore through which you can reach this Pichavaram forest. Many parts of Chennai have the buses to  the Cuddalore. From there, you reach this site through a road transport. The nearest Airports are the Chennai International Airport and the Pondicherry Airport. From there, you can opt a road transport to reach this site. If you travel by a train, via the Cuddalore route, then you must reach the Cuddalore Railway station. Then you can use the road transport to reach this site. If you travel through Virudhachalam route, then get down at the Virudhachalam. Then use the train or bus to reach the Cuddalore.

Entrance Fees for visitors

The entry to the forest is free of cost. But they charge Rs.30 per camera.                  

Entrance Fees for Row Boat

Ticket cost	Persons allowed	Distance allowed	Time allowed
Rs.185	2 persons	1 Km	1Hour
Rs.280	5 persons	1Km	1Hour
Rs.370	2 persons	2 Km	2Hours
Rs.555	4persons	2Km	2Hours
Rs.635	5persons	2Km	2Hours

Entrance Fees for Motor Boat

Ticket cost	Persons allowed	Distance allowed	Time allowed
Rs.1265	8persons	2 Km	40 minutes
Rs.1725	8 persons	3Km	1Hour

Entrance Fees for Row Boat in the Forest

Ticket cost	Persons allowed	Distance allowed	Time allowed
Rs.1265	5persons	6 Km	4Hours

Entrance Fees for Motor Boat in the Forest

Ticket cost	Persons allowed	Distance allowed	Time allowed
Rs.2645	8persons	6Km	2Hours

Location: Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu.

Timings: 8.00 A.M to 5.00 P.M .  

                 (Open in all the days of week)

Best time for visit: November to February

Total area- The total area covered by this Pichavaram Mangrove Forest is 1100 hectares.