The Tamil Nadu Department of Environment, Climate Change and Forests has invited bids for the construction of the International Bird Centre (IBC) at Kazhuveli Bird Sanctuary near Marakkanam. The project, costing ₹46.94 crore, is part of the Tamil Nadu Strengthening Coastal Resilience and the Economy Project (TN-SHORE). The IBC will have two main sites about 7.3 km apart: the Agaram Reserved Forest on East Coast Road, and Kazhuveli Lake itself. At Agaram forest, the centre will spread over 47.46 acres with a Conservation Centre, Wetland Mimic Area, and research and training facilities. The site will integrate seamlessly with nature through a landscaped nature trail that supports insects, reptiles, amphibians, and small mammals. The landscape design is by Auroville Botanical Garden covering 10.65 acres for afforestation and 7.41 acres for landscaping. The centre will feature a scaled model of Kazhuveli Lake, large display boards, interactive multimedia zones, and digital stations that play bird calls. It will educate visitors about Kazhuveli’s history and bird habitats. The Kazhuveli Lake site will have birdwatching facilities including a 10.8-metre tall, three-level bird watch tower, and wetland zones. Visitors will move between the two sites using electric shuttles. Kazhuveli Lake is a large brackish water wetland along the Coromandel Coast, connected to the Bay of Bengal. It lies along the Central Asian Flyway and hosts over 200 bird species, including about 40,000 migratory birds. Many species at Kazhuveli are listed as vulnerable or near threatened by IUCN. The sanctuary includes spot-billed pelicans, herons, flamingos, and others. It is a key feeding and breeding ground for long-distance migrants from Central Asia and Siberia. The lake is recognized among Tamil Nadu's 141 prioritised wetlands and is a candidate for Ramsar site status. It plays a critical role in sustaining rich biodiversity and protecting migratory birds in India.