Vedanthangal is the oldest bird sanctuary in the country. This sanctuary has been in vedanexistence for more than 200 years. The villagers have documented their right to protect the winged visitors to this sanctuary. The East India company recognised and renewed their rights in the year 1858. A grove of Barringtonia Acacia nilotica trees in a tank form part of the sanctuary. In addition to this, the dry evergreen scrub and thorn forests can also be seen in the area. Both these sanctuaries are situated in the Kanchipuram district and each occupies sprawling areas of 30 hectares and 61 hectares respectively.

Breeding birds like the Cormorant, Egrets, Grey Heron, Open-billed Stork, Darter, Spoonbill, White Ibis, Night Herons, Grebes, and Grey Pelican visit the sanctuary each year. The population of migratory birds included Teals, Shovellers, Pintails, and Sandpipers etc. Some of the resident birds listed are Coots, Terns and Moorhen. In all 115 species of birds have been recorded in this sanctuary.