CHENNAI: The proposed International Bird Centre (IBC) at Marakkanam is being developed as a specialised conservation, research and eco-tourism facility, envisioned as the flagship project of the Tamil Nadu Strengthening Coastal Resilience and the Economy (TN-SHORE) initiative.
Designed as a high-end green facility, the IBC integrates modern research infrastructure with the Agaram Reserved Forest. The State government has issued a Request for Bids (RFB) for the construction of the IBC at Marakkanam in Villupuram district. Officials said the project adopts a dual site model, with facilities spread across two locations about 7.3 km apart, to balance public access and ecological protection.
The primary campus is located inside the Agaram Reserved Forest, housing the Visitors' Awareness and Conservation Centre along with core research laboratories.
The second site is situated at Kazhuveli Lake, South India's second largest brackish water lake and a designated Ramsar wetland, where bird watching infrastructure, including an observatory and wetland zones, will be developed.
To minimise environmental impact, visitors will be transported between the two sites using electric shuttle.
The architectural design, prepared by Tapasya Design Studio, draws inspiration from cyclone resilient structures developed in Auroville nearly four decades ago. The emphasis is on durability, climate resilience and harmony with nature. Sustainable construction practices include the use of Compressed Stabilised Earth Blocks for internal driveways and parking areas instead of asphalt, allowing natural water percolation.
The entire campus has been designed to be inclusive, with Braille signage enabling visually challenged visitors to independently navigate exhibits and pathways. The layout avoids rigid straight roads and instead adopts meandering pathways, encouraging slower movement and deeper engagement with the surrounding forest ecosystem.
The conservation centre will serve as the main entry point, housing ticket counters, indoor interpretation galleries and an electric shuttle station. A dedicated research and training block will accommodate ecology and environmental laboratories, the director's office and veterinary facilities, forming the scientific core of the centre.
Public-facing infrastructure includes a 160-seat restaurant and a public amenities block offering panoramic views of the Kazhuveli wetland area, designed to support an average visitor stay of three to four hours.
Accommodation facilities such as a dormitory and guest house will support students, trainees and visiting international researchers. A 1,700 sq ft boutique and souvenir shop will promote locally made products, linking nearby communities to tourism-generated income.