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| Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary | |
|---|---|
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area) | |
 A painted stork in the sanctuary | |
  Location in Map ofKarnataka | |
| Location | Mandya,Karnataka, India |
| Coordinates | 12°24′N76°39′E / 12.400°N 76.650°E /12.400; 76.650 |
| Area | 40 acres (16 ha) |
| Established | 1940 |
| Visitors | 304,000 (in 2016–17) |
| Governing body | Ministry of Environment and Forests,Government of India |
Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary, also known asPakshi Kashi of Karnataka,[1] is a bird sanctuary in theMandya District of the state ofKarnataka in India. It is the largest bird sanctuary in the state,[2] only 40 acres (16 ha) in area,[3] and comprises six islets on the banks of theKaveri river.[4] Ranganathittu is located three kilometers away from the historic town ofSrirangapatna and 16 kilometres (9.9 mi) north ofMysore.[5] The sanctuary attracted about 3 lakh visitors during 2016–17, which shows its notability as important bird sanctuary of India.[6]
The islets came into being when an embankment across the Kaveri river was built in 1648 by the then Mysore King,Kanteerava Narasimharaja Wadiyar.[7] TheornithologistSalim Ali observed that the islets formed an important nesting ground forbirds, and persuaded theWodeyar kings ofMysore to declare the area a wildlife sanctuary in 1940.[5] The Forest Department of Karnataka State is maintaining the bird sanctuary and puts its efforts to improve the sanctuary, which include purchase of nearby private lands to expand the protected area.[3]
The sanctuary with its islets experience heavy flooding during certain rainy seasons when water is released from KRS Dam upstream, due to heavy rains.[7] During heavy flooding boating is suspended and tourists are allowed to watch the nesting birds from a distance.[7] Frequent flooding has also damaged some portions of three islands over past few decades.[8]
Most of the park falls under theRiparian biome, corresponding to theIndomalaya ecozone.
Riverine reed beds cover the banks of the islands, while the islands themselves are covered inbroadleaf forests, with dominant species beingTerminalia arjuna (Arjun tree),bamboo groves, andPandanus trees.Eucalyptus andacacia trees have also been planted, which might lead to long-term eradication of native species. Theendemic and threatened lilyIphigenia mysorensis of the familyColchicaceae also grows in the sanctuary.
Roughly 170 bird species[9] have been recorded here. Of these, thepainted stork,Asian openbill stork,common spoonbill,woolly-necked stork,black-headed ibis,lesser whistling duck,Indian shag,stork-billed kingfisher,egret,cormorant,Oriental darter,spot-billed pelican andheron breed here regularly. Thegreat stone plover, andriver tern also nest here. The park is home to a large flock ofstreak-throated swallows.[5] During the months of January and February, more than 30 species of birds are found and the season of the sanctuary is from November to June.[10] About 50 pelicans have made Ranganathittu as their permanent home.[8]
During winter months, starting from mid-December, as many as 40,000 birds congregate in this bird sanctuary. Of which, some birds come fromSiberia,Latin America and parts ofnorth India.[11] Ranganathittu is a popular nesting site for the birds and about 8,000 nestlings were sighted during June 2011.[12]
The islands are host to numerous small mammals, includingbonnet macaque,smooth coated otter, colonies offlying fox and common small mammals likecommon palm civet andIndian gray mongoose and themonitor lizard. Themugger crocodile or marsh crocodile is a common inhabitant of the riverine reed beds and Ranganathittu has largest fresh water crocodile population in Karnataka state.[13]variety of plants
Ranger-guided boat tours of the isles are available throughout the day, and are a good way to watch birds, crocodiles, otters, and bats. There is no lodging at the tiny sanctuary, so visitors typically have to stay over atMysore orSrirangapatna. The seasons for visiting the park are: June–November (during the nesting season of the water birds). The best time to watch migratory birds is usually December but it can vary year to year.
The Salim Ali Interpretation Centre, maintained by Forest Department, screens a 4- minute documentary to special interest groups.[8]
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