Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary, Location, History, Interesting Facts

Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary is also known as the "Pakshi Kashi of Karnataka," is a renowned bird sanctuary located in Karnataka, India. Situated on a cluster of small islands along the Kaveri River, it serves as a habitat for numerous resident and migratory bird species. The sanctuary is an important nesting and breeding ground, contributing significantly to bird conservation efforts. Various initiatives are undertaken to protect the sanctuary’s ecosystem and ensure the survival of diverse avian species, making it a crucial site for birdwatching and ecological preservation.

Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary History

Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary was formed between 1645 and 1648, when a raised wall was built across the Kaveri River by Mysore’s ruler, Kanteerava Narasimharaja Wadiyar. Renowned ornithologist Salim Ali recognized its ecological importance and convinced the then King of Mysore to declare it a protected area in 1940. Currently managed by the Karnataka Forest Department, ongoing efforts include expanding the sanctuary by acquiring nearby private land. In 2014, a 28-square-kilometer area around the sanctuary was designated as an eco-sensitive zone to regulate commercial activities and safeguard its ecosystem.

Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary Flora

Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary is covered with dense broadleaf forests, consisting of Arjun trees (Terminalia arjuna), bamboo groves, and Pandanus trees. The river banks are lined with reed beds, providing a natural habitat for various bird species. Eucalyptus and Acacia trees have been introduced in some areas, but they pose a risk of gradually replacing native plant species. The sanctuary also supports Iphigenia mysorensis, a rare lily species from the Colchicaceae family, highlighting the Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary Flora.

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Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary Fauna

Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary is home to approximately 170 bird species, making it a significant breeding and nesting ground. Some of the regularly breeding birds include the painted stork, Asian openbill stork, common spoonbill, woolly-necked stork, black-headed ibis, lesser whistling duck, Indian shag, stork-billed kingfisher, egrets, cormorants, Oriental darter, spot-billed pelican, and various herons.

During June 2011, around 8,000 nestlings were observed in the sanctuary. Approximately 50 pelicans have made Ranganathittu their permanent home. Apart from birds, Ranganathittu also supports a variety of small mammals such as bonnet macaques, smooth-coated otters, flying foxes, common palm civets, and Indian gray mongooses. The sanctuary is also home to a population of monitor lizards. Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary has the largest freshwater crocodile population in Karnataka, with mugger crocodiles (marsh crocodiles) frequently seen in the riverine reed beds.