Ranganthittu Bird Sanctuary | Pakshi Kaashi

Ranganthittu Bird Sanctuary

Proclaim a sanctuary in 1940 at the desire of the famous ornithologist Dr. Salim Ali, the Ranganthittu Bird Sanctuary is a heaven for bird watchers and ethereal lovers. The sanctuary is spread over an area of 0.67 square km and is located on the banks of River Cauvery.

This bird’s heaven is the preferred nesting ground for several species of resident birds. Boating on the river, get a wonderful view of the verities species of birds and catch a sight of the marsh crocodiles in the waters.

The river Cauvery is the main source of water. The K.R.S. dam was constructed across river Cauvery on the upstream side, about 8 Kms from Ranganathittu has generated a huge tank. Water is frequently let out of the dam and, the water level around Ranganathittu does not go below a minimum level.

When there is heavy rain in the hydrographic area of river Cauvery & when the water level in the dam goes above the maximum level, water is let out of the dam creating floods in the side of the downstream. This is the only major threat to the sanctuary. During 1991, few islets were partially wasted and many nests were washed away.

Ranganthittu Bird’s

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Around 170 Unique species of birds have been recorded from Ranganthittu Bird Sanctuary. Most commonly seen birds have Painted Stork, Kingfishers, Cormorants, Darter, Herons, River Tern, Egrets, Indian Roller, Blackheaded Ibis, Spoonbill, Great Stone Plover, and Spot-billed petrel.

There are 221 verities of birds belonging to 61 families. They include both resident and migratory birds. The most routinely seen breeding birds that are here are the three types of Cormorants, four species of egrets, darter, white ibis, spoonbill, herons, and open billed storks.

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During the past decade, the population of painted storks has shown a steady and noticeable increase. Indian River tern, great stone plover, cliff swallow, streaked weaver bird, and the four types of kingfishers – small blue, lesser pied, white-breasted, and storks billed – are the other resident breeders of this area.

Terrestrial birds such as red watt-led lapwing, grey partridge, pipits, and quails also successfully breed here. The cool and shady areas under the trees of the marginal vegetation offer good feeding places for the beautiful heaven flycatcher, Tickle’s Blue Flycatcher, White-browed Fantail Flycatcher, Babblers, Warblers, Iora, etc.

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Many types of birds of prey like Changeable Hawk-eagle, Crested Serpent Eagle, Shahin Falcon, Brahminy Kite, and Marsh Harrier are regularly seen. Several species of owls are seen or heard at Ranganthittu Bird Sanctuary.

Other birds that one may come across in this area include Lesser Whistling Teal, Spot-billed Duck, Bronze-winged Jacana, Black-winged Stilt, Sandpiper, Pied Crested Cuckoo, Bluefaced Malkoha, Indian Pitta, Rosy Pastor, Golden Oriole, Blyth’s Reed Warbler, Chiffchaff, Bluethroat, Forest Wagtail and Redheaded Bunting. Many of these are winter migrants.

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Other Animals in Bird sanctuary:

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The Ranganthittu Bird Sanctuary is also home to other types of animals such as mammals, reptiles, fishes, and arthropods. The mammals of the islands include Bonnet Macaque, Common Mongoose, Common Otter, Palm Civet, and Fruit Bat.

The reptiles are represented by snakes (both poisonous and non-poisonous), turtles, Common Indian Monitor, and of course the most common one – Marsh Crocodile. The nutrient-rich waters of the Cauvery River naturally constitute the most favorable feeding and breeding ground for 30 species of fish. Some of them are commercially important.

The arthropod fauna of the islands comprises different kinds of insects. There are 61 species of butterflies (Lepidoptera) which range in size from the largest – Southern Bird Wing – to one of the smallest – Gram Blue.

There are several species of Dragonflies and Damselflies (Odonata), Crickets, Grasshoppers, Mantids and Walking sticks (Orthoptera), Termites (Isoptera), Earwigs (Dermaptera), Bugs, Waterboatmen, Waterscorpions (Hemiptera), Cicadas, Treehoppers, Aphids (Homoptera), Ant lions (Neuroptera), Beetles (Coleoptera), Flies and Mosquitoes (Diptera) and Ichneumons, Bees, Wasps, and Ants (Hymenoptera).

Mysore is one of the large cities in the Karnataka state and it is a major factor that adds to the state’s tourism industry and is a great revenue generator. Mysore, the city of palaces, has a rich history and several tourist attractions. The Chamundi hills in Mysore is a top tourist attraction that draws in photographers, nature lovers, Hindu devotees, and fitness freaks all day of the year. The Chamundi Hills Mysore construction was carried out during the 11th century. 

The city was founded in the 9th century by the Ganga dynasty. Srirangapatna is a very small town surrounded by the river Kaveri to form an island in Karnataka. The city is also called an Island city. The distance between Srirangapatna and Mysore is just 18 km. And from the capital city Bangalore, Srirangapatna is located at a distance of 124 km. This is a great weekend getaway or a single-day trip from either of these places.

The town is an architectural masterpiece of the Hoysala Dynasty and Vijayanagar style. The town takes its name from the Sri Ranganathaswamy temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu.

Here Are our top suggestions on Some Must-Visit Places And Things To Do In  Srirangapatna Karnataka.

Boat ride in Ranganthittu Bird Sanctuary:

The Ranganthittu Bird Sanctuary offers guided boat rides during which trained staff will help visitors spot, identify, and learn about birds. The boat ride is highly adjusted as most of the bird sanctuary comprises of islands. You may spot marsh crocodiles during the boat ride. 

Timings and Fees to visit the Ranganthittu Bird Sanctuary:

Ranganthittu Bird Sanctuary is open to visitors between 9 AM and 6 PM on all days.

Entrance fees Indians:    

  • Adult: Rs.75/-
  • Children: Rs.25/-
 

Entrance Fees for foreigner:

  • Adult Rs: 500/-
  • Child Rs: 250/-
 

Parking Fees:

  • Bus: Rs.125/-
  • LCV: Rs.75/-
  • Car: Rs.30/-
  • Motorcycle: Rs. 15/-
  • Bicycle: Rs. 5/-
 

Boating: (Per person per trip)

  • Indians: Adult: Rs.50/-
  • Children: Rs.25/-
  • Foreigner: Adult: Rs.300/-
 

Photography Charges:

  • Digital SLR – Below 200mm Lens: Rs.150/-
  • Above 500mm Lens: Rs.600/-

Hunting:

No hunting of birds is noticed in the sanctuary. It is a punishable offense.

Best season to visit

The best time to visit the Ranganthittu Bird Sanctuary is between the months of June and November as these are nesting months for the birds.

Poaching:

No poaching activities are noticed. But sufficient caution has been taken to prevent illegal fishing by using small explosives in the river which may also threat the population of otters in the downstream.

Illegal cutting of trees:

In the Gendehosahally part of the sanctuary, illegal cutting and smuggling of sandalwood trees were noticed in previous years. Appropriate legal action has been taken to counter such activities.

Tourism:

At present tourist, the facility has been provided at Ranganthittu Bird Sanctuary which includes light & heavy vehicle parking places, pergolas, gardens, butterfly gardens, drinking water facility, toilet, canteen, and boating facility to go round the islets and islands. Since the sanctuary is very close to Mysore city and the historical place of Srirangapatna which are also tourist places themselves and lie close to the Mysore – Bangalore highway, a lot of tourists visit the sanctuary.

The details of a number of tourists who visited the sanctuary and the revenue realized for the past 5 years are as per Annexure Gendehosally islands which are part of Nearby Places:

Srirangapatna (5Kms), KRS Dam 16 Km), and Mysore City (18 Kms) are some of the destinations that can be visited along with Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary.

Nearby places:

At present tourist, the facility has been provided at Ranganthittu Bird Sanctuary which includes light & heavy vehicle parking places, pergolas, gardens, butterfly gardens, drinking water facility, toilet, canteen, and boating facility to go round the islets and islands. Since the sanctuary is very close to Mysore city and the historical place of Srirangapatna which are also tourist places themselves and lie close to the Mysore – Bangalore highway, a lot of tourists visit the sanctuary.

The details of a number of tourists who visited the sanctuary and the revenue realized for the past 5 years are as per Annexure Gendehosally islands which are part of Nearby Places:

Srirangapatna (5Kms), KRS Dam 16 Km), and Mysore City (18 Kms) are some of the destinations that can be visited along with Ranganthittu Bird Sanctuary.

Nearby places:

  • Sri Ranganatha temple
  • Colonel Bailey’s Dungeon
  • Daria Daulat Bagh
  • Brindavan Gardens
  • Balmuri Falls

Location:

Ranganthittu Bird Sanctuary is easily accessible via road. As it is only 19 km away from Mysore, you can either hire a taxi to the sanctuary or travel by bus. There are regular government as well as private buses that run between Mysore and Srirangapatna.

In Srirangapatna you can hire an auto-rickshaw and reach the bird sanctuary. One can travel via train to the Srirangapatna railway station. From Bangalore city, it is at a distance of about 129 km.

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