Forest dept to enhance greenery at Ranganathittu

In an effort to enhance greenery, Forest Department has resorted to plant saplings of various species at Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary, one of the top tourist destinations near Srirangapatna in Mandya district.

The bird sanctuary on the Cauvery river basin is spread on an area of around 40 acres. The forest department is maintaining Ranganathittu and had already launched initiatives to expand it to attract more birds.

The department has planted hundreds of saplings at different parts of Ranganathittu in the past two years, and would plant various fast growing tree species and medicinal plants in the next few weeks, a senior forest officer told

The Hindu .

“We have procured saplings and identifying places to plant them,” the officer added.

Development works

The department is constructing an artificial island at the sanctuary.

Ranganathittu is considered as most suitable for birds to breed as they get plenty of food from the river. Six mini-islets here attract varieties of species of birds from different countries.

The bird sanctuary is a place for Bonnet Macaque, Common Palm Civet, Flying Fox, Indian Gray Mongoose, monitor lizard a few other species of mammals, and for Marsh Crocodile, also known as Mugger Crocodile.