Manjira Wildlife Sanctuary

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Manjira Wildlife Sanctuary
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area)

Migratory birds in the Manjira Wildlife Sanctuary
Location of Manjira Wildlife Sanctuary in India
Location Andhra Pradesh, India
Coordinates 17°57′52″N 78°02′22″E / 17.96444°N 78.03944°E / 17.96444; 78.03944Coordinates: 17°57′52″N 78°02′22″E / 17.96444°N 78.03944°E / 17.96444; 78.03944[1]
Area 20 km2 (4,900 acres)
Established June,1978

Manjira wildlife sanctuary is a wildlife sanctuary and a reservoir located in Medak district of Andhra Pradesh, India.[2] Originally a crocodile sanctuary, today more than 70 species of birds are spotted here and is home for the vulnerable species mugger crocodile. The reservoir, located in the sanctuary, provides drinking water to Hyderabad and Secundarabad.[1][2]

Geography

Manjira Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Medak District of Andhra Pradesh, India. It is located 50 km northwest of Hyderabad. The sanctuary follows the course of river Manjira for 36 km.[2]

This man-made reservoir provides drinking water to Hyderabad and Secundrabad. The reservoir has nine small islands Puttigadda, Bapangadda, Sangamadda, Karnamgadda. These islands contain extensive marshy fringes, which act as nesting sites for waterbirds. Additionally, thick cover of trees also provode nesting spots for birds.[1]

Dry Savannah type of vegetation is found in the sanctuary.The reservoir supports both submergent and emergent types of vegetation. The plant species of Typha, Ipomoea and Acacia cover the periphery of the waterline, while agricultural fields surround the reservoir and the river.[1]

Average temperature of the region is in the range of 15 °C to 42 °C.[1]

Average Rainfall of the region is 915 mm.[1]

Flora and Fauna

Flora:

The sanctuary is a freshwater ecosystem. The plant species of Typha, Ipomoea and Acacia cover the periphery of the waterline, while agricultural fields surround the reservoir and the river. Some of the major plant species found are Ipomea, Babool, Prosopis, Vallisneria, Eichhornia, Reeds.[1][2]

Fauna:

The sanctuary is a riverine habitat supporting Mugger crocodile and fresh water turtles. The sanctuary is home to prawns, molluscs, and fishes like catla, rohu, murrel, eel, karugu and chidwa . Among reptiles, monitor lizard, mugger crocodile, turtles and cobra are present. The Indian hare, wild boar, mongoose and jackal are also present.[2][3]

Avifauna:

Around 73 species of birds are present in the sanctuary. A large flock of Common Teal and Cotton Pygmy-goose is found. Sometimes more than 1,500 Ruddy Shelduck are seen. Upstream of the Manjeera lake, a large number of cranes and barheaded geese. Fourteen species of birds breed in the sanctuary, some of them are: Darter, Asian Openbill, Painted Stork, Eurasian Coot and Black-crowned Night Heron.[1]

In recent time the Vulnerable species Lesser Adjutant and Indian Skimmer have been spotted at the sanctuary. The Near Threatened species Darter, Painted Stork, Oriental White Ibis are also present in the sanctuary.[1]

Some of the other birds found in the sanctuary are : little egret, cormorant, pochard, spoonbill, Brahminy duck, pintail, kite, partridge, quail, peacock and open billed stork.[3]

Crocodiles

In 1974, the mugger crocodile had reached the threshold of extinction in Andhra Pradesh. In Manjira, only four pairs of mugger crocodile were left. To conserve the mugger crocodile, Andhra Pradesh Government established a crocodile sanctuary at this present say site. In the mid-1980s, Manjira became a popular destinatioon for bird watchers and an annual waterbird count was initiated. This led its conversion into a wildlife sanctuary. Today there are about 300 crocodiles in the sanctuary. A crocodile breeding program is also carried out here.[1]

Park-specific information

The sanctuary has an Environmental Education Centre which consists of a museum, a library, and an auditorium. Films about birds and animals are shown daily. Boats are in operation to take the visitors around the sanctuary for bird watching. Binoculars and books on identification of birds are available to visitors.[3][4]

The best season to visit the sanctuary is from November to March when major migrant birds nest and breed here. Accommodation for visitors is available in inspection bungalows at Sangareddy, Singur and Sadasivapet.[2][3]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 "Important Bird Areas in India - Andhra Pradesh". Indian Bird Conservation Network. Retrieved 30 July 2012. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 "Manjira Wildlife Sanctuary". Andhra Pradesh Forest Department. Retrieved 30 July 2012. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 "Sanctuary Spotlight". The Hindu. Retrieved 30 July 2012. 
  4. ↑ "About Manjira Wildlife Sanctuary". http://www.wildlifeinindia.in/. Retrieved 30 July 2012. 

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