Ranganathittu Wildlife Sanctuary

Area : 67 sq km

Languages : Kannada, English, Hindi

Best Time to Visit : June to November (9:00 am to 6:00 pm)

About Ranganathittu Wildlife Sanctuary

Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary, in the southern Indian state of Karnataka, is an important tourist destination from Mysore city orthe adjoining Vrindavan gardens, both of which are barely 20 km away. The bird sanctuary, situated on the banks of the Kaveri River, includes of a group of six islets as well. The isolated islets and the abundance of aquatic insects during the monsoon make Ranganathittu a favorite abode for birds. Ranganathittu attained the status of a bird sanctuary in 1940, courtesy of the visions of India. s noted ornithologist. Dr. Salim Ali. who, during his survey of the birds of Mysore, advocated for the establishment of such a sanctuary. The sanctuary is now a paradise for wildlife enthusiasts, nature lovers and bird watchers. The large number of birds at the sanctuary appears to have attracted a sizable number of tourists as well. A total of 2,080 foreign tourists, besides 2,02,417 domestic tourists, had visited the bird sanctuary in 1999. 2000, according to officials.

Climate

There are no extremities of temperature at Ranganathittu Sanctuary. The temperature stays between the 23. 29°C range for most parts of the year. In June, when the southwest monsoon peaks throughout Karnataka state, heavy to very heavy rainfall, accompanied by waterlogging and mild flooding, has been reported from the area.

Ranganathittu Wildlife Sanctuary- Paradise of Birds

The sanctuary, even though it lacks a sprawling area, is a delightful place to visit. What makes it inviting is that it is an important Asian nesting and breeding ground for migratory birds from all across the earth. Some species of birds that are known to have made Ranganathittu their breeding abode are spoonbills, open bill storks, darters, white Ibis, little cormorants, egret, heron, partridge, river tern, stone plougher, snake bird, and other exotic bird species that fly to the sanctuary in large flocks. Park officials and experts have traced the origins of some of these bird species to as far as Siberia, Australia and even North America. A record number of 1,400 painted storks visited the area in 1999. 2000. Local inhabitants like kingfishers and peacocks are also found in this avian bliss.

Migratory birds lay their eggs on islets in the river. The authorities have created additional islets at the sanctuary to make way for more number of birds to lay eggs and breed. The birds begin arriving in the sanctuary in December every year. The migratory birds lay eggs and breed until they finally move out of the sanctuary with their little ones in August, only to return yet again the following year.
Boats are available at the sanctuary to take the tourists for a ride along the river and the islets, where they can witness trees full of beautiful birds of myriad varieties. Most of the oarsmen are also excellent guides and can provide tourists the exact location as to where the birds may be spotted. The Kaveri riverbank also offers excellent spots for picnics.

Places Nearby Ranganathittu Wildlife Sanctuary

The picturesque town of Mysore and the garden city of Bangalore are the nearby attractions from the bird sanctuary.

Reaching There

We(IndiaWildlifeResorts.com) can provide you all tourist permit car/coach, for the city and intercity drives and can look after all your travel related services. Since the sanctuary is on the Bangalore. Mysore highway, approach is through either of the two cities. The nearest rail junction is Mysore (18 km). The nearest international airport is Bangalore (125 km).

Ranganathittu Wildlife Sanctuary Accommodation

Accommodation is available at Ranganathittu in the form of three Riverside Cottages. Most tourists, however, prefer to stay at nearby Mysore

Links to the Outside World

Nearest town where communication (post, telegraph, fax and telephones) facilities are available is Mysore at distance of less than 20 km. Since 1995, the number of Internet cafés in Mysore is on the rise.

Hotels & Resorts in Ranganathittu Wildlife Sanctuary

Icons Summary Restaurant Internet Service Tea/Coffe Machine Business Centre Swimming pool Travel Desk Doctor on Call Baby Sitting Health club Bar Safe Deposit Amphitheatre Library Std/Isd Money Exchange

New Amblee Holiday Resort
	Many tales of valour and glory are tucked into the folds of the unassuming island town of Srirangapatna, former capital of one of the bravest sons of Karnataka. Maybe it's due to the guile of the beautiful Cauvery River that...

Wildlife in Ranganathittu Wildlife Sanctuary

Ranganathittu Wildlife Sanctuary has a rich wealth of wild flora and fauna. It is a wonderful sanctuary, full with lush green vegetation. In woods and open grass lands, numerous birds, namely, Black-rumped Flameback, Rufous Tree pie, Eurasian Golden Oriole Asian Paradise-flycatcher etc are found.

Large trees are the safe haven for the water birds. Famous water birds are Great Cormorant, Darter, Great Egret, Intermediate Egret, Purple Heron, Asian Openbill, Eurasian Spoonbill, Black-headed Ibis, Spot-billed Pelican, Painted Stork, Spotbill Duck, Lesser Whistling-duck, River Tern,

Black-bellied Tern, Black-winged Stilt, Great Thick-knee, Wire-tailed Swallow, Pied Kingfisher and White-browed Wagtail. Other water birds, namely, Egrets, herons, ibises, cormorants, pelicans, open bills and spoonbills breed between May and early September.

The breeding season arrives here in this riverine island early in the year enriched by the high organic content of the surrounding agricultural tracts and the seasonal flow-levels of the river. River Terns and Great Thick-knees breed on the rocks in the summer days. Between the months of late July and October, the Ranganathittu Wildlife Sanctuary is thronged with young birds rested on low branches or on the projecting rockbeds.

Apart from a few raptors, the nesting birds find protection from hunters and predators. These include Osprey, Grey-headed Fish Eagle, Eurasian Marsh Harrier , Black-shouldered Kite, Brahminy Kite, Pallid Harrier, and Shikra.

Crocodiles and other reptiles are found basking on these rocks. These include Smooth Indian Otter, Bonnet Macaque. Also huge congregations of bats, specially the Indian Flying Fox, are founding resting on trees.

To the tourists, Ranganathittu Wildlife Sanctuary draws special attention. They found it exciting to catch a glimpse of winter migrants like ducks, waders, wagtails, swallows and birds of prey. Tourists throng the southern riverbanks, which offer splendid opportunities for sighting these birds and other wild life forms. The forest department coordinates boat and small boat rides, which facilitate encounters with the wildlife from, close proximity. However it is also necessary for them to exert a reasonable distance during the breeding season.

Ranganathittu Wildlife Sanctuary Travel Information

Established : 1940

Location : Mysore, Karnataka, India.

Area : 67 sq km

Languages : Kannada, English, Hindi

Best Time to Visit : June to November (9:00 am to 6:00 pm)

Climate :

There are no extremities of temperature at Ranganathittu Sanctuary, The temperature stays between the 23. 29°C range for most parts of the year. In June, when the southwest monsoon peaks throughout Karnataka state, heavy to very heavy rainfall, accompanied by waterlogging and mild flooding, has been reported from the area.

Travel Tips

A visit in the month of June when rainfall is at its peak in this part of the world should be avoided. Thick raincoats are recommended if visiting in or around the month of June.

How to Reach:

By Air : Hyderabad is located at a distance of 316 kilometers from Srisailam (Ranganathittu Wildlife Sanctuary)

By Rail : Srisailam is connected through Hyderabad as well as via Markapur (85 kilometers away) on the South Central Railway.

By Bus : You can take bus from Kurnool at a distance of 190 kilometers from Srisailam, Guntur at a distance of 220 kilometers from Srisailam, Chennai at a distance of 470 kilometers from Srisailam and Mannanur at a distance of 85 kilometers from Srisailam.