The first-ever bird census at Ranganathittu to be conducted by the Forest Department, in association with Mysore Bird Watchers’ group, has been rescheduled for March 11 from 6 a.m. to 11 a.m.
It was originally slated for March 4, but postponed following the death of S. Manikandan, Director of Nagarahole National Park, who was trampled by an elephant when assessing damage caused by forest fire.
The census exercise will be preceded by a workshop for volunteers participating in the census, to be held at Aranya Bhavan in Mysuru on Saturday.
Deputy Conservator of Forests V. Yedukondalu said during the census, tourists will be allowed inside the bird sanctuary but boating facilities will be available to visitors only after the census is completed around 11 a.m.
Describing the scientific bird census as essential for better management of the sanctuary, Mr. Yedukondalu said the results of the 2018 exercise will be used as a baseline data for future exercises. It is planned to conduct the census four times a year — February, May, August, November — to ascertain the number of species of the birds during different seasons, identify any trends in the migratory patterns of the species and so on.
“Despite the importance of Ranganathittu for birds and its status as a protected area since 1940, a scientific compilation and estimation of birds was never done. It was left to the local staff, including the boatmen, to assess the number of birds but there was no scientific compilation to be used as a reference,” said Deputy Conservator of Forests Mr. Yedukondalu.
He said Ranganthittu is an important riverine wetland of India attracting nearly 200 species of birds apart from supporting endangered species like smooth coated river otters, mugger crocodiles and orange finned masheer fish. “'Hence, a scientific bird census and compilation of a database pertaining to their migratory pattern, vegetation preference and so on was essential,” the official added.
