Manjira Wildlife Sanctuary

Migratory birds in Manjira Wildlife Sanctuary

The Manjira wildlife sanctuary is located between Manjira and Singoor barrages covering an area of 20 km².^[1] The sancturary follows the course of river Manjira over a length of 36 km. This is the abode for a number of resident and migratory birds in addition to being home for the march crocodile, better known as muggar.

Location

The sanctuary is located 60 km from Hyderabad and takes about 90 minutes drive from the center of the city. It is located 5 km from Sangareddy, the headquarters of Medak district.

Breeding and Nesting spots

The sanctuary has nine small islands like Puttigadda, Bapangadda, Sangamadda, Karnamgadda which are the main breeding and nesting grounds for birds, The islands and the river banks have thick growth of trees which make excellent nesting spots for the birds.

The sanctuary is home of prawns, molluscs, various types of fishes such as Catla, Rohu, Murrel, and Eel. Among reptiles turtles, cobra and marsh crocodiles occur. A number of migratory and resident birds nest and breed here. The principal bird species are painted stork, heron, coot, teal, cormorant, pochard, blac and white ibis, spoon bill, openbill stork. The sanctuary has extensive growth of babul and prosopis trees on the islands and along the river banks. The together form the main nesting and breeding grounds for the birds. The river itself serves as source of water to Hyderabad and Secunderabad.

Crocodiles

There are about 300 crocodiles in the sanctuary. In 1974, the mugger has reached the threshold of extinction in Andhra Pradesh. In Manjira, the original habitat for mugger, the freshwater crocodile, only four pairs were left. It was declared, a 20 square km area between Manjira and Singur dams, as a crocodile sanctuary by the government. A crocodile breeding program is also carried out here.

Visitor facilities

There are three boats in operation to take visitors around the sanctuary for bird watching. Binoculars, books are also made available. In addition films on nature and wildlife are shown every day.

Visiting Season

The best season is from November to March when major migrant birds nest and breed here.

Contact Information

Conservator of Forests, Wildlife Management Circle, Aranya Bhavan, Hyderabad, PIN : 500004 Phone (+91)(040)(2230561) Ext: 206

Division Forest Officer, Wildlife Management Division, Medak. Phone [phone])(62591)

Forest Range Officer Wildlife Management Sangareddy. Phone [phone])(56317)

References

1. ^ http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/Crocodile-numbers-increasing/articleshow/9425742.cms

External links

• Some photos on Flickr
• Times of India