Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary

Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area)
View of Mangalavanam
Location	Ernakulam, Kerala, India
Nearest city	Ernakulam
Coordinates	9°54′N 76°18′E / 9.9°N 76.3°ECoordinates: 9°54′N 76°18′E / 9.9°N 76.3°E
Area	0.0274 square kilometres (0.0106 sq mi)

Mangalavanam is an ecologically sensitive area situated at the centre of the Indian city of Kochi.Covering about 2.74 hectares, the it also houses a shallow tidal lake connected with Kochi backwaters by a canal. It is situated behind the Kerala High Court building. It is a nesting ground for a large variety of migratory birds and supports many types of mangroves. The Managalavanam is often regarded as the "green lung of Kochi",^[1] considering its role in keeping the city's air pollution under check. The area is a roosting place for many kinds of resident and migratory birds. ^[2]

Recently the high-rise buildings in the nearby area are curtailing the movement of birds in the sanctuary. The buildings close to the sanctuary interrupt proper orientation, take-off and landings of the birds. They also cause hurdles in the regular movements of the nesting birds in transporting nesting materials. It is also likely to hinder the movement of birds while bringing food materials to the chicks and fledglings.^[3] The administrative control of the sanctuary is with the Assistant Conservator of Forest and Wildlife Warden Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary of Nature Study Centre Kalady and then to the Range Officer Research Range Kodanad.

Flora and fauna

The true mangrove and mangrove associate species that exist in the sanctuary are Avicennia officinalis, Rhizophora mucronata, Acanthus ilicifolius and Acrostichum aureum—the species of conservation importance. Of the recorded species Acanthus ilicifolius is considered to be Endangered and Rhizophora mucranata as Vulnerable according to IUCN.

Mangalavanam is primarily a bird refuge. A bird survey conducted in May 2006 found that there were 194 birds belonging to 32 species. The total number of bird species recorded so far from the area is 72. Some of the birds found are common redshank, common greenshank, brahminy kite, white breasted waterhen and marsh sandpiper.^[4]

In a recent study revealed six species of mammals Indian flying-fox, painted bat, three-striped palm squirrel/dusky palm squirrel, house rat/black rat, bandicota, and Eurasian otter. Two species of amphibians, Limnonectes limnocharis and Duttaphrynus melanostictus, and seven species of fishes Anabas testudineus, Striped panchax, Malabar swamp eel, Orange chromide, Blackline rasbora, Etroplus suratensis and Sarotherodon mossambica are found here.^[5]

During a study conducted in 2006, 17 species of butterflies were recorded in this area. 51 species of spiders belonging to 40 Genus and 16 families were recorded here. This represented 27% of the total families reported from India.

References

1. "Green Lung of Kochi". cochin.org. Retrieved 3 April 2016.
2. "Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary". Kochi Servnet. Retrieved 12 November 2015.
3. "Archive News". The Hindu. Retrieved 2016-12-01.
4. "Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary". Travel India. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
5. "Amid a buzzing metro!". kerala Tourism. Retrieved 20 June 2016.