NEWS – Manjeera WLS is Located in the Medak district of Telangana, the Manjeera Wildlife Sanctuary is of significant ecological importance and is currently under study to potentially become Telangana’s first Ramsar site.

HIGHLIGHTS

Location and Significance

Sanctuary Overview

• Originally established as a crocodile sanctuary, it now hosts over 70 species of birds.
• Home to the vulnerable mugger crocodile species.

Habitat and Reservoir

• Positioned along the Manjeera River, a tributary of the Godavari River.
• Abuts the Manjeera reservoir, a man-made water body crucial for irrigation and drinking water supply to Hyderabad and Secunderabad.

Islands and Bird Habitats

• The reservoir contains nine small islands with extensive marshy fringes, ideal for waterbird nesting.
• Thick tree cover on these islands provides additional nesting sites for various bird species.

Vegetation

• Features dry savannah-type vegetation.
• Supports submergent and emergent plant species such as Typha, Babool, Prosopis, Ipomoea, Acacia, Vallisneria, Eichhornia, and Reeds.

Fauna

• Crocodiles and Turtles: Habitat for mugger crocodiles and freshwater turtles.
• Fish and Aquatic Life: Home to diverse aquatic life including catla, rohu, murrel, eel, karugu, and chidwa.
• Other Wildlife: Presence of Indian hare, wild boar, mongoose, and jackal adds to its biodiversity.