MANGALAVANAM BIRD SANCTUARY

 

MANGALAVANAM BIRD SANCTUARY

 

GENERAL INFORMATION

Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary consists of a small bit of tidal mangrove vegetation situated about 100 meters north of the Kerala High Court at Ernakulam, the commercial capital of Kerala State. The area of the sanctuary is only 2.74 ha. This area, though small in size, is a haven offering a suitable nesting and roosting site for a large number of local and migratory, birds especially wetland species. In addition to the myriad ecological, economic and social values of mangrove vegetation, the area in general assumes greater importance because of its
special location as a green lung of the city and for its potential as a knowledge centre tor imparting environmental education to the urban population of the city.

HISTORY

The nearby area of the present day Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary was previously used as a timber depot namely Ernakulam timber depot for stocking timber through ferry boats. This depot was under Malayattoor Division till 1970 and from 1970 to 1981 it was under Timber sales Division, Kalady. From 1981 upto 2005 the area was under the control of Social Forestry Division, Ernakulam. It was declared as a bird sanctuary in 2004 August. From September 2005 the management of the sanctuary was done by the Peechi Wildlife Division and from
July 2009 the management of the sanctuary is done by the Nature Study Centre, Kalady. The choice of the Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary was based on the fact that it is one of the most important areas for migratory water birds in Kerala. The high bird numbers indicate that the area is being utilized by migratory birds as staging or wintering ground. The wetland and mangrove area serve as foraging grounds for the birds indicating the area's high productivity. The higher ground among the mangrove stands within the Sanctuary also serves as a roosting
site for the birds at high tide. To ensure the protection and conservation of the mangrove and the associated faunal and floral resources, Mangalavanam was declared as a Protected Area on 31^st August 2004 is a patch of natural greenery comprising mainly of mangrove species in a small tidal wetland, situated amidst the fast growing city, Kochi, in Ernakulam district, Kerala. The word ' Mangal denotes mangrove ecosystem in Portuguese language and in relation to this, the name ‘Mangalavanam’ was used.

 

GEOPHYSICAL FEATURES SUCH AS

Location

Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary is situated in Ernakulam (City of Kochi) on the coast of the Arabian Sea. Kochi is the commercial capital and the most cosmopolitan city of Kerala, also known as the Queen of the Arabian Sea. With one of the finest natural harbours in the world. Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary is located between latitudes 9°59’13.4" N and longitudes 76⁰ 16'26.1” E in the east of Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) and National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) close to the new building complex of the High court ot Kerala. The Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited campus is in the north and the old Ernakulam Railway Station on the south and east. A shallow tidal pond occupying part of the protected area has the periphery covered by dense growth of mangrove vegetation and is connected with Cochin backwaters by a feeder canal. The mangrove serves as a shelter for birds both residents and migratory.

Area
Currently the area under protection is only a small patch of greenery with a tidal wetland with an extent of 2.74 ha.
Altitude
Less than 6 in above Mean Sea Level ( MSL), parallel to the coast.
Annual rainfall

The normal rainfall ranges from 2698.9 mm to 5883.5 mm per annum. On an average. 3000 mm rainfall occurs annually. Out of this, the major contribution is from Southwest monsoon season and other seasons contribute less rainfall. The maximum rainfall occurs during the period from June to September.
Temperature
Ihe climate is a bit hot during summer but pleasant during the rainy season. The maximum temperature ranges from 28.9°C to 32.7°C and the minimum temperature ranges from 22.1°C to 25.4°C. The average annual maximum temperature is 30.8°C and the minimum temperature is 23.9°C. Generally March to May months are hottest and November, December and January months are coldest.

Climate
The terrain of the Sanctuary is plain land of coastal region. Wet type of climatic conditions prevails in Ernakulam district. The relative humidity is higher (80%- 90%) during monsoon months, i.e., from June to October. In rest of the year, it ranges from 70% - 80%. The mean wind speed ranges from 6.7km /h to 10.9 km/h. Since the area receives rainfall throughout the year, no drought has so far been experienced in this region.

FLORA

The Vegetation of Mangalavanam is dominated by Avicennia officinalis, Rhizophora mucronata and Acanthus ilicifolius. True mangrove and mangrove associate species such as Avicennia officinalis, Rhizophora mucronata, Acanthus ilicifolius, Derris trifoliata and Acrostichus aureum are also present here. Other plant species included Alternanthera sp, Azadirachta indica, Caryota urens, Ceiba penlandra, Coccinia grandis, Cuscuta reflexa, Enterolobium saman, Eucalyptus sp. Ficus gihbosa. Hibiscus tiliaceus, Hydnocarpus alpina, Hygrophila sp, lpomoea sp, Morinda tinctoria, Polyalthia longifolia, Pongamia pinnata, Tectona grandis, Terminalia catappa and Tinospora cordifolia. Of the above-recorded species Acanthus ilicifolius is considered to be ‘Endangered' and Rhiziophora mucronata as ‘Vulnerable’ according to IUCN.

FAUNA

The recent studies by Jayson and Easa (1999), Azeez, el al. (2004) and Azeez and Bhupathy (2006) recorded a total of 6 species of mammals (Indian flying fox ( Pteropus giganteus), painted bat ( Kerivoula pictci), three-striped palm squirrel ( Funnambulus sublinealus ), house rat ( Rattus rattus), bandicoot rat { Bandicota indica) and otter (Lulra sp.).

Mangalavanam is primarily a bird refuge. A few short-term surveys/studies have been carried out in Mangalavanam Birds Sanctuary to estimate the population of birds. Jayson and Easa
( 1999) documented the vertebrate fauna of the Mangalavanam during 1998-99 and reported 72 species of birds. During the field survey conducted in February 2002, by Azeez et al. (2004) a total of 398 birds belonging to 62 species were recorded [Azeez et al (2004)]. Ot this, the aquatic forms numbering 20 species contributed the majority of bird population. A survey conducted recently by Azeez and Bhupathy (2006) in the month of May recorded 194 birds belonging to 32 species. However, the total number of bird species recorded so far from the
area is 72. It is pointed out by Azeez and Bhupathy (2006) that a survey during migratory seasons may add on more species to the list of birds in the area. The number of birds observed
during the survey in 2006 is much low compared to the results obtained during the survey in 2002.
The study by Azeezand Bhupathy (2006) recorded a total of 17 species of butterflies in Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary .

9 species of reptiles (Cajoles versicolor, Hemidactylns frenatus., Mabuya carinata, Sphenomorphous sp., Xenochropis piscator, Ptyrn mucosus, Naja' nqja. Vipera russelli and Python molurns)

2 species of amphibians (7 species of fishes (Anabas lesludines, Aplocheilus lineatus, Elroplus maculates, Ltlupins suratensis, Monopterus fossorius, Rasbora daniconius and Sarotherodon
mossambicd). amnonectes limnocharis and Bufo melanosiictus A preliminary study conducted by Sebastian el.al. (2005) documented the spider fauna in Mangalavanam, an ecosensitive and threatened mangrove forest. The study could identify 51 species of spiders belonging to 40 genera and 16 families. I his represented 27% of the total families reported from India. Araneidae was the most dominant family recording 12 species belonging to 8 genera. On species level, pisaura gilae Tikader, 1970 was the dominant species. Guild structure analysis . revealed seven feeding guilds, namely orb weavers, stalkers, ground hunters, foliage runners, sheet web builders, scattered line weavers and anibushers. Orb weavers and stalkers were the dominant feeding guilds representing 33% and 29% respectively of the total collection. The study also reported the genus Tapponia for the first time from India.