Manjeera Wildlife Sanctuary in Telangana May Become State's First Ramsar Site

Key Points:

1. The Manjeera Wildlife Sanctuary in Telangana is undergoing a study to potentially become the state's first Ramsar site.
2. The sanctuary is rich in flora and fauna, housing a large number of birds and crocodiles.
3. The state forest department, along with the Environment Protection Training and Research Institute (EPTRI), is working on a comprehensive study on the flora and fauna of the area.
4. If everything goes well, the sanctuary will get added to the list of 82 Ramsar sites that exist in India by 2025.
5. The recognition will help the wetland gain attraction as well as national and international cooperation for its conservation.
6. The international tag will also help boost tourist footfall to the sanctuary.

About Manjeera Wildlife Sanctuary:

1. The sanctuary spans over 5,000 acres and is located about 60 km from Hyderabad.
2. It is home to over one lakh birds and more than 500 crocodiles.
3. The sanctuary is a wetland of international importance, providing habitat for waterfowl.
4. It is a wildlife sanctuary and a reservoir located in the Medak district of Telangana.
5. Originally a crocodile sanctuary, today more than 70 species of birds are spotted here, and it is home to the vulnerable species of mugger crocodile.
6. The sanctuary follows the course of river Manjeera, a tributary of Godavari, and abuts the Manjeera reservoir.
7. It is a man-made reservoir that provides water for irrigation and also drinking water for the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad.

Vegetation and Flora:

1. Dry Savannah type of vegetation is found in the sanctuary.
2. The reservoir supports both submergent and emergent types of vegetation.
3. The sanctuary is home to many plant species like Typha, Babool, Prosopis, Ipomoea, Acacia Ipomea, Vallisneria, Eichhornia, and Reeds, among others.

Fauna:

1. The sanctuary is a riverine habitat supporting mugger crocodile and fresh water turtles.
2. The sanctuary is home to prawns, molluscs, and fishes like catla, rohu, murrel, eel, karugu, and chidwa.
3. The Indian hare, wild boar, mongoose, and jackal are also present.

Ramsar Site:

1. Ramsar, under the auspices of UNESCO, identifies wetlands of international importance, especially those providing waterfowl habitat.
2. The recognition will help the wetland gain attraction as well as national and international cooperation for its conservation.
3. The international tag will also help boost tourist footfall to the sanctuary.

Prof Jayathi Murthy's Inspiring Journey:

1. Prof Jayathi Murthy, president of Oregon State University, delivered a lecture at the International Institute of Information Technology, Hyderabad (IIITH).
2. She spoke about her journey from being the first woman student of mechanical engineering at IIT-Kanpur to becoming the first Indian woman president of Oregon State University.
3. She emphasized the importance of self-belief and following one's own path in life.
4. She also spoke about the challenges she faced as a woman in a male-dominated field and how she overcame them.

Key Takeaways from Prof Murthy's Journey:

1. Don't let others define your worth; instead, decide your own worth and follow your own path.
2. Believe in yourself and your abilities, and don't let others discourage you.
3. Take challenges as opportunities to learn and grow, and don't be afraid to take risks.
4. Self-belief and hard work are essential for achieving success in any field.

What is the Ramsar Convention?

1. The Ramsar Convention is an international treaty for the conservation and sustainable use of Ramsar sites.
2. It is also known as the Convention on Wetlands.
3. It is named after the city of Ramsar in Iran, where the convention was signed in 1971.

Importance of Ramsar Site:

1. The recognition will help in the conservation of the wetland and its ecosystem.
2. It will also promote sustainable tourism and provide economic benefits to the local community.
3. The international cooperation will help in sharing knowledge and best practices in wetland management.
4. The Ramsar site will also help in raising awareness about the importance of wetlands and their role in maintaining biodiversity.

Conclusion:

The potential recognition of Manjeera Wildlife Sanctuary as a Ramsar site is a significant development for Telangana and India. The conservation of wetlands and ecosystems is crucial for maintaining biodiversity and promoting sustainable development. The recognition of Manjeera Wildlife Sanctuary as a Ramsar site will also help in promoting sustainable tourism and providing economic benefits to the local community.

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