Virus taught us to respect environment

By- Sumalatha Ambareesh


Coronovirus has shown humans the power of Nature. It serves as a warning of the perils of human interference, and that we should not take Nature lightly ever again. Today, as we observe the World Environment Day, Nature is the focus once again. In these difficult times, we should renew our efforts to avoid conflicts with it.

The Mandya Lok Sabha constituency, is undoubtedly one of the most important tourist destinations in the state. It has ancient history, vibrant culture, and heritage. As we observe this special day, I’d like to focus on a feather in Mandya’s tourism destinations — Ranganathittu.

It is now 80 years since Ranganathittu was declared a protected area.

History tells us that Ranganathittu’s islets were formed in 1645 when an embankment across the Cauvery river was built by the then King of Mysuru, Sri Kanteerava Narasimharaja Wadiyar . Three hundred years later, eminent ornithologist Salim Ali persuaded the Mysuru king to declare it a protected area. The rest nests in history and Ranganathittu became India’s largest bird sanctuary .

It’s an exemplary story of how human intervention can sometimes have a positive effect. The islets were formed due to human activity nearly 400 years ago. It attracted birds from all over the world. Then, 80 years ago, our forefathers decided to give legal protection to these avian friends.

Just before the nationwide lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic, the sanctuary had witnessed a good number of arrivals, including spot-billed pelicans, open-billed storks and painted storks, along with night herons, little cormorants and bats.

In the effort to develop Mandya district as an important hub with significant destinations such as Srirangapatna, Melukote, KRS, among scores of other places with equally rich heritage, Ranganathittu will remain a major attraction in the district’s tourism development.

The sanctuary, spread across 165 acres with 24 islands, houses over 230 species of birds and rare migratory birds which come here to breed.

Our world is home not just to humans. We share it with millions of other species. The least we can do is show our understanding. To quote Barbara Ward, “We have forgotten how to be good guests, how to walk lightly on the earth as its other creatures do.”

(The writer is MP, Mandya Lok Sabha constituency)