HABITATS: Freshwater swamp, Tropical secondary scrub
Timings : 08.30 am to 05.30 pm
Except on Tuesdays.
Entrance fee
Adult : Rs. 10, Children(5-10 yrs.) : Rs. 5
Phone: 0821-2439862
Parking
Parking for buses, four wheelers and two wheelers at the entrance.
Picturesquely located at the foot of Chamundi hills and adjascent to the Mysore Zoo, the Karanji lake is a beautiful bird sanctuary in the heart of Mysore City which provides a wonderful habitat for more than 70 different species of avifauna. The recently re-developed lake, spanning across 90 acres has a butterfly park, boating, children’s corner, a watch tower and India’s largest walkthrough aviary.
A heaven for Birds and a Paradise for Ornithologists Karanji Lake situated upstream of Doddakere. The lake, situated in the heart of the city and set against the backdrop of the famous Chamundi hills, is an important landmark in the city of Mysore and has an area of over 90 acres. The scenic environs remained neglected and the Zoo Authorities evinced interest and acquired it in 1976 and developed by converting it into a bird paradise. Soon the developmental works started paying dividends and the lake has become most visited place and a nesting ground for variety of birds. What was once a refuge for only painted storks, now witnesses a regular influx of varied species of birds including the Glossy Ibis and many other species, converting it into a miniature bird sanctuary.
Country’s Biggest Aviary The country’s biggest Aviary measuring 20 meters in height, 60 meters in length and 40 Meters in width, has been set up in the Karanji Lake Nature Park. It is erected around the naturally available trees. Inside the aviary, a watertall and pond of considerable length was constructed for water birds. The visitors can view and observe a variety of rare and exotic pheasants and swans in close proximity in their naturalistic surroundings. Bird Watch Tower A 10 meters high observation tower enables the visitors not only to view panoramic environs of the lake but also provide excellent opportunity to ardent bird watchers. All round viewing is provided, so that there would not be any hindrances to the visitors to view the birds through telescope and binoculars.
Bird Paradise
Good monsoon in filling the lake to its brim and has attract large number of birds of different species like Grey Pelican, Painted Stork, Ibis, Cormorants, Egrets etc., which nest and roost in premises especially on the beautiful island habitats created in the lake. Recent survey of birds indicated 87 species and 12 of them are migratory birds. The Herons, Asian open bill storks, Egrets, Red wattled lapwing, Sandpipers, Rose ringed parakeet, Black Drongo, Brown Shrike, red-whiskered bulbul, Booted warbler, Sunbirds, Greenish Warbler Paradise, Flycatchs and other varieties
Medicinal Plants At the entrance gate of the Karanji Lake, more than 100 medicinal plants have been raised. It is planned to educate and create awareness among public about their uses and need for conservation.
Nursery
A nursery has been set up to raise and propagate plants inside the lake premises for planting in the gardens.
Butterfly Park
Mysore Zoo envisages creating a conductive environment for the insects, by planting adult and larval food plants. The project to make Karanji Lake suitable for the butterflies was formulated by the Mysore Zoo during 1999, and work commenced during the same year. About 15 different species of butterflies were let free in the special park, where they bred and multiplied. During the first year, the park was not very popular with either among the migratory butterflies or the nature lovers of the region. Spread over one acre of land by the side of the lake, flowering plants carefully selected are grown to Attract butterflies.
A wide variety of butterflies like Grey Pansy, Lemon Pansy, Peacock Pansy, Yellow Pansy, Tailed Jay, lue Mormon, Commo Mo mon, Crimson Rose, Common emigrant, Tawny coaster, Blue Tiger, Plain Tiger, Striped Tiger, Danid egg fly and many others can be seen dotting the park. Red Pierrot captivates the onlookers making it difficult for them to drag their eyes away from them.For sheer beauty, Blue pansy, Blue Mormon and Crimson Rose can be counted on. Butterflies fly during day time and rest with their wings held together, vertically above the back and hind wings over their fore wings except their lips.
