Krishnarajasagar Reservoir

IBA CODE: IN-KA-18

Habitats: Freshwater Reservoir and Marshes

Jurisdiction: Major Irrigation Department, Govt of Karnataka

IBA Criteria:

1. A1 (Threated species/Vulnerable)

      • Oriental White Ibis Threskiornis melanocephalas
      • Spot billed Pelican Pelecanus philippensis

2. A4i (= 1 Biogeographic population)

      • Bar-headed Geese Anser indicus
      • Brown-headed Gulls Larus brunnicephalus
      • Little Stint Calidris minuta
      • Temminck’s Stint Calidris temminckii

3. A4iii (= 20,000 Waterbirds)

Protection status: Practically not protection

Fig : Bar-headed Goose in Backwaters

Threats and Conservation Issues

Pesticides: Persisting - In summer dried-up marshes along the reservoir shore is utilised to grow vegetables (short-term crop); use of pesticides is alarmingly high

Siltation: Persisting

Sewage water inflow: New addition. Expansion of towns on shores of three rivers is generating extensive sewage and is getting accumulated in the dam ( mainly domestic sewages & Coffee pulp).

Extraction of sand from river bed: New addition. Pumping out sand from river bed using barge mounted pumps