In a major conservation initiative aimed at protecting one of Karnataka’s most treasured ecological hotspots, authorities at the renowned Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary have launched the construction of eco-friendly gabion structures around vulnerable river islands to shield them from flood-induced erosion
Officials have now adopted gabion technology as a long-term solution. The system uses boulders and stones enclosed in corrosion-resistant galvanised iron wire mesh to form retaining walls that remain stable during floods while blending with the riverine ecosystem.Syed Nadeem, range forest officer, Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary, said earlier soil-based protective structures frequently failed during high water release from KRS. “Whenever large quantities of water were released from KRS, the islands protected by sandbags suffered erosion and damage. After consulting experts, we decided to implement the gabion shield system as a permanent solution.”He said five major islands have been prioritised and work is nearing completion. The protection system will be extended to the remaining islands in phases.Constructed using stones within corrosion-resistant mesh, the gabion walls are expected to provide long-lasting protection to the islands and the bird population.
