Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary
Mangalavanam is an ecologically sensitive area situated at the centre of the Indian city of Kochi, covering about 2.74 hectares.The Managalavanam is often regarded as the "green lung of Kochi",[2] considering its role in keeping the city's air pollution under check.[3] Recently the high-rise buildings surrounding the area are curtailing the movement of birds in the sanctuary.The true mangrove and mangrove associate species that exist in the sanctuary are Avicennia officinalis, Rhizophora mucronata, Acanthus ilicifolius and Acrostichum aureum— Although not threatened species according to IUCN Red List, they are of vital importance in estuarine ecosystems.Two species of amphibians, Limnonectes limnocharis and Duttaphrynus melanostictus, and seven species of fishes Anabas testudineus, Striped panchax, Malabar swamp eel, Orange chromide, Blackline rasbora, Etroplus suratensis and Sarotherodon mossambica are found here.