Ranganathittu is a bird sanctuary that can be visited throughout the year by bird lovers. Easily accessible from Bangalore, enroute to Mysore, visiting this place is a great option for both children and adults. Historical Perspective About Mysore Wildlife Division Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary is part of Mysuru Wildilfe division. Mysuru Wildlife Division as such has such Protected Areas (PAs) or establishments under its jurisdiction that are spread Over Mysuru and Mandya Districts. With an area of over 8612.52 Ha, these six establishments are further managed through two Ranges viz., Mysuru Wildlife Range (Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary, Arabithittu wildlife sanctuary and Melapura Bee Eater Bird Conservation Reserve) and Melukote Wildlife Range (Melukote Wildlife Sanctuary, Adichunchanagiri Peacock and Kokkarebelluru Community Reserve. In addition to managing the said Protected Areas (PAs), the Mysore Wildlife Division also plays significant role in annual organization of the world renowned Mysore Dusshera Festival' by training and managing the fleet of select elephants that partake in Jamboo Savaari.

The main island and islets in river cauvery are formed as a result of construction of an embankment by the then ruler of Mysore, Shri Kanteerava Narasaraja Wodeyar during 1645-48. Dr. Salim Ali undertook survey of birds in the region during 1939-40. Upon his persuasion, set of islands ware declared as 'Bird sanctuary' on 1st July, 1940 by the Maharaja of Mysore under the provisions of Mysore Game and Fish Preservation Act, 1901 (Vide order No.AF/19/FT/243/39-40 by General & Revenue Secretariat, Bangalore).