India, Feb. 18 -- By M.K. Saptha Girish, Naturalist, Aranya Outreach

Mysuru, renowned as a wildlife hub, is encircled by forests in all directions within an 85-km radius. True to this, Mysuru is also an important bird area, with over 300 bird species recorded in and around the city by the Mysore Nature Group.

Key birding hotspots in Mysuru include Kukkarahalli Lake, Karanji Lake, Lingambudhi Lake, Thipayyanakere and, notably, Chamundi Hill.

Red Avadavat

Chamundi Hill, an isolated range of seven hillocks, is one of Mysuru's most prominent landmarks. Visible from all corners of the city, it consists of grey and pink granite, believed to be the youngest rock formation in the region, formed due to volcanic activity around 0.8 billion year...