Famous Bird Sanctuaries in India
India is home to numerous bird sanctuaries that provide essential habitats and protection for a wide variety of avian species. Here are some notable bird sanctuaries in India:
List of Important Bird Sanctuaries in India
Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary (Keoladeo National Park) Rajasthan
Located in Bharatpur, Rajasthan, it is one of the most famous bird sanctuaries in India. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and hosts thousands of migratory birds, including Siberian cranes.Keoladeo Ghana National Park is a man-made and man-managed wetland and one of the national parks of India. The reserve protects Bharatpur from frequent floods, provides grazing grounds for village cattle, and earlier was primarily used as a waterfowl hunting ground.
Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary Karnataka
Situated near Mysore in Karnataka, this sanctuary is spread over a cluster of islands on the Kaveri River. It is known for its diverse bird population, including painted storks, herons, egrets, and kingfishers. It is the largest bird sanctuary in the state, 40 acres in area, and comprises six islets on the banks of the Kaveri river. The sanctuary has been designated on 15 February 2022 as a protected Ramsar site since 2022.
Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary Haryana
Situated in Gurgaon district of Haryana, it is a popular birding spot near Delhi. The sanctuary attracts a large number of migratory birds during the winter season, including various species of ducks, geese, and raptors.The park is a popular picnic spot for residents of New Delhi and the NCR (National Capital Region), especially during the winter migration months when thousands of birds visit here from across the globe. To encourage winged creature watching, there are four watch towers (machans) situated at various focuses.
Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary Tamil Nadu
Located near Chengalpattu in Tamil Nadu, it is one of the oldest bird sanctuaries in India. Vedanthangal is the oldest water bird sanctuary in the country. This area was a favourite hunting spot of the local landlords in the early 18th century. The region attracted a variety of birds because it was dotted with small lakes that acted as feeding grounds for the birds.The sanctuary is home to numerous resident and migratory birds, such as pintail ducks, grey herons, and white ibises.
Chilika Lake Bird Sanctuary Odisha
Situated in the coastal region of Odisha, Chilika Lake is Asia's largest brackish water lake.Chilka Lake Bird Sanctuary is a habitat of one of the biggest breeding places of flamingos in the world. Apart from birds, Chilka Lake Bird Sanctuary is a home of various wild animals as blackbuck, golden jackals, spotted deer and hyenas. It is a significant wintering ground for migratory birds, including flamingos, pelicans, and various species of ducks.
Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary Goa
Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary is an estuarine mangrove habitat, which is declared as the bird sanctuary, and located on western tip of the Island of Chorão along the Mandovi River, Goa, in India. The sanctuary is named after Salim Ali, the eminent Indian ornithologist. It is known for its diverse birdlife, including species like the black drongo, white-bellied sea eagle, and the Malabar pied hornbill.
Thattekad Bird Sanctuary Kerala
Situated in the Ernakulam district of Kerala, Thattekad Bird Sanctuary is known for its rich avian diversity.The Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary, covering an area of barely 25 km², and located about 12 km from Kothamangalam, was the first bird sanctuary in Kerala. It is a habitat for several rare and endemic species, including the Malabar grey hornbill, Sri Lanka frogmouth, and Indian pitta.
Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary, Gujarat
Located near Ahmedabad in Gujarat, this sanctuary encompasses a large lake and marshes. Mainly inhabited by migratory birds in winter and spring, it is the largest wetland bird sanctuary in Gujarat, and one of the largest in India.It is a significant wintering site for migratory birds, such as flamingos, pelicans, cranes, and spoonbills.
Sundarbans National Park, West Bengal
The Sundarbans National Park is a national park, tiger reserve and biosphere reserve in West Bengal, India. It is part of the Sundarbans on the Ganges Delta and adjacent to the Sundarban Reserve Forest in Bangladesh. It is located to south-west of the Bangladesh. The delta is densely covered by mangrove forests, and is one of the largest reserves for the Bengal tiger.A number of rare or endangered species live in the park, including tigers, aquatic mammals, birds and reptiles. It is a habitat for birds like the white-bellied sea eagle, black-capped kingfisher, and the Asian openbill stork.
These are just a few examples of the bird sanctuaries in India. The country boasts many more sanctuaries, each offering unique opportunities for birdwatching and conservation.
