15 Most Famous Bird Sanctuaries in India
India is home to a wide variety of fauna and flora. Nature has given us a diverse landscape including mountains, plains and plateaus. This vibrant ecosystem provides abundant food for many species of birds, making it an ideal place to establish bird sanctuaries. Bird watchers who enjoy bird watching can find many Himalayan species as well as some Indian subcontinental avian species in the sanctuaries established by the Government of India to protect and preserve these species. You can spend a peaceful holiday amidst nature while enjoying bird watching. This article will provide you information about the subject. This comprehensive list includes all the bird sanctuaries in India that you can plan your next trip to.
15 Best Bird Sanctuary in India
Here are the 15 most popular bird sanctuaries in India.
1. Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary:
Sultanpur is home to a variety of colorful birds. It is one of the most famous bird sanctuaries in India. It is found in Gurgaon region of Haryana. Although it is not very big, it is known for its diversity and provides habitat for all these birds. The sanctuary also has a fresh water lake. The lake is home to many Himalayan species, as well as birds of prey from neighboring northern countries.
Birds found: Birds of prey, parrots and other macaws.
Timings: 8:30 AM to 6:30 PM
Entry Fee: Indians 5/-, Foreigners 40/-, Children 2/, Still Cameras 10//, Video Cameras 500/
2. Keoladio Bird Sanctuary:
It is one of the many Indian National Bird Sanctuaries. It is also known as Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary. The park has a wide variety of avian species. It is also a World Heritage Site and is breathtaking in winter when Himalayan migratory birds flock to the area. This park is very popular and Rajasthan hosts thousands of tourists every year.
Birds found: egrets and sarus cranes; Peacocks; Painted Storks; etc
Timings: Summer 6am to 6pm; Winter 6:30 am to 5 pm
Entry Fee: 50/ for Indians, 250/ for foreigners, 200/ per car.
3. Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary:
It is one of the most beautiful bird sanctuaries in India. Here you can see a variety of avian species. This park is located on the banks of Mandovi river in Goa. Accessible by ferry. The forest is full of bird sounds and offers a variety of bird sightings. You can easily spot birds by walking in the woods.
Birds Found: Striated Herons, Western Reef Herons, Pelicans, Jack Snipes, Red Knots, Flamingos.
Timings: 6 AM to 6 PM
Entry fee: Indians 10, foreigners 100, and still cameras cost 25, video cameras cost 150.
4. Rangattittu Bird Sanctuary:
This park is located on the banks of Kaveri river in Karnataka. It was declared a sanctuary in 1940. It is 16 km north-east of Mysore. It is home to around 170 bird species. Many people like to visit this place because of the Brindavan Gardens and the nearby water dams.
Birds found include: Snake Bird, River Tern, River Tern, River Tern and Painted Stork.
Timings: 9 AM to 6 PM.
Entry Fee: Indians pay 50/-, Foreigners 300/- and Cars 30/-.
5. Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary:
It is also known as Vembanad Park and is the most popular tourist attraction in Kerala. The park is located near the Vembanad lake and offers many flying species. It is about 14 km from Kottayam. The park has a government-run hotel and an interpreter center. You can also see Siberian crane and flycatcher as well as wood beetles.
Birds Found: Moorhen, Cuckoo, Owl, Stork, Moorhen, Cormorant, Brahmin Kite
Timings: 6:30 am - 5 pm
Entry Fee: 50/- per person
6. Kanwar Lake Bird Sanctuary:
It is located in Begusarai, Bihar. Three times the size of Bharatpur Sanctuary, it is almost the largest bird sanctuary in India. It is home to 106 birds, with 60 species arriving from Siberia every winter. Other scenic attractions include the nearby forests.
Birds found include: Oriental White-backed Vulture and Long-billed Vultures, Lesser Kestrel, Greater Spotted Eagle and others.
Timings: 7 AM to 6 PM
Entry Fee: None
7. Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary:
The sanctuary is spread over an area of 74 acres in Kancheepuram district. It hosts a wide variety of migratory birds, including 26 rare species. This sanctuary is the closest bird sanctuary in India. The best thing about this sanctuary is that the locals are actively involved in conserving the lakes for migratory birds every year.
Birds found: Sandpipers, herons, egrets, pintails, shovelers, terns, garganies, open-billed storks, etc.
Timings: 6 AM to 6 PM
Entry fee: 25/ for adults, 5/ for children, 25/ for camera and 10/ for parking
8. Chilka Lake Bird Sanctuary: Being India's largest bird sanctuary and the most important ground for migratory birds, it is one of the most visited places in India. Migratory birds come here from all over the world, including Russia and Mongolia. Only 45% of the total birds are terrestrial and 32% are water birds.
Birds Found: Greylag Geese, Purple Moorhen and White-bellied Seagulls are some of the birds. The sanctuary is home to an abundance of fauna, making it the most visited bird and animal sanctuary in India.
Entry Time: No
Entry Fee: None
9. Seethanadi National Park:It is Dhamtari district of Chhattisgarh. You can also find other species of wildlife in this area, however, it is not without danger due to Naxal violence. This park is a major tourist attraction in central India. It is home to more than 175 species, including migratory and resident birds. The park is one of the least explored bird sanctuaries and national parks in India.
Birds Found: Drongo, Whistling Teal, Jungle Fowl, Barbet, Bulbul, Peacocks etc.
Timings: 9 AM to 5 PM.
Entry Fee: 100 for foreigners
10. Dhumkal National ParkIt is located in Gujarat. Shulpaneshwar Wildlife Sanctuary is the name of this sanctuary. This sanctuary is a sanctuary for animals and birds. It is located in Bharuch district, in the middle of dense forest around the river. This park is best seen in monsoon season. Apart from birds, the park is home to many other animals.
Birds Spotted: There are migratory birds like Crested Serpent Eagle, Shikra and Sparrow Hawk.
Timings: We are open all hours
Entry Fee: 30/ for Indians, 100/ for Foreigners and 35/ for Vehicles
11. Kaundinya Bird Sanctuary:This park is located in Andhra Pradesh. It is also home to Asian elephants. The park also houses threatened birds such as the endangered yellow-throated bulbul. Kanagal and Kaundinya are two prominent fresh water streams. You can also see Kolleru Lake.
Birds Found: Yellow-throated Bulbul, Gray and Rosy Pelicans as well as Pied Hornbills, Lovebirds and Budgerigars.
Timings: 7 AM to 5 PM
Entry Fee: Contact the Forest Officer of the area for details
12. Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary:It is famous for its lake. It is located at a distance of 65 km from Ahmedabad in Gujarat. The sanctuary has the largest number of wetland birds in India and is the largest bird sanctuary in India. It is a great place to visit between November and February. It was converted into a national park in 1969.
Birds Found: More than 250 species including purple moorhen, pelicans, flamingos, cranes, grebes, Brahmin ducks, herons etc.
Timings: 6:30 AM to 5:30 PM
Entry fee: 60/ per person, 100/ per camera, sailing fee 220/, and 1320/ per individual boat.
13. Mayani Bird Sanctuary:It is located in Satara district of Maharashtra. Tourists can also enjoy a safari ride with their pets and visit some protected areas. The area is home to Siberian flamingos and Chand Nadi, as well as other migratory birds.
Birds found include: Northern plover, heron and kingfishers, Siberian flamingo and kingfisher.
Timings: 7 AM to 9 PM.
Entry Fee: There is no entry fee on foot. 10/- entry fee (2 wheelers) and 20/- per person for people in car to drive from Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary.
14. Thol National Park:It is famous for many species and has beautiful lake areas that can be seen by tourists. This area is located in Gujarat near Thol lake (man-made) in Mehsana district. It was originally built as an irrigation reservoir. It was designated as a sanctuary in 1988 after it was found that it is home to 150 species of birds, 60% of which are waterfowl.
Birds Spotted: Flamingos, sarus cranes, great white pelicans and mallards are seen. Among the birds found are white vultures and Indian vultures.
Timings: 6:30 AM to 5:30 PM
Entry Fee: 100/- per person, camera charges 150/-.
15. Bondla National Park:This is another favorite bird preserve park in Goa. Here you will find a wide variety of avian species including endangered ones. The park covers an area of just 8 km and is popular with school students. Bondla is one of the most famous bird sanctuaries in India. It has mini zoo and deer safari park as well as eco tourism cottages.
Birds found include: Indian peacock and kingfisher, woodpecker, yellow bulbul and hornbill.
Entry fee: 2 for children, 5/ per person and 80/ per person for elephant ride. 25/- camera fee, 100/ for video camera.
Best time to visit bird sanctuaries: Theoretically, all sanctuaries have different timings due to the nature of their inhabitants. As a general rule, the rainy season from the first heavy rains in August is the best time to see the birds that live in the sanctuary. Winters between October and March (by March) are good times to see the migratory bird in its full glory. Summers make birds miserable, making it difficult for tourists to visit bird sanctuaries. Choose cooler days for a great eco holiday!
These are the national bird sanctuaries of India. The best way to spend a holiday with nature! If you have visited one of these Indian national parks or bird sanctuaries, please share your experience and encourage others to enjoy such a simple but fascinating vacation. As awareness grows, the desire to protect nature grows. This information should be widely shared to convert more people into nature lovers. Take the kids along to show your appreciation for nature.
Frequently asked questions and their answers:
1. Is it necessary to declare the forest as a bird sanctuary or a national park?
Answer: It is crucial to declare the forest area as a National Park/Sanctuary so that it can be effectively conserved and the fauna and flora preserved. Many species are wiped out by deforestation, habitat loss, overhunting and other threats.
2. How many Indian bird centers are actively involved in bird conservation?
Ans: India is home to around 60 bird sanctuaries. The maximum number is 11, which is Karnataka. Several sanctuaries are dedicated to bird conservation in Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh. These sanctuaries provide safe and natural habitats for birds to live in their preferred ecosystem.
3. What should you bring on vacation to a bird sanctuary or other wildlife refuge?
Answer: Avoid bright colors that scare birds away by packing comfortable clothing (preferably cotton fabric). For bird watching, you need sunglasses, a hat and binoculars. For bird watching, you should always carry a water bottle and snacks. But don't litter the forest and keep your eyes open for birds.
4. Can one take day trips to the bird sanctuary?
Ans: There are many famous bird sanctuaries in India. Indeed! A day or weekend trip to a bird sanctuary is very convenient. You don't have to miss work or school. A day trip to a bird sanctuary is practical if the sanctuary is more than 3 hours away from your home. Make sure you carry the right items and keep your luggage light so that you can move around freely throughout the day.
5. What are the most important things to remember when watching birds?
A: Bird watching requires patience and persistence. For quick reference, carry a guide. Identify the most common birds in your area. Avoid making noises or sudden movements. To capture majestic winged creatures, make sure you have a silent camera that doesn't make any clicking noise. Also, remember to turn off the flash. Always keep a pair of binoculars handy for bird watching up close.
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