Leisure & Travel

Premier bird sanctuaries of India

With growing public and governmental support to wildlife and environment conservation, several designated bird sanctuaries in the subcontinent are transforming into major tourist attractions, much to the delight of ornithologists, actual and potential

The preferred habitat of 1,200 avian species, i.e 14 percent of bird species on planet earth, India is a bird-watcher’s paradise, especially during the winter season (November-March) when migratory birds wing their way to the subcontinent. If you are an ornithologist — actual or potential — interested in observing our feathered friends displaying their exotic plumage and enchanting birdsong, it’s the time of the year for birdwatching.

Man’s relationship with birds is ancient and birds have played a major role in legends, religious customs, and literature besides inspiring several orchestral compositions. Since the 12th century and perhaps earlier, in the desert kingdoms of the Middle East where falconeering and bustard hunting is a national sport, bird gaming was a feudal passion and a blessing in disguise as several kings developed bird sanctuaries to attract migratory winged creatures.

By mid 20th century with alarming reports of depletion of numerous avian species streaming in worldwide, bird- watching — rather than hunting — emerged as a civilized pastime as ornithologists armed with books, cameras, binoculars and telescopes added a new dimension to wildlife tourism. Now with bird hunting banned in most countries, including India, and growing public and governmental support to wildlife conservation, several designated bird sanctuaries are transforming into major tourist attractions. Fortunately, given the widespread sanctity for all life forms in India (unlike Communist China where almost all bird life was snuffed out during the Great Leap Forward of 1958-1960), birds can be seen in most national parks and sanctuaries all year round. India’s most popular bird sanctuaries are detailed hereunder.

The largest lagoon (swelling to 11,000 sq. km in the monsoon) along the east coast of India spanning the districts of Puri and Ganjam in the state of Orissa (pop.32 million), Chilika is one of the ecological hotspots of India and shelters a number of endangered species in the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) red list. The lagoon is a unique pot-pourri of marine, brackish and fresh water eco-systems with estuarine characteristics. It is an avian haven and the wintering ground of more than one million migratory birds of over 800 rare species from around the world.

In the popular imagination, Chilika is an endless vista of flamingos feeding in the shallow waters of the lagoon. Among other feathered species here are grey and purple herons, egrets, spoonbills, storks and white ibis, brahminy ducks, shovellers, pintails, gadwall, teals, pochards, geese and coots — all of whom are ubiquitous on Nalban island and its vicinity. Moreover numerous raptors frequent the lagoon, especially the pariah and brahminy kites. Other avian winter visitors include the kestrel and the globally threatened peregrine falcon. Quite obviously the winter months (December-March) are the best time for birdwatching.

The Chilika Lake Wetland Centre (10 a.m-5 p.m) is a professionally collated exhibition on the lake’s wildlife. It comprises an observatory, telescope, and a valuable bird identification chart.

Getting there. The nearest airport is Bhubaneswar (100 km from Chilika). The nearest railhead for the Barkul settlement is at Balugaon.

Accommodation. The Orissa Tourism Development Corporation (OTDC) has reasonably priced residential accommodation on Satapada island, 50 km from the well-known beach resort of Puri, and at the settlements of Barkul and Rambha. OTDC also offers comfortable tourist bungalows at the Panthanivas and Ashoka hotels at Balugaon. Guides are necessary.

This globally famous bird sanctuary derives its formal title from the Keoladeo temple of Lord Shiva. ‘Ghana’ is the vernacular synonym for dense forest. Legendary as the best duck shoot resort during the heyday of the British raj, Bharatpur sanctuary was declared a reserve for birds in 1956 and later upgraded to the status of a national park. Unesco has listed it as a world heritage site. Ideally located on the main north-south avian route of India, its small size (only 29 sq. km) notwithstanding, Bharatpur teems with 375 bird species and more than 132 breed inside the national park. Moreover it attracts birds from all over India, Europe, Siberia, China and Tibet.

Every year on the eve of the monsoon, hundreds of avian species migrate to Bharatpur to roost and nest in the babool and kadam trees of the park. Each tree houses 50-60 nests of differing species rearing newly hatched chicks, emitting an echoing chorus of birdsong through the forest.

Boats, cycles and rickshaws are available on hire and drivers as well as professional guides are good at identifying different species and helping amateur photographers.

Getting there. Bharatpur lies 176 km from Delhi and is 2 km from the national park. The nearest airport is Agra (54 km). Bus services link Bharatpur with major cities of Rajasthan and outside the state.

Accommodation. New Spoonbill Hotel (Rs.400-500); Monarch Farms (Rs.400); Bharatpur Forest Lodge (Rs.2,500-2,799); Bagh (US$ 80-100); Laxmi Vilas Palace Lodge (Rs.2,450-3,500).

Comprising a huge lake and ambient marshes, Nal Sarovar is situated 64 km from Ahmedabad, the administrative capital of the state of Gujarat (pop. 50 million). A magnet for migratory birds in winter and spring, this is one of the largest bird sanctuaries in India. The lake with 360 islets which was declared a bird sanctuary in 1969 measures 123 sq. km, attracts over 210 species of birds in the winter months and harbours diverse flora and fauna.

Besides a few mammalian species such as the endangered wild ass and the blackbuck, its migratory bird population includes rosy pelicans, flamingoes, white storks, brahminy ducks and herons.

Accommodation. November to February is the best season to visit Nal Sarovar. Though there is no overnight accommodation, the tourist complex at the sanctuary can be availed with prior booking. However most visitors take the option of repairing to Ahmedabad for night rests.

Situated at a distance of 10 km northeast of Jamnagar (Saurashtra) on the south coast of the Gulf of Kutch, Khijadia comprises a seasonal freshwater shallow lake, intertidal mudflats, creeks, salt pans, saline land and mangrove scrub. In May 1981, revenue wasteland of the lake covering an area of 182.9 hectares was declared a sanctuary under s.18 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. In November 1981 another area of 421.96 hectares was added to the sanctuary which currently covers 605 hectares and includes three freshwater lakes. Located in the western-most part of the country, it falls within the traditional route of migratory birds including the waterfowl. Almost 200 species of birds have been sighted in the sanctuary, including 90 species of waterfowl.

Getting there. The nearest railhead and airport is Jamnagar, where all categories of hotels are available.

Situated in south-central Karnataka near Mysore, the Ranganathittoo bird sanctuary consists of numerous islands inhabited by colonies of cormorants, darters, egrets, storks and ibis, all of which can be observed at close range, either on foot (south bank of river) or by boat. The south-west and north-east monsoons feed the wetlands, so the months between July and September and April to mid-June are the best times to visit.

Getting there. The nearest airport is Mysore and closest railhead is Srirangapatna.

Accomodation. Mysore offers a wide range of residential options including the Orchid Metropole, KSTDC-run Mayura Hoysala and the luxurious Lalitha Mahal Hotel. Boats are available for hire and recommended for close range birdwatching.

Sited 86 km from Chennai, Vedanthangal bird sanctuary is spread over 72 acres of marshland with a plethora of trees ideal for nesting water birds. The sanctuary gets its name from a nearby village and attracts over 100,000 migratory birds every year. The best time to visit is between November and February when birds of myriad plumage including herons, darters, spoonbills, pelicans, sandpipers, white ibis, cormorants, bullwinged teals, storks, egrets and swans descend on the lake in hordes.

Getting there. Reservations for the Vedanthangal Rest House can be made with the wildlife warden, Adayar, Chennai. Chennai is the nearest airport and one can motor down a distance of 100 km, most of it on the well-maintained National Highway 45. The nearest railhead is Chingelpet (26 km).

Accommodation. Available at the Forest Department Rest House or Hotel Tamil Nadu of the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation.

Forty-six km from Delhi on the Delhi-Jaipur highway, the Sultanpur National Park is a stretch of marshland remodelled into an artificial water body. A number of organisms like crustaceans, fish and insects thrive in this environment and attract birds of various hues, resident and migratory. Numerous migratory geese and Siberian cranes such as demoiselle cranes, ruddy shelducks, pelicans, flamingoes, bar-headed geese, grey lags, gadwalls, mallards, pochards, shovellers and teals winter in Sultanpur. Local species include plovers, red-wattled lapwings, herons, cormorants, white ibises, spoonbills and painted storks. The park also contains plenty of local wildlife, notably the blackbuck, nilgai, hog deer, sambar, wild dog or dhole, caracal, wild cat, hedgehog, mongoose, striped hyena, Indian porcupine, rattle/ honey badger, leopard, wild pig, and the four-horned antelope.

Travel advisory. This is an ideal day excursion ex Delhi.

The Nawabganj sanctuary, sited 45 km from Lucknow is the winter resort of several migratory and water birds. A popular site for birdwatching and photography, it consists of extensive marshlands and a shallow lake bordered by dry forests. Speckling the landscape is an assorted avian population of pochards, shovellers, woodpeckers, parakeets, coots, purple moorhens and common teals.

Karnala Bird Sanctuary, Maharashtra

The Karnala Bird Sanctuary in Raigad district is located at the base of Karnala fort, between Pen and Panvel. Karnala is rich in avifauna as the ecological conditions of the tract favour some exotic bird species. In the monsoon one can glimpse the paradise flycatcher, shama or magpie, robin, and the Malabar whistling thrush, which are some of the most melodious avian songsters. A variety of other species such as the racket-tailed drongo, red vented bulbul, horn bill, myna, owl, ashy rain war blur, and the rare ashy minimet and spotted heart woodpeckers have been sighted here.

On the western tip of the island of Chorao along the Mandovi river, mangrove swamps cover this bird-watchers’ paradise aptly named after India’s most well-known ornithologist.

Travel advisory. Open throughout the year, the sanctuary can be visited with the permission of the chief wildlife warden, forest department, Junta House, Panaji. Apart from a rich assortment of coastal birds, one can spot flying foxes, jackals and crocodiles.

Sprawling across 500 sq. km in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, Pulicat Sanctuary (60 km from Chennai) is the second largest brackish water lagoon in India, attracting droves of migratory water birds. A popular feeding and breeding ground for a variety of aquatic and terrestrial birds, it supports a rich bio-diversity, and attracts 15,000 flamingoes annually.

Sited on the east coast about 20-km north of Pulicat in Nellore district, Nelaputta is a mere 50 km drive from Chennai. This 404 sq. km sanctuary provides ideal breeding grounds for rare and endangered species such as grey pelicans, open-billed storks, little cormorants, spoon-bills, white ibises and night herons. It is a popular destination of migratory birds and more than 1,500 pelicans breed here every year.

Situated on the banks of the Vembanand Lake, the Kumarakom bird sanctuary hosts an eclectic collection of waterfowls, cuckoos and owls, as well as migratory Siberian cranes. The Kumarakom Tourism Complex, spread over 101 acres of enchanting woodlands and lake, was built around the 50-year-old Baker’s Mansion, which was earlier a small hotel run by the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC).

A veritable microcosm of India’s bird population with about 500 winged species, the Thattekad bird sanctuary was designed by Dr. Salim Ali, around river Periyar. Indigenous birds found here are the Malabar grey hornbill, grey jungle fowl, heron, egret, jungle myna, wood pecker, rose winged and blue winged parakeet. And with a little luck, rare species like the rose billed roller can also be spotted.

Point Calimere, aka Cape Calimere and Kodikkarai, is a low headland on the Coromandel Coast in Nagapattinam district, Tamil Nadu. A historic landmark here was the Chola lighthouse, which was unfortunately destroyed in the tsunami of 2004. There is a wildlife and bird sanctuary here, with three natural habitats: dry evergreen forests, mang-rove forests, and wetlands. The forests of Point Calimere are the last refuge of the dry evergreen forests that were once typical of the East Deccan eco-region.

Not far from Point Calimere is the mangrove forest of Muthupet, surrounded by sea and shore, and bestowed with populations of varied wildlife such as chital, wild boar, bonnet macaque, black buck, flamingoes, teals, gulls, terns, plovers and stilts. Special attractions are close encounters with dolphins and turtles which often come close to the shore. Between November and January, the tidal mud flats and marshes are covered with teals, terns, plovers, sandpipers, shanks, herons and clusters of up to 3,000 flamingoes.

Travel advisory. Tiruchirapalli (225 km) is the nearest airport which connects tourists to Nagapattinam district where Point Calimere sanctuary is located. Thiruthuraipoondi (42 km) is the nearest railhead and the sanctuary is well connected by road.