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Welcome, Guest
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Friday, 3 July 2009 IST |
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| Okhla
Bird Park and Wildlife Sanctuary |
Location
The sanctuary came about into
existence with the construction of the Okhla Barrage
way back in the late 1950s and 1960s and is right
on the Yamuna River between Delhi and Uttar Pradesh
at the south-eastern end of Delhi on one side and
the western boundary of NOIDA.
With Yamuna River being on the route of Migratory
Birds and providing large space with suitable habitat
on its both banks and suitable food in plenty,
the birds had been using this area as a staging
post for their migration both ways during the winter.
It is on the east side of Afzal Ganj and just behind
the Kalindi Kunj on Delhi side and just across
the main road between NOIDA and Mayur Vihar to
the south of The Noida Toll Bridge Toll Plaza.
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Some
Facts
Over
Three hundred species of birds (out of about
450 species recorded for Delhi and around
Delhi) can be spotted here. The spot is good
for birding throughout the year, though best
season is during September-March for Winter
Migratory Birds.
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| Sultanpur
Bird Sanctuary |
Location
Located at a distance of 46 kms from Delhi, Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary
is a haven to a variety of domestic and migratory birds. The marsh
has been converted into a water body and with the years, hundreds
of species of migratory birds have winged in to stay. Winter brings
in birds from as far as Siberia. Flock of geese from Europe wing
in too. The local birds flap in. The bird population include darters,
egrets shovellers, gadwell, cranes and storks.
Teals, kingfishers,
lapwings, sandpipers demoiselle cranes and such like water birds
nestle in. Over 100 species have been identified here. Keeping in
view it's potential, the area covering 359 acres was declared a Bird
Sanctuary in 1971 and was upgraded to the status of National Park
in 1991 by the Haryana Government.
Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary was a haunt of our very own birdman Late
Dr. Salim Ali: And, innumerable bird watchers who come in to observe
bird antics. There are hide outs, watch towers and a museum of sorts
for those keen on serious study. In Haryana there are more than 450
species of birds and out of those about 250 have been recorded in
the Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary. Some of them are resident, while others
come from distant regions like Siberia, Europe and Afghanistan. |
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Getting
there
By
Air: Airport
- Indira Gandhi International Airport,
Delhi (35 km) Palam Domestic Airport, Delhi
(35 km)
By
Road: Easily
accessed from Gurgaon City
and is a 30 minute drive
on the road to Farrukhnagar.
Distance from Delhi: 45-50
kms. Travel on NH8 and
take a diagonal right to
Gurgaon City from the Mehrauli
Gurgaon Road and NH8 crossing.
Take the Basai Road towards
Farruknagar.
Contact
Person
Divisional
Inspector of Wildlife, Sultanpur Lake
National Park
Where
to stay
Sultanpur has a Tourist Complex(Rosy
Pelican) where you can take a quick bite
or stay over.
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| Harike
Bird Sanctuary |
Location
Harike Bird Sanctuary, in Punjab is a large wetland created on the
River Sutlej. This shallow water body attracts large numbers of wintering
waterfowl and is home to many specialties. Birds like the White-crowned
Penduline Tit, Indian Skimmer, Yellow-eyed Pigeon, Rufous-vented
Prinia and Sind Sparrow can be found here.
Harike
was designated as a Ramsar site in March
1990 and has been identified as one of
the sites for conservation under the Indian National Wetland
Programme. |
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Getting
there
Harike is
near Amritsar (60kms) and Ludhiana (104kms).
Amritsar is connected by rail, road and
air. If you are coming from Ludhiana, you
can travel to Moga and from there to Harike
(40 kms).
Best
time
November
to
March
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| Lake
City, Kolkata - Urban Wetlands |
Location
A 20 minute drive from the center of Kolkata towards the northeastern
part of the city lies one of the largest wetlands in India. Although
used predominantly for commercial fishery today, this huge drainage
bowl attracts water birds in variety and quantity. Waders dominate
but ducks and other birds also find refuge here. The marsh land starts
within the city limits and spreads out in all directions. I have
recorded 70+ species over a short period of casual bird watching,
and that too from just the city edges. I estimate another 30 species
can easily be found, making this a 100+ species area.
Salt Lake Nalaban has a beauty in it's simplicity. Although squeezed
in on the edges by rapid urbanization, the vast stretches of clear
and shallow water gives a sense of serenity and openness.
Birds here make a home with hostile human neighbors. As they primarily
feed on the fish which is the only source of income for the population,
there is competition with the humans having the upper hand. Slings
are the instruments of aggression against the trespassers (although
it is debatable who is trespassing) and the birds have learnt to
keep sling shot distance.
Large waders dominate this water body along with cormorants. Great
Egrets and Grey Herons are the star attractions and I have counted
upwards of 80 Grey Herons in the Nalban bheri |
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Getting
there
Salt Lake
is easily accessed from the city. You can
drive up to the Technology Park and the
water body is right across the approach
road. It pays to go straight up to the
end of the road and walk along the the
edges of the fish tanks. Another approach
is from near the water tank next to the
Fisheries office. This part is more pristine.
Best time
November
to January when the temperatures
dip. Early mornings (6.30 am)
and late afternoon (3.30 pm onwards)
are the best time(s) of the day.
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| National
Chambal Sanctuary |
Location
 National Chambal Sanctuary on the River Chambal is a refuge for the
rare and endangered Gharial ( Gavialis gangeticus) and Ganges River
Dolphin ( Platanista gangetica). The 400 km stretch of crystal clear
water also supports Marsh Crocodiles, Smooth Coated Otters, 6 species
of Terrapins/Turtles plus 250 species of birds. The Chambal river
originates in Kota, Rajasthan and merges with the Yamuna at Bhareh.
The river passes through sandy ravines which are famous for its dreaded
dacoits. The river can be approached for birding near the town of
Bah, Uttar Pradesh where Chambal Safari Lodge provides accommodation
and has boating arrangements. Bah is a 5-6 hour drive from New Delhi
via Agra.
A good population of Indian Skimmers is the strongest birding attraction
here. This endangered species is easily seen near Bah and is one
of the few remaining places where you can get close views of this
beautiful bird. Black-bellied Terns, Red-crested and Ferruginous
Pochards, Bar-headed Goose, Sarus Crane, Great Thick-knee, Indian
Courser, Pallas's Fish Eagle, Pallid Harrier, Greater and Lesser
Flamingos, Darters, and the star attraction of Chambal Safari Lodge,
the resident Brown Hawk Owl, all a all add up to an impressive list
of birds. |
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Getting
there
Chambal Safari
Lodge is located 65 Km from Agra on the
Fatehabad road at Jarar, 12 KM from the
base camp at Chambal river. You can hire
cars from Agra or Bharatpur for the round
trip.
Where to stay
Chambal
Safari Lodge is the only real choice. Run by a dedicated
couple, this tastefully appointed lodge is on the highway
to Bah. Chambal Safari Lodge have arrangements to tour the
river
Sanctuary
particulars
The only real way to enjoy the attractions
of the river is by motorized boat.
Arrangements to hire boats can be made
with Chambal Safari Lodge who also
thoughtfully provide an armed escort
in dacoit country. Going up and down
the river as it flows through the ravines
is a great experience.
Strategy
1-2 days is recommended. Chambal is close
Bharatpur and can easily be combined with
a trip to Keoladeo.
Best
Time
November to March
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| The
Point Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary |
Location
The Point Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary along with the adjoining Great
Vedharanyam swamp in Tamil Nadu is one the best wintering habitats
for waterbirds, especially the migrant shorebirds from their artic
breeding grounds. The area also provides wintering grounds for thousands
of terns and gulls migrating from Europe and West Asia, flamingos
from Iran Caspian Sea and Rann of Kutchh. Particularly noted for
its flamingos, also for herons, teals, curlews and plovers and black
buck and wild pig.
In the early 1980s the waterbird population was over 1 million birds.
Under the stewardship of late Dr Sálim Ali, bird migration
studies were carried out, where over 2 lakh birds at Pont Calimere
were ringed till 1990. The birds ringed in Point Calimere were reported
from 14 countries, revealing its linkages with other wetlands across
the country. Presently, over 70% decline in the waterbird population
is recorded. This decline is attributed mostly to human activities,
climatic changes and poaching. Now the population fluctuates between
1 lakh to 2 lakh only.
| The BNHS will be establishing a permanent Bird Migration
Centre with the assistance from the Chemplast Sanmar Company
based at Point Calimere to undertake habitat restoration measures.
The Centre will undertake research, monitoring of waterbirds
and impart training on monitoring techniques for bird populations,
wetland ecology, management and habitat restoration. It will
also give emphasis to nature education and awareness |
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Getting
there
By
Air: Tiruchchirapalli
200km
By Rail: Point
Calimere 0.5km
Where to stay
Forest
Resthouse
Best
Time
November-January |
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Sharma
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