Bird sanctuaries in India are homes to various types of birds. Due to its vast and varied geographical setting and climate and extended coast line, India provides shelter to thousands of bird species. Out of 8650 species of birds seen in the world, India houses more than 1250 species. Some of the legendary species of birds observed in the bird sanctuaries and national parks of India are racquet tailed drogas, treepies jungle owlets, minvets, ioras, golden orioles, magpies, robins, sunbirds, white throated kingfisher, drogas, mynas, pipits, Asian paradise flycatcher, larks and Siberian cranes.
Aims and Features of Bird Sanctuaries in India
Establishment of bird sanctuaries is an attempt by the Indian administration to increase seasonal migration, security, forested areas and bird-watching and attract a large number of migratory birds, every year. Apart from birds, Indian bird sanctuaries support dense forests and a variety of vegetations. A noticeable feature of these bird sanctuaries is that they are surrounded by natural or man-made water bodies like rivers and lakes. This provides natural setting to different species of birds. Below the bird sanctuaries of India are enlisted region wise:
Bird Sanctuaries of Southern India
Atapaka Bird Sanctuary, Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary, and Uppalapadu Bird Sanctuary are located in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. Attiveri Bird Sanctuary, Bankapura Peacock Sanctuary, Bonal Bird Sanctuary, Gudavi Bird Sanctuary, Kaggaladu Bird Sanctuary, Magadi Bird Sanctuary, Mandagadde Bird Sanctuary, Puttenahalli Lake (Yelahanka) and Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary are some of the important bird sanctuaries of Karnataka. In Kerala, there are five famous bird sanctuaries and they are Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary, Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary, Pathiramanal Bird Sanctuary and Thattekad Bird Sanctuary etc. Bird sanctuaries of Tamil Nadu are Chitrangudi Bird Sanctuary, Kanjirankulam Bird Sanctuary, Koothankulam Bird Sanctuary, Suchindram Theroor Birds Sanctuary, Udayamarthandapuram Bird Sanctuary, Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary, Vellode Birds Sanctuary, Pulicat Lake Bird Sanctuary and Vettangudi Bird Sanctuary.
Bird Sanctuaries of Northern India
The bird sanctuaries of Uttar Pradesh are Bakhira Sanctuary, Lakh Bahosi Sanctuary, Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary, Okhla Sanctuary, Patna Bird Sanctuary, Saman Sanctuary, Samaspur Sanctuary, Surajpur Bird Sanctuary, Thasrana Bird Sanctuary (Dhanauri Wetlands) etc. There are three sanctuaries in Haryana and they are Bhindawas Wildlife Sanctuary, Khaparwas Wildlife Sanctuary and Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary etc. Najafgarh Drain Bird Sanctuary in Delhi is one of the most popular bird sanctuaries of this region. Keoladeo National Park and Tal Chhapar Sanctuary are located in Rajasthan. Gamgul Bird Sanctuary is situated in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh.
Bird Sanctuaries of Western India
Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary, Kutch Bustard Sanctuary, Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary, Porbandar Bird Sanctuary, Wachana Bird Sanctuary and Thol Lake are the important bird sanctuaries of Gujarat. Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary in Goa is popular in this region. In Maharashtra, there are three popular bird sanctuaries and they are Mayani Bird Sanctuary, Karnala Bird Sanctuary and Great Indian Bustard Sanctuary etc.
Bird Sanctuaries of Eastern India
In West Bengal there are two popular bird sanctuaries named Chintamoni Kar Bird Sanctuary and Raiganj Wildlife Sanctuary. Odisha has Chilika Lake in it which is one of the most popular bird sanctuaries of India. Udhwa Bird Sanctuary is located in Jharkhand.
Bird Sanctuaries of North-Eastern India
Lengteng Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the most popular sanctuaries of India, where some of the most uncommon species of birds can be observed. It is located in Mizoram.
