Nandur Madhmeshwar Bird Sanctuary was created by the Bombay Natural History Society, World Wildlife Fund and Forest Department of the Government of Maharashtra with an aim to protect the large variety of water birds, migratory birds congregate in the winter season.
Nandur Madhmeshwar Bird Sanctuary houses more than 220 species of birds, 400 species of vegetation and 24 species of fish. There are several smaller mammals that came into existence along the Nandur Madhmeshwar dam at the confluence of Godavari River and Kadwa River. Nandur Madhmeshwar Bird Sanctuary is spread over the protected area of 10000 hectares of land. Nandur Madhmeshwar Bird Sanctuary lies with the core area of 1765 hectares, where the large variety of water birds, resident and migratory birds congregate in different seasons.
Flora and Fauna of Nandur Madhmeshwar Bird Sanctuary
There are about 460 species of plants in Nandur Madhmeshwar Bird Sanctuary. Out of which at nearly 80 are aquatic plant species. The trees of Nandur Madhmeshwar Bird Sanctuary are found on the outskirts of the lake, which is situated inside the bird sanctuary are Babul, Neem, Tamarind, Jamun, Maharukh, Vilayati Chinch, Mango, Pangara, and Nilgiri. The surrounding areas and partly submerged areas of Nandur Madhmeshwar Bird Sanctuary are intensively cultivated zone. The wheat, jowar, sugarcane and some of the leafy vegetables are found here.
Nandur Madhmeshwar Bird Sanctuary is a harbour for thousands of beautiful and migratory birds. There are more than 230 species of birds. Out of which 80 are migratory species. The migratory birds found in Nandur Madhmeshwar Bird Sanctuary are White Stork, Glossy Ibis, Spoonbills, Flamingo, Goose Brahminy Duck, Pintails, Mallard, Wigeon, Gargenery Shoveller, Pochardds, Cranes Shanks, Curlews, Pratincole Wagtails, Godwits and Weavers. The resident birds include Black Ibis, Spot Bills, Teals, Little Grabe, Cormorants, Egrets, Herons, Stork, Kites, Vultures, Buzzards, Harriers, Osprey, Quails, Patridges, Eagles, Water Hens, Sand Pipe, Swifts, Grey hornbill, and Peafowl.
The animals marked in Nandur Madhmeshwar Bird Sanctuary are Ottar, Palm Civet, Fishing Cat, Jackal, Mangoose, wolves and many species of snakes.
Visiting Information
The nearest airport to travel Nandur Madhmeshwar Bird Sanctuary is in Aurangabad, which is 180-km from the sanctuary. The nearest railway station is Niphad which is 12-km on Mumbai-Bhusaval railway line.