Patna Vihar Bird Sanctuary is a protected sanctuary in the Jalesar sub division of Etah district in Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It covers an area of 108 hectares, and was founded in 1991. It is the smallest Bird Sanctuary in Uttar Pradesh, with a wetland area of only 1 km square.
About 200,000 birds of 300 different species of birds frequent the sanctuary. Pied Mynas, herons, cormorants and ducks and geese of all descriptions also frequent the Sanctuary. Patna Sanctuary is best during the winter months as most of the birds tend to leave in March. It takes around 1.5 hours from Agra by road.
The state of Uttar Pradesh draws a large number of visitors from around the world. The cities of Agra and the holy cities of Varanasi, Ayodhya, Mathura, and Allahabad, alongside the sacred rivers - the Ganga and the Yamuna are all located in this state. The state hosts the Kumbha Mela every 12 years, where over 10 million Hindus congregate the largest gathering of human beings in the world. The Taj Mahal one of the Seven Wonders of the World is in the Indian city of Agra. The Agra fort is also a major attraction. The Patna bird Sanctuary in Uttar Pradesh also draws large number of tourists every year.
Patna is situated at Jalesar tehsil of Etah district in Uttar Pradesh. It was declared a full fledged sanctuary in the year 1990. The average temperature hovers around 47 degree Celsius in the summers and 40 degrees in the winters. The climate of this place is characteristically warm throughout the year as it is situated in the tropical belt. Patna gets abundant rainfall in the monsoons. With the rain water filling up the ponds to the brim, the best time to visit Patna is the ensuing winter season. Close to 200 different species of birds can be sighted during this time of the year. These birds migrate from different countries.
Area wise Patna is the smallest bird sanctuary in Uttar Pradesh. It covers just an area of one sq km. The entire stretch is wetland. The lakes are a beauty to watch when more than two lakh birds come and sit on it. Birds of vibrant hues transform the lake into a multi coloured spectacle. It is really an amazing sight to watch the pack of multi coloured birds chirping relentlessly. The lake becomes full of life and reverberates with the noise made by thousands of birds. Those who like birds, the Patna bird Sanctuary is the place to be.
