Simple Guide On Bird Sanctuaries In UP

The state of Uttar Pradesh has a wide variety of birds and wildlife. It is also home to many exotic animals. However, due to poaching, deforestation, or flooding, these animals and birds are severely diminishing in number, and many have become extinct. So, there are many sanctuaries spread across the state of Uttar Pradesh that protect a huge number of wildlife and birds. Many bird species from all over India can be found in these sanctuaries.

Bakhira Bird Sanctuary

This sanctuary, located in the Sant Kabir Nagar area of Eastern Uttar Pradesh, provides several scenic landscapes to visitors. This sanctuary was established in 1980 and is located 44 kilometres west of Gorakhpur city. The beautiful lake is home to various native bird species and migrating waterfowl. Migratory birds from China, Tibet, Siberia, and Europe arrive in this sanctuary between November and January.

Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar Bird Sanctuary

This sanctuary is in the Pratapgarh district of Uttar Pradesh, in the Kunda town. The sanctuary is 13 kilometres from Kunda’s main town and is located to the south of the river Ganga. The sanctuary extends over 4.27 square kilometres and includes the arid and sodic areas of Beti Talab, Purnemau Taalab, and Shahpur Talab. Around 500 different bird species live here. Migratory birds from Siberia, Europe, and Central Asia fly here. During the winter season, migratory species, such as the Rosy Pelican, Grayling Goose, Pintail, Common Teal, Gargani Teel, Red-Crested Pochard, Common Pochard, Vision, Gadwalls, Shoveler, Scope Duck, Coot, Surkhab, and Great Crested, also flock to this reserve.

Jai Prakash Narayan Bird Sanctuary

The Jai Prakash Narayan Bird Sanctuary is located in the Uttar Pradesh towns of Ballia and Baansdih. The bird sanctuary is located near ‘Surha Taal,’ which has a historical, traditional, and religious significance. The 45 communities in the Surha Tal area obtain water from the lake for their survival. Aside from fishing, the populace in the lake area is engaged in agricultural activities. A piece of the lake submerges during the rainy season, creating a natural habitat extension. Around 10,000 birds of 15 different species may be seen all year round at the ‘Surha Taal,’ according to estimates. Over 200,000 international and indigenous birds may be observed during the winter.

Lakh Bahosi Sanctuary

This bird sanctuary is located in the Kannauj district of Uttar Pradesh and spans two lakes near the villages of Lakh and Bahosi. This refuge is home to migrating bird species from 49 different genera. Blue bulls, jackals, mongooses, monkeys, and wild cats are the common wildlife in this area. The months of December through February are ideal for visiting this location.

Nawabganj Sanctuary

Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary, located in the Unnao district, is one of Northern India’s numerous wetlands. A beautiful lake and a deer park are among the many attractions of this location, which is home to over 250 species of migrating birds. There are several guest homes located here that offer attractive packages to tourists.

Okhla Bird Sanctuary

The Okhla Bird Sanctuary is located at the Yamuna River’s Okhla Barrage. Over 300 kinds of birds, mostly aquatic birds, call this refuge home. This place shelters grassland, marshy, and thorny scrub bird species. It covers an area of four square kilometres.

Patna Bird Sanctuary

This sanctuary is located in the Etah district of Uttar Pradesh. It was established in 1991 and extends over 100 hectares. Approximately 200,000 birds of 300 distinct species live here. Here you may see herons, Pied Mynas, ducks, and cormorants. Winter is the best time to visit this place.

Saman Sanctuary

The Saman Sanctuary is in the Western Uttar Pradesh district of Mainpuri. The sanctuary, which was established in 1990, covers a 5-kilometre square area. This location is known for its unique ‘Bird Safaris’ and is home to various birds. Aside from that, the sanctuary is home to different creatures such as mongoose, hare, and jackal. Between November and February is the best time to visit this location.

Samaspur Bird Sanctuary

It is located in the Raebareli district. It was established in 1987 and now covers around 780 hectares. It is home to about 250 different species of birds, including native birds like spoonbill, spot bill, vultures, comb ducks, kingfishers, and migratory birds like surkhab, pintail, and common teal, and shoveler. The lake contains about 12 different species of fish too.

Sandi Bird Sanctuary

It is situated in the Hardoi district of Uttar Pradesh. It was established in 1990 and covers an area of 309 hectares. It was built to conserve the natural habitats and aquatic flora of migratory and local birds.

Soor Sarovar Bird Sanctuary

Soor isn’t just a bird sanctuary; it’s also home to a few legends. According to Hindu mythology, it is said to be the location where Lord Krishna and Radha used to meet. Soor Sarovar is a paradise for birds from all over the world. The sanctuary is 7.97 square kilometres and includes a big lake that is home to over 165 species of migratory and resident birds. In addition to migratory and native species, the sanctuary is home to over 300 pythons. Soor Sarovar is also known for being the largest bear rescue centre for rescued bears.

Hastinapur Sanctuary

This sanctuary is named after the ancient city of Hastinapur, which lies on the west bank of the Boodhi Ganga. This sanctuary is a protected zone in the Gangetic plains of Uttar Pradesh. The low-lying areas are covered with tall wet grasslands that are inundated with water most of the year, except for the winter months. Swampy and marshy regions are located between elevated grounds and the sandy bed of the Ganges. 

This place offers a home to more than 117 bird species. Some of them include short-toed snake eagle, Egyptian vulture white-eyed buzzard, black-shouldered kite, black kite, shikra, Western marsh harrier, spotted owlet, Indian grey hornbill, painted stork, Asian open-billed stork, white-necked stork, black ibis, Indian peafowl, Sarus crane, Demoiselle crane, Eurasian spoonbill, purple heron, pond heron, black-crowned night heron, cattle egret, etc.

National Chambal Sanctuary

National Chambal Sanctuary is also called the National Chambal Gharial Wildlife Sanctuary and is a protected area in northern India. Some endangered species of wildlife like the gharial, red-crowned roof turtle and the Ganges river dolphin are protected here. It is also a significant bird sanctuary and almost 320 species of resident and migratory birds take refuge in thi sanctuary, such as migratory birds from Siberia, the Indian skimmer, sarus crane, Pallas’s fish eagle and Indian courser. The pallid harrier and lesser flamingo are near extinct species that live here. Winter birds include black-bellied tern, red-crested pochard, ferruginous pochard, etc.

Conclusion

Uttar Pradesh is home to many birds and animals. The Bakhira Bird Sanctuary is full of migrating waterfowls. Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar Bird Sanctuary is near the southern part of Ganga and spreads for nearly 4.72 square kilometres. In Jai Prakash Narayan Bird Sanctuary, nearly 200,000 international and indigenous birds can be observed in winter. The Lakh Bahosi Sanctuary is the largest bird sanctuary. Apart from birds, deer parks are a major attraction of Nawabganj Sanctuary. Aquatic birds can be found in the Okhla Birds Sanctuary. Saman Sanctuary is known for bird safaris. The Soor Sarovar Bird Sanctuary has a special mythological legend attached to it. Though Patna Vihar Bird Sanctuary is the smallest, 300 distinct species of birds live here.