Uttar Pradesh is home to several bird sanctuaries that attract a diverse range of avian species, including migratory birds. Here are some notable bird sanctuaries in Uttar Pradesh:
Contents
- 1. Okhla Bird Sanctuary
- 2. Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary
- 3. Samaspur Bird Sanctuary
- 4. Lakh Bahosi Bird Sanctuary
- 5. Parvati Arga Bird Sanctuary
- 6. Patna Bird Sanctuary
- 7. Saman Bird Sanctuary
- 8. Sandi Bird Sanctuary
- 9. Shekha Bird Sanctuary
- 10. Sur Sarovar Bird Sanctuary
- 11. Vijay Sagar Bird Sanctuary
- 12. Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar Bird Sanctuary
1. Okhla Bird Sanctuary
- The Okhla Bird Sanctuary is located in Noida, Gautam Buddh Nagar district of Uttar Pradesh, India.
- It is situated at the Okhla Barrage over Yamuna River near Delhi-Uttar Pradesh state border.
- It is also known as the Okhla Bird Reserve.
- It is home to over 300 bird species, including both terrestrial and water birds.
- The bird sanctuary is among the wetlands falling in the Central Asian Flyway.
- In 1943 to 1945, Major-General H. P. W. Hutson conducted ornithological surveys in the Delhi region, including Okhla.
- In 1986, the construction of a barrage and the subsequent formation of a lake significantly transformed the Okhla area.
- In 1990, the Government of Uttar Pradesh designated an area of 4 square kilometers along the river Yamuna as a bird sanctuary under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
- Area: It covers an area of about 4 square kilometers.
- River: The Okhla Bird Sanctuary is situated along the banks of the Yamuna River.
- Lake: The bird sanctuary features a lake (Okhla Barrage) that was formed as a result of the construction of a barrage on the Yamuna River in 1986.
- Flora: The flora found in the Okhla Bird Sanctuary are:
- Aquatic Plants (water hyacinth, lotus, water lilies, and submerged plants like Vallisneria and Hydrilla),
- Marshland Vegetation (reeds, cattails, bulrushes, and sedges),
- Riparian Vegetation (Banyan, Peepal, Neem, Babul, Indian rosewood, ber, and jujube),
- Grasses and Herbs (elephant grass, bulrush grass, Bermuda grass, and various wildflowers).
- Fauna: Some notable fauna found in the sanctuary:
- Mammals:
- Indian Grey Mongoose
- Indian Hare
- Indian Palm Squirrel
- Bat species
- Birds:
- White-rumped Vulture
- Indian Vulture
- Baer’s Pochard
- Sarus Crane
- Sociable Lapwing
- Indian Skimmer
- Pallas’s Fish Eagle
- Lesser Adjutant
- Greater Flamingo
- Baikal Teal
- Northern Pintail
- Common Teal
- Bar-headed Goose
- Northern Shoveler
- Ruddy Shelduck
- Eurasian Wigeon
- Common Greenshank
- Black-tailed Godwit
- Common Sandpiper
- Marsh Sandpiper
- Pied Avocet
- Black-necked Stork
- Reptiles:
- Indian Python
- Common Indian Monitor Lizard
- Indian Cobra
- Russell’s Viper
- Turtle
- Mammals:
2. Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary
- The Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary is located in the Unnao district of Uttar Pradesh, India.
- In 1984, it was officially established with the primary objective of conserving and protecting the diverse bird species that inhabit the region.
- In 2015, the Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary was renamed as the Shahid Chandra Shekhar Azad Bird Sanctuary as a tribute to the Indian freedom fighter Chandra Shekhar Azad.
- In 2019, the Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary was declared a Ramsar site.
- Area: It covers an area of approximately 2.246 square kilometers (224.6 Hectare).
- Flora: Aquatic Flora (water lilies, lotus, reeds, submerged grasses, and floating plants like water hyacinths and water lettuce), Terrestrial Flora (Bermuda grass, Cogon grass, and Saccharum Wild sugarcane, Indian jujube, Tamarix spp., Indian gum arabic tree, Mesquite) etc.
- Fauna: Some notable fauna found in the sanctuary are:
- Mammals: Golden Jackal, Jungle Cat, Spotted Deer, Barking Deer.
- Birds: Some notable local resident and migratory birds found in the sanctuary:
- Local Resident Birds:
- Egyptian Vulture
- Pallas’s Fish Eagle
- Lesser Adjutant
- Woolly-necked Stork
- Sarus Crane
- Painted Stork
- Peafowl
- White Ibis
- Dabchick
- Whistling Teal
- Open-bill Stork
- White-necked Stork
- Pheasant-tailed Jacana
- Bronze-winged Jacana
- Purple Moorhen
- Lapwing
- Tern
- Pigeon
- King Crow
- Indian Roller
- Migratory Birds:
- Siberian crane
- Greylag Goose
- Pintail
- Cotton Teal
- Red-crested Pochard
- Gadwall
- Shoveller
- Coot
- Mallard
3. Samaspur Bird Sanctuary
- The Samaspur Bird Sanctuary is located near Salon in the Raebareli district of Uttar Pradesh, India.
- In 1987, it was established as a bird sanctuary.
- In 2019, the Samaspur Bird Sanctuary was declared a Ramsar site.
- Area: It covers an area of about 7.99 square kilometers (or approximately 799 hectares).
- Lake: The brd sanctuary is characterized by a series of six interconnected lakes.
- Flora: Wetland plants, shrubs, trees, and aquatic vegetation.
- Fauna: Here are some notable fauna:
- Mammals: Jackal, Indian fox, Indian hare, mongoose, and various bat species.
- Birds:
- Local Bird Species:
- Comb Duck
- Whistling Teal
- Spot-Billed Duck
- Spoonbill
- Kingfisher
- Vultures
- Migratory Bird Species:
- Greylag Goose
- Pintail
- Common Teal
- Eurasian Wigeon
- Northern Shoveler
- Ruddy Shelduck (Surkhab)
4. Lakh Bahosi Bird Sanctuary
- Lakh Bahosi Sanctuary is located near Lakhbasohi village in Kannauj District of Uttar Pradesh.
- In 1989, the Lakh Bahosi Bird Sanctuary was established.
- Area: The Lakh Bahosi Bird Sanctuary spanning an area of approximately 80 square kilometers.
- Lake: The Lakh Bahosi Bird Sanctuary is spread over two jheels (shallow lakes) near the villages of Lakh and Bahosi. These jheels are approximately 4 kilometers apart from each other. These two shallow lakes are fed by the Ganga Canal.
- Flora: Here are some notable flora found in the Lakh Bahosi Bird Sanctuary-
- Aquatic Plants (lotus, water lilies etc.),
- Wetland Vegetation (reeds, rushes, and sedges),
- Riparian Plants (Acacia spp., Dalbergia spp., Flame of the Forest, Neem, and Ficus spp),
- Marshland Flora (Sagittaria spp., Scirpus spp. etc.).
- Fauna: Here are some notable fauna found in the Lakh Bahosi Bird Sanctuary-
- Mammals: Golden Jackal, Bluebull, Mongoose, Fishing Cat, Monkeys, Black-naped Hare etc.
- Birds:
- Sarus Crane
- Indian Peafowl
- Painted Stork
- Black-necked Stork
- White Ibis
- Bar-headed Goose
- Indian Roller
- Black-headed Ibis
- Spot-billed Duck
- Greater Painted-Snipe
- Reptiles: Indian Pythons, Common Monitor Lizards, Indian Rock Pythons etc.
5. Parvati Arga Bird Sanctuary
- Parvati Arga Bird Sanctuary is located in the Gonda district of Uttar Pradesh, India.
- In 1990, Parvati Arga was officially declared a bird sanctuary.
- In 2019, Parvati Arga Bird Sanctuary received the recognition of being declared a Ramsar site.
- Area: The Parvati Arga Bird Sanctuary is spread over an area of 10.84 sq km.
- Lake: The Parvati Arga Bird Sanctuary encompasses two oxbow lakes called Parvati Tal and Arga Tal, which are located approximately 1.5 kilometers apart. These lakes were formed when the Saryu River changed its course, leaving these water bodies as remnants in its old flow path.
- Flora:
- Aquatic Plants (Water lilies, Lotus, Vallisneria, Hydrilla, Cattails, Bulrushes),
- Wetland Grasses and Rushes (Common reed, Marsh grasses, and sedges),
- Riparian Trees and Shrubs (Willows, Alders etc.).
- Fauna:
- Mammals: Deer, Wild boars, Jackals, Foxes, and smaller mammals like squirrels and rodents
- Birds:
- Sarus Crane
- Painted Stork
- Indian Peafowl
- White Ibis
- Little Grebe
- Fulvous Whistling Duck
- Asian Openbill
- White-necked Stork
- Pheasant-tailed Jacana
- Bronze Winged Jacana
- Grey-headed Swamphen
- Northern Lapwing
- Black Drongo
- Indian Roller
- Migratory Birds-
- Greylag Goose
- Northern Pintail
- Cotton Teal
- Red-crested Pochard
- Gadwall
- Northern Shoveler
- Eurasian Coot
- Mallard
6. Patna Bird Sanctuary
- Patna Bird Sanctuary is located in the Jalesar sub division of Etah district in Uttar Pradesh, India.
- In 1991, Patna Bird Sanctuary was officially established as a protected area for avifauna.
- Area: Patna Bird Sanctuary covers an area of 1.09 km2 (108 hectares).
- Patna Bird Sanctuary holds the distinction of being the smallest bird sanctuary in Uttar Pradesh.
- Flora: Rreeds, grasses, sedges, and rushes etc.
- Fauna:
- Mammals: Jackal, Wild Boar, Mongoose etc.
- Birds:
- Lesser Whistling-Duck
- Graylag Goose
- Comb Duck
- Ruddy Shelduck
- Gadwall
- Eurasian Wigeon
- Indian Spot-billed Duck
- Northern Shoveler
- Northern Pintail
- Green-winged teal
- Common pochard
- Ferruginous duck
- Baer’s pochard
- Tufted duck
- Indian peafowl
- Common quail
- Black francolin
- Gray francolin
- Little grebe
- Asian openbill
- Woolly-necked stork
- Black-necked stork
- Little cormorant
- Great cormorant
- Purple heron
- Cattle egret
- Indian pond-heron
- Black-headed ibis
- Red-naped ibis
- Eurasian spoonbill
- Black-shouldered kite
- Egyptian vulture
- Booted eagle
- Bonelli’s eagle
- Shikra
- Black kite
- Eurasian coot
- Sarus crane
- Black-winged stilt
- Black-tailed godwit
- Laughing dove
- Greater coucal
- Rose-ringed parakeet
- Plum-headed parakeet
- Long-tailed shrike
- Black drongo
- Rufous treepie
- Ashy-crowned sparrow-lark
- Bengal bushlark
- Red-vented bulbul
- Plain leaf warbler
- Ashy prinia
- Plain prinia
- Common babbler
- Oriental magpie-robin
- Brahminy starling
- Common myna
- Bank myna
- Purple sunbird
- Indian silverbill
- Scaly-breasted munia
7. Saman Bird Sanctuary
- The Saman Bird Sanctuary is located in the Mainpuri district of Uttar Pradesh, India.
- It is a seasonal oxbow lake on the Ganges floodplain.
- The sarus crane is the flagship species of the sanctuary.
- In 1990, Saman Bird Sanctuary was notified as a bird sanctuary.
- In 2019, the Saman Bird Sanctuary was designated as a Ramsar wetland site.
- Area: It is spread over an area of approximately 5.25 square kilometers.
- Lake: The Saman Bird Sanctuary features a seasonal oxbow lake situated on the Ganges floodplain.
- Flora: Flora that can be found in and around the Saman Bird Sanctuary are:-
- Aquatic Plants (Water lilies, lotus, Water hyacinth, Vallisneria and Hydrilla etc.),
- Wetland Species (Grasses, sedges, and reeds etc.),
- Riparian Vegetation (Babul, neem, banyan, jamun, Indian gooseberry etc.),
- Grasslands (Cynodon, Saccharum, and Imperata).
- Fauna: Here are some notable fauna that can be found in the Saman Bird Sanctuary-
- Mammals: Jackal, Mongoose, Hare, Bats etc.
- Birds:
- Common Teal
- Northern Pintail
- Great White Pelican
- Painted Stork
- Black-necked Stork
- Open-billed Stork
- Woolly-necked Stork
- Egyptian vulture
- Sparrow Hawk
- Black Shouldered Kite
- Crested Serpent Eagle
- Black Kite
- Magpie Robin
- Rufous Fronted Prinia
- Little Green Bee-eater
- Tailor Bird
- Ashy Prinia
- Indian Grey Hornbill
- Lineated Barbet
- Yellow Footed Green Pigeon
- Asian Openbill
8. Sandi Bird Sanctuary
- Sandi Bird Sanctuary is located in the Bilgram tehsil of the Hardoi district in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India.
- In 1990, the Sandi Bird Sanctuary was established.
- In 2019, the Sandi Bird Sanctuary was designated as a protected Ramsar site.
- Area: The Sandi Bird Sanctuary encompasses an area of approximately 3.09 square kilometers.
- River: The Sandi Bird Sanctuary is located near the River Garra, which was previously known as Garun Ganga.
- Lake: The Sandi Bird Sanctuary is characterized by the presence of a significant lake, known as “Dahar Jheel.”
- Flora: Here are some common types of flora that can be found in the Sandi Bird Sanctuary-
- Aquatic Plants (Water lilies, lotus, duckweeds, water hyacinths, and various submerged and floating plants),
- Marsh and Wetland Plants (reeds, sedges, rushes, cattails, and various types of grasses),
- Trees and Shrubs (babul, neem, peepal, banyan, mango, eucalyptus, lantana, Indian gooseberry, and ber etc.),
- Grasslands (elephant grass, wild oat grass, and various herbaceous plants).
- Fauna: Here are some examples of the fauna that can be found in the sanctuary-
- Mammals: Indian gray mongoose, jungle cat, Indian flying fox, Indian palm civet, Indian porcupine, Indian gerbil, spotted deer and wild boar etc.
- Birds:
- Common Teal
- Red-crested Pochard
- Ferruginous Duck
- Sarus crane
- Reptiles: Indian rock python, common monitor lizard, Indian rat snake, Indian flapshell turtle etc.
9. Shekha Bird Sanctuary
- Shekha Bird Sanctuary is located near the village of Shekha in Aligarh district of Uttar Pradesh, India.
- The Upper Ganges Canal, constructed in 1852, played a crucial role in the formation of the Shekha Bird Sanctuary.
- Area: The Shekha Bird Sanctuary covers an area of 25 hectares (62 acres).
- Lake: The Shekha Bird Sanctuary Lake is a freshwater perennial water body that originated following the construction of the Upper Ganges Canal in 1852.
- Flora:
- Wetland Vegetation (reeds, rushes, and water lilies),
- Riparian Vegetation (willows, shrubs, and grasses),
- Woodland and Scrubland Plants (neem, babul, and peepal, along with shrubs, grasses, and wildflowers).
- Fauna:
- Mammals: rodents, hares, and mongoose etc.
- Birds:
- Black-necked stork
- White ibis
- Spoonbill
- Greylag goose
- Bar-headed goose
- Lesser whistling teal
- Ruddy shelduck
- Northern pintail
- Common teal
- Indian spot-billed duck
- Sarus crane
- Asian openbill stork
- Red-breasted flycatcher
- Black- necked stork
- Wooly-necked stork
- Common Pochard
- Ferruginous Duck
- Ferruginous Duck
- Baer’s Pochard
- Tufted Duck
- Indian Peafowl
- Little Grebe
- Asian Openbill
- Common Quail
- Black Francolin
- Gray Francolin
- Woolly-necked Stork
- Black-necked Stork
- Little Cormorant
- Great Cormorant
- Eurasian Spoonbill
- Egyptian Vulture
- Purple Heron
- Cattle Egret
- Indian Pond-Heron
- Black-headed Ibis
- Red-naped Ibis
- Black Kite
- Egyptian vulture
10. Sur Sarovar Bird Sanctuary
- The Sur Sarovar Bird Sanctuary is located in Agra district of Uttar Pradesh, India.
- In 1991, the Sur Sarovar Bird Sanctuary received its official status as a bird sanctuary.
- In 2020, the Sur Sarovar Bird Sanctuary was designated as a Ramsar site.
- Area: The Sur Sarovar Bird Sanctuary covers an area of approximately 7.97 square kilometers.
- River: The Sur Sarovar Bird Sanctuary is situated along the banks of the River Yamuna.
- Lake: The Sur Sarovar Bird Sanctuary is centered around the Sur Sarovar lake, popularly known as Keetham jheel, covering area of 2.25sq km. Sur Sarovar is a man-made lake created by damming the River Yamuna.
- Flora: Here are some notable flora found within the Sur Sarovar Bird Sanctuary-
- Aquatic Plants (water lilies, lotus etc.),
- Reeds and Grasses (Phragmites, Typha, and Cyperus),
- Trees and Shrubs (Acacia, Neem, Babul, Arjun, Banyan, Lantana and Berberis),
- Grassland Vegetation (Cynodon, Heteropogon, and Themeda).
- Fauna: Here are some notable fauna found within the Sur Sarovar Bird Sanctuary-
- Mammals: Golden Jackal, Jungle Cat , Nilgai, Hyena etc.
- Birds:
- Greater Spotted Eagle
- Sarus crane
- Greylag Goose
- Grey Heron
- Egrets
- Cormorants
- Northern Pintail
- Wigeon
- Northern Shoveler
- Gadwal
- Spotbilled Duck
- Comb Duck
- Painted Stork
- Openbill Stork
- Black-necked Stork
- Lesser Adjutant
- Eurasian Spoonbill
- White Ibis
- Great White Pelican
11. Vijay Sagar Bird Sanctuary
- Vijai Sagar Bird Sanctuary is located in Mahoba District of Uttar Pradesh, India.
- It is situated around the Vijai Sagar Lake, which is the central attraction of the sanctuary.
- In 1990, the Vijai Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary was officially founded.
- Area: The Vijay Sagar Bird Sanctuary occupies an area of 2.62 square kilometers.
- Flora: Here are some general types of vegetation found within the sanctuary-
- Wetland Vegetation (reeds, grasses, and aquatic plants),
- Riparian Vegetation (trees, shrubs, and grasses).
- Fauna: Here are some general types of wildlife found within the sanctuary-
- Mammals: Jackal, Mongoose, Wildcat etc.
- Birds:
- Indian Peafowl
- Indian Pond Heron
- Painted Stork
- Spot-billed Duck
- Purple Heron
- White-throated Kingfisher
- Black-headed Ibis
- Indian Cormorant
- Common Kingfisher
- Little Egret
- Great Egret
- Eurasian Spoonbill
- Grey-headed Fish Eagle
- Black Kite
- Pied Kingfisher
12. Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar Bird Sanctuary
- The Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar Bird Sanctuary is located in Kunda town of Pratapgarh district in Uttar Pradesh, India.
- The Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar Bird Sanctuary was created and declared a reserved area by the Uttar Pradesh government under the provisions of the Wildlife Act of 1972.
- Area: The Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar Bird Sanctuary covers a total area of around 427.07 hectares.
- River: The Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar Bird Sanctuary is located adjacent to the River Ganga.
- Lake: The Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar Bird Sanctuary includes several lakes within its boundaries. Some of the notable lakes found in or near the sanctuary are:
- Beti Talaab
- Purnemau Taalab
- Banemau Taalab
- Shahpur Taalab
- Flora: Some of the notable flora found in the sanctuary include-
- Aquatic Vegetation (Hydrill, Uticularia, Lotus, Water lily and Jalrani),
- Terrestrial Vegetation (grasses, shrubs, and trees).
- Fauna: Here are some notable fauna found in the sanctuary:
- Mammals: Jungle Cats, Mongoose, Wolves, Foxes, Jackals, Squirrels etc.
- Birds:
- Foreign Migratory Birds:
- Rosy Pelican
- Grayling Goose
- Pintail
- Common Teel
- Gargani Teel
- Red-Crested Pochard
- Common Pochard
- Gadwalls
- Shovler
- Scope Duck
- Coot
- Surkhab
- Great Crested Grib
- Gulls
- Marsh Sandpipers
- White Stork
- Local /Local Migratory Birds:
- Saras Crane
- Open –Billed Stork
- Painted Stork
- White Naked Stork
- Black Naked Stork
- White Ibis
- Glassy Ibis
- Black Ibis
- Spoon Bill
- Darter
- Little Cormorant
- Large and Little Egret
- Purple Heron
- Pond Heron
- Purple Moorhen
- Water Hen
- Black –Winged Stilt
- Pheasant-Tailed Jacana
- Bronze Winged Jacana
- Spot-Billed Duck
- Comb Duck
- Whistling Teel
- Marsh Harrier
- Pariah White
- Gray Headed Fishing Eagle
- Sparrow Hawk
- Wild Pigeons
- Spotted Muniya
- Crow Pheasants
- Reptiles: Pythons, Two-Headed Snake Blind Snake, Water Snake, Cobra, Krait, Spotted Snake etc.