Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary

For wildlife enthusiasts, Nal sarovar Bird Sanctuary is a preferred destination among the numerous national parks and wildlife sanctuaries of Gujarat. It is a natural lake lies between the plains of central Gujarat and eastern Saurashtra. Noted for its water birds, the sanctuary was established as a bird sanctuary in 1960. The sanctuary covering an area of about 123q.km, in the West of Ahmedabad district is Uniquely in Saurashtra.

The sanctuary which is rich in bird life, is the largest wetland bird sanctuary in Gujarat, and one of the largest in India. Another famous bird sanctuary in Ahmedabad, Thol Bird Sanctuary is just a few kms from Nalsarovar.

The sanctuary mainly consists of Nal lake (11500 hectares) and ambient reed beds and marshes with shallow waters and muddy lagoons, dotted by 360 islets. The sanctuary is being used by the migratory and resident birds of about 225 species. 140 of them are water-birds and 70 of them are migratory birds.

Migratory birds start arriving here in October and stay till April. Their number reaches its peak in November-February. Among the 70 migratory species, about 25 to 30 migratory birds are easily observed by the visitors. These birds come from distant regions like Central Asia, Europe and Siberia to escape from severe cold of harsh winter there.

Some of the exotic migratory birds that can be seen here are Flamingoes, Rosy Pelicans, Darters, Brahminy Ducks from Tibet, European Migratory Ruff , White Storks, Purple Herons, Egrets, Reeve, Green Pigeon etc. The other birdlife includes thousands of Cranes, Cormorant, Teals, Great Indian Bustard, Flamingoes, Ducks, Painted and Black-Necked Storks, Heron curlews, Spoonbills, Common green pigeon, Purple Moorhen, Terns, Gulls, Godwits, Shanks, Swifts, Swallows, Ospreys, Bonelli's eagle, Crested eagle, Sparrow hawks and Falcons are seen here hovering in search of prey in this sanctuary.

The other noteworthy thing is that, of the three species of pelicans in India, the two species viz. Rosy and Dalmatian pelicans are found Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary. The forest department operates boat cruises along the lake to view the bird flock in a close angle. (3 hour boat ride Rs.50/hr). Assist a guide to help identify the birds. There is watch tower to see birds around island.

Besides its rich avi fauna, the sanctuary includes Wild ass, Mongoose, Jungle cat, Indian fox, Jackal, Wolf and Hyena etc. The sanctuary is also home to 48 species of algae and 72 species of flowering plants. The common aquatic plants are Cyperus sp., Scirpus sp., Typha ungustata, Eleocharis palustris, Ruppia, Potamogeton, Vallisnaria, Naias, Chara etc.