Wildlife in Gujarat is an integral part of the travel plan in Gujarat. The Sanctuaries and wildlife parks can be a treat to watch fro any traveler. Amongst these, the Khijadia Bird Sanctuary is a bird Sanctuary housing various species of birds.
Located at a distance of 10 Km on the north east part of Jamnagar, on the southern belt of the Gulf of Kutch, the Khijadia Birds Sanctuary got its notification in the year 1982. Wetlands all over, it has three freshwater lakes, mangroves, tidal mud humps, salty beds and everything suited to the migratory birds and waders. Two dams were erected by the then ruler of Jamnagar in order to avoid seeping of water from adjacent river Ruparen during high tides and hence, the co-existence of two varied kinds of soil – the salty wetlands on one and river freshwater on the other.
Covering an area of 605 hectares, the Khijadia Birds Sanctuary, has three watch towers and Paddle boats are available here come handy to cross over the lakes. The position of the Sanctuary being at the western shore of the country makes it an easier route for the migratory birds to fly in.
Wildlife to be seen:
Birds:
A wide variety of migratory bird can be seen in the Khijadia Birds Sanctuary. Pheasant Tailed Jacana. Black Ibis, Sarus Crane,Shoveler, Pintail, Baer’s Porchard, and the black neck stork are just to name a few of the migratory birds here. Nakta, Comb Duck and Spot bill are domestic residents of the sanctuary. A rare place for the Crested Grebe to breed, Khijadia Birds Sanctuary is home to the Indian Skimmer which is a real pleasure to watch because it sports colors of dark red in the beak and black on the head with the whole body in dazzling white.
Animals:
Jungle cats, mongoose, blue bells, rabbits and cobras are some of the animals to be spotted here.
Best Places for Birding in India
- Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary
- Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary
- Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary
- Assan Barrage
- Karnala Bird Sanctuary
- Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary
- Thattekad Bird Sanctuary
- Kunthakulam Bird Sanctuary
- Jayakwadi Bird Sanctuary
- Nandurmadhmeshwar Bird Sanctuary
- Chilka Lake Bird Sanctuary
- Nawab Ganj Bird Sanctuary
- Porbandar Bird Sanctuary
- Porbandar Bird Sanctuary
- Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary
- Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary
- Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary