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India's Wetlands: A Birder's Paradise
26 Mar
Summary
- India's wetlands host vibrant bird habitats with diverse species.
- Over 350 bird species documented at Keoladeo National Park.
- Chilika Lake is India's largest brackish lagoon, attracting hundreds of thousands of birds.
India's wetlands serve as premier bird habitats, attracting birdwatchers globally. These diverse ecosystems, from coastal lagoons to inland marshes, are crucial stopovers for migratory birds and homes for resident species. Many wetlands are recognized under the Ramsar Convention for their ecological significance.
Keoladeo National Park in Rajasthan is a famed destination, housing over 350 bird species, including winter visitors from Central Asia. Chilika Lake in Odisha, the nation's largest brackish lagoon, hosts hundreds of thousands of migratory birds, with Nalabana Bird Sanctuary being a key area.
Other notable sites include Sultanpur National Park in Haryana, known for Siberian cranes; Loktak Lake in Manipur with its unique floating islands; and Kolleru Lake in Andhra Pradesh, a vital habitat for pelicans and storks.
Further avian hotspots include Deepor Beel in Assam, Pulicat Lake in Andhra Pradesh-Tamil Nadu famous for flamingos, Harike Wetland in Punjab formed by river confluences, Vembanad Lake in Kerala, and Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary in Gujarat, all significant for migratory waterfowl.
