 Kitam Bird Sanctuary is located in the Indian state of Sikkim. More specifically, this Bird Sanctuary is situated in South Sikkim district of Sikkim, between two places called Namchi and Melli. Namchi is the capital of South Sikkim. Melli is a town situated on the West Bengal-Sikkim border near the River Teesta. Kitam Bird Sanctuary is recognized as one of the most prominent bird sanctuaries of Sikkim.
Geography of Kitam Bird Sanctuary Kitam Bird Sanctuary is located at an elevation of about 1,200 ft to 3,000 ft above sea level. This bird sanctuary occupies an area of more than 6 square kilometers. This sanctuary has two rivers namely, River Rangit and Manpur River and a meadow. Two villages are also located in the sanctuary namely, Sumbuk and Kitam. Kitam village is considered to be an ancient village and has been estimated to belong to the middle-ages. This village has 200-year old traditionally built mud and bamboo huts and weekly market selling of local produces and vegetables. This village is known for a mammoth sized 100-year old litchi tree. Galdioli farms of Sumbuk have made this village popular among the tourists of Kitam Bird Sanctuary. These farms are adorned with bright red flowers. One of the highest points of Kitam Bird Sanctuary is the small forested area of Tumbol Schor, which offers great panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. Climate of Kitam Bird Sanctuary The climate of any place in the world plays a significant role in determining the time of trip to that place. Kitam Bird Sanctuary is no exception in this regard. The sanctuary area experiences moderate summer and pleasurable winter. During the autumn and winter seasons, the entire sanctuary is covered with migratory birds. Avifauna of Kitam Bird Sanctuary  Kitam Bird Sanctuary is a hub of the Indian hilly birds and other migratory birds from Siberia. Some of the birds sheltered in the sanctuary are chestnut-breasted partridge, white-rumped vulture, slender-billed vulture, ward’s trogon, rufous-necked hornbill, slender-billed babbler, white-naped yuhina, black-breasted parrotbill and beautiful nuthatch.
Tourism of Kitam Bird Sanctuary Kitam Bird Sanctuary is an ideal place for bird and nature lovers. To showcase it’s collection of different species of birds, Kitam has been provided with some watch towers and view points. Also, these would make bird viewing possible and convenient for the visitors. In order to view the birds, one would have to walk along the beaten paths of the sanctuary, skirting through the mountains and river banks. It is important to note that there are 4 different bird watching trails around the sanctuary and opting for a particular trail depends on the visitor’s choice. Apart from birds, this sanctuary is also famous for snaking River Rangit and Manpur River. The wide banks of River Rangit provide ample scope for long nature walks. Some of the trails of the sanctuary end up on the banks of River Manpur. From here, one can engage in riverside nature walk and butterfly watching. The meadow in this sanctuary called Alley Khet provides picturesque views of the hills and rivers. Kitam Bird Sanctuary is a home to some of the age-old temples, Peepal trees, dilapidated stupas and a monastery, which may attract the attention of the tourists. Apart from bird watching, this sanctuary also provides scope for angling and rafting in River Rangit. Nature lovers can also enjoy the wilderness and tranquility of Kitam Bird Sanctuary. Local Government registered guides are arranged by the home stays and accommodation authorities in order to take the tourists through the forests. Other Places of Attraction near Kitam Bird Sanctuary Kewzing, Ravangla, Samdruptse, Temi Tea Garden (Sikkim’s only tea garden), Solophok (famous for being Char dham) and Tarey Bhir are some of the popular tourist destinations located near Kitam Bird Sanctuary. Visiting Information The period between October and May is generally considered to be the best time to plan a tour to Kitam Bird Sanctuary. Kitam Bird Sanctuary has good transport availability by air, rail and roadways. The nearest airport to this Bird Sanctuary is Bagdogra Airport in Siliguri, West Bengal. There are two railway stations close to this bird sanctuary. One is in New Jalpaiguri, while the other railway station is in Siliguri, both in the state of West Bengal. The railway station in New Jalpaiguri is located at a distance of about 90 km from the bird sanctuary, whereas the one in Siliguri is located at a distance of about 80 km from the bird sanctuary. Roads leading to Kitam bird sanctuary are motorable by cabs. By road, this bird sanctuary is well connected with other cities of West Bengal and the adjoining states via Melli. From New Jalpaiguri or Siliguri, the bird sanctuary is approachable via Namchi. Related Articles Indian Wildlife Sanctuaries Indian National Parks Indian Wildlife Conservation of Indian Wildlife Bird Sanctuaries in India (Last Updated on : 17-10-2016) |
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