The state of Gujarat is located in the western part of India. It has the Great Rann of Kutch, hills, historic forts and palaces. These, along with museums, temples, fauna and flora, fairs and festivals and folk arts draw a plethora of tourists to this state. Gujarat is also blessed with bird sanctuaries, which serve as protected areas for different types of birds in the state.
Kutch Bustard Sanctuary
Kutch Bustard Sanctuary is located near Jakhau village in Nalia Taluka, Kutch district. It occupies an area of about 2 square kilometers. The endangered great Indian bustard is the main bird species of the sanctuary. It has been designated a Schedule I bird under the Indian Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 and is locally called `Ghorad`. Apart from great Indian bustard, this sanctuary houses harriers, common cranes, black partridges, wolf, caracal, desert cat, etc.
Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary
Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary is located in Jamnagar district. It was declared a sanctuary on 6th of November, 1982 and occupies an area of about 6.05 square kilometers. This sanctuary serves as a home to about 300 types of migratory birds. Sea and shore birds found in the sanctuary are black-necked stork, great crested grebe, shikra, black ibis, etc.
Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary
Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary is situated about 64 km to the west of Ahmedabad near Sanand Village. It was declared a bird sanctuary in April, 1969. This sanctuary draws over 210 species of birds during winter. Migratory birds visiting this sanctuary are rosy pelicans, flamingoes, white storks, etc. This sanctuary also provides suitable habitat to a variety of plants and animals like wild ass and the black buck.
Porbandar Bird Sanctuary
Porbandar Bird Sanctuary is situated in Porbandar district. It is the only bird sanctuary of Gujarat that provides legal protection to varied species of birds which nest here. It is spread over a small area of about 1 square kilometer. The lake within the sanctuary draws migratory birds and other birds like teals, fowls, flamingos, ibis and curlews.
Thol Bird Sanctuary
Thol Bird Sanctuary is an artificial lake called Thol Lake near Thol village in Kalol in Mehsana district. This fresh water lake was declared Thol Bird Sanctuary in 1988. This sanctuary has a catchment area of about 15,500 hectares, surface area of about 699 hectares and water volume of about 84 million cubic meters. It serves as a home to about 150 species of birds. Flamingoes and sarus crane are the two most prominent species of birds recorded in the sanctuary.
