Travel tips on Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary in Uttar Pradesh

Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary on the Kanpur-Lucknow highway comprises a permanent freshwater lake and adjoining marsh land. The Sanctuary, though spread over a small area of 2.5 sq kms, is immensely popular with visitors from Lucknow and Kanpur, inviting both casual birdwatchers and professional ornithologists! However, even visitors with no particular interest in or knowledge of birds would find a trip to the Sanctuary incredibly rewarding. The charming lake, host to both local and migratory birds, is popular with local tourists, where one can enjoy the splendour of nature, the serene waters of the lake which host a large avian population. You can take a boat ride on the lake, getting an opportunity to see the beautiful birds up close, in all their glory. UP Tourism runs a restaurant near the lake, where refreshments are available.

The Sanctuary, situated on the upper-Genetic plains, is an important destination for over 250 species of birds flying in from northern Europe, Tibet, China and Siberia. The major migratory birds are graylag goose, pintail, red-crested pochard, gadwall, coot and mallard. Resident birds include a mixed heronry of sarus crane, painted stork, black-crowned night heron, open-bill stork and white-necked stork. Peacock, white ibis, dabchick, whistling teal, pheasant-tailed jacana, bronze-winged jacana, purple moorhen, lapwing, tern, vulture, pigeon, king crow, Indian roller and bee-eater are the resident species.

Prior to its protection, the Sanctuary area used to be an open wetland, and hunting and poaching of waterfowl was rampant. In 1984, the Forest Department took over the lake and its surrounding land and declared it a sanctuary. Various trees were also planted around the lake to make the area more hospitable.

The lake is fed by monsoon run-off, and has an average depth of 1.0-1.5 m. The water level fluctuates, and much of the lake dries out in summers. Home to various beautiful local birds through the year, with the arrival of exotic migratory birds in winters, the lake becomes an absolute paradise for bird watchers!

An Interpretation Centre within Nawabganj Sanctuary was established to help facilitate the study of its fauna. To boost tourism, Forest Department recently introduced swamp deer in Nawabganj. Other animals which can be viewed here include jungle cat, golden jackal and nilgai. Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary is a favourite destination of picnickers from Lucknow and is bustling with visitors through the year!

For more information on Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary in Uttar Pradesh contact http://www.swantour.com/, one of the leading tour operators in Delhi.