The incredible biodiversity of India, especially its abundance of birds amidst its varied landscapes and colorful cultural tapestry is no less than a wonder. And to preserve this natural beauty, bird sanctuaries stand out as essential protected areas.
Bird sanctuaries not only provide refuge to resident and migratory birds but also protect a wide variety of bird species. These sanctuaries are important habitats that also serve as important hubs for conservation efforts, thus drawing in researchers and bird enthusiasts.
Going by numbers, India has about 72 bird sanctuaries that are home to 1210 bird species. This article explores the most famous bird sanctuaries in the country along with a complete list of bird sanctuaries in India.
Questions related to bird sanctuaries in India are crucial for competitive exams. Therefore, a student should be aware of the list of bird sanctuaries in India.
Bird Sanctuary in India: The contemporary world has witnessed a number of environmental issues, that need to be addressed with valuable remedies. Preserving biodiversity is one of the specific issues that require attention. Therefore, India is home to numerous national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, bird sanctuaries, and biosphere reserves, all of which are essential to this conservation project.
Bird Sanctuary of India
By definition, a bird sanctuary is a naturally occurring protected area dedicated to the conservation and preservation of native and other bird species. The purpose of the sanctuary is to maintain the birds in their native habitat, improving their chances of survival and promoting breeding.
Sometimes bird sanctuary and wildlife sanctuary co-exist in an attempt to protect all the species at the same. The wildlife sanctuary of India are also very popular tourist spots, but tourists are restricted from entering all zones of the sanctuaries. They can only visit parts of the wildlife or bird sanctuary.
As mentioned above, the bird sanctuary of India makes a very essential part of static G.K. questions in examinations, including its location, history, and upcoming events. Check out the list of bird sanctuary in India.
List of Bird Sanctuary in India
| State of India | Bird Sanctuary List |
| Andhra Pradesh |
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| Bihar |
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| Delhi |
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| Goa |
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| Gujarat |
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| Haryana |
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| Himachal Pradesh |
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| Jammu and Kashmir |
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| Jharkhand |
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| Karnataka |
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| Kerala |
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| Madhya Pradesh |
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| Maharashtra |
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| Mizoram |
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| Nagaland |
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| Odisha |
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| Punjab |
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| Rajasthan |
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| Tamil Nadu |
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| Sikkim |
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| Uttar Pradesh |
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| Uttarakhand |
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| West Bengal |
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Top Bird Sanctuary of India List
There are numerous bird sanctuaries in the country but not all of them are famous across the nation. Here is a list of the top bird sanctuaries of India that also attract various species of birds. These are also famous and most visited tourist spots in India.
Check the following bird sanctuary of India list:
| Name of Bird Sanctuary | Details |
| Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, Rajasthan | It was formed at Bharatpur, Rajasthan, between 1726 and 1763 when the construction of the Ajan Bund by Maharaja Suraj Mal (the then-king) caused a sizable area with a natural depression to flood. It was named after Lord Shiva temple known locally as Keoladeo Temple. In addition to a variety of exotic bird species, including migratory winter birds, native water birds, and waterside birds, the sanctuary's deep woodland is home to several kinds of deer, including Chital, Sambar, and Spotted Deer, as well as wild boar and nilgai. The main draw for people who love birds to the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary is the hundreds of unique migratory species, that include Cranes, Geese, Pelicans, Ducks, Hawks, Eagles, Shanks, Stints, Warblers, Wagtails, Wheatears, Pipits, Larks, and more. |
| Thattekad Bird Sanctuary, Kerala | Situated on the banks of the Periyar River, approximately 12 km from Kothamangalam, Kerala is home to the Thattekkad bird sanctuary. It is the first bird sanctuary in the state. There are more than 280 different types of birds and other fauna in Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary. The sanctuary is visited by a variety of migratory, woodland, and water bird species. |
| Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, Goa | The Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, one of Goa's smallest and most vulnerable protected areas, is situated along the Mandovi River on Chorao Island. The sanctuary, which bears the name of renowned Indian naturalist Dr. Salim Ali, is known to draw a diverse range of migrating birds each winter. Of the 1,349 species of birds found in India, 450 species can be found in Goa. Among these are the long-legged striated heron, western reef heron, wading small bittern, black bittern with its yellow neck sides, migratory shoreline-dwelling red knot, marsh-dwelling jack snipe, large black and white pied wetland-dwelling avocet, several species of kingfishers, white egrets, purple herons, cormorants, eagles, kites, woodpeckers, and mynahs. |
| Soor Sarovar Bird Sanctuary | It is named after Keetham Lake and the surrounding territory makes up the sanctuary. This sanctuary is more commonly known as the Soor Sarovar Bird Sanctuary. In 1991, Keetham Lake—a refuge for ducks—was designated as a wildlife sanctuary. In this bird sanctuary, around two dozen different species of resident and migratory birds can be found. In 2020, this sanctuary was added to the list of Ramsar sites. |
| Sultanpur National Park, Haryana | Sultanpur National Park, located close to Delhi in the state of Haryana, is a popular destination for birdwatchers due to its serene environs. More than 250 different species of birds, both migratory and resident, call this place home. |
| Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary, Tamil Nadu | Ranganathittu Sanctuary lies on the banks of the Kaveri River. It is a refuge for migratory birds. It is home to more than 170 bird species, such as storks, herons, and spoonbills. |
| Chilika Lake Bird Sanctuary, Odisha | Chilika Lake, the largest freshwater lagoon in Asia, is an important migratory and resident bird habitat. It provides a habitat for a wide variety of bird species, such as endangered Irrawaddy dolphins, flamingos, and herons. |
| Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, Kerala | The Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary (also called Vembanad Bird Sanctuary) is located on the shores of Vembanad Lake in Kumarakom, Kerala, India. It is among the favorite habitats of migrating birds in the state. There are about 25,000 birds in the refuge, representing 180 different species. Local birds such as ducks, cuckoos, owls, egrets, herons, and water ducks, along with the migrating Siberian cranes, are the main draws. During their individual migratory seasons, parrots, teal, larks, flycatchers, wood beetles, and other birds can also be observed here. |
Bird sanctuaries in India not only serve as important habitats for a diverse range of avian species but also contribute significantly to conservation efforts and eco-tourism.