Travel
News, January, 2008
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Khijadia sanctuary is haven for
300 bird species
by
Iqbal
Jamnagar:
Khijadia bird sanctuary in Gujarat is today home
to over 300 varieties of migratory birds which prefer
environs of both sea and fresh water. Located 10 km
north east off Jamnagar, the Khijadia bird sanctuary
has been nominated to be recognised as Ramsar site,
the global index for prominent wetlands and mangroves
favoured by birds. Spread over an area of 605 hectare,
Khijadia bird sanctuary is a unique wetland area with
sea-water on one side and fresh water on the other side.
It recorded more than 200 species of birds that nest
here. Ninety species of waterfowl have been traced here.
In 1982, it was declared a safe haven for birds. "We
have noted almost 300 varieties of birds; there could
be more than that. Three types of nests are found here,
one on the tree over the branches, second on the ground
and third on water where floating nests are found. Here
varieties of ducks make floating nests. For instance,
the black-necked storks, which are not found anywhere,
are found here in Khichadiya," said D. M. Dafadar, Ranger
at the Khichadia Bird Sanctuary. Ramsar defines wetlands
encompasses coral reefs, peat forests, temporary pools,
even underground caves besides marshes and lakes and
all sorts of other systems including mountains to the
sea and man-made habitats.
Before Indian
independence, a check dam was built for storing the
waters of River Ruparen just near the sea. Over the
years with fresh water of the rain and river on one
side and salt water of the sea on the other side, a
unique area was formed here. Both varieties of vegetation
came up and in due course of time, birds and animals
also started flocking and roosting here. "Here at one
side sweet water is found and on the other sea water
and in between there is a narrow estuary. Such acclimatising
and nourishing habitat is difficult to find anywhere
else because big birds like black necked stork, pelican,
and yellow-billed storks eat large fish which they can
find either in sea water or sweet water," said P. R.
Sindhia, Forest Officer, Khichadia Bird Sanctuary. "Besides
the varieties of ducks like Gadwal, Gadgil, Ton, Spoonbill,
and Herons also fulfill their food requirements from
salt and sea water. And mangrove supports their roosting,"
Sindhia added. As the sanctuary is located on the western-most
part of the country that falls on the traditional route
of the migratory birds, a large number of birds nest
here in the winters. Domestic and foreign tourists visiting
the region are overwhelmed to see the vast varieties
of birds. Nilgais, which are on the verge of extinction,
elsewhere also live in this sanctuary. "This morning
we had a guide. It's incredible. We saw so many types
of birds. We saw a black-headed stork, which is very
rare. Then we saw some animals and loads of birds. It's
incredible to see bio-diversity in such a small space
and it's incredible to see that Gujarat looks after
nature so well," said Adam, a foreign tourist.
There are
three watch towers for bird watchers, as well as inspection
paths leading deep into the foliage. There is also provision
for paddleboats to go around. The sanctuary has three
freshwater lakes, mangroves, tidal mud humps, salty
beds and everything which the migratory birds and waders
need. Two dams were erected by the erstwhile ruler of
Jamnagar in order to avoid seeping of water from adjacent
River Ruparen during high tides. Among the famous birds
found at Khichadia are black ibis, black-winged kite,
Brahminy kite, pheasant-tailed Jacana, common greenshank,
grey Francolin, imperial eagle, Indian pond heron, little
tern, black-tailed godwit, comb duck, common crane,
teal, dunlin, garganey, marsh harrier, northern pintail,
shoveler, Eurasian pigeon, pale harrier, demoiselle
crane, sanderling and darters. Watching the arrival
of the cranes during sunset for roosting is a fantastic
experience. As for the other animals, apart from Nilgais,
one can spot jackals, wolves, jungle cats, mongoose,
rabbits and certain snakes like the cobra at Khichadia
bird sanctuary.
-January
18, 2008
