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Khijadia Bird Sanctuary

Khijadia Bird Sanctuary


Khijadia Bird Sanctuary

Khijadia Bird Sanctuary is a bird sanctuary also known as safe haven for birds located in Jamnagar district of Gujarat. It is declared as a sanctuary in May 1981.The sanctuary is unique having both fresh water lakes, salt and freshwater marshlands. It is spread over an area of 6.05 km2. Before Indian independence, a check dam was built for storing the waters of river Ruparel just before it entered the sea. Over the years with fresh water of the rain and river on one side of the bund large creeks flowing from the Gulf of Kutch are located. The sanctuary is located at the watershed of Ruparelriver and Kalindri at the North East coastal region of Jamnagar district in the Gulf of Kutch and has a very special and unique ecosystem. Further, as sanctuary is located near Narara Island, therefore is also has a beautiful and bio diversified coral reef.

Black necked stork (Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus) :


Globally threatened, Black-necked stork is a resident species of the Indian subcontinent. This large stork with black neck, long red legs and black bill forages singly or in pairs. It wades in shallow water and among aquatic vegetation with its bill open at the tip. Normally it breeds in September -December.

Spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia) :
    White all over with black legs and a yellow patch at the base of its long neck, this bird is notable for its long, flattened, spoon-shaped bill. It holds it partly open, dipping into shallow water, and sweeps it from side to side, often as part of a group of birds advancing together, and in this way catches frogs, crustacea and other small bottom dwellers. It frequents pools, marshes and sometimes mangrove swamps.

Flora

Emergent aquatic vegetation includes Typhaungustata, Scripus sp., Cyperus sp. and Saccharumspontaneum. Under water plants include Hydrillaverticellat, vallisnariaspiralis and najas minor and somw important tree species like gandobaval, deshibaval, piloo, Deshi babul, prosopis.

Fauna
Due to its high diversity of landscapes, the sanctuary has a rare distinction of having maximum bird species diversity in the state with more than 220 species in a relatively very small area. This diversity has a special conservation value as it has several globally threatened species such as Dalmatian pelicans, Darter, Asian open bill stork, Black-headed ibis, Eurasian spoonbill, Pallas’s fish eagle, Pallid harrier, Indian skimmer, Osprey, great crested grebe, little grebe, purple moorhen, ducks, coots, cormorants, herons, egrets, storks, ibises, gulls, terns, jacanas, darter, flamingos etc. and many raptors. Important animals are like Jackal, Jungle Cat, blue bull, mongoose etc.

Best time to visit is October to March

There are no overnight lodges, but facilities include watchtowers, trails and paddleboats, to help visitors engage with this diverse community. As a visitor, keep in mind that conservation in any area is a difficult process, and that in Khijadia there have been complications with how water is used by local cultivators which affect the ecosystem within the tiny protected area. So if you’re interested, you can ask around about the issues, and find out what impact even your own visit has on the process.

Location : Taluka and District    Sanctuary area

 

Jamnagar    605 ha.

 

How to Reach

Reach by air

    The Nearest airport is Jamnagar (15 kms).
    Ahmedabad (350 kms. Approximately)

Reach by bus

    The Nearest bus station is Jamnagar (15 kms).

Reach by train

The Nearest Railway station are:

    Hapa - 5 kms.
    Jamnagar - 10 Kms

Best time to visit

    October to March

Nearest places to visit

    Narara- 60 km. by road from Jamnagar
    Marine National Park, Jamnagar

Accomodation

    Good hotels at Jamnagar