Bird sanctuaries are indeed vital for protecting avian species and their habitats, and it’s commendable that the Indian government takes responsibility for their management and upkeep. With bird sanctuaries spread across various states, India demonstrates its commitment to conserving its rich biodiversity and providing a safe haven for numerous bird species. These sanctuaries serve as essential refuges where birds can thrive without fear of disturbance or harm, contributing to the overall ecological balance and preserving India’s natural heritage for future generations to appreciate and enjoy.
According to the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), India boasts approximately 72 Bird Sanctuaries and is home to around 1210 bird species.
List of Bird Sanctuaries in India
| State | Bird Sanctuary |
| Andhra Pradesh | Kolleru Bird Sanctuary |
| Manjira Bird Sanctuary | |
| Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary | |
| Rollapadu Great Indian Bustard Sanctuary | |
| Sri Lankamalleswara Wildlife Sanctuary | |
| Delhi/UP | Okhla Bird Sanctuary |
| Goa | Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary |
| Gujarat | Naliya Grassland (Lala Bustard WLS) |
| Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary | |
| Kutch Bustard Sanctuary | |
| Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary | |
| Porbandar Bird Sanctuary | |
| Thol Lake | |
| Haryana | Bhindawas Wildlife Sanctuary |
| Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary | |
| Himachal Pradesh | Bandli Wildlife Sanctuary |
| Kais Wildlife Sanctuary | |
| Pong Dam Lake WLS (declared as a Bird Sanctuary In 1983) | |
| Jharkhand | Udhuwa Lake Bird Sanctuary |
| Karnataka | Ghataprabha Bird Sanctuary |
| Bankapur Peacock Conservation Reserve (Bird) | |
| Gudavi Bird Sanctuary | |
| Kokkare Bellur Community Reserve (Bird) | |
| Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary | |
| Adichanchunagiri Wildlife Sanctuary | |
| Kerala | Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary |
| Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary | |
| Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary | |
| Chulanur Peafowl WLS | |
| Thattekad Bird Sanctuary | |
| Madhya Pradesh | Ghatigaon Bustard Sanctuary |
| Karera Bustard Sanctuary | |
| Sailana Kharmor (Lesser Florican) Sanctuary | |
| Sardarpur Kharmor (Lesser Florican) Sanctuary | |
| Maharashtra | Mayani Bird Sanctuary |
| Great Indian Bustard Sanctuary | |
| Jaikwadi Bird Sanctuary | |
| Jawaharlal Nehru Bustard Sanctuary | |
| Karnala Bird Sanctuary | |
| Naigaon Mayur WLS | |
| Nandur Madhmeshwar Bird Sanctuary | |
| Nagaland | Khonoma Nature Conservation and Tragopan Sanctuary |
| Odisha | Nalabana Bird Sanctuary |
| Punjab | Harike Lake Bird Sanctuary |
| Rajasthan | Keoladeo National Park/Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary |
| Desert National Park | |
| Tamil Nadu | Chitrangudi Bird Sanctuary |
| Kanjirankulam Bird Sanctuary | |
| Koonthankulam Bird Sanctuary | |
| Point Calimere Bird Sanctuary | |
| Thiruppudai- Maruthur Conservation Reserve (Bird) | |
| Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary | |
| Vaduvoor Lake Bird Sanctuary | |
| Vettangudi Bird Sanctuary | |
| Ariyakulam Bird Sanctuary | |
| Sikkim | Kitam Bird Sanctuary |
| Uttar Pradesh | Bakhira Sanctuary |
| Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary | |
| Sur Sarovar Bird Sanctuary | |
| Patna Bird Sanctuary | |
| Saman Sanctuary | |
| Samaspur Sanctuary | |
| Sandi Bird Sanctuary | |
| Uttarakhand | Asan Barrage Bird Sanctuary |
| Jhilmil Jheel Conservation Reserve (Bird) | |
| West Bengal | Chintamoni Kar Bird Sanctuary |
| Raiganj Wildlife Sanctuary/Kulik Bird Sanctuary |
Indeed, bird sanctuaries play a crucial role in conserving avian species and their habitats. Here are some of the important bird sanctuaries in India:
- Keoladeo National Park/Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, Rajasthan: A UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for hosting a diverse range of migratory birds, including Siberian cranes.
- Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary, Haryana: Located near Delhi, it provides a habitat for resident and migratory birds such as black-necked storks, Siberian cranes, and flamingos.
- Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary, Karnataka: Situated along the banks of the Kaveri River, it is home to numerous bird species like painted storks, spoonbills, and herons.
- Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary, Tamil Nadu: One of the oldest bird sanctuaries in India, known for its large congregation of migratory birds during winter.
- Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary, Gujarat: Spread over a vast area of wetlands, it attracts thousands of migratory birds during winter, including flamingos, pelicans, and ducks.
- Chilika Lake Bird Sanctuary, Odisha: Asia’s largest brackish water lagoon is a haven for migratory birds like flamingos, herons, and pelicans.
- Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, Uttar Pradesh: Also known as Lohagarh Bird Sanctuary, it’s a significant wintering ground for waterfowl and is famous for its birdwatching opportunities.
- Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, Goa: Named after the renowned ornithologist, it protects mangrove habitats and is home to various bird species, including kingfishers and eagles.
- Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, Kerala: Nestled amidst the backwaters of Vembanad Lake, it is a paradise for birdwatchers with sightings of egrets, herons, and waterfowl.
- Mayani Bird Sanctuary, Maharashtra: Located near Pune, it’s a haven for migratory birds like flamingos, pintails, and sandpipers during the winter months.
These sanctuaries not only provide shelter to a wide array of bird species but also serve as important ecosystems contributing to biodiversity conservation and environmental sustainability.