Okhla Bird Sanctuary, Noida, Uttar Pradesh India

Tourists should make sure to visit this sanctuary which is house to 319 rare species of birds. This is one of the major tourist attractions of Noida.

This place was declared a sanctuary in the year 1990, in order to preserve the numerous residents and migratory birds. Since then it is one of the most visited places by the tourists.  The best season to pay a visit is in the months of September – March.

Okhla Bird Sanctuary is a barrage bird sanctuary, which is located just 8 km away from Noida. Spread over an area of 3.5 sq. km, this sanctuary is home to around 302 species of birds. In 1990, Uttar Pradesh government declared this region near Yamuna River as a bird sanctuary under the Wildlife Protection Act of India. The main attraction of this sanctuary is the large lake, which lies amidst Okhla village towards west and Gautam Budh Nagar towards east.

Tourists visiting the sanctuary can spot White-rumped Vulture and Indian Vulture, both of which are critically endangered species. Birdwatchers visiting the sanctuary can catch a glimpse of vulnerable bird species like Baikal Teal, Baer’s Pochard, Sarus Crane and Sociable Lapwing. Other vulnerable bird species that can be sighted in this region are Indian Skimmer, Pallas’s Fish Eagle, Lesser Adjutant, Bristled Grassbird and Finn’s Weaver. The bird sanctuary is also home to some near threatened bird species like Ferruginous Pochard, Black-bellied Tern and Grey-headed Fish Eagle.