Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary -:
Nawabganj Bird sanctuary , renamed in 2015 Shahid Chandra Shekhar Azad Bird Sanctuary , is a bird sanctuary located in Unnao district on the Kanpur - Lucknow highway in Uttar Pradesh , India consisting of a lake and the surrounding environment . It is one of the many wetlands of Northern India. The Sanctuary provides protection of 250 species of migratory birds mostly from CIS (or formerly USSR ) countries , but the numbers have been dwindling since the 1990s' most having relocated to newer areas in Himanchal Pradesh and Rajasthan. The sanctuary also houses a deer park , watchtowers and boats.
Birds -:
The avian population here comprises a mix of residents as well as migratory birds . The birds migrate across Himalayas from Tibet, China, Europe and Siberia during winters . Some of these birds fly over the 5000km and above 8500 meters high to reach here . Some of the major migratory birds during the season are greylag goose , pintail , cotton teal , red- crested pochard , gadwall , shoveller , coot and mallard.
Some major local migratory and residential birds are saurus crane, painted stork, peafowl, white ibis, dabchick, open-bill stork , white-necked stork, purple moorhen, lapwing, tern, vulture, pigeon, king crow, Indian roller and bee-eater.
Reptiles -:
The major reptiles found in the sanctuary are cobra, viper, krait, ratsnake and water snakes.
- Cobra is the common name of various elapid snakes, most of which belonging to the genus Naja.
- The Viperidae ( viper) are a family of venomous snakes found in most parts of the world.
- The Common krait , also known as Indian krait or blue krait is a species of venomous snake of the genus Bungarus found in the jungles of the Indian-subcontinent
- Rat snakes are members-along with kingsnakes , milk snakes, vine snakes and indigo snakes-of the subfamily Colubrinae of the family Colubridae .They are medium to large constrictors and are found throughout much of the northern Hemisphere .They feed primarily on rodents and birds.
Deer park -:
A small park for deer has been established in the vicinity of the sanctuary . There are spotted and barking deers in the park. It is one the main attractions in the sanctuary.
Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary
Location : 45 kilometers (km) from Lucknow-Kanpur Highway
Ideal Time to Visit : Anytime round the year, preferably Winters
Attraction : Fauna and Flora
How to Reach : Hire a cab or take a tourist service bus.
Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary is not only the best available Bird Sanctuary in Uttar Pradesh but also one of the most prominent in whole of India. Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary is a great excursion destination around Lucknow . Although Nawabganj Sanctuary is a small bird Sanctuary that is spread across 4 square kilometers , it attracts lots of migratory birds during winters. The Sanctuary is precisely confined to an area that encloses the lake. This is natural lake and has a very beautiful environment around it. Thus, it attracts a lot of avian population keeping in view its importance, the government of Uttar Pradesh declared this as a Bird Sanctuary and a protected area in the year 1984.
The avian population here comprises a mix of residents as well as migratory birds. The birds migrate across Himalayas from Tibet , Europe and Siberia during winters. Some of these birds fly over the 5000 kilometers. Some of the major migratory birds during the season are Graylag Goose , Pintail , Shoveller , Coot and Mallard . Some major local migratory and residential bird are Saras Crane .
Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary on the Kanpur-Lucknow highway comprises a permanent freshwater lake and adjoining marsh land. The Sanctuary, though spread over a small area of 2.5 sq kms, is immensely popular with visitors from Lucknow and Kanpur, inviting both casual birdwatchers and professional ornithologists! However, even visitors with no particular interest in or knowledge of birds would find a trip to the Sanctuary incredibly rewarding.
The charming lake, host to both local and migratory birds, is popular with local tourists, where one can enjoy the splendour of nature, the serene waters of the lake which host a large avian population. You can take a boat ride on the lake, getting an opportunity to see the beautiful birds up close, in all their glory. UP Tourism runs a restaurant near the lake, where refreshments are available. The Sanctuary, situated on the upper-Genetic plains, is an important destination for over 250 species of birds flying in from northern Europe, Tibet, China and Siberia.
The major migratory birds are graylag goose, pintail, red-crested pochard, gadwall, coot and mallard. Resident birds include a mixed heronry of sarus crane, painted stork, black-crowned night heron, open-bill stork and white-necked stork. Peacock, white ibis, dabchick, whistling teal, pheasant-tailed jacana, bronze-winged jacana, purple moorhen, lapwing, tern, vulture, pigeon, king crow, Indian roller and bee-eater are the resident species.
Prior to its protection, the Sanctuary area used to be an open wetland, and hunting and poaching of waterfowl was rampant. In 1984, the Forest Department took over the lake and its surrounding land and declared it a sanctuary. Various trees were also planted around the lake to make the area more hospitable. The lake is fed by monsoon run-off, and has an average depth of 1.0-1.5 m. The water level fluctuates, and much of the lake dries out in summers. Home to various beautiful local birds through the year, with the arrival of exotic migratory birds in winters, the lake becomes an absolute paradise for bird watchers!
An Interpretation Centre within Nawabganj Sanctuary was established to help facilitate the study of its fauna. To boost tourism, Forest Department recently introduced swamp deer in Nawabganj. Other animals which can be viewed here include jungle cat, golden jackal and nilgai.
Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary is a favourite destination of picnickers from Lucknow and is bustling with visitors through the year!