Nal Sarovar Wildlife Sanctuary

Located just 64 kms from the main city of Ahmadabad lies the Nal Sarovar Wildlife Sanctuary. Nal Sarovar is the largest wetland of Gujarat and comes as one of the largest in India. Thousands of migratory birds fly and cross borders to come here. Once flocked they make their own world and live here till the season ends. They flock here just after the monsoons, in the month of September and stay here till the end of February.

The shallow area of the pond attracts the migratory birds which migrate in the water feeding themselves. The area supports more than 210 birds species of birds which feed in the shallow waters. Including these species are the black necked strokes, kingfishers, egrets, darters, storks, pelicans and flamingos, purple herons, spoonbills, green pegions. Others include ducks, geese, European migratory ruff and reeve, great Indian bustard, bengal florican, green pegion, gulls, terns, god wits, ducks and goose, shanks, swifts and swallows which flock here every year. Besides these are the Birds of prey like the ospreys, eagles, sparrow hawks and falcons hover here in search of prey. Those with long bills like whimbrels, curlews, spoonbill (derives its name from its spoon-shaped beak), sandpipers, snipes and kingfishers, cormorants and the darter or snake-bird probe into the details earth in search of food.


And if you want to see them all, then the best time to be here are the months of September to January. By February some of the migratory birds turn their backs back to their homeland. Apart from the birds there is another attraction which call people from all over the world. These are the migratory Padhars who populate the islands of the lake. This Bharwad Shepherd community is excellent in folk songs singing, folk dance and artistry. Sitting on the shores of this 112 km long natural lake and listening to these people its one of the most divine things to do here. Of course, you have to pat on their backs by giving them a little sum of money!



The Nal Sarovar Lake also arranges for a boat ride which will cost you INR 50 per hour. But mind it, the entire ride would take around 3 hrs. The good thing is that they don't charge anything per person. But then this ride is worth the price as its really beautiful in the interiors! There are also arrangements of a night stay or camping around the lake. O if you want to see the Nal Sarovar and be back in time the sane day then you have to began early in the morning at least at 5 a.m. . It takes around 5 hrs to reach Nal Sarovar from the main City of Ahmadabad. Don't forget to take binoculars along and some snacks too. Lunch can be had in any of the nearby restaurants of Nal Sarovar.