Nalbana Bird Sanctuary
127KM per person
| Bhubaneswar |  |
Nalbana | ≈ 3Hrs 19Mins |
Entry fee : No entry fee
WHAT TO EXPECT INSIDE :
Interesting things to visits near:
Main Attractions
There are several species of birds and aquatic animals in the sanctuary that thrive due to the continuous water inflow to the lake. The lake officials also ensure regular de-weeding of the water to help in the sustenance of marine life. There are more than 150 species of fish and shrimps in the lake along with hundreds of bird species. Some of the important attractions of Nalabana Wildlife Sanctuary are enlisted below.
Lesser Flamingos, Flamingos, Grey herons, Egrets, Purple herons, Storks, Spoonbills, White Ibis, Shovellers, Brahminy Ducks, Pintails, Teals, River Terns, Gadwall, Pochards, white-bellied sea eagle, Geese Coots, Spoon-billed Sandpiper, osprey peregrine falcon, Goliath Heron, Asiatic Dowitchers, Long-legged waders, Pariah Kite, Brahminy Kites, ducks, White-bellied Sea Eagle, Marsh harriers, Peregrine Falcon and Kestrel.
Facts
Nalaban island is completely submerged in the monsoon months.
This tiny island supports congregation of about 60% of total migratory birds visiting Chilika lagoon each year.
Tourism is not allowed in the Sanctuay at present as per prescription of management plan. However tourists visiting Kalijai temple and having boat ride in Chilika can have a glimpse of the sanctuary from the sanctuary boundary.
Nalbana Bird Sanctuary or Nalbana Island is the core area of the Ramsar designated wetlands of Chilika Lake. It was declared a bird sanctuary under the Wildlife Protection Act in 1973. In the heart of the park, one can see thousands of birds descending during the migratory season. The island disappears during monsoon season due to inundation only to emerge again in post-monsoon.Nalbana means a weed covered island In the Odia language. It is a major island in the center of the lake with an area of 15.53km2. The island gets completely submerged during the monsoon season. As the monsoon recedes in the winter, lake levels decrease and the island is gradually exposed, birds flock to the island in large numbers to feed on its extensive mudflats. Nalbana was notified in 1987 and declared a bird sanctuary in 1973 under the Wildlife Protection Act.Large flocks of greater flamingos from Iran and the Rann of Kutch in Gujarat, feed in the shallow waters of the lake. Other-long legged waders seen around Nalbana Island are the lesser flamingos, Goliath heron, grey herons, purple herons, egrets, spoonbills, storks and black-headed ibis. Rare birds reported in the lake are Asiatic dowitchers (NT), Dalmatian pelican (VU), Pallas’s fish-eagles (VU), the very rare migrant spoon-billed sandpiper (CR) and spot-billed pelican (NT). The white-bellied sea eagle, pariah kite, brahminy kites, kestrel, marsh harriers, and the world’s most widespread bird of prey, peregrine falcon, are among the raptors seen here. Plan your visit to Nalabana Bird Sanctuary.
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Destination
From Our Gallery
Nalbana Bird Sanctuary
Nalabana Bird Sanctuary is situated in a region experiencing tropical type climate with ample rainfall. The South West monsoon brings an on-pour of rains between the months of July and October.
