India, with its vast and varied ecosystems, is home to numerous bird sanctuaries that protect diverse avian species and their habitats. These sanctuaries promote conservation, biodiversity, and provide safe breeding grounds for resident and migratory birds.
Recognized by official sources and established wildlife authorities, India’s bird sanctuaries are a vital part of its ecological heritage.
Read along for a comprehensive and state-wise list of prominent bird sanctuaries in India-
Bird Sanctuaries in India: State-Wise List
State | Bird Sanctuary Name(s) |
Andhra Pradesh | Atapaka, Nelapattu, Pulicat Lake, Sri Lankamalleshwara, Uppalapadu, Kondakarla Ava |
Assam | Bordoibam-Bilmukh, Pani-Dihing |
Bihar | Bareli Jheel Salim Ali, Kusheshwar Asthan, Saraiya Man |
Chandigarh | City Bird Sanctuary |
Delhi | Okhla Bird Sanctuary |
Goa | Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary (Chorao Island) |
Gujarat | Khijadiya, Kutch Bustard Sanctuary, Nal Sarovar, Porbandar, Thol Lake, Gaga, Wachana |
Haryana | Bhindawas, Khaparwas, Sultanpur National Park |
Himachal Pradesh | Gamgul, Bandli, Kais, Pong Dam Lake |
Jharkhand | Udhuwa Lake |
Karnataka | Attiveri, Bankapura Peacock Sanctuary, Bonal, Gudavi, Kaggaladu, Kokrebellur, Magadi, Mandagadde, Puttenahalli, Ranganathittu |
Kerala | Kadalundi, Kumarakom, Mangalavanam, Pathiramanal, Thattekad (Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary) |
Madhya Pradesh | Ghatigaon, Karera, Sailana Kharmor, Sardarpur Kharmor |
Maharashtra | Mayani, Karnala, Great Indian Bustard Sanctuary, Jaikwadi, Jawaharlal Nehru Bustard Sanctuary, Naigaon, Nandur Madhmeshwar |
Mizoram | Lengteng Wildlife Sanctuary |
Nagaland | Khonoma Nature Conservation and Tragopan Sanctuary |
Odisha | Chilika Lake, Nalabana |
Puducherry | Oussudu Bird Sanctuary |
Punjab | Harike Lake |
Rajasthan | Keoladeo National Park (Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary), Tal Chhapar, Desert National Park |
Tamil Nadu | Ariyakulam, Chitrangudi, Kanjirankulam, Koothankulam, Suchindram Theroor, Udayamarthandapuram, Vedanthangal, Vellode, Vettangudi |
Uttar Pradesh | Sarsai Nawar, Haiderpur, Lakh Bahosi, Nawabganj, Patna, Saman, Samaspur, Sandi, Thasrana (Dhanauri Wetlands) |
Uttarakhand | Asan Barrage Wetland |
West Bengal | Chintamoni Kar, Kulik (Raiganj), Rasikbill |
Jammu & Kashmir | Hokera Wetland |
Lakshadweep | Pitti Wildlife Sanctuary |
Andhra Pradesh
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Atapaka Bird Sanctuary
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Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary
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Pulicat Lake Bird Sanctuary (one of the largest brackish water ecosystems)
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Sri Penusila Narasimha Wildlife Sanctuary
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Uppalapadu Bird Sanctuary
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Kondakarla Ava Bird Sanctuary
Bihar
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Nagi Dam Bird Sanctuary
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Kusheshwar Asthan Bird Sanctuary
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Saraiya Man Bird Sanctuary
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Bareli Jheel Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary
Delhi
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Najafgarh Drain Bird Sanctuary
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Okhla Bird Sanctuary
Goa
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Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary (named after the famous ornithologist Dr. Salim Ali)
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Chorao Island Bird Sanctuary
Gujarat
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Gaga Wildlife Sanctuary
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Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary
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Kutch Bustard Sanctuary
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Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary (largest wetland bird sanctuary in Gujarat)
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Porbandar Bird Sanctuary
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Thol Lake Bird Sanctuary
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Wachana Bird Sanctuary
Haryana
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Bhindawas Wildlife Sanctuary
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Khaparwas Wildlife Sanctuary
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Sultanpur National Park (Bird Sanctuary)
Himachal Pradesh
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Gamgul Wildlife Sanctuary
Karnataka
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Attiveri Bird Sanctuary
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Bankapura Peacock Sanctuary
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Bonal Bird Sanctuary
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Gudavi Bird Sanctuary
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Kaggaladu Bird Sanctuary
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Kokrebellur Bird Sanctuary
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Magadi Bird Sanctuary
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Mandagadde Bird Sanctuary
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Puttenahalli Lake Bird Sanctuary
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Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary
Kerala
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Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary
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Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary
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Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary
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Pathiramanal Bird Sanctuary
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Thattekad Bird Sanctuary (Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary)
Madhya Pradesh
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Ghatigaon Bustard Sanctuary
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Karera Bustard Sanctuary
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Sailana Kharmor (Lesser Florican) Sanctuary
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Sardarpur Kharmor (Lesser Florican) Sanctuary
Maharashtra
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Mayani Bird Sanctuary
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Karnala Bird Sanctuary
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Great Indian Bustard Sanctuary
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Jaikwadi Bird Sanctuary
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Jawaharlal Nehru Bustard Sanctuary
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Naigaon Mayur Wildlife Sanctuary
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Nandur Madhmeshwar Bird Sanctuary
Mizoram
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Lengteng Wildlife Sanctuary
Nagaland
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Khonoma Nature Conservation and Tragopan Sanctuary
Odisha
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Chilika Lake Bird Sanctuary (Asia’s largest brackish water lagoon)
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Nalabana Bird Sanctuary
Puducherry
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Oussudu Bird Sanctuary
Punjab
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Harike Lake Bird Sanctuary
Rajasthan
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Keoladeo National Park (Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary) (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
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Tal Chhapar Sanctuary
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Desert National Park (includes avifauna habitat)
Tamil Nadu
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Chitrangudi Bird Sanctuary
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Kanjirankulam Bird Sanctuary
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Koothankulam Bird Sanctuary
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Suchindram Theroor Birds Sanctuary
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Udayamarthandapuram Bird Sanctuary
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Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary (one of the oldest water bird sanctuaries in India)
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Vellode Birds Sanctuary
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Vettangudi Bird Sanctuary
Uttar Pradesh
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Sarsai Nawar Wetland
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Haiderpur Wetland
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Lakh Bahosi Sanctuary
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Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary
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Patna Bird Sanctuary
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Saman Sanctuary
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Samaspur Sanctuary
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Sandi Bird Sanctuary
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Thasrana Bird Sanctuary (Dhanauri Wetlands)
West Bengal
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Chintamoni Kar Bird Sanctuary
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Kulik Bird Sanctuary (Raiganj Wildlife Sanctuary)
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Rasikbill Bird Sanctuary
Jammu and Kashmir
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Hokera Wetland
Significance of Bird Sanctuaries in India
Biodiversity Conservation: These sanctuaries protect habitats for endemic, resident, and migratory birds, some of which are critically endangered or rare.
Ecotourism: Many sanctuaries are popular ecotourism destinations, boosting awareness and local economies.
Research and Education: Catering to ornithologists and students, these protected areas aid research in avian ecology and conservation biology.
Cultural Importance: Many sanctuaries hold cultural significance and contribute to the natural heritage of the regions.
India’s network of bird sanctuaries boasts rich diversity and plays a vital role in avifaunal conservation amidst changing ecological landscapes. The above exhaustive list includes the most recognized bird sanctuaries across all states, supported by official and reputable sources. Whether you are a researcher, bird lover, or traveler, exploring these sanctuaries offers insights into India’s natural splendor and commitment to protecting its feathered inhabitants.
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