Okhla Bird Sanctuary

A symphony of birdsong filled the air at the Okhla Bird Sanctuary. This sanctuary, nestled on the banks of the Yamuna River, holds a special place in the hearts of bird enthusiasts. Okhla Bird Sanctuary became a protected haven in 1990, thanks to the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972. The sanctuary sprawls across 3.5 square kilometers. It marks the spot where the Yamuna River flows from Delhi into Uttar Pradesh. The heart of the Okhla Bird Sanctuary is its large lake, formed by the Okhla barrage. This lake lies between Okhla village and Gautam Budh Nagar. Interestingly, the area around the Okhla barrage has been a popular spot for birdwatchers since the construction of the Agra Canal in 1874. Even before its official designation, birdwatchers flocked to this location. Major-General H. P. W. Hutson meticulously documented the birds of Okhla during his surveys from 1943 to 1945. Later, Mrs. Usha Ganguli also recorded the diverse avifauna in her guide to Delhi’s birds. The construction of the barrage and the subsequent formation of the lake in 1986 further amplified birdwatching activity. Okhla Bird Sanctuary boasts over 300 recorded bird species. In a remarkable event during the Asian Waterbird Census in January 2011, a rare leucistic coot, known for its unique white plumage, was spotted among the common coots. This was the first such sighting in India. Over 400 species grace the sanctuary year-round, with over 100,000 migratory birds joining them during the winter months. Notably, Okhla Bird Sanctuary represents 30% of the 1200 to 1300 bird species found across the Indian subcontinent. The sanctuary supports a rich variety of bird species from thorny scrub, grasslands, and wetlands. Sadly, the bird population has declined over the years due to increasing pollution in the Yamuna River and shrinking habitats. Urban development and construction around the sanctuary pose a significant threat. Thankfully, in 2013, the National Green Tribunal intervened, ordering a halt to unauthorized construction within a 10-km radius. The Okhla Bird Sanctuary remains a testament to the importance of conservation efforts. It stands as a vital refuge for diverse birdlife in the face of urban expansion.