Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary is located in Jamnagar district of Gujarat to provide a safe haven for about 300 varieties of migratory birds. The sanctuary now has the record of having the highest density of species. It is a wonder that this wonder of ecology has developed around two manmade structures. This only goes to show how nature responds to even the smallest gesture of help from humanity. The sanctuary is just 12 kilometers from Jamnagar and, can be reached by bus and taxis. The tourists however, have to walk about 3 kilometers to reach inside the inside the park.

There are no facilities like lodges in the area for overnight stay and the bird watching is strictly a daytime affair. There are however trails, boating and watchtowers to help birdwatchers to take in the scenery. What is remarkable is that the people from the adjoining areas have pitched in helping the birds and keeping ecological balance. Hunting is unheard of and the locals proudly declare these migratory birds as “Atithi deva”, the guest gods.

Geography

Declared a sanctuary on November 6, 1982 and spread over an area of 6.05 square kilometers, The sanctuary is one of a kind with both fresh and salt-water lakes, creeks, marshlands, mangroves, saltpans, open mudflats, intertidal mudflats, scrubs sandy beaches and adjoining farmlands, providing the right environment to different kinds of birds. This sanctuary has an interesting past. Check dams built across the river Ruparel as fresh water of the river was flowing into the sea. While these check dams stopped wastage of fresh water, they also restricted way in of salinity from sea into inland.

Over a period of time fresh water lake formed by the dam, the natural mangroves supported by water from creeks and the salt water from the sea on the other side of the dam provided for a very exceptional mix of flora and fauna. The variety of the ecology found here is one of a kind.

Wild Life

The sanctuary is the temporary home to many birds and even rare and threatened species. Bird watchers can spot many bird species. The Asian open bill stork, the Black-necked stork, the Black-headed ibis, the Black-winged Kite, the Brahminy Kite, the Black-tailed Godwit, the Common Greenshank, the Comb Duck, the Common Crane, the Common Teal, the Cormorants Demoiselle, the Dunlin, the Darters. the Dalmatian pelican, the Eurasian spoonbill, the Eurasian Wigeon, the Great Crested Grebe, the Great Thick-Knee, the Grey Francolin, the Garganey, the Indian skimmer, the Imperial Eagle, the Lesser spotted Eagle, the Little Tern, the Marsh Harrier, the Northern Pintail, the Pheasant-tailed Jacana, the Pale Harrier, the Shikra, the Shoveler and many more are the guests of honor here.

There is a lot of preparation that goes into a visit to such places. Cataloging the species of birds that you expect to stay over in the sanctuary is in itself a thrill. Seriously, one could carry the pictures of the birds, sit comfortably in a secluded area peer with intensity down a binoculars, and tick away the birds spotted from the picture list. This is an engaging and yet a relaxing activity that is fulfilling.

Places of interest nearby: Some other wildlife sanctuaries nearby are the Bardar Sanctuary, Barda Hills Wildlife Sanctuary. These complete and compliment the visit to Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary. There are other places of interest nearby, which a tourist will find interesting. The Marine national park, Balachari Beach, Rangmati River, Rozi Port, Sivrajpur Beach, Pirotan Island, Beyt Dwarka Beach, Bohra Hajira, Dabdaba Island, Ayurvedic University, Bhujio Kotho.

How to Reach

By Road

Jamnagar has excellent bus connections to all of the state of Gujarat and even some places in the states of Maharashtra and Rajasthan. So, travel by bus to Jamnagar is not an issue that needs to be worried about. Again, there is a choice ranging from sleeper to seating accommodation on the buses, catering to all of the budget range.

By Rail

Travel to Ahmadabad is easy with many trains to that destination. Reaching any destination in India from there is relatively easy.

By Air

Jamnagar has an airport about 10 kilometers from the center of the town with frequent flight connections to Mumbai, the commercial capital of India and Ahmadabad.

The Best Time to Visit

The weather is pleasant from October to March and the time most birds pass through this area, making it the ideal period to visit this place. Start early in the morning to marvel at the wonders of nature. Make it a daylong affair, it is a memory that you will cherish throughout your life.