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About NalSarovar Bird Sanctuary
Nal Sarovar literally means ‘Tap Lake’. The similarity comes from the fact that this well known tourist destination is home to a variety of bird species, who are drawn to the lake. It has several little islands (reports claim 36), and the territory is spread out across a broad area, allowing the birds to travel freely without conflict with other species.This bird sanctuary is located approximately 64 kilometers west of Ahmedabad, near Sanand Village in Gujarat.
The most popular part of this tourist attraction is the wide variety of migratory birds that may be seen. Nalsarovar Wetland in Gujarat is considered the state’s largest wetland bird sanctuary. As many as 200 different bird species can be identified and enjoyed. Birds travel from Siberia, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, and other locations. Aside from these, common species such as pelicans, ducks, herons, and storks can be easily found.
It is highly recommended that you visit Nalsarovar because of the variety of bird species that may be seen. These birds migrate from Siberia, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Yemen, and other locations. There are several indigenous bird species. Picnic areas are accessible for individuals who want to enjoy the magnificent view of tall grasses and marshes with a flock of birds nearby. Thus, vacationers looking for a peaceful area to spend their vacations are welcome here.
Tourists will enjoy bird watching, horseback riding, and boat cruises, as well as the local cuisine and handicrafts.For the traveler who wants to learn more about the various bird species he observes, an information center has been developed to provide information on different bird species, migration patterns, feeding habits, and so on.
Image Gallery of Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary Ahmedabad
History of Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary
Nal Sarovar was declared a bird sanctuary in April 1969, and it now attracts over 210 different bird species. Nalsarovar was certified a Ramsar site on September 24, 2012. The Ramsar Convention defines a Ramsar Site as a wetland site of international importance.
The low-lying Nal Sarovar bird refuge was part of a sea link. Due to a shortage of food and fresh water, other bird species from the surrounding area began migrating to these places throughout time. Nal Sarovar quickly became a bird sanctuary, drawing up to 210 different species of birds.
Architecture of Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary
Nal Sarovar Lake’s geography can be described as a low-lying region that lies between East Saurashtra and Central Gujarat. Although the exact number of islands in the Nal Sarovar bird sanctuary is up for debate, locals claim there are over 100 small islands, while government records only list 36. This sanctuary is home to a variety of tree species, including the well-known “pilu” trees in the area, which bear tasty red berries. The environment is dotted with deep forests, marshes and wetlands, medium-to-tall grasslands, and expansive fields, and there are numerous tiny lakes. In summary, all of these geographical features and natural beauty contribute to the creation of a tranquil location such as the Nal Sarovar bird sanctuary.
Entry Fee of Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary
Nal Sarovar Bird sanctuary Ahmedabad Entry Fee
The entry fee for Nal Sarovar bird sanctuary is Rs. 75/- per Indian visitor on weekdays and Rs. 85 on weekends. For foreigners, the entry fee is $10 on weekdays and $12.50 on weekends.
Cameras are allowed but a small fee of Rs.200 for Indian tourists and $20 for foreign tourists are charged.
A parking facility is available just outside the entrance of Nal Sarovar, approx. 1 km from the lakeside and the fee for 2 wheelers is Rs.10 while that of 3 or 4 wheeler is Rs.20 and for bus or truck, it is Rs. 50.
To promote more visitors, 50% off is provided to children aged between 5 to 12.
Nal Sarovar Bird sanctuary Ahmedabad Boating Charges
If one opts for the boat rides, it costs Rs.220 per individual and Rs.1320 for a complete private boat consisting of max. six individuals.
Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary Ahmedabad Timings
The sanctuary is open on all weekdays and even on weekends including Sundays. The opening and closing times are 6:00 am till 5:30 pm respectively.
Resorts Near Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary
Nalsarovar Resort
Hotels Near Nalsarovar
Green Mango Lake Resort & Club Nalsarovar
Nalsarovar City, Anyari Village, Sanand – Nalsarovar Highway,
Taluka – Viramgam, Ahmedabad 382110, India
Pelican Perch Resort
Sanand Nalsarovar Road, Nalsarovar,
Phone: +91 7575806802
Nal Safari
behind kundal village, Sanand-Nalsarovar Road, Ahmedabad, Gujarat 382110
Phone: +91 9825039864
100 Acres Resort
Sanand-Nalsarovar Rd, Gujarat 382220
Phone: +91 79 2685 8065
Things to do at Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary
There is a myriad of activities to do at Nal Sarovar bird sanctuary. One can opt for the classic birdwatching using a pair of binoculars or telescopes, chill out with a live barbeque session near the banks of the lakes or enjoy a horse ride. Some of the activities include:-
1. Visitors can take a horse ride at lakeside Nalsarovar national park. The charges start from as low as Rs.50. The visitor will be assigned a horse along with the groom i.e. the person who maintains the horse. The horse ride usually lasts for 20 minutes but can be extended by paying some extra money.
2. For the tourist who is looking to learn more about the species of birds an Information center is provided. It consists of many kinds of models of bird species along with their history, origin, food habits, unique attributes, etc. A map is also provided in this center so that a tourist can easily identify the location of his/her favorite bird. Apart from these, there are also details about the Nal Sarovar itself along with its history.
3. One-day picnic spots are available for the casual traveler. Huge fields near these picnic spots allow for setting up a volleyball court or football games with the kids. Even live barbeque or food counters can be set up if appropriate cooking equipment is brought along. The picnic areas are clean and surprisingly, there are no such problems as mosquito/insect bites.
4. Tourists can book boat rides in the lakes present in Nal Sarovar. These boat rides allow for deeper exploration of the Nal Sarovar bird sanctuary and offer better chances of spotting a rare species of a bird. The boat ride journey starts from the place where the boat is booked up to Dhrabla Island or BET as called by the locals and includes a return. On certain islands, watchtowers have been constructed to enjoy the view of the lake.
5. For the foodie kind of traveler, there are small huts where kathiyawadi thali consists of three different types of vegetables, Indian bread aka bajra ki roti, gudh (jaggery), butter, and chutney is served by the local vendors. All the vendors sell food at a similar rate of around Rs.150 per plate. Gathiya, the classic Gujarati snack, is also available with almost all of the vendors.
Places to visit near Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary
Places near Nal Sarovar bird sanctuary are also recommended due to their own set of the unique experiences that each of the following places provides:-
1. Utelia – Utelia is a small village that is situated 75 km from Ahmedabad or 42 km from Nal Sarovar bird sanctuary on Bhavnagar highway. It has a famous heritage hotel and lothal excavations of the Indus valley civilization that can be found around 6 km from Utelia. It is highly recommended for heritage travelers.
2. Wadhwan – It is an important center for weaving, bandhani, brass handicrafts, metal crafts, etc. Various types of handicrafts and ornaments that are indigenous to Gujarat can be found here. Wadhwan lies midway between Rajkot and Ahmedabad near Surendranagar at approx. 37 km from Sayla. This destination is a shopper’s paradise for tourists looking to buy some indigenous, handmade gifts for their loved ones. The items are cheap and being handmade, are very intricate and detailed.
3. Ahmedabad – Ahmedabad is located at a distance of 64 km from Nal Sarovar bird sanctuary and is worth a visit for anybody who wants to experience the urban, modern Gujarat. Consisting of well-connected roads with a complete traffic regulation system, it is a place that is an amalgamation of heritage, culture, and business. Ahmedabad has some of the famous manufacturing hubs including that of mobile phones, TVs, and other electronics, and is thus a popular city to visit for business travelers.
Interesting facts about Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary
Some interesting facts about this popular tourist destination are:-
1. There are as many as 210 species of birds in the winter, out of which 140 are water birds and the rest 70 are migratory birds. Out of these 70, only 25 to 30 are easily observable and the rest require a deeper exploration into the wildlands.
2. In the past, there was no access to clean drinking water for the tourists, and hence the visitors needed to carry their own drinking water. But now there is a reverse osmosis plant that has been established to offer pure drinking water to visitors.
3. Migratory birds can be seen popping up at Nal Sarovar in the month of October and remain till April. However, the time you would want to visit would probably range from the month of November to January because, at that time, the migrated population is at its peak. When March ends, flamingo flocks of huge sizes arrive here.
Tips For visiting Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary
Do keep in mind the following tips:-
1. Bargain with the boatmen during boat rides to prevent getting ripped off. You may contact a boatman beforehand to get cheaper rates.
2. Carry a pair of binoculars, drinking water, cameras, and some gathiya snacks to attract more birds.
3. Visit a washroom before embarking on a journey to this place as restrooms are scarce.
4. There is no 3G/4G network coverage so plan accordingly.
How to reach Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary
Nal Sarovar bird sanctuary near Sanand village can be reached by a personal vehicle or taxi from top car rental companies in Ahmedabad.
Buses are scarce and there is no fixed accommodation to be found anywhere near, hence it is recommended to book a stay near Ahmedabad where various resorts are easily available. This problem has been addressed by Gujarat Tourism who now offers luxury tents near the lake.
Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary Ahmedabad Phone
02717 223 500
Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary Ahmedabad Address:
Bagodara Nalsarovar Link Road, Nalsarovar, Gujarat, 382150, India