Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary:
A rare Arctic seabird, the Sabine’s Gull, was spotted at Gujarat’s Nalsarovar Wildlife Sanctuary recently — its first recorded sighting in India since 2013, when it was seen in Kerala.
- It is located approximately 64 km west of Ahmedabad in Gujarat.
- It is a natural lake with shallow waters and muddy lagoons, dotted by 360 islets.
- Spread over an area of 120.82 sq km, this sanctuary is a paradise for bird watchers and nature enthusiasts.
- The history of Nalsarovar dates back to the 15th century, when the lake was created as a result of the construction of a check dam across the Sabarmati River.
- The lake was initially used for irrigation and as a source of drinking water for nearby villages.
- Over time, the lake became an important habitat for a variety of bird species, and local communities recognized its ecological significance.
- In the early 20th century, the British colonial administration recognized the importance of Nalsarovar as a wetland ecosystem and established it as a protected area.
- In 1969, the Gujarat government declared Nalsarovar a bird sanctuary to primarily protect its bird population.
- The Ramsar Convention designation of Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary in 2012 recognized its ecological importance as a wetland habitat for birds and other wildlife.
