Okhla Sanctuary, Bird sanctuary in Noida, India
Okhla Sanctuary is a protected area along the Yamuna River in Noida that encompasses wetlands, shallow pools and wooded zones across several kilometers of river course. The site sits partly on an artificial island behind a barrage and offers different habitats for waterfowl and forest-dwelling species.
The government of Uttar Pradesh established this protected area in 1990 to preserve bird populations that had declined due to human activity along the river. Earlier, ornithologist Major-General H. P. W. Hutson conducted extensive field surveys of this region's birdlife between 1943 and 1945.
The river landscape serves local naturalists as an important observation point for migratory birds arriving between October and March from Central Asia. Birdwatchers gather frequently along the shoreline paths to see herons, kingfishers and coots in their habitat.
The protected area is best visited during winter mornings when most migratory birds are active and light conditions favor observation. Access is from Mathura Road, and visitors should bring sturdy footwear and binoculars.
Two critically endangered vulture species, the white-rumped vulture and Indian vulture, live here among more than 300 confirmed bird species. These raptors rarely return to urban areas and use the river zone as a refuge.
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