Kanwar Lake Bird Sanctuary, Bird sanctuary and Ramsar site in Begusarai, India.
Kanwar Lake Bird Sanctuary is a protected wetland in the Begusarai district of Bihar, centered on a large oxbow lake formed by the Burhi Gandak river. The site consists of open water surrounded by shallow marshes, floating vegetation, and reed beds that provide feeding and nesting areas for waterbirds.
The lake formed when the course of the Burhi Gandak river shifted, leaving behind a curved body of water that gradually became a wetland over centuries. In November 2020, the Indian government recognized the area's importance and designated it as Bihar's first Ramsar site.
Fishermen and farmers from the surrounding villages have worked in and around the wetland for generations, developing a deep knowledge of bird behavior and seasonal patterns. They respect nesting periods and adjust their activities when migrating flocks settle on the water.
The best months for birdwatching are November through February, when migratory flocks arrive and settle across the wetland. Visitors can walk along the shorelines or arrange boat trips to observe waterbirds at closer range.
The site lies on the Central Asian Flyway and serves as an important stopover for waterbirds traveling between their breeding grounds in Siberia and their wintering areas in South Asia. More than 50 species of migratory waterbirds use the wetland each year as a resting point on their long journey.
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