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India.com
18-05-2025
- India.com
6 Best Birdwatching Spots Near Lucknow City For Nature Lovers
Lucknow serves as the capital city of Uttar Pradesh in India where visitors discover wealth in historical sites besides enjoying cultural traditions along with delectable traditional food. The city shows its urban active side yet it provides blessed nature areas which create a relaxing paradise for observing birds and wildlife. Lucknow presents multiple outstanding locations for bird observation because its ecosystems include forests as well as wetlands. Seven outstanding hotspots for birdwatching exist in the vicinity of Lucknow which all nature enthusiasts must experience. 1. Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary Birdwatchers visit Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary as one of the most sought-after bird watching destinations since it exists at a distance of 45 kilometers from Lucknow. The sanctuary occupies 2.25 square kilometers of land which draws resident birds alongside different types of migratory species. The Painted Stork together with the Asian Openbill and Black-winged Stilt find excellent habitat in the wetland ecosystem at this location. Northern Pintail and Gadwall together with Greylag Goose along with other species choose Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary as their winter nesting site during this period. Observing birds while taking peaceful walks along the trails and utilizing watchtowers is possible at this sanctuary. 2. Samaspur Bird Sanctuary Birdwatchers will find exciting pleasures at Samaspur Bird Sanctuary which rests about 60 kilometers toward the east from Lucknow. The Ramsar site establishment has designated this wetland of international importance due to its six interconnected lakes which provide nurturing ground for various aquatic plus terrestrial bird species. Three significant bird species that live in this area are the Sarus Crane alongside the Indian Roller and the Purple Heron. During the winter season the Bar-headed Goose and Greater Flamingo migrate to the area with other bird populations. Birdwatchers along with photographers enjoy the serene landscape formed by the lovely greenery and tranquil waters in this sanctuary. 3. Chandausi Lake Birdwatchers should explore Chandausi Lake which lies about 25 kilometers from Lucknow as it offers unexpected rewards in its birdwatching opportunities. Waterfowl alongside wading birds find this freshwater lake to be their rest area. Spotting Little Grebe and other bird species including Common Kingfisher and Red-wattled Lapwing is common at this location. Both Lucknow residents and visitors find daytrip access to this calm lake while escaping city pressures thanks to its close distance to the city. 4. Kukrail Reserve Forest Kukrail Reserve Forest exists 12 kilometers from Lucknow and provides opportunities for both protecting threatened Gharials and bird observation. The forest section of this area contains a combination of birds typical to woodland as well as wetland habitats because residents include Indian Peafowl and Golden Oriole and White-breasted Kingfisher. The various plant life within the reserve produces both protective vegetation and nourishing nourishment that attracts numerous types of birds. Nature walks are led by knowledgeable guides throughout the site and visitors can relax near the ponds to watch birds active below. 5. Haiderpur Wetland Haiderpur Wetland stands out for its Ramsar site designation together with its exceptional biodiversity even though it exists at a greater distance of 180 kilometers. This Ganga River waterfront supports the annual migration of thousands of birds where Ruddy Shelduck and Common Teal and Ferruginous Duck can be found among others. Page 4: The remote distance along with an extensive travel time from Lucknow does not diminish the enormous abundance of avian species which attracts serious birdwatchers. 6. Gomti Riverfront Park Gomti Riverfront Park remains an optimal destination to observe urban bird species since it traces the riverfront borders of Lucknow. The Gomti River borders a park that presents aesthetically clean garden spaces and excellent walking paths. Visitors at this site regularly observe three particular bird species which include the Brahminy Kite along with the Pied Kingfisher and Ashy Prinia. Visitor opportunities at Gomti Riverfront Park provide relaxation along with casual birdwatching because the park maintains a pleasant natural setting without requiring long distances from Lucknow. Conclusion The area surrounding Lucknow opens its doors to multiple locations which attract birdwatchers who love nature exploration. Both Nawabganj and Samaspur wetlands and Katarniaghat forest provide visitors with access to watch different types of bird species. These seven natural sites invite experienced birders and all those seeking nature bonding to encounter beautiful and wonderful experiences. The key to experiencing birds living in their wild habitats around Lucknow is to bring your equipment and make the journey while enjoying birdwatching adventures.
The Hindu
02-05-2025
- General
- The Hindu
NGO appeals to drop Coimbatore Corporation's plan to commercialise tanks
City-based non-governmental organisation 'Osai' has appealed to Coimbatore District Collector, Coimbatore Corporation the and District Forest Officer (DFO) to drop the civic body's move to rent out spaces of tanks beautified under the Smart Cities Mission for commercial activities. In a petition submitted to the Collector, Corporation Commissioner and DFO on Friday, the NGO stated that the civic body's invitation to event organisers to conduct recreational and commercial gatherings at these beautified spaces and to promote them as event venues raise significant environmental red flags. Many of these tanks, including Valankulam, Ukkadam Big Tank, Kurichi tank and Selva Chinthamani have evolved over the years into crucial habitats for wetland-dependent birds, including migratory and resident such as Painted Stork, Asian Openbill, Spot-billed Pelican and numerous other shallow-water foragers and shorebirds. 'Hosting events involving amplified sound, crowds, lighting, and food stalls will not only disturb the habitat integrity, but also directly threaten the survival of these sensitive bird populations. Birds such as pelicans and storks are particularly sensitive to noise and human presence during feeding and breeding seasons. Littering and waste from such events pose a secondary but equally serious threat by degrading water quality and increasing the risk of disease outbreaks among bird populations,' stated the petition. It said that wetlands constituted 6.92% of the geographical area of Tamil Nadu and 1.08% of Coimbatore. Due to urban expansion and land use changes, many of these tanks no longer served their original irrigation purpose and naturally transitioned into biodiversity refuges. These waterbodies were not merely habitats, but the only remaining options for survival for several species of wetland birds in the urbanised landscape. Over 200 species of birds, which constituted over 15% of the bird species found in India, visited these wetlands. The NGO wanted the district administration to reconsider the current plan to use tank shores as event venues and declare them as Urban Biodiversity Conservation Zones and Ecological Learning and Conservation Education Centres. Such a shift in approach would align with the ecological history of these water bodies and foster environmental responsibility among the city's youth and public, said the petition, which was attached with bird population reports of Valankulam, Ukkadam Big Tank, Kumaraswamy tank (Muthannankulam), Kurichi tank, Narasampathi tank, Selvampathy tank, Selva Chinthamani tank and Krishnampathy tank. The NGO also appealed to the authorities to consult with ecologists, birdwatchers, wetland experts and local environmental organisations before proceeding with any further plans.
