Avian paradise at Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary, Jamnagar

Wildlife Sanctuary in Gujarat enjoys its position in the state and provides safe haven. Out of the many Bird Sanctuary in Gujarat, Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary Jamnagar is a favourite among the birdwatching community.

Of all the places to visit in Jamnagar, Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary should not be missed.

Not many people know that apart from White Rann, Asiatic wild lions and temples, Gujarat is a hotspot for wetlands. And wetlands house a large number of migratory birds every year.

While there is two Ramsar Wetland Site in Gujarat, there are many small and big wetlands around every city which are a haven for wildlife enthusiasts. Most of them are protected under the State Forest Department and declared Wildlife Sanctuary.

Every wildlife sanctuary has a particular species which frequents certain parts of Gujarat every year. Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary Jamnagar is one such sanctuary frequented by Black Necked Storks.

Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary Jamnagar

Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary Jamnagar or Khijadiya Wildlife Sanctuary is located on the western coast of Gujarat near Jamnagar district.

It is near Narara Island, which is full of coral reefs. The sanctuary is unique as it has a combined ecosystem of freshwater and saltwater which has formed over the years.

There are large creeks on one side of the bund which support mangroves while on the other side there is inland vegetation. With ecosystems such as marine water, freshwater, marshy lands, mangroves, salt pans, mudflats, sandy beaches and farmlands, over 300 species of resident as well as migratory birds have been recorded here. It was in 1984 when Dr Salim Ali recorded over 100 species in a day here.

Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary is located 12 km before Jamnagar on the Rajkot-Jamnagar highway and it covers an area of about 6 square kilometres. It was declared a sanctuary in May 1981.

However, it became a natural habitat for local and migratory birds much before the 1920s when the then rulers constructed a small check dam to store waters of the River Ruparel for supply to Jamnagar.

This dam created a unique ecosphere with the freshwater lakes on one side and the salty water of the seas forming marshes on the other to support not only a variety of fauna but also flora.

My visit to Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary

After a quick breakfast at the hotel, I started driving toward Khijadiya around 7 am. In my experience wetland birds are easily spotted until early afternoon, especially in winters due to cold weather. In fact, they come out to bask only once the sun comes out. So starting at 7 am was a good idea.

I turned left towards the milestone pointing to Khijadiya from the highway. 2 km inside the dirt road and I reached the main gate on my left. Thankfully there were very few vehicles which meant fewer people were visiting. Fewer people meant less disturbance to the birds which meant better photography for me. 

After parking the car in the dedicated area, I walked towards the ticket office and came to know the following:

There are 2 zones in Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary Jamnagar

Zone 1: No vehicles allowed. Can explore by walking. Entry fee = Rs 40 per person.

Zone 2: Vehicles (2-wheelers and cars are allowed). Entry fee = Rs 400 per vehicle for up to 6 persons.

A ticket for zone 2 allows you to enter zone 1 also.

The cost of the camera is extra. Rs 200 per camera. Mobile cameras are not chargeable.

Since I have done walking safaris in bird-watching destinations around Ahmedabad, I decided to go for the car safari.

As soon as I entered zone 2, we were welcomed by a Rosy Pelican and a couple of coots doing their business. I rolled down my car window and braved the chilling winter winds to start photographing them. 

Once I was satisfied with clicking the pictures, I went forward and noticed a lot of larks hopping around the car. On my left was a stone chat and on my right was a cormorant, both basking happily in the sun.

I reached the watchtower while trying to take in the expanse of the wetland and I was in awe. I could actually see the wetland on one side and the salt pans on the others. It was surreal.

I spent a good 4 hours in Khijadiya till the sun became unbearable. While I wanted to quickly visit zone 1, it was not possible to do so. I guess I will come back for it.

How to Reach Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary Jamnagar

By Road: State transport buses and private luxury coaches connect Jamnagar with various cities of Gujarat and Maharashtra. One can even self-drive the car as the roads are in excellent condition. 

By Railway: There are daily trains on the Western Railway with direct connections to Ahmedabad and Mumbai.

By Air: There is a domestic airport which is 10 km away from the city. Various domestic airlines connect Jamnagar to Mumbai.

Best Time to Visit Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary

Summers are harsh with high temperatures and the park is closed during monsoons as the wetlands may get flooded. October to March is the perfect time to plan a trip to the Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary with December being a peak season. The weather is pleasant and you can stay out in the Sun all day long.

Stay for Khijadiya

There is no accommodation inside the Sanctuary and camping is not permitted. The best thing to do is seek accommodation in Jamnagar where there are hotels ranging from budget to luxury as well as dormitories and guesthouses.

Anaya Beacon Hotel and Hotel Aram are good options for accommodation in Jamnagar and for Khijadiya. I stayed in Anaya Beacon and found it to be covid safe, the rooms were clean and the food was amazing. Read my detailed review on Tripadvisor. 

Sustainable tips for visiting Wildlife Sanctuary in Gujarat

• Wear camouflage colours which will easily blend with the surrounding – green and brown shades work the best around wetlands.
• Do not make noises when you spot a bird, it may get distracted and fly.
• Do not wear perfumes or body spray during the visit.
• You may carry water and food but do not picnic in these areas as you are in a sanctuary area.

Also Read: India’s version of Birds of Paradise

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