Subhasis Banerjee

PALI BIRD SANCTUARY Lying between Jodhpur and Ranakpur, the Sardar Samad Palace is a superb hunting lodge overlooking a large lake. The spectacularly spacious lodge was built by Maharaja Umaid Singh. It provides a breadth taking view of the famous Sardar Samad Lake, teeming with birdlife. Apart from the echoing birdlife on the lake, spotted deer and black buck also roam in the gentle forests around the lake. Accessibility : 70kms south-east of Jodhpur, this sedate lake and summer palace of the rulers of Jodhpur is approached by road. Accommodation : The erstwhile palace has been turned into a luxury Hotel. Season : October to March.

KARERA This 202 sq km bird sanctuary was created mainly to preserve the highly endangered Great Indian Bustard. The sanctuary houses a huge lake inside, which is replete with birdlife throughout the year. The population of birds in this sanctuary also includes a large variety of Goose, Duck, Flamingo, Stork, Cormorant and Hornbill coexisting with some wildlife like Indian Wolf, Indian Wild Dog, Jackal, Hyena and a variety of antelopes. Accessibility : A 62kms drive from Shivpuri on the Jhansi - Shivpuri road takes one to the sanctuary. Shivpuri is situated 115kms southwest of Gwalior and is well connected by roads.   Accommodation : A Forest Rest House is available inside the Park. Season : November to June.

KUMARAKKOM BIRD SANCTUARY This bird sanctuary on the Vembanad Lake in the Kuttanad region is a cluster of small islands. The rich population includes Egret, Darter, Heron, Teal, Waterfowl, Cuckoo, and Wild Duck. Even migratory birds like the Siberian Stork pay visits to this Park every season. The best way to the watch the birds in this sanctuary is by undertaking a cruise around the islands by boat. Accessibility : The sanctuary can be easily reached by a 16kms drive from Kottayam. 165kms north of Thiruvanthapuram, Kottyam is well connected by rail and road. However, the most fascinating journey will be from Alappuzha, 30kms west, by a boat ride through the backwaters. Alappuzha, 149kms north of Thiruvanthapuram, the capital of the state, and 60kms south of Kochi , is also well connected by rail and road. Both Kochi and Thiruvanthapuram are also very well connected by air, rail and road. Accommodation : Standard and deluxe Hotels and Resorts at Kottayam and Kumarakkom offe...

GOVIND SAGAR BIRD SANCTUARY The huge Govind Sagar Lake was declared a Bird Sanctuary in 1974 AD to preserve a wide variety of migratory birds who visit the lake in winter. Mallard, Shoveller, Cotton Teal, Whistling Teal, Rudy Shelduck, Black Necked Stork and Painted Stork flock the sanctuary in the winter. Accessibility : A 46kms drive in the northwest from Shimla takes one to the sanctuary. Accommodation : Forest Rest Houses inside the Park afford accommodation to the visitors. Season : October to December.

KOLLERU BIRD SANCTUARY In 1963 AD, the enormous Kolleru Lake measuring 347 sq km in the Vijayawada district of the state was connected with its adjoining swamps, amounting to a total area of about 600 sq km and was converted into a pristine avifaunal reserve – the Kolleru Bird Sanctuary, making it a haven for a large variety of water birds, both Indian and migratory. Though the water recedes in the dry seasons emerging a lot of land surface, in the monsoons, the reserve turns into virtual sea. The best way to travel across the sanctuary is by a boat. A bird watchers’ paradise, the population of the reserve includes Cormorant, Indian Moorhen, White-Breasted Water Hen, Bronze-Winged Jacana and a variety of Pelicans. Accessibility : The important port town of Vijayawada is only 63kms away from sanctuary and is connected by road. Vijayawada lies on the major Kolkata-Chennai rail route and is connected to Hyderabad, Bangalore and Tirupati by both road and rail as well. Accommodation ...