NASHIK: Nandur Madhyameshwar Bird Sanctuary is ranked 2410th in the world and 34th in India. The British built a stone dam at Khangaon Thadi on the confluence of Godavari and Kadava rivers in 1907-13. The dam has been constructed for the purpose of storing water released from Gangapur and Darna dams in the area for agricultural irrigation.
With the onset of winter, especially in December and January, the arrival of migratory birds occurs and in January, birds are counted every year. The sanctuary is of global importance because of its rich biodiversity and the number of species of birds found here and the total number of birds in the thousands during migration.
In 2020, this place was recognised as a World Ramsar Site. It is the first wetland in Maharashtra to be included in the list of Ramsar places.
The water released from Darna and Gangapur reservoirs was stored in this area and kept inflated. As a result, silt, swamps, silt accumulated and formed in the river basin.
The shallow water of the reservoir, abundant aquatic life, various aquatic plants, wetland forests and crops of nearby irrigated fields have made Nandur Madhyameshwar Sanctuary a place of attraction for the birds and their habitat. Due to availability of ample of food, the number of birds has increased. Nandur Madhyameshwar Sanctuary has become one of the best ‘bird sanctuaries’ in Maharashtra. There are 24 species of fish in the reservoir.
This area was declared as Nandur Madhyameshwar Sanctuary on 25th February 1986. The area of Nandur Madhyameshwar Sanctuary is 1198.6 hectare km. There are more than 500 species of plants in this area. Nandurmadhyameshwar Sanctuary attracts Open Build Stork, Painted Stork, Pankavala, Black Sparrows, Khanda, Cow Heron, Purple Water Heron, Rakhi Heron, Purple Heron, Eurasian Coot, Turmeric Kunku Duck, Purple Waterfowl and other bird species visit here in large numbers in the vicinity of this reservoir.
The Forest Department and the Wildlife Department of the Government of Maharashtra started providing facilities for the bird watchers who come to this area for bird watching. Initially, a water bird watching tower was set up at Chapadgaon, Manjargaon. To attract the tourists, the Forest Department has set up a special garden and has provided binoculars, spotting scope, field guide and bird guide for the bird watchers of the sanctuary.
Events on Wetland Day
The Forest Department has organised a cycle rally from Adgoan Naka to Nandurmadhameshwar today. The rally will be hosted to spread awareness for protection of the wetland. A bird watching program has been organised in the afternoon session for college students by the Forest Department.
About 30,000 birds in sanctuary
In Nandurmadhyameshwar Wildlife Sanctuary, no bird census was conducted for the month of January due to Covid restrictions. As per the 4th monthly bird census of the month of December 2021 was conducted in January with the help of forest officials, staff, local guides, bird lovers, wildlife researchers and volunteers.
In this census, Chapadgaon, Manjargaon, Khangavathadi, Madhyeshwari Godavari river basin, Kodur, Kurudgaon, Kathargaon, in a total of 7 places, various water bird species and tree birds species recorded. In total of 30,513 birds 28728 water bird and 1,785 tree birds were counted.
