Gujarat wetlands host 35 lakh migratory birds across 5 Ramsar sites in 2025-26
Synopsis
Gujarat's five Ramsar-designated wetlands together hosted more than 35 lakh birds in 2025–26, with Nadabet's single-site January census alone accounting for nearly 14.90 lakh birds across 183 species. Released ahead of World Migratory Bird Day, the data underscores the state's growing importance as a critical corridor along the Central Asian Flyway.
Key Takeaways
Gujarat recorded more than 35 lakh migratory and local birds across its wetlands in 2025–26 , according to the state Forest Department .
Nadabet in the Vav–Tharad border region counted nearly 14.90 lakh birds of 183 species in a January 2026 census — the highest single-site tally.
Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary , Jamnagar, recorded the highest biodiversity with 347 species and more than 3.12 lakh migratory birds.
Gujarat now has five Ramsar-designated wetlands : Nal Sarovar, Thol, Khijadiya, Vadhwana, and Chhari Dhandh.
Chhari Dhandh in Kutch, spanning 22,700 hectares , was declared the state's fifth Ramsar site in 2026 and recorded over 1.50 lakh birds from 280+ species .
The data was released ahead of World Migratory Bird Day on 9 May , with the 2026 theme focusing on monitoring and protection of migratory species.
Gujarat's wetlands and protected water bodies recorded the arrival of more than 35 lakh migratory and local birds during 2025–26, according to figures released by the state Forest Department on 8 May 2025. The data, covering five Ramsar-designated sites and several other wetlands, reflects seasonal movement patterns along the Central Asian Flyway, with peak arrivals concentrated between November and February.
Nadabet Leads with Nearly 15 Lakh Birds
The highest single-site concentration was recorded at Nadabet in the Vav–Tharad border region, where a January 2026 census counted nearly 14.90 lakh birds belonging to 183 species. The survey documented large populations of lesser flamingos exceeding nine lakh, more than 1.63 lakh black-winged stilts, around 1.2 lakh greater flamingos, and more than one lakh great white pelicans. Significant numbers of Eurasian coot, sandpipers, cormorants, gulls, spoonbills, and cranes were also documented at the site.
Kutch and Ahmedabad Wetlands Report Strong Numbers
In Kutch, the
Point of View
But the Forest Department's own data reveals an important caveat: numbers at desert-adjacent wetlands like Dholavira fluctuate significantly with rainfall, meaning the count is partly a function of a good monsoon year rather than a structural conservation gain. The real policy question is whether habitat management — water provisioning, anti-encroachment enforcement — is keeping pace with the pressure that eco-tourism and agricultural runoff are placing on these sites. With Chhari Dhandh newly designated as a Ramsar site, the state has an opportunity to set a higher monitoring standard, but Ramsar status alone has historically not guaranteed protection without sustained enforcement budgets.
NationPress
12 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are Gujarat's wetlands important for migratory birds?
Gujarat's wetlands lie along the Central Asian Flyway, one of the world's major migratory routes connecting breeding grounds in Siberia, Central Asia, and Europe with wintering areas in South Asia and Africa. The state's five Ramsar-designated sites provide critical stopover and wintering habitat for tens of lakh birds each year.
Which site recorded the most birds in Gujarat in 2025–26?
Nadabet in the Vav–Tharad border region recorded the highest single-site count, with nearly 14.90 lakh birds of 183 species in a January 2026 census. Species included lesser flamingos exceeding nine lakh and more than one lakh great white pelicans.
What is Gujarat's newest Ramsar site?
Chhari Dhandh in Kutch was declared Gujarat's fifth Ramsar site in 2026. Spanning around 22,700 hectares, it recorded more than 1.50 lakh birds from over 280 species, including long-distance migratory cranes from Central Asian regions.
Which Gujarat wetland has the highest bird species diversity?
Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary in Jamnagar recorded the highest biodiversity with 347 bird species and more than 3.12 lakh migratory birds in 2025–26. Around 190 of those species were identified as migratory, arriving from Siberia, Central Asia, Europe, West Asia, Africa, and South America.
When is World Migratory Bird Day and what is the 2026 theme?
World Migratory Bird Day is observed globally on 9 May. The 2026 theme is 'Every Bird Matters, Our Observation is Important', focusing on the monitoring and protection of migratory species.
