Bakhira Sanctuary

The Bakhira Bird Sanctuary is the largest natural flood plain wetland in Sant Kabir Nagar district of Eastern Uttar Pradesh. The sanctuary was established in 1980. It is situated 44 km west of Gorakhpur city. It is a vast stretch of water body expanding over an area of 29 km2. This is an important lake of eastern UP, which provides a wintering and staging ground for a number of migratory waterfowls and a breeding ground for resident birds. The sanctuary is named after the village Bakhira located adjacent to the lake along with as many as hundred and eight villages surrounding the lake within the 5 km radius. The villagers from the surrounding villages depend on the wetland for their livelihood in the form of fishing, agricultural activities and fuelwood collection from it.

Bird migrations

Best time to visit to bakhira lake is in winters Nov-Jan. During this time migratory birds from Tibet, China, Europe & Siberia come here, covering about 5000 km.

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Bakhira lake

Tourism

By Road-1. Can be accessed via Gorakhpur-Khalilabad (35 km), through NH-28, then 17 km on Khalilabad-Bansi road 2. From Gorakhpur to Sahjanwa (20 km) on NH-28, then 23 km from Sahjanwa to Jaswal Bharwaliya & 3 km from Jaswal Bharwaliya village By Rail-Nearest railhead Khalilabad on Gorakhpur-Lucknow NER Railway Line By Air-Gorakhpur Airport 49km

Attraction

The Indian Purple moorhen (Porphyrio porphyrio) also called Purple Swamp-hen is one of the beautiful common water birds found in India. A handsome but clumsy purplish blue bird with long red legs and toes, bald red forehead and size resembling the village hen. This bird is a common breeding resident of this sanctuary and is locally coined with the name "Kaima".

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Types of birds coming to bakhira, Poster of forest department office in bakhira

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Farm lands near lake

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Local children

There are more than 30 species of fish found in the lake. However the dominant species are Labeo rohita and Chana sp.

External links

• http://www.wii.gov.in/publications/newsletter/annual2002/article9.htm
• http://www.india9.com/i9show/Bakhira-Wildlife-Sanctuary-46427.htm
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