Jai Prakash Narain Bird Sanctuary
‘Surha Taal’ was created by the consolidation of the land area of 45 villages of
Baansdih in Ballia town area, aggregating to a total of 3432.93 hectares area thru
the gazette number 1088/1/14/3-19/89 dated 27-03-1991 and through its amendment,
section -4, serial number 2854/14-4-2002-874/2002, dated 10-12-2002 its name was
changed to “Jai Prakash Narain Bird Sanctuary”. Locals still call this water body
by its previous name – ‘Surha Taal’. Starting at a distance of 10 kms away from
Ballia City area, it stretches up to Bhikampur village to its West, Singhauli in
the North-East and is bound by Dulwara Village in the south east directions.
IMPORTANCE OF THE REGION
The Jai Prakash Narain Bird Sanctuary falls under the jurisdiction of Ballia and
Baansdih town area. Many legends are attached to the ‘Surha Taal’, highlighting
its historical, traditional and religious background .45 villages are in the vicinity
of the Surha Taal and the Surha Taal is a source of livelihood to the population
of these villages. Apart from fishing, the population also engages in agro activities
in the area of ‘Surha Taal’ .During rainy seasons an area of approximately 25000
hectares gets submerged providing a natural expansion of the natural habitat.
BIO DIVERSITY
Primarily foreign and local migratory birds flock to the Jai Prakash Narain Bird
Sanctuary during the winter months. According to estimation approximately 10,000
birds of 15 species can be sighted in ‘Surha Taal’ the year round. They are the
local residents of the sanctuary .During winters, with the arrival of the foreign
and local migratory birds, it is estimated that this figure swells up to 200,000.