National Chambal Wildlife Sanctuary
Originating in the Vindhayan ranges in M.P. the Chambal River snakes its way
thought the states of M.P. Rajasthan and U.P. before finally meeting the Yamuna
in the Etawah district of U.P. Its rich bio-diversity ensured that it was declared
a National Sancturary in 1979 with its total area spanning across the three states
of M.P. Rajasthan & U.P. The last bastion for some of the country’s most
endangerd wildlife like the Gharial, Muggar, Turtles, Otter and the fresh water
Dolphin, the Chambal region also boasts of a wide variety of aquatic and terrestrial bird.
After rampant poaching and fishing almost wiped out the
Gharial population from the country in the 70’s, captive
breeding and reintroduction programme was started. Chambal
was chosen as one of the main areas for reintroduction the
species back in to the wild. The Chambal Sanctuary in U.P.
covers an area of 635 sq. kms.
Spread over the Agra and Etawah districts, and a total of 290
different species of migratory and resident birds have been identified
in the region so far. Winter is the best time to visit the sanctuary.
A boat ride in its tranquil waters during this time is an exhilarating
experience with spectaculars sightings of the big reptiles basking along the
180kms. Sparkling sand stretches in the morning sun. but the main draw of the
santuray are of course the Flamingoes that arrive here in November and stay till May.
The Rudy Shelduck Also arrives a little earlier in September & stays here till May.
The Indian Skimmers have Huge Colonies in the sanctuary and bred prolifically here.