Bakhira Bird Sanctuary

This is an important and largest natural flood plain wetland in the eastern U.P., which provides a wintering & staging ground for a number of migratory waterfowls & a breeding ground for resident birds. Bakhira Bird Sanctuary is spread over an area of 28.94 sq. km and was declared a bird Sanctuary in 1990 by the Govt. order 822/14-3-60/1989, dated 14/5/1990. The Sanctuary is named after the small township Bakhira, located adjacent to the lake & there are about 108 villages surrounding the lake within 5 km radius.

This lake has algae,other small hydrophytic plants, small aquatic animals such as snails, insects & various varieties of fish in abundance which attract the birds here. Local species are found here round the year. In winter migratory birds from Tibet, China, Europe & Siberia come here, covering about 5000 km distance. During their winter migration these migratory birds start dropping in Bakhira from Oct. month & start returning in March with the onset summer. Presence of these migratory birds turns the Bird Sanctuary alive and becomes very attractive to watch during winter.
Local varieties- Indian purple Moorhen, also called Purple Swamp here is one of the most beautiful water birds found in India. This is a common resident of this Sanctuary and is locally called Kaima.
Forest Department can make arrangements for boating in the lake besides that local boats are also available.