2402:E280:3E24:242:645C:D162:6255:BCE at 12:24, 29 May 2021

2021-05-29T12:24:15Z

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{{Infobox protected area
| name = Aleena Shariq Bird Sanctuary
| alt_name =
| iucn_category =
| photo =
| photo_alt =
| photo_caption =
| photo_width =
| map = India Odisha#India
| map_alt =
| map_caption = Location in Odisha, India
| map_width =
| location = [[Odisha]], India
| nearest_city =
| coordinates = {{coord|19|41|39|N|85|18|24|E|format=dms|display=inline}}
| coords_ref =
| area = {{convert|15.53|km2}}
| established =
| visitation_num =
| visitation_year =
| governing_body =
| world_heritage_site =
| url = http://www.wildlifeorissa.in/chilika.html
}}
'''Nalbana Bird Sanctuary''' or '''Nalbana Island''' is the core area of the Ramsar designated wetlands of [[Chilika Lake]]. It was declared a bird sanctuary under the [[Wildlife]] [[Wildlife Protection Act, 1972|Protection Act in 1972]]. In the heart of the park, one can see thousands of birds descending during the migratory season. The island disappears during [[monsoon season]] due to inundation only to emerge again in post-monsoon.

[[File:Goliath heron standing cropped.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Goliath heron]]
Nalbana means ''a weed covered island'' In the [[Odia language]]. It is a major island in the center of the lake with an area of {{convert|15.53|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}. The island gets completely submerged during the monsoon season. As the monsoon recedes in the winter, lake levels decrease and the island is gradually exposed, birds flock to the island in large numbers to feed on its extensive [[mudflats]]. Nalbana was notified in 1987 and declared a bird sanctuary in 1973 under the [[Wildlife Protection Act of 1972|Wildlife Protection Act]].<ref name="Choud">{{cite journal|last=Choudhury|first=Dr. Janmejay|date=November 2007|title=Nature Queen Chilika and Eco-Tourism|journal=Orissa Review|publisher=Govt. of Orissa|pages=17–19|url=http://orissagov.nic.in/e-magazine/Orissareview/nov-2007/engpdf/Pages17-19.pdf|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090410053215/http://orissagov.nic.in/e-magazine/Orissareview/nov-2007/engpdf/Pages17-19.pdf|archivedate=2009-04-10}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nature.com/nindia/2008/080603/full/nindia.2008.215.html|title= New clues to historic naval war in Chilika|accessdate=2008-12-16|publisher =Nature India Journal Published online 3 June 2008, Subhra Priyadarshini}}</ref><ref name="Tripathy">{{cite journal|last=Tripathy|first=Dr. Balaram|date=November 2007|title=Maritime Heritage of Orissa|journal=Orissa Review|publisher=Govt. of Orissa|pages=27–41|url=http://orissagov.nic.in/e-magazine/Orissareview/nov-2007/engpdf/Pages27-41.pdf|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090410053238/http://orissagov.nic.in/e-magazine/Orissareview/nov-2007/engpdf/Pages27-41.pdf|archivedate=2009-04-10}}</ref>
http://globe-views.com/dcim/dreams/stork/stork-01.jpg
Large flocks of [[greater flamingo]]s from [[Iran]] and the [[Rann of Kutch]] in [[Gujarat]], feed in the shallow waters of the lake. Other-long legged [[wader]]s seen around Nalbana Island are the [[lesser flamingo]]s, [[Goliath heron]], [[grey heron]]s, [[purple heron]]s, [[egret]]s, [[spoonbills]], [[storks]] and [[black-headed ibis]]. Many species of birds live in the sanctuary, including rare birds. Rare birds reported in the lake are [[Asiatic dowitcher]]s ([[Near Threatened|NT]]), [[Dalmatian pelican]] ([[Vulnerable species|VU]]), [[Pallas's fish-eagle]]s ([[Vulnerable species|VU]]), the very rare migrant [[spoon-billed sandpiper]] ([[Critically endangered species|CR]]) and [[spot-billed pelican]] ([[Near Threatened|NT]]).<ref name="avifauna" /><ref name="Ghosh">{{cite web|url=http://www.iwlearn.net/publications/ll/chilikalagoon_2005.pdf|title=fig.1 Chilika Lagoon Basin|last=Ghosh|first=Asish K.|author2=Ajit K. Pattnaik|work=Chilika Lagoon Experience and Lessons learned Brief|publisher=[[UNEP]] International Waters Learning Exchange and Resource Network|pages=115|accessdate=2008-12-23}}</ref> The [[white-bellied sea eagle]], [[pariah kite]], [[brahminy kite]]s, [[kestrel]], [[marsh harrier]]s, and the world's most widespread [[bird of prey]], [[peregrine falcon]], are among the raptors seen here.<ref name="avifauna">{{cite web|last=Chilika Development Authority |url=http://www.chilika.com/avifauna.htm |title=Avi fauna |year=2008 |accessdate=2008-12-16 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081207100826/http://www.chilika.com/avifauna.htm |archivedate=December 7, 2008 }}</ref>
http://globe-views.com/dcim/dreams/stork/stork-01.jpg
Many short-legged shorebirds are also seen in a narrow band along the shifting shores of the lake and islands. These include [[plover]]s, the [[collared pratincole]], [[ruff (bird)|ruff]], [[dunlin]], [[snipe]]s and [[sandpiper]]s. [[Lark]]s, [[wagtail]]s and [[lapwing]]s are also found on the mudflats. Feeding in deeper water are the longer-legged [[avocet]]s, [[stilt]]s and [[godwit]]s.

The higher vegetated areas of the lake support [[moorhen]]s, [[coot]]s and [[Jacanidae|jacana]]s. [[Pond heron]]s and [[night heron]]s can be seen along the shores with [[kingfisher]]s and [[Coraciidae|roller]]s. [[Little cormorant]]s are seen on perches around the lake, Compact flocks of [[brahminy duck]]s, as well as [[shoveller]]s, [[pintails]], [[gadwall]], [[teal]]s, [[Red-crested pochard|pochards]], [[geese]] and [[coots]], are also seen.<ref name="Birding">{{cite web|url=http://www.birding.in/birdingsites/chilika_lagoon.htm|title=Chilika Lagoon|last= |year=2008|work=Birds and birding in India.|publisher=birding.in|accessdate=2008-12-22}}</ref>

Nesting colonies of [[gull-billed tern]]s and [[river tern]]s are seen on the Nalabana Island. In 2002, The [[Bombay Natural History Society]] survey recorded 540 nests of the [[Indian river tern]] at the island, the largest nesting colony in the [[southeast Asia]].<ref name = avifauna/>

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

[[Category:Ramsar sites in India]]
[[Category:Bird sanctuaries of Odisha]]
[[Category:Khordha district]]
[[Category:Protected areas established in 1973]]
[[Category:1973 establishments in Orissa]]

Nalbana Bird Sanctuary - Revision history

2402:E280:3E24:242:645C:D162:6255:BCE at 12:24, 29 May 2021