Nandur Madhmeshwar bird sanctuary, in Niphad taluka of Nashik district, Maharashtra, is a wetland of marshes, shallow lakes and riparian forest that formed behind a century-old weir where the Godavari and Kadwa rivers meet. Each winter it fills with tens of thousands of waterbirds, which is why it is often called the “Bharatpur of Maharashtra”. In 2019 it became Maharashtra’s first Ramsar site. This guide covers the wetland and its weir, the winter migrants, the Ramsar listing, the watchtowers and guided visits, the best season, how to reach it from Nashik and Niphad, permits, stay, budget and the rules.
Nandur Madhmeshwar is a wetland wildlife and bird sanctuary in Niphad taluka, Nashik district, Maharashtra, about 40 km from Nashik town. Formed by a 1907–1913 irrigation weir at the Godavari–Kadwa confluence, it is Maharashtra’s first Ramsar site (designated 2019) and is best visited for wintering waterbirds between November and February.
Key takeaways
- Nandur Madhmeshwar lies in Niphad taluka, Nashik district, Maharashtra, roughly 40 km east of Nashik town, at the confluence of the Godavari and Kadwa rivers (per the Ramsar Information Sheet and Maharashtra Tourism).
- It is Maharashtra’s first Ramsar site, designated on 21 June 2019 as site no. 2410 and announced by the Ministry of Environment in January 2020 (per PIB and press reports).
- The wetland formed behind a pick-up weir built in 1907–1913 to supply irrigation water; silt trapped behind it created the marshes and shallow lakes (per the BirdLife/KBA factsheet and the Journal of Threatened Taxa).
- The Ramsar sheet records 265 bird species (148 migratory), 536 plants, 24 fish, eight mammals and 41 butterflies; winter waterbird counts exceed 20,000 (as of its 2020 listing).
- Migratory species include flamingos, white stork, glossy ibis, spoonbill and demoiselle crane; Incredible India lists flamingos among about 80 migrants, and a forest officer reported over 30,000 birds in January 2022.
- The best season is November to February; the Forest Department maintains four watchtowers, a nature interpretation centre and boating, with an annual bird festival in March (per Maharashtra Tourism).
About Nandur Madhmeshwar: quick facts
Nandur Madhmeshwar (also spelled Nandur Madhameshwar) is a wetland sanctuary in Niphad taluka, Nashik district, Maharashtra, set where the Godavari and Kadwa rivers join. According to Incredible India and Maharashtra Tourism, it was declared a sanctuary in 1950 and is nicknamed the “Bharatpur of Maharashtra” for its wintering waterbirds.
The figures for its size vary by source and by what is being measured. Incredible India and Maharashtra Tourism give a core of about 1,765 hectares within a wider protected landscape of roughly 10,000 hectares. The Ramsar Information Sheet lists about 1,437 hectares for the Ramsar wetland, while the BirdLife/Key Biodiversity Areas factsheet records a smaller figure; treat the exact area as approximate and source-dependent.
What draws people is the mix in one shallow basin: open water, reed beds, mudflats and a fringe of forest on the Deccan plateau, all easy to scan from the bank. If you are building a wider trip, our Nashik travel guide sets the sanctuary alongside the city’s vineyards and temples.
| Location | Niphad taluka, Nashik district, Maharashtra, India |
|---|---|
| Formed by | Pick-up weir at the Godavari–Kadwa confluence, built 1907–1913 |
| Declared a sanctuary | 1950 (Incredible India; Maharashtra Tourism) |
| Ramsar status | Maharashtra’s first Ramsar site; designated 21 June 2019 (site no. 2410) |
| Area | About 1,765 ha core (Maharashtra Tourism); about 1,437 ha Ramsar wetland (Ramsar sheet) |
| Known for | Wintering waterbirds — flamingos, storks, cranes, ducks and waders |
| Approx. coordinates | About 19.98°N, 74.03°E |
| Best time | November–February for migratory birds |
The weir and how the wetland formed
The sanctuary exists because of a pick-up weir built across the Godavari at Nandur Madhmeshwar between 1907 and 1913 to store and divert water for irrigation. According to the Key Biodiversity Areas factsheet and the Journal of Threatened Taxa, the British-era structure was raised to ease water scarcity in the plains downstream.
Over the following century, silt carried by the two rivers settled behind the weir. That slow deposition turned much of the reservoir into marsh and very shallow water — exactly the habitat that dabbling ducks, waders and large wading birds need. The result is a man-made wetland that now behaves like a natural one.
So the place is really two things at once: a working irrigation weir at the Godavari–Kadwa confluence, and the rich shallow lake it accidentally created. Maharashtra Tourism describes the sanctuary as a spread of lakes, marshland and riparian forest, with Incredible India counting 23 lakes and ponds across the basin.
The 2019 Ramsar listing: Maharashtra’s first
Nandur Madhmeshwar is Maharashtra’s first Ramsar site, a status it gained when it was designated a Wetland of International Importance on 21 June 2019 as Ramsar site no. 2410. According to press reports of the Ministry of Environment announcement in January 2020, it was one of ten Indian wetlands added in that batch, taking India’s Ramsar tally to 37 at the time.
The Ramsar designation recognises the wetland’s biodiversity rather than changing how you visit. The Ramsar Information Sheet records 536 plant species, 265 birds (of which 148 are migratory), 24 freshwater fish, eight mammals and 41 butterflies, and notes that waterbird numbers in winter exceed 20,000 (as of its 2020 listing).
The sheet also flags threatened species, listing the Deolali minnow (a small freshwater fish), the Indian vulture and the white-rumped vulture among the critically endangered. The listing has since prompted a Forest Department conservation and eco-tourism plan for the site, reported by the Free Press Journal in 2026.
The birds: flamingos and winter migrants
The sanctuary is best known for migratory waterbirds that arrive from October and peak in the cold months, including flamingos. Incredible India lists about 80 migratory species here — among them flamingo, white stork, glossy ibis, Eurasian spoonbill, goose, pintail, mallard, crane, godwit and osprey — while the Ramsar sheet counts 265 bird species in all, 148 of them migratory.
Numbers swell dramatically in winter. A Nashik Forest Department officer told news agencies in January 2022 that “more than 30,000 birds including flamingos, cranes have come here”, birds that travel from Siberia and Europe to escape the northern winter. Flamingo numbers vary year to year, so treat a sighting as likely rather than guaranteed and ask the forest staff on the day.
The BirdLife/Key Biodiversity Areas factsheet qualifies the site as internationally important partly on demoiselle crane numbers, with more than 1,000 recorded in and around the wetland, alongside large counts of small pratincole, little cormorant, black-tailed godwit, black-winged stilt and little stint. The table below lists some of the headline waterbirds and their reported peak counts.
| Species | Reported peak count | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Demoiselle crane | Over 1,000 | Triggers the site’s international-importance criterion |
| Small pratincole | About 800 | Nests and feeds on the mudflats |
| Little cormorant | Over 750 | Resident, numbers swell in winter |
| Black-tailed godwit | About 700 | Long-billed wader of the shallows |
| Black-winged stilt | About 600 | Pink-legged wader, easy to pick out |
| White stork | About 100 | Above the regional 1% threshold |
Best time to visit
The best time to visit Nandur Madhmeshwar is November to February, when migratory birds are present and the air is cool and dry. Incredible India and Maharashtra Tourism give a wider window of October to March; within that, the depth of winter brings the biggest counts and the easiest viewing, while early mornings are best in any month.
The monsoon refills and freshens the wetland but scatters the migrants, and summer is hot and the water low. The Forest Department holds a two-day bird festival in March, with guided watching and photography, per Maharashtra Tourism. The table sums up the seasons for planning.
| Period | Conditions | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| November–February | Cool, dry, clear mornings | Peak season; largest flocks and the best birding. Best overall. |
| October | Post-monsoon, migrants arriving | Good shoulder window as numbers build. |
| March | Warming up; migrants thinning | Annual bird festival; still worthwhile early in the day. |
| April–June | Hot, water low | Fewer birds; go very early, carry water and sun cover. |
| July–September | Monsoon; wetland full | Lush, but migrants largely absent; roads can be wet. |
How to reach Nandur Madhmeshwar bird sanctuary
The simplest way to reach Nandur Madhmeshwar is by road from Nashik, about 40 km away, via Niphad. Maharashtra Tourism lists Niphad — about 12 km from the sanctuary, on the Central Railway’s Mumbai–Bhusaval–Nagpur route — as the nearest railway station, with taxis and auto-rickshaws for the last leg; Nasik Road (NK) is the larger railhead on the same line.
By air, Nashik’s Ozar airport (ISK), about 22 km from Nashik city, has limited domestic flights; Mumbai and Pune offer far wider connections and a road or rail onward leg (as of October 2026, reconfirm current flights). By road, the sanctuary is reached through Niphad or Sinnar by private car, taxi or state bus. Our Maharashtra travel guide helps slot it into a longer state itinerary.
| From | Mode | Approx. distance / note |
|---|---|---|
| Niphad railway station | Taxi / auto | About 12 km (Maharashtra Tourism); nearest station |
| Nashik town | Car / bus | About 40 km via Niphad (Ramsar sheet; press) |
| Nasik Road (NK) railhead | Car / taxi | Larger railhead on the Mumbai–Bhusaval line |
| Nashik Ozar airport (ISK) | Car | Nearest airport; limited flights — reconfirm |
| Mumbai / Pune | Car / train + road | Main gateways for flights and express trains |
Watchtowers, boating and guided visits
The main way to experience the sanctuary is to watch from the bank and from the Forest Department’s four watchtowers, which are placed for birdwatching, according to Maharashtra Tourism. A nature interpretation centre near the entrance introduces the wetland’s birds and habitats and makes a sensible first stop, especially with children.
Maharashtra Tourism also lists boating on the reservoir, which lets you scan the water and its edges from a different angle. Bring your own binoculars or a spotting scope — the birds are often far out on the shallows — and a telephoto lens if you photograph. Visitor guides recommend hiring a local guide with a telescope for the best sightings.
| Experience | What it is | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Watchtower birding | Scanning the wetland from four forest watchtowers | Best at dawn; carry binoculars/scope |
| Nature interpretation centre | Displays on the wetland’s birds and ecology | Open hours vary; confirm on arrival |
| Boating | Reservoir ride for water-level views | Subject to water level and season |
| March bird festival | Two-day event with guided watching | Dates set yearly by the Forest Department |
A suggested half-day plan
A morning is enough to see the sanctuary well. Most visitors come out from Nashik at dawn and are back in the city by lunch, which suits the birds’ most active hours.
- Before sunrise: leave Nashik by car or taxi for the roughly 40 km drive via Niphad, aiming to arrive as it gets light.
- First hour: start at the nearest watchtower while the birds are busy and the light is soft; scan the open water and mudflats.
- Mid-morning: move between watchtowers with a guide, then visit the interpretation centre to put names to what you saw.
- Late morning: if the water is high and boating is running, take a short reservoir ride, then head back to Nashik.
- Optional afternoon: pair the trip with Nashik’s vineyards or a temple on the way back, or continue to Trimbakeshwar.
Entry, permits and rules
No special travel permit is needed for Nandur Madhmeshwar — there is no Inner Line Permit or Protected Area Permit here. The Forest Department collects a nominal entry and guide charge at the sanctuary; a current official figure could not be verified this session, so treat any amount quoted elsewhere as indicative and confirm at the gate (reconfirm, as of October 2026).
As a protected wetland and Ramsar site, the usual sanctuary rules apply: keep to the viewing points and paths, keep noise down so you do not flush the flocks, and do not feed or chase birds. Carry out all litter and avoid single-use plastic. Fly a drone only with written permission from the Forest Department.
- Timings: daylight visiting hours; arrive at dawn for the best birding and confirm current timings with the forest staff.
- Guides: hiring a local guide improves sightings and supports the sanctuary.
- Quiet and distance: large flocks spook easily — move slowly and stay back.
- Permits: none required for a day visit; no ILP/PAP.
Where to stay
Most people visit Nandur Madhmeshwar as a day trip from Nashik and sleep in the city, which has the fullest range of hotels. Maharashtra Tourism notes two rest houses run by the Public Works Department near the sanctuary, which should be booked ahead through official channels as capacity is limited.
Nashik, about 40 km away, covers every budget. Indicative room bands for a double, as of October 2026 (reconfirm):
- Budget: simple hotels and lodges in Nashik and near Niphad, roughly ₹1,200–₹2,500 a night.
- Mid-range: better city hotels and vineyard-area stays, roughly ₹3,000–₹6,000.
- Luxury: premium resorts and winery hotels around Nashik, roughly ₹7,000 and up.
- Government: the PWD rest houses near the sanctuary — book ahead, limited rooms.
Because the birding is a dawn activity, staying in Nashik and driving out early is usually the easiest plan in winter.
Budget breakdown
A day trip to Nandur Madhmeshwar is inexpensive because the sanctuary charge is nominal and you can do it without a hotel. The figures below are planning estimates for two people travelling from Nashik by hired taxi for a morning; the sanctuary and guide charges are indicative and must be reconfirmed on the day.
| Item | Estimated cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sanctuary entry (2) | Nominal | Forest Department charge; confirm at the gate |
| Local guide | ₹400–₹1,000 | Recommended; shared by the group |
| Taxi (round trip, ~80 km) | ₹1,500–₹3,000 | Nashik and back, including early start |
| Boating (if running) | Indicative | Depends on season and water level |
| Food and water | ₹300–₹800 | Carry water; eat in Nashik or Niphad |
As a rough total, a self-contained morning trip for two from Nashik costs around ₹2,000–₹4,000, excluding any overnight stay. By state bus to Niphad and a local taxi onward, the cost drops further. These are planning figures only — reconfirm the Forest Department charges.
Practical tips
Treat Nandur Madhmeshwar as a dawn birding trip and plan around that. The water birds are most active and visible in the first two hours of light, so an early start from Nashik repays itself.
- Optics: binoculars (8×42 are ideal) or a spotting scope transform the visit; much of the action is far out on the shallows.
- Cash and UPI: carry cash for the gate, guide and local stalls; UPI and ATMs are reliable in Nashik and Niphad, not at the water’s edge.
- Network: mobile coverage is patchy at the wetland; download maps before you go.
- Nearest facilities: Niphad (about 12 km) and Nashik (about 40 km) have the nearest hospitals, pharmacies and fuel.
- Packing by season: warm layers for winter dawns; sun hat, sunscreen and water in the warmer months; closed shoes for muddy banks.
- Solo women travellers: the sanctuary is a managed, visited day site; go with a guide, start early and plan to be back in Nashik by midday.
- Drones: only with written Forest Department permission.
Nearby places
Nandur Madhmeshwar pairs naturally with Nashik’s temples, vineyards and nearby pilgrimage hills, so a morning at the wetland slots easily into a Nashik weekend. The distances below are indicative from Nashik — reconfirm, as of October 2026 — because routes and traffic vary.
| Place | Rough distance | Why go |
|---|---|---|
| Nashik city | About 40 km | Temples, ghats on the Godavari and Sula wine country — see our Nashik travel guide |
| Trimbakeshwar | About 70 km | One of the twelve Jyotirlinga Shiva temples and the Godavari’s source hill |
| Saptashrungi (Vani) | About 100 km | Hilltop shrine among the Sahyadris, a major pilgrimage site |
| Niphad and vineyards | About 12 km | Nearest town; grape country and the railhead |
Frequently asked questions
Where is Nandur Madhmeshwar bird sanctuary?
Nandur Madhmeshwar bird sanctuary is in Niphad taluka, Nashik district, Maharashtra, about 40 km east of Nashik town at the confluence of the Godavari and Kadwa rivers. The nearest railway station is Niphad, about 12 km away, per Maharashtra Tourism, and Nashik is the main base for hotels, transport and onward travel.
Why is Nandur Madhmeshwar called Maharashtra’s first Ramsar site?
Nandur Madhmeshwar is Maharashtra’s first Ramsar site because it was the first wetland in the state designated a Wetland of International Importance, on 21 June 2019 as site no. 2410, announced by the Ministry of Environment in January 2020. It was one of ten Indian wetlands added in that batch, per press reports.
When is the best time to see birds at Nandur Madhmeshwar?
The best time is November to February, when migratory birds peak and mornings are cool and clear; the wider season runs October to March, per Incredible India and Maharashtra Tourism. Arrive at dawn, when waterbirds are most active. The monsoon fills the wetland but scatters migrants, and summer is hot with low water.
Can you see flamingos at Nandur Madhmeshwar?
Yes, flamingos are among the migratory birds recorded here. Incredible India lists flamingo among about 80 migratory species, and a Nashik forest officer reported over 30,000 birds including flamingos and cranes in January 2022. Numbers vary each year, so treat a flamingo sighting as likely rather than certain and ask forest staff on the day.
Is there an entry fee or permit for Nandur Madhmeshwar?
No Inner Line or Protected Area Permit is needed. The Forest Department collects a nominal entry and guide charge at the sanctuary, but a current official figure could not be verified here, so confirm it at the gate (reconfirm, as of October 2026). Hiring a local guide improves sightings and is recommended for the watchtowers.
How do you reach Nandur Madhmeshwar from Nashik?
Drive or take a bus about 40 km from Nashik via Niphad; a hired taxi for a dawn start is the most common choice. The nearest railway station is Niphad, about 12 km from the sanctuary on the Mumbai–Bhusaval line, with autos and taxis for the last leg. Nashik’s Ozar airport (ISK) is the nearest, with limited flights.
Last updated and sources
Nandur Madhmeshwar suits anyone in or near Nashik who wants a morning of waterbird watching, especially birders and photographers; aim for a dawn start on a weekday between November and February, and carry binoculars and cash.
Last updated: 15 October 2026. Fees, timings and permits change — reconfirm with official sources before you travel.
Sources: Incredible India — Nandur Madhyameshwar; Maharashtra Tourism — Nandur Madhmeshwar Bird Sanctuary; Ramsar Sites Information Service — Nandur Madhmeshwar (site 2410); Key Biodiversity Areas / BirdLife factsheet — Nandur Madhmeshwar; Journal of Threatened Taxa — Nandur Madhmeshwar; The Tribune — 10 Indian wetlands get Ramsar tag (Maharashtra’s first); Free Press Journal — Nandur Madhameshwar eco-tourism plan. Accessed September 2026.
