Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary, near Jamnagar in Jamnagar district, Gujarat, is one of India’s richest birding wetlands and a rare place where freshwater marshes meet the saltwater mudflats of the Gulf of Kutch. Fed by check-dams on one side and tidal creeks on the other, it holds both habitats side by side, which is why more than 300 bird species — flamingos, pelicans, cranes, waders and the endangered Indian skimmer among them — turn up across a single compact wetland.
Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary is a coastal wetland in Jamnagar district, Gujarat, about 10–14 km from Jamnagar city, where freshwater marshes and saltwater creeks of the Gulf of Kutch sit together. Designated a Ramsar site in 2021, it records 300-plus bird species and is best visited from November to February.
Key takeaways
- Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary is in Jamnagar district, Gujarat, about 10–14 km from Jamnagar city, and combines freshwater marshes (fed by check-dams) with the saltwater creeks and mudflats of the Gulf of Kutch (Gujarat Tourism; Incredible India).
- It is a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance — “Khijadia Wildlife Sanctuary”, Ramsar Site no. 2464, with a listed designation date of 13 April 2021 and announced on World Wetlands Day, 2 February 2022 (Ramsar Sites Information Service).
- The wetland records more than 300 bird species, including 125 waterbirds, and has counted over 165,000 waterbirds; threatened birds include the endangered Indian skimmer and Pallas’s fish-eagle (Ramsar Sites Information Service).
- The best time to visit is November to February, when migratory birds arrive via the Central Asian Flyway; summers are harsh and monsoon trails turn muddy (Incredible India, as of October 2026).
- The nearest airport and railway are both at Jamnagar; entry is arranged through the Jamnagar forest office, and any fee quoted below is an indicative planning estimate — reconfirm before you travel.
About Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary
Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary is a protected coastal wetland on the edge of Jamnagar, in Jamnagar district, Gujarat, on the southern shore of the Gulf of Kutch. According to Gujarat Tourism, it spreads over marshy wetlands and mangroves and was declared a sanctuary in 1981; Wikipedia, citing official notifications, gives 6 November 1982. It is often written as “Khijadia Wildlife Sanctuary”, the name used in its Ramsar listing.
The sanctuary’s character comes from an old piece of engineering. Gujarat Tourism records that, before Independence, a check dam was built on the Ruparel river to hold its water before it reached the sea; the dam collected both rainwater and seawater and, over decades, created the mixed landscape of freshwater lakes, marshes and tidal creeks seen today. The Ramsar record dates this dike to around 1920.
Sources differ on the sanctuary’s area. The Ramsar Sites Information Service lists 511.7 ha, while Gujarat Tourism and Wikipedia give 605 ha (about 6 km²); the Ministry of Tourism’s Incredible India page rounds it to 6 km². The official Ramsar figure is the better reference. If you are building a wider Saurashtra trip, our Gujarat travel guide sets out how Jamnagar fits with Dwarka, the Rann and the state’s other regions.
| Detail | Figure |
|---|---|
| Location | Near Jamnagar, Jamnagar district, Gujarat, on the Gulf of Kutch |
| Distance from Jamnagar | About 10–14 km by road |
| Area | 511.7 ha (Ramsar); 605 ha / about 6 km² (Gujarat Tourism, Wikipedia) |
| Declared sanctuary | 1981 (Gujarat Tourism) / 6 November 1982 (Wikipedia) |
| Ramsar site | No. 2464, “Khijadia Wildlife Sanctuary”; listed 13 April 2021 |
| Bird species | More than 300 recorded (over 310 per Ramsar) |
| Nearest airport | Jamnagar (JGA), about 15 km |
| Nearest railway | Jamnagar Junction, about 12–17 km |
| Best season | November to February |
How two ecosystems meet at Khijadiya
Khijadiya works as a twin-ecosystem wetland because freshwater and seawater are held next to each other rather than mixed into a single estuary. On the landward side, check-dams and the old Ruparel dike pond up rain-fed freshwater into shallow lakes and reed marshes. On the seaward side, tidal creeks from the Gulf of Kutch push saltwater in, feeding mangroves, salt marsh and mudflats. The dividing bund keeps the two systems distinct.
That split is unusual and it is the reason the bird list is so long. According to the Ministry of Tourism’s Incredible India page, the landscape includes mangroves, salt marshes and grasslands, with freshwater lakes once sitting alongside salt pans. Different birds use different zones: dabbling ducks and jacanas on the freshwater pools, flamingos and waders on the saline flats, and raptors over the grassland fringe.
The Ramsar Sites Information Service classifies Khijadiya primarily as a freshwater wetland near the coast, which is what sets it apart from the Gulf’s purely marine and coastal sites. In practice a single morning’s walk can take you from reed-fringed freshwater to open brackish mudflat, which is rare on India’s west coast and makes the sanctuary a useful contrast to an inland freshwater lake such as Nalsarovar near Ahmedabad.
The birdlife: 300-plus species
Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary records more than 300 bird species, including 125 waterbirds, and has counted over 165,000 waterbirds in a single season, according to the Ramsar Sites Information Service. The Incredible India page also puts the tally at over 300, while Gujarat Tourism lists more than 220 — so “300-plus” is the figure the Ramsar record supports, with lower counts reflecting older or partial surveys.
Headline species are the draw. Ramsar names threatened birds including the endangered Indian skimmer and Pallas’s fish-eagle, the vulnerable common pochard, and notes the site holds more than 1% of the South and South-West Asian population of the Dalmatian pelican. Gujarat Tourism and Incredible India add greater and lesser flamingos, great white pelicans, painted storks, spoonbills, herons, egrets, kingfishers, marsh harriers and common cranes.
Khijadiya is also a confirmed breeding site for the black-necked stork. A study in the Journal of Threatened Taxa, published on 27 July 2026 by the Gujarat Ecological Education and Research (GEER) Foundation — an autonomous body under the Gujarat Forest Department — recorded a peak of 21–23 storks and four active nests that fledged eight juveniles during surveys from July 2024 to March 2025. Beyond birds, Incredible India lists jackals, jungle cats and nilgai (blue bull).
| Zone | Typical birds |
|---|---|
| Freshwater marsh and lakes | Pelicans, spoonbills, painted storks, ducks, jacanas, egrets, herons |
| Saline flats and creeks | Greater and lesser flamingos, waders, Indian skimmer, gulls and terns |
| Grassland and scrub fringe | Marsh harriers, Pallas’s fish-eagle, kingfishers, warblers, larks |
| Signature winter sightings | Dalmatian pelican, black-necked stork, common and demoiselle cranes |
Ramsar status and why it matters
Khijadiya is a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance, listed as “Khijadia Wildlife Sanctuary”, Ramsar Site no. 2464. The Ramsar Sites Information Service gives a designation date of 13 April 2021, and the listing was announced on World Wetlands Day, 2 February 2022 — which is why some sources date it to 2021 and others to 2022. Both dates are correct for different steps in the process.
The Ramsar tag recognises the wetland’s role on the Central Asian Flyway, the migration corridor along which waterbirds move between breeding grounds in Central Asia and wintering sites in India. Ramsar notes the site supports over 310 bird species and more than 180 plant species, among them the critically endangered Indian bdellium-tree, and that it is recognised as an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International.
Status has brought money and attention. In March 2025, the Gujarat government signed two agreements with Nayara Energy for the conservation and restoration of Khijadiya, a reported ₹12 crore, three-year project with the state forest department focused on wetland restoration, biodiversity and eco-tourism, according to press reports. Expect facilities and access rules to keep changing, so reconfirm details before you visit.
Watchtowers, trails and what you’ll see
Khijadiya is explored on foot along marked nature trails, with watchtowers and hides placed over the main water bodies. Lonely Planet counts six birdwatching towers and notes the evening crane roost as a highlight; the Incredible India page describes walking trails and watchtowers with wide views but gives no exact count. Wikipedia says visitors typically walk about 3 km inside the sanctuary.
The towers are what make the twin-ecosystem layout readable. From a freshwater-side tower you look over reed beds and lily-covered pools alive with ducks and jacanas; from a saline-side tower the view opens onto mudflats where flamingos and waders feed on a falling tide. Early morning and late afternoon give the best light and the most activity, so plan your walk around those windows.
There is an interpretation centre at the entrance where staff register visitors. Bring binoculars — most birds here are seen at distance across water, not close to the path — and a field guide or a local guide who knows which tower suits the day’s tide and wind. Khijadiya rewards patience more than distance covered.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Watchtowers / hides | Several towers over the water bodies; six counted by Lonely Planet |
| Walking distance inside | About 3 km on marked trails (Wikipedia) |
| Best hours | Early morning and late afternoon for light and bird activity |
| At the entrance | Interpretation centre and visitor registration |
| Carry | Binoculars, water, sun protection; a field guide or local guide |
Best time to visit
The best time to visit Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary is November to February, when migratory birds arrive in large numbers via the Central Asian Flyway, according to Gujarat Tourism and Incredible India. The broader birding window runs from about October to March; from June to September the monsoon fills the marshes but turns trails muddy, and summer heat makes midday birding uncomfortable.
Winter mornings are cool and still, which is ideal for the early-morning and late-afternoon sessions that birds favour. Jamnagar’s climate is coastal and dry for most of the year, so the main seasonal decision is simply to avoid the harsh summer and the wettest weeks of the monsoon.
| Period | Conditions | Worth it? |
|---|---|---|
| November–February | Cool, dry; peak migratory arrivals | Best — go now |
| October & March | Warming up; good birding either side of peak | Very good |
| April–May | Hot; fewer migrants, resident birds only | Avoid midday |
| June–September | Monsoon; full marshes but muddy trails | Difficult underfoot |
How to reach Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary
The quickest way to reach Khijadiya is via Jamnagar, which has both the nearest airport and the nearest railway station. The sanctuary lies about 10–14 km from the city, and local taxis and buses run out to it. Jamnagar is well connected within Gujarat, so most visitors base themselves in the city and make a half-day trip.
By air, Jamnagar Airport (JGA) is about 15 km from the sanctuary, with Wikipedia noting daily direct flights to Mumbai; Gujarat Tourism gives a road distance of about 24 km from the airport. By rail, Jamnagar Junction is roughly 12–17 km away and is served by trains from Ahmedabad, Rajkot and beyond. By road, Rajkot is about 76 km and Ahmedabad about 268 km, according to Gujarat Tourism.
| Mode | Detail |
|---|---|
| Nearest airport | Jamnagar (JGA), about 15 km; daily flights to Mumbai |
| Nearest railway | Jamnagar Junction, about 12–17 km |
| From Rajkot | About 76 km by road |
| From Ahmedabad | About 268 km by road |
| Local transport | Taxis and buses from Jamnagar city; hire a vehicle for the half-day |
Entry, timings and permits
Entry to Khijadiya is arranged through the Jamnagar forest office, and you should treat any fee quoted here as an indicative planning estimate — reconfirm before you travel. Official pages list the sanctuary as open but publish no current fee schedule, so budget on the basis of a small per-head charge plus a camera fee and confirm the exact amount and process with the forest department.
Timings are given differently by different sources. The Ministry of Tourism’s Incredible India page lists 6 am–8 pm, while some travel listings give 6 am–6 pm. Birding happens at the ends of the day regardless, so arrive at opening and plan to be back out by dusk. Lonely Planet notes that staff can arrive late in the morning, so it is worth confirming the day before.
Travellers’ accounts describe registering at the Jamnagar forest office before visiting and showing photo ID at the interpretation centre; one undated account quoted roughly ₹200 for two people plus ₹100 for a camera, which is outdated and offered only as a rough scale. No Inner Line Permit or special state permit applies to Jamnagar district — this is ordinary wildlife-sanctuary entry, not a restricted-area permit.
Where to stay
The practical place to stay is Jamnagar city, 10–14 km away, which has the full range of accommodation; there is no tourist lodging inside the sanctuary. Staying in the city keeps you close enough for an early start at the gate and gives you food, fuel and ATMs on tap. The ranges below are indicative planning estimates for 2026 and should be reconfirmed when you book.
- Budget (about ₹900–1,800 a night): simple hotels and guesthouses around the city centre and near the railway station; fine for a one- or two-night birding base.
- Mid-range (about ₹2,500–5,000 a night): business and mid-tier hotels with air-conditioning, breakfast and parking, useful if you are driving.
- Upper / luxury (about ₹6,000 and up): a handful of higher-end and heritage-style properties in and around Jamnagar.
Book ahead for the November–February peak, when Jamnagar also draws business travel and wedding season demand. If you want to pair Khijadiya with the Marine National Park, a city base works for both.
A suggested itinerary
A single full day covers Khijadiya comfortably, and two days let you add the Marine National Park or Jamnagar’s lakes. This plan assumes a Jamnagar base in winter.
- Day 1 — Khijadiya: Register at the forest office the day before. Reach the gate by opening, spend the morning working the freshwater-side towers, break in the city for lunch, and return for the late-afternoon session over the saline flats and the crane roost at dusk.
- Day 2 — coast and city: Drive about 52 km to Narara reef in the Marine National Park for a low-tide intertidal walk (forest permission needed), then return to see Jamnagar’s Lakhota Lake and old city in the evening.
- Add-on: With a third day, continue about 130 km to Dwarka for the temple town, or spend more time birding if the counts are good.
Budget breakdown
A two-day Jamnagar-based birding trip is inexpensive by Indian standards, with lodging and a hired vehicle the main costs. The figures below are indicative planning estimates for two people in 2026, excluding travel to Jamnagar, and should be reconfirmed locally; sanctuary entry is shown as a small placeholder pending the current fee.
| Item | Estimate (₹) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Stay (2 nights, mid-range) | 5,000–10,000 | Budget rooms bring this well down |
| Local taxi / vehicle (2 days) | 3,000–5,000 | Half-day to sanctuary; full day for Narara |
| Meals (2 days) | 1,200–2,500 | Jamnagar Gujarati thalis and snacks |
| Sanctuary & camera (placeholder) | 300–600 | Reconfirm current fee with forest office |
| Guide (optional) | 1,000–2,000 | Recommended for first-time birders |
| Approx. total | 10,500–20,000 | Two people, excluding travel to Jamnagar |
Responsible birding and rules
Responsible birding at Khijadiya comes down to keeping your distance and your noise down, because this is a breeding and wintering wetland under active restoration. Stay on marked trails and use the towers and hides rather than pushing toward birds for a closer photograph; a long lens or a spotting scope does the work without flushing a flock.
- Do not play call-playback to draw birds, and avoid flash photography near nesting or roosting sites.
- Carry out all litter; single-use plastic is discouraged across Gujarat’s protected areas.
- Keep voices low at the towers, especially at the dusk crane roost.
- Follow the forest staff’s instructions on which areas are open; restoration work may close sections.
- Do not feed wildlife or stray from the trails into the marsh.
Practical tips
Plan Khijadiya as an early-morning and late-afternoon outing, carry your own water and sun protection, and keep some cash on hand. Jamnagar city has ATMs, fuel and hospitals; the sanctuary itself has little beyond the interpretation centre, so stock up before you drive out.
- Connectivity and cash: Mobile coverage is reliable in and around Jamnagar; UPI works in the city, but carry cash for the forest office and small vendors.
- Health: Jamnagar has the district’s main hospitals; the sanctuary is near the city, so medical help is not far.
- Packing: Binoculars, a hat, sunscreen and closed shoes for muddy edges; a light layer for cool winter mornings.
- Solo and women travellers: Jamnagar is a straightforward base; go birding in daylight and ideally with a local guide or small group, as parts of the wetland are quiet.
- Timing: Register the day before and reconfirm opening hours, since staff timings and the fee can vary.
Nearby places
Khijadiya pairs well with the Gulf of Kutch coast and Jamnagar’s own sights, and sits within reach of Dwarka for a longer loop. The Marine National Park, Gulf of Kutch — often called India’s first marine national park — protects coral, mangroves and intertidal life along the same shore.
| Place | Distance | Why go |
|---|---|---|
| Jamnagar city (Lakhota Lake, old city) | About 10–14 km | Base for the trip; lake, bazaars and temples |
| Narara reef, Marine National Park | About 52 km | Low-tide intertidal walk among coral and marine life (forest permission needed) |
| Marine National Park, Gulf of Kutch | Same coast | India’s first marine national park; mangroves and islands |
| Dwarka | About 130 km | Temple town and pilgrimage centre on the coast |
For how these fit into a wider state itinerary, see our Gujarat travel guide.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary?
Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary is in Jamnagar district, Gujarat, on the southern shore of the Gulf of Kutch, about 10–14 km from Jamnagar city. The nearest airport and railway station are both at Jamnagar, around 12–17 km away, and local taxis and buses run out to the sanctuary, according to Gujarat Tourism and Incredible India.
Why is Khijadiya special among Indian bird sanctuaries?
Khijadiya is unusual because freshwater marshes and the saltwater creeks of the Gulf of Kutch sit side by side, held apart by an old check-dam bund. This twin-ecosystem layout supports more than 300 bird species across different zones — ducks on freshwater, flamingos and waders on saline flats — which few single wetlands in India manage, per the Ramsar record.
Is Khijadiya a Ramsar site, and when was it designated?
Yes. Khijadiya is a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance, listed as “Khijadia Wildlife Sanctuary”, Ramsar Site no. 2464. The Ramsar Sites Information Service gives a designation date of 13 April 2021, and the listing was announced on World Wetlands Day, 2 February 2022 — which is why both years appear across sources.
What is the best time to visit Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary?
The best time to visit Khijadiya is November to February, when migratory birds arrive in large numbers via the Central Asian Flyway, according to Gujarat Tourism and Incredible India. The wider window runs October to March. Avoid the harsh summer and the June–September monsoon, when the marshes fill but trails turn muddy.
Do I need a permit or ticket to enter Khijadiya?
Entry is arranged through the Jamnagar forest office, and you register and show photo ID before visiting; no Inner Line Permit applies to Jamnagar district. Official pages publish no current fee, so treat any amount quoted online as an outdated, indicative estimate and confirm the fee, camera charge and timings with the forest department first.
Which birds can I see at Khijadiya?
Khijadiya records over 300 bird species, including greater and lesser flamingos, great white and Dalmatian pelicans, painted storks, the black-necked stork, spoonbills, herons, cranes, waders and the endangered Indian skimmer, per the Ramsar record and Gujarat Tourism. It also shelters jackals, jungle cats and nilgai alongside its birdlife.
Last updated and sources
Khijadiya suits birdwatchers and nature travellers basing themselves in Jamnagar, and is at its best from November to February when migratory flocks fill the marshes and mudflats. Register with the forest office a day ahead and plan around early morning and late afternoon.
Last updated: 17 October 2026. Fees, timings and permits change — reconfirm with official sources before you travel.
Sources: Ramsar Sites Information Service, “Khijadia Wildlife Sanctuary”, Site no. 2464 (rsis.ramsar.org); Gujarat Tourism, Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary (gujarattourism.com); Ministry of Tourism, Incredible India (incredibleindia.gov.in); GEER Foundation / Gujarat Forest Department black-necked stork study in the Journal of Threatened Taxa, reported July 2026 (gktoday.in); press report on the Gujarat government–Nayara Energy restoration MoU, March 2025 (theweek.in); Lonely Planet and Wikipedia (watchtower count, walking distance, cross-checks). Accessed September 2026.
