Nandur Madhmeshwar Bird Sanctuary

Nandur Madhmeshwar bird sanctuary is a heaven for bird lovers which were established in the year 1950. This sanctuary is situated just 40 kms away from Nashik in Niphad Tehsil of Western Maharashtra. Nandur Madhmeshwar Lake serves as a reservoir for water coming from the Darana and Gandapur dams which is further channeled through canals for the irrigation purpose. Every year, a huge amount of silts and organic matter accumulated in the lake, which is carried away with the water flow. This process leads to the buildup of shallow water ponds and small islands in the Nandur Madhmeshwar bird sanctuary. The aquatic vegetation in Nandur Madhameshwar bird sanctuary has been established because of the biological enriched conditions. This place has been called as Bharatpur of Maharashtra, because of these diversities.

Features of Nandur Madhmeshwar Bird Sanctuary

The area is thickly cultivated with wheat, jowar, vegetables and sugarcane. Nandur Madhmeshwar Bird Sanctuary is a hub for thousands of beautiful migratory and resident birds. The surroundings of this sanctuary have many temples. The reservoir filled with water creates a panoramic view and it’s amazing fauna entertain the tourists throughout the year.

A Hub of Resident & Migratory Birds

Nandur Madhmeshwar Bird Sanctuary is a suitable hub for huge number of beautiful and migratory birds. So far the bird watchers have been spotted more than 230 species of birds here, out of which 80 to 85 are migratory birds. The resident birds comprises of Spot Bills, Black Ibis, Little Grabe, Teals, Cormorants, Stork, Egrets, Kites, Herons, Vultures, Harriers, Buzzards, Osprey, Patridges, Quails, Eagles, Sand Pipe, Water Hens, Swifts, Peafowl and Grey hornbill. The migratory birds spotted in this sanctuary are Glossy Ibis, White Stork, Spoonbills, Goose Brahminy Duck, Flamigo, Pintails, Wigeon, Mallard, Gargenery Shoveller, Cranes Shanks, Pochardds, Curlews, Godwits, Pratincole Wagtails and Weavers.

Wildlife in Nandur Madhmeshwar

Though this is mainly a bird sanctuary, you can see several other interesting kind of wildlife over here. You can observe around 24 amazing species of fishes in the reservoir. Fishing Cat, Palm Civet, Wolves, Ottar, Jackal, Mangoose and few species of Snakes are the animals spotted here.

How to Reach Nandur Madhmeshwar Bird Sanctuary

This bird sanctuary is easily reachable by road either through Nashik, Sinnar and Niphad. You can reach this place via Aurangabad airport, which is just 180 km away. Niphad is the nearest railway station, which is 12 km away from the sanctuary.

Best season to visit

December to March is the best season to visit Nandur Madhmeshwar bird sanctuary

Accommodation and other facilities

If you are looking for a calm and peaceful stay near to Nandur Madhmeshwar bird sanctuary, then get the permission from Executive engineer, Irrigation, Nashik for staying at the suite rest house in Khangaon Thadi. You need to contact Asst. Conservator of forest RFO Nandur Madhmeshwar sanctuary to get the assistance of guides and to enjoy the wooden boats either at Nashik or Khangaon Thadi.

Contact:
ACF (WL) Nandur Madhmeshwar,
Address: Kale Bhuvan plot, No. 71514, Opposite H.P.T.College, College Road, Nashik - 432005

Nandur Madhmeshwar sanctuary is home to several endangered species of birds, comprising of evergreen forest and huge biodiversity at the confluence of the Kadwa and Godavari rivers. This sanctuary houses more than 220 species of birds, 24 species of fish, many mammals and 400 species of flora came into existence along with the Nandur Madhmeshwar dam. Bombay Natural History Society, Forest Department of Maharashtra and World Wildlife Fund are the backbone for this wildlife sanctuary. It is now considered as one of the major water fowl habitats in the country by the International Union of Conservation of Nature.