| Saman Bird Sanctuary | |||||||||||||
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| Location | Saman,Mainpuri district,Uttar Pradesh,India | ||||||||||||
| Nearest city | Mainpuri | ||||||||||||
| Coordinates | 27°01′28″N79°10′58″E / 27.0245776°N 79.1827231°E /27.0245776; 79.1827231 | ||||||||||||
| Governing body | Uttar Pradesh Government | ||||||||||||
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Saman Bird Sanctuary is a wetland inMainpuri district, in westernUttar Pradesh. Located in the village ofSaman, it has been designated as a protectedRamsar site since 2019.[1]
Saman Bird Sanctuary is centred around a seasonal, rain-fed oxbow lake on flat ground. Its northern boundary is theKishni-Karhal road, and its western boundary is defined by the border between the villages of Saman andSauj. Its southern boundary is marked by the boundary between Saman and the village ofSarsai Helu, which forms part ofEtawah district. The sanctuary covers a total area of about 525 hectares (the official government designation is 526.3 hectares, butGIS calculations give an area of 527.7 hectares). As of 2020, about 75% of the designated area consists of privately-owned land.[2]: S1-1, S2-2, S4-1
Mainpuri is the nearest railhead. Also,UPSRTC operates city buses to and from the main archaeological sites.Agra is the nearest Airport.
The sanctuary is home to around 150 nests ofblack-crowned night herons,egrets, andIndian pond herons; several breeding pairs ofsarus cranes; at least one breeding pair ofblack-necked storks; and severalgreater spotted eagles year-round. During the winter, thousands of migratory birds flock to the wetland; the number regularly exceeds 50,000. In total, some 187 bird species have been recorded here. The wetland is also home to mammals, such as thenilgai, and reptiles, such as the Bengal monitor lizard (Varanus bengalensis).There is a diverse plant life including various aquatic plants such as the mosquitofern (Azolla pinnata),Cyperus alopecuroides, waterthyme (Hydrilla verticillata), andSmithia sensitiva.[2]: S3-1, S4-1
The wetland also plays an important role ingroundwater recharge.[2]: S4-1
The sanctuary is spread over an area of 5 km2. Besides birds, there are different animals such asJackal,Mongoose, Hare and various local andmigratory birds.
The best time to visit the sanctuary is between November and February.
Birds here include Sarus Cranes and Black Necked Stork as well as sharp hunters likeEgyptian vulture, Sparrow Hawk, Black Shouldered Kite, Crested Serpent Eagle and Black Kite. Some Small species of birds are also residing in nearby areas of the Sanctuary like Magpie Robin, Rufous Fronted Prinia, Little Green Bee-eater, Tailor Bird and Ashy Prinia. Indian Grey Hornbill, Lineated Barbet, Yellow Footed Green Pigeon and Asian Openbill are some of the species which are not common for an area like this.
Tourist attractions in and nearAgra | ||
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| World Heritage Sites |  | |
| Mughal architecture | ||
| Mosques | ||
| Other religious places | ||
| Shopping | ||
| Gardens | ||
| Wildlife sanctuaries | ||
| Fairs | ||