Global Honour for Aligarh: Shekha Jheel Declared Ramsar Site Amid Official Delight

Agra: Shekha Jheel Bird Sanctuary in Aligarh has been designated a Ramsar Site, taking India’s tally of wetlands of international importance to 99. Union minister for environment, forest and climate change Bhupender Yadav announced the development in a post on X, stating, “Delighted to announce the designation of Shekha Jheel Bird Sanctuary (Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh) as a Ramsar site. This will boost local livelihoods and strengthen global biodiversity, along with water and climate security.”

He added that the recognition marks UP’s 12th Ramsar site and brings India closer to a century of such wetlands.Shekha Jheel is a crucial stopover along the Central Asian Flyway, providing vital habitat to migratory birds such as the bar-headed goose, painted stork and several duck species during winter. Located about 17 km from Aligarh city on Gangiri Road, the sanctuary has emerged as one of western UP’s key wetland ecosystems, attracting nearly 20,000 migratory birds across 186 species every year.The sanctuary is also known for sightings of the Sarus crane, the state bird, making it an important habitat for the species. Birdwatchers can spot a range of resident and migratory birds, including storks, kingfishers, parakeets, ducks, geese, eagles and owls.“To promote eco-tourism and awareness, several facilities have been developed within the sanctuary, including a nature interpretation centre, watchtowers, walking trails, an administrative building for awareness programmes and a child-friendly park.

Basic amenities such as parking, a canteen and binocular facilities are also available,” said range forest officer Gaurav Singh.Officials said the sanctuary continues to play a key role in conservation while offering opportunities for tourists, researchers and birdwatchers to experience wetland biodiversity. District forest officer Shivam Kumar said, “It is an honour for Aligarh and UP. Officials and staff worked hard to maintain this wetland, which has now received global recognition.”Ishak Mohammad, a nature guide associated with the sanctuary for nearly two decades, said school groups frequently visit for birdwatching tours. “Children regularly come here to observe different bird species,” he said. He added that the park is open from 9 am to 5 pm, while winter timings are from 10 am to 5 pm. The entry fee is Rs 30 for Indian visitors and Rs 350 for foreign tourists.Established in 2010 under the social forestry division, Aligarh, the sanctuary was developed to conserve local and migratory birds, along with aquatic flora and fauna. The wetland plays a key role in maintaining regional biodiversity and ecological balance. Migratory birds begin arriving in Nov, with numbers peaking in Dec and Jan, when thousands of birds can be spotted across the wetland. By March, most migratory species return to their native habitats, while several local species continue to nest and breed.In terms of connectivity, Aligarh Junction railway station is about 15 km away, while Dhanipur Airstrip is around 7 km from the site. The best time to visit is between Nov and Feb.