The Okhla Bird Sanctuary - in pictures

  • The Okhla Bird Sanctuary, in India's capital Delhi, has become popular with young people, especially after the pandemic lockdowns. All photos: Taniya Dutta / The National
    The Okhla Bird Sanctuary, in India's capital Delhi, has become popular with young people, especially after the pandemic lockdowns. All photos: Taniya Dutta / The National
  • The sanctuary is home to more than 300 bird species, including some that are critically endangered species, such as the white-rumped and Indian vultures
    The sanctuary is home to more than 300 bird species, including some that are critically endangered species, such as the white-rumped and Indian vultures
  • A kingfisher in the sanctuary
    A kingfisher in the sanctuary
  • Activists say the promotion of eco-tourism is harming the conservation area, which is already under stress from climate change and encroachments
    Activists say the promotion of eco-tourism is harming the conservation area, which is already under stress from climate change and encroachments
  • Seagulls
    Seagulls
  • The Northern shoveler, a medium-sized duck
    The Northern shoveler, a medium-sized duck
  • Black-necked stilt
    Black-necked stilt
  • Bar-headed geese
    Bar-headed geese
  • Indian pond heron
    Indian pond heron
  • The sanctuary lies on the highly polluted Yamuna river shared by the twin cities of Delhi and Noida, but efforts are under way to reduce waste and emissions from the concrete jungles
    The sanctuary lies on the highly polluted Yamuna river shared by the twin cities of Delhi and Noida, but efforts are under way to reduce waste and emissions from the concrete jungles
  • More young people are choosing to spend their weekends here rather than at fancy shopping malls and restaurants
    More young people are choosing to spend their weekends here rather than at fancy shopping malls and restaurants
  • Migratory birds also make routine stops here
    Migratory birds also make routine stops here
  • The 3.5-square-kilometre sanctuary is a favourite for hordes of birdwatchers and nature lovers
    The 3.5-square-kilometre sanctuary is a favourite for hordes of birdwatchers and nature lovers
  • There are as many as 450 bird species found in the city and over seven bird sanctuaries, with Okhla being the largest
    There are as many as 450 bird species found in the city and over seven bird sanctuaries, with Okhla being the largest
  • Delhi is ranked among the capital cities with the highest number of bird species in the world
    Delhi is ranked among the capital cities with the highest number of bird species in the world
  • The sanctuary's residents at dusk
    The sanctuary's residents at dusk
  • Purple swamphen
    Purple swamphen
  • The entrance to a nature trail
    The entrance to a nature trail
  • Migratory birds also make routine stops here
    Migratory birds also make routine stops here
  • Greater coucal
    Greater coucal
  • Thousands of birds in the sanctuary's waters
    Thousands of birds in the sanctuary's waters
  • Bar-headed geese
    Bar-headed geese
  • Indian pond heron
    Indian pond heron
  • Greylag goose
    Greylag goose