Parvati-Arga Bird Sanctuary
Why in news?
The Indian government recently declared the Parvati-Arga Bird Sanctuary in Uttar Pradesh an Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) to enhance biodiversity conservation and promote responsible ecotourism. This development, announced on December 27, 2025, regulates activities like construction and industrial expansion around the sanctuary.​
About
- Location: Gonda district, Uttar Pradesh, ~45 km from Gonda city, near Mankapur-Nawabganj Road and Mankapur-Faizabad Railway Line
- Area: 10.84 km² (1,084 hectares)
- Established: Declared a sanctuary in 1990; officially notified in 1997
- Designation: Recognized as a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance on 2 December 2019
Geography & Ecology
- Formed from two interconnected lakes: Parvati and Arga, about 1.5 km apart.
- Originally part of the Saryu River system; the lakes remained when the river changed course.
- Rain-fed depressions in the Gangetic plains of the Terai region, sustaining water year-round.
Birdlife
- Resident Birds: Purple Moorhen, Swamp Hen, and other waterfowl nest here.
- Migratory Birds: Over 40,000 wintering waterfowl visit annually.
- Key Species:
- Sarus Crane (state bird of Uttar Pradesh) finds ideal habitat here.
- More than 23 species of waterfowl recorded.
Other Wildlife
- Mammals such as Jackal and Nilgai are found in the sanctuary.
- The wetlands also support diverse aquatic flora and fauna, crucial for ecological balance.
Challenges & Conservation
- Threats: Encroachment, pollution, and unsustainable agriculture around wetlands.
- Conservation Importance: As a Ramsar site, it plays a vital role in migratory bird conservation and wetland ecosystem services.
- Action Needed: Community-based eco-tourism and stricter protection measures to preserve biodiversity.
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