Dhanauri Wetland is a remarkable ecological treasure that’s usually undiscovered by the majority of the people living in the Delhi NCR region. It’s not a part of mainstream tourism guides and itineraries for most of the nature explorers, and only a handful of people visit it. But a true gem of nature and its ecological marvels.
Primarily, it’s home to the Sarus Crane Bird, which is considered India’s tallest flying bird. It is one of the most beautiful and serene wetlands in Uttar Pradesh, or you can say the NCR region, that will offer you an unforgettable bird-watching experience. And the best part, it’s just an hour drive away from the National Capital.
So, for your next nature adventure, you must consider the Dhanauri Wetland to have an amazing bird-watching experience. I have been here in the past and have had an amazing time spotting the Sarus Crane Bird and many others. I also have a YouTube Channel named Jungle Revives by Shishir, where I post amazing bird-watching experiences across Indian national parks and wildlife sanctuaries.
So, let’s get started with more insights about the Dhanauri Wetland, and understand what makes it one of the best hidden birding destinations of India.
Table of Contents
The Geographical Relevance of Dhanauri Wetland
Located in the Gautam Buddha Nagar District of Uttar Pradesh, it is adjacent to the Dhanauri Village near the Town of Dankaur. It spans an area of 110+ hectares of marshy landscapes and is approximately 45 kilometres from Noida.
It was largely undiscovered till 2014. But after that, it became popular due to the famous birder named Anand Arya. He discovered it to be a major habitat for the Sarus crane bird, due to which it gradually became a popular birding spot.
Also, the Dhanauri Wetland lies in proximity to the famous bird sanctuary near Noida called the Okhla Bird Sanctuary. This forms a crucial ecological corridor near the Yamuna River basin.
It’s Key Attraction: The Sarus Crane Bird
The Dhanauri Wetland is most famous for the Sarus Crane and acts as their primary habitat in northern India. These birds are very tall and often considered the tallest flying birds, reaching a height of up to 6 feet. Their wingspan has a length of approximately 8 feet maximum.
When in a fully adult state, the Sarus Crane Bird weighs around 7 to 8 Kilograms. Looks-wise, they feature a grey appearance and a red head and upper neck. This makes them easily distinguishable from far off distances.
They are also known for their monogamous nature, meaning they form a lifelong pair with fellow Sarus Cranes. That’s why you will always see them in pairs or small groups. Usually, they breed in the monsoon season (roughly July onwards till October). For this, they construct large nests on water or paddy fields. Their nests are circular in shape and are quite large in size, depending on their body dimensions.
Every year, the Dhanauri Wetland sees an inflow of about 100 to 150 Sarus Cranes, and that makes it a prime spot for doing bird photography near Delhi and the National Capital region. You can carry a good quality smartphone with a good camera, a DSLR, an expensive mirrorless camera, or even a GoPro for Bird Photography to capture the amazing bird shots based on your budget and needs.
It’s one of the best spots for bird watching near Delhi NCR, and you must take a trip here at least once to understand the true beauty, especially during the monsoon season when the weather opens up a bit. During peak season, visitors may spot more than 50 birds in the same day.
The Dhanauri Wetland has a Significant Diversity of Birds
There are approximately 200+ varieties of bird species found here, which makes it the perfect place for spotting migratory birds in Delhi NCR.
Sarus Crane Bird Sightings are the most prominent ones here, but apart from that, the region hosts many others, such as:
- Northern Pintail
- Mallard
- Common Teal
- Greylag Geese
- Bar-headed Geese
- Red-crested Pochard
- Northern Shoveler
- Painted Stork
- Black-necked Stork
- Woolly-necked Stork
- Purple Swamphen
- Pheasant-tailed Jacana
- Eurasian Marsh Harrier
- Greater Spotted Eagle
- Peregrine Falcon
- Bristled Grassbird
- Oriental Honey Buzzard
- Montagu’s Harrier
And many more.
Because so many bird varieties are found here, the Dhanauri Wetland Area has great significance in ecological conservation. Beyond being a famous bird sanctuary near Noida and the NCR region, it also acts as a natural flood control system. It stores excessive water from the monsoon rains and releases it slowly throughout the year, which doesn’t cause many flood-like situations.
The region also acts as a great source of replenishing the groundwater levels for the surrounding farming and settlement needs. It also helps in maintaining the climate in the region due to its greenery and remarkable aquatic plant biodiversity.
Wildlife conservation is highly essential today in response to the rapid urbanization by humans and the changing climatic conditions. Therefore, Dhanauri has been recognized as an Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International for its significance in bird conservation.
It has qualified for international wetland protection status because it hosts over 1% of the total Sarus Crane population and acts as the congregation site for more than 20000 waterfowl birds. Waterfowl is another commonly seen species of birds found in the region. Another reason why the area is best for bird watching near Delhi NCR.
Dhanauri has been facing a lot of Challenges too
Despite being an ecologically famous zone and a sensitive bird sanctuary near Noida and the NCR region, the Dhanauri Wetland faces lots of challenges. Rapid urbanization around the Yamanu Expressway region has started to have a significant negative impact on the wetland area.
Consistent construction activities have destroyed multiple spots that act as the primary roosting and feeding spots of the Sarus Crane and many other birds. It has also led to a decline in the water quality in the region due to garbage dumping and pollution that poses significant challenges to the multiple birds and aquatic biodiversity out there.
All of this needs immediate intervention from the necessary authorities so that everyone can thrive peacefully without harming each other. It has the reputation of being one of the best spots for bird watching near Delhi NCR, and that needs to be maintained through collective effort and rapid awareness campaigns.
Interestingly, the Uttar Pradesh Government has been taking significant efforts to preserve the ecological importance of the Dhanauri Wetland. On legal grounds, the officials have been providing legal protection to the area under the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017.
The national green tribunal has been designated to monitor the efforts on a regular and priority basis. Also, the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA), the Regional Forest Department, and the Ministry of Environment are all working together to preserve the ecological importance of this place with crucial support from WWF-India.
The UP government has also sanctioned the development of a Sarus Research Center at Dhanauri in collaboration with the International Sarus Crane Foundation (USA) and Nature Conservation Foundation (Bangalore). It aims to conduct extensive research on the Sarus Crane behaviour, migration patterns, and habitat requirements for their seamless existence.
Dhanauri Wetland is Truly a Photographer’s Paradise
For those of you who are passionate about bird photography, getting to the wetland here would be your best decision. Not only will you be able to capture multiple unique photos of this majestic Sarus Crane Bird, but you will also come close to how other birds in the region function and behave. You will be able to learn a lot of deep insights about bird behaviour and their social interaction patterns.
I have been to this region in the past, and from my personal experience, I would like to share some tips with you so that you can do some of the most unique bird photography.
- Also, carry a good telephoto lens with your camera. Ideally, at least more than 100 mm.
- Carry a large tripod for sturdy photography.
- Don’t forget to keep multiple high-speed memory cards with you.
- If you want to do golden hour photography, try for early morning and late afternoon.
- For faster bird flight photography, you can keep your camera shutter speed to 1/800-1/2500.
If you are a beginner at photography, it doesn’t matter if you are carrying an expensive camera or a good-quality phone. Always focus on the quality of photography by learning the fundamentals correctly.
Dhanauri is a Birding Treasure Worth Protecting for the Future
As wildlife lovers and nature enthusiasts, I feel it’s the moral responsibility of all of us to protect this ecological gem of nature. Since, now the Uttar Pradesh Government is also taking active efforts in ensuring a promising future of the region, I feel we also should contribute equally by becoming more aware about the dangers and spreading necessary awareness amongst others. There is a need for sustainable tourism in the region, and we all should collectively take steps to ensure the Dhanauri Wetland region stays the way it is for a long time. It’s one of the most significant birding destinations in Delhi NCR, and we must protect it at all costs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
I live in Noida. Which is the Best Bird Sanctuary near me?
There are many bird sanctuaries near Noida, such as the Okhla Bird Sanctuary, Surajpur Bird Sanctuary, Sultanpur National Park, and the Dhanauri Wetland. All of these are within 80 kilometres of Noida and the NCR region, which provides great accessibility. You can either book a cab, bus, or drive your own private car to reach each of these by road. All of these are uniquely positioned and provide a great experience for bird watchers.
How can I get to the Dhanauri Wetland by Road?
You can take the Yamuna Expressway towards Greater Noida and follow the signs toward Dankaur/Dhanauri village. The road quality is good, and it takes 1-2 hours to reach by car. From New Delhi, it’s about 70 Kilometres, and from Noida, it’s just 45 kilometres.
Is Dhanauri the Best Bird Sanctuary Near Me, as I live in Delhi? What is the best time to visit there?
Yes, no doubt that it’s one of the best bird sanctuaries for people in the Delhi and NCR region. The optimal time for bird watching is from November to March every year. It coincides with the winter migration period of birds. The best time for bird photography is 6 AM to 9 AM and 4 PM to 6 PM, as it offers the maximum bird activity. Apart from that, monsoon months are also best for visiting here, as you can spot the Sarus crane and see their nesting activities. All of this can be captured in photographs for long-lasting memories.
What are the mandatory items I should carry while travelling to the Dhanauri Wetland?
As a tourist, you must carry the following items with you: Binoculars, a good quality camera, comfortable walking shoes, which are best for water terrain, sunscreen, a hat, insect repellent, ample amount of water bottles, and plenty of snacks. Also, follow all the guidelines while doing bird photography and exploring the region. Do not harm nature in any way or do activities that create any type of pollution. Ensure proper civic sense.
What essential safety guidelines must I follow while visiting the Dhanauri Bird Sanctuary?
There are a couple of things you must ensure from a safety standpoint:
- Always check for weather conditions before visiting.
- You must be aware of agricultural activities and in no way try to do any that make the farmers uncomfortable.
- If possible, try to go with a professional bird watcher. Their experience will help you navigate the region with ease.
- Maintain a respectful distance from all birds, especially during nesting season.
- Do not do flash photography, as that disturbs the birds.
- Keep voices low all the time. Birds may perceive loud voices as danger.
