From Jasola, Okhla Bird Sanctuary makes a riverside outing toward Delhi’s eastern edge: it is a wetland reserve on the Yamuna, where the river crosses into Uttar Pradesh. Its lake, marshland and trails offer places to look for resident and migratory birds.
- Setting: A wetland reserve covering approximately 4 square kilometres.
- Bird season: Migratory birds visit from October to March.
- Hours: Seasonal opening hours, with the sanctuary closed every Monday.
- Fees: The sanctuary website directs visitors to a separate fee-structure page.
Where is Okhla Bird Sanctuary, and how do you reach it?
Okhla Bird Sanctuary lies beside the Yamuna at the boundary between Delhi and Uttar Pradesh. The Okhla Barrage was established across the river in 1984, and the surrounding barrage and marshland were declared a sanctuary in 1990.
There are two road approaches: a Gautam Budh Nagar entrance off the Noida–Greater Noida Expressway, and an approach from Kalindi Kunj via Sarita Vihar and the Okhla Barrage. From HOTEL H.C GRAND, the sanctuary is about a 19-minute drive; the Kalindi Kunj approach runs via Sarita Vihar and the Okhla Barrage.
Okhla Bird Sanctuary station on the Magenta Line is the nearest metro station. Botanical Garden station is another metro approach, followed by a 3 km journey by three-wheeler or cycle rickshaw.
To pair the visit with other area stops, see the Noida outings guide.
What can you look for on the trails?
The sanctuary’s large lake was formed by damming the Yamuna, with open fields and marshland providing habitat for birds. A motorable road runs for a little over a kilometer inside the sanctuary before narrowing into a walking trail. Watch towers set in open fields offer views of birds and the surrounding landscape.
More than 324 bird species are found here. About half are migratory, while 36% are resident. Among the migratory birds recorded are Shoveller Duck, Northern Pintail, Common Teal, Gadwall Duck and Blue Winged Teal.
When should you visit Okhla Bird Sanctuary?
October to March is the period when migratory birds visit Okhla Bird Sanctuary. That seasonal window is a useful starting point if birdwatching is your main reason for going, while the sanctuary’s lake, fields and marshland define the setting throughout the year.
Opening times vary by season: winter hours are 7:30 AM–5:00 PM, and summer hours are 7:00 AM–5:30 PM. The sanctuary is closed every Monday. Because hours can change, check the official site before you go.
What should you know about entry and parking?
The sanctuary website directs visitors to a separate fee-structure page for current entry charges. The fee structure is based on a government order dated 19-9-2010; check the official sanctuary website for the applicable fee before setting out. Road access is available from the Gautam Budh Nagar entrance and via Kalindi Kunj, Sarita Vihar and the Okhla Barrage.
For another local route-planning reference, getting around Jasola and South Delhi by metro and road covers transport in the surrounding area.
FAQs
When do migratory birds visit Okhla Bird Sanctuary?
Migratory birds visit from October to March. Species include Northern Pintail, Common Teal and Gadwall Duck.
Is Okhla Bird Sanctuary closed on a weekly day?
Yes. The sanctuary is closed every Monday. Its listed opening hours also vary between winter and summer.
Where is the nearest metro station to Okhla Bird Sanctuary?
Okhla Bird Sanctuary station on the Magenta Line is the nearest metro station. Botanical Garden station is another approach option, followed by a 3 km journey by three-wheeler or cycle rickshaw.