Event Timeline
The Haryana Government has officially initiated the countdown to the First Haryana Bird Festival 2026, a multi-week eco-tourism celebration dedicated to birdlife and nature tourism.
📍 Scheduled Dates: 2 February – 21 February 2026
📍 Focus Locations:
- Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary — near Gurugram
- Bhindawas Lake — in Jhajjar district
These wetlands attract vast numbers of migratory and resident birds, making them ideal sites for birdwatching and wildlife interest events.
🌍 Purpose and Vision
The festival is part of Haryana’s broader eco-tourism and biodiversity conservation strategy, intended to:
✅ Promote sustainable tourism in natural habitats
✅ Highlight the importance of wetlands as biodiversity hotspots
✅ Attract nature lovers, birders, photographers, and families
✅ Boost local tourism economies through organized visits and guided activities
✅ Raise awareness about environmental protection and habitat preservation
By focusing on birdwatching, the government aims to showcase the rich avian diversity found in this region — especially during the peak migratory season when hundreds of species arrive from colder climates.
📍 Key Locations
🪶 Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary
- One of the most famous birding destinations near Gurugram.
- Home to hundreds of bird species, including resident and migratory waterfowl.
- Especially popular during winter months when migratory birds arrive from Central Asia, Siberia, and Europe.
🌾 Bhindawas Lake (Jhajjar District)
- A significant wetland ecosystem attracting large flocks of migratory and local birds.
- Important for birdwatchers and eco-tourists interested in observing water birds, raptors, and shorebirds.
Both sites serve both educational and tourism purposes, providing a setting where nature appreciation meets adventure tourism.
📌 Scheduled Activities
The festival features a range of activities designed to engage visitors of all ages and experience levels:
🐦 Guided Birdwatching Tours
- Led by expert naturalists and ornithologists
- Focus on identifying migratory and local bird species
- Opportunities to explore bird habitats and learn behaviour patterns
📷 Photography Workshops
- Hands-on sessions designed for wildlife and nature photographers
- Tips on capturing birds in flight, at rest, and in natural settings
- Opportunities to participate in photography contests
🎤 Educational Seminars
- Talks on ecology, conservation, and wetland importance
- Interactive sessions for students, birding clubs, and amateur naturalists
- Conservation-oriented discussions with environmental experts
🚶 Nature Walks & Interpretation Trails
- Focus on plant-bird interactions and ecosystem education
- Designed for visitors to learn the interconnectedness of wetlands
🐣 Species and Wildlife Highlights
During the festival, visitors can expect to see a variety of resident and migratory birds, including:
- Herons, egrets, and storks
- Ducks, teals, and geese
- Waders and shorebirds
- Raptors and kingfishers
- Seasonal migrants from colder regions such as Siberia and Central Asia
Such gatherings create a dynamic natural spectacle — ideal for birdwatchers, students, photographers, and eco-tourists alike.
🌿 Eco-Tourism & Conservation Impact
This festival plays a strategic role in:
🌱 Supporting Local Tourism
- Encourages travellers to visit Gurugram and nearby regions for nature tourism
- Helps local businesses (guides, transport, cafes, homestays) benefit economically
🦆 Promoting Environmental Awareness
- Educates the public about the value of wetlands
- Encourages community involvement in conservation activities
🐢 Strengthening Protected Area Management
- Increased visibility and public interest can support long-term protection efforts
- Enhances scientific monitoring through collaborations with birding clubs and universities
🚶♀️ Who Should Attend?
This festival is ideal for:
- Birdwatchers and ornithology enthusiasts
- Nature and wildlife photographers
- Eco-tourists and adventure travellers
- Students, families, and educators
- Anyone interested in sustainable travel and biodiversity