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Okhla Bird Sanctuary, Delhi–Noida
Okhla Bird Sanctuary is about 4 sq km of wetland where the Yamuna is held back by the Okhla barrage, on the Delhi–Noida border. More than 320 bird species have been recorded, half of them migrants, and the best months are November to March. It is closed on Mondays; the gates open 7:30–17:00 in winter and 7:00–17:30 in summer. Entry is ₹30 for Indian visitors and ₹350 for foreign visitors.
Where the Yamuna is held back at the Okhla barrage, on the Noida border, the water spreads into lagoons that have recorded somewhere between three and four hundred bird species. From November to February the migrants arrive (pintails, shovellers, teals, and in some winters flamingos), and the walking loop along the water passes several watchtowers. Come at first light, when the mist is still on the surface. Entry about ₹30 for Indians, ₹350 for foreigners; open roughly 7:00 to 17:00.
Winter mornings with thousands of migratory waterbirds, twenty minutes from south Delhi
Timings and entry fee
The sanctuary belongs to Uttar Pradesh, not Delhi, and is run by the UP Forest Department, which sets the hours and fees below. The short description above gives "roughly 7:00 to 17:00" and no closed day; the sanctuary's own site lists the seasonal hours below and a Monday closure, so go by those. No vehicles are allowed inside, so you walk. Entering outside the posted hours is treated as trespass. The fee order dates from 2010 and is still the one the sanctuary publishes.
| Winter hours | 7:30–17:00 |
| Summer hours | 7:00–17:30 |
| Closed | Every Monday |
| Entry, Indian visitors | ₹30 per person per day |
| Entry, foreign visitors | ₹350 per person per day |
| Vehicle fee: scooter / car / bus | ₹20 / ₹100 / ₹200 |
| Camera or handycam, per visit | ₹500 Indian visitors, ₹1,000 foreign visitors |
Best time to visit: the bird season
UP Ecotourism says the migrants visit from October to March and names November to March as the best time; the short description above says November to February, which is the core of the season. This is when the lagoons fill with ducks from the north: northern pintail, shoveller, common teal, gadwall and the occasional blue-winged teal, and in some winters flamingos.
Come at first light, when mist still lies on the water and the birds are feeding. In summer and the monsoon the migrants are gone and resident species remain; there is far less to see on the water.
What you'll see
A walking loop follows the water past several watchtowers, with reed beds of typha and phragmites along the banks and patches of water hyacinth on the open water. Of the 320-plus species on the list, roughly half are migrants and a third are residents; the list includes two critically endangered species. The sanctuary is one of India's 466 Important Bird Areas.
It is not only birds. Nilgai (the large blue-grey antelope), jackals, Indian mongoose and black-naped hare are among about 10 recorded mammal species, and some 30 species of butterflies have been recorded.
✅ Tips for birdwatching at Okhla
The sanctuary's own advice, which also happens to be what makes the difference between seeing birds and seeing their backs:
- Keep quiet — Silence works. No loud music, horns, stone-throwing or fires.
- Wear dull colours — Bright clothes flush the birds; camouflage or muted tones do not.
- Bring binoculars — Binoculars, a camera and a field guide. Many birds sit far out on the water.
- Shoes with grip — Hard soles with a good grip for the earthen paths along the banks.
- Take your rubbish back — Use the bins or carry leftovers out. Alcohol inside is a punishable offence.
How to reach Okhla Bird Sanctuary
The sanctuary sits at the entrance to Noida, by the Okhla barrage. The sanctuary's site suggests the metro to Botanical Garden and then about 3 km by auto-rickshaw or cycle-rickshaw. The Magenta Line also has a station named Okhla Bird Sanctuary; check the walking route to the gate on a map before choosing it. UP Ecotourism gives road distances of about 10 km from Hazrat Nizamuddin railway station and 20 km from New Delhi station.
❓ FAQ
What is the best time to visit Okhla Bird Sanctuary?
November to March, early in the morning. That is when the migratory ducks are on the water and the light is soft.
How much is the entry ticket to Okhla Bird Sanctuary?
₹30 per day for Indian visitors and ₹350 for foreign visitors. A video camera costs extra.
Is Okhla Bird Sanctuary open on Monday?
No. It is closed every Monday. Other days it opens 7:30–17:00 in winter and 7:00–17:30 in summer.
What is Okhla Bird Sanctuary famous for?
Winter waterbirds: thousands of migratory ducks on the Yamuna lagoons, from more than 320 recorded species. It is an Important Bird Area and was notified as a sanctuary in 1990.
Which metro station is near Okhla Bird Sanctuary?
The sanctuary recommends Botanical Garden plus about 3 km by auto-rickshaw. There is also a Magenta Line station named Okhla Bird Sanctuary.