From January 3 to 5, 2025, Gujarat’s Jamnagar district hosted India’s inaugural census of coastal and wader birds. This significant event aimed to enhance understanding of bird populations and their habitats along the state’s coastline. The census was conducted at the Marine National Park and Sanctuary in Jamnagar, India’s first designated marine national park. Spanning approximately 170 km of coastline from Okha to Navlakhi, the park encompasses 42 islands and is situated in the Gulf of Kutch. This region is renowned for its rich marine biodiversity and mangrove ecosystems.
Jamnagar is home to over 300 bird species, including rare wader birds like the Crab Plover and the Great Knot. The Marine National Park lies along the Central Asian Flyway, a critical migratory route for birds extending from the Arctic to the Indian Ocean. This flyway serves as essential breeding and wintering grounds, contributing to global bird diversity.
