Updated On: 28 February, 2026 09:10 AM IST | Mumbai | Ranjeet Jadhav
Nandur Madhmeshwar Bird Sanctuary, state’s first Ramsar site for birds, marks four decades as safe space for resident and migratory avian species

Painted stork with hatchling; Indian green bee eater; Cotton pygmy goose. Pics/Col Partha Patri
Often dubbed the “Bharatpur of Maharashtra,” Nandur Madhmeshwar Bird Sanctuary is among the state’s most important wetlands and a key stopover for migratory birds. Declared a sanctuary on February 25, 1986, the Ramsar site near Niphad, Nashik district, has now completed 40 years. Spread over 800.96 hectares, it supports more than 265 bird species, including about 80 migratory visitors. “The sanctuary, often called the Bharatpur of Maharashtra, is the state’s first Ramsar site for birds and biodiversity” said Hiralal Chaudhari, range forest officer. mid-day brings you glimpses of its vibrant avian life.
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Bird species in Nandur Madhmeshwar Bird Sanctuary