Nalabana

The Nalabana Island is the core area of the vast Chilka Lake Bird Sanctuary which has been designated as ecologically important wetlands by the Ramsar site. The island was notified in 1987 and declared as the Nalabana Bird Sanctuary in 1987 by the Government of Orissa. Bird Sanctuary in the island of Nalabana is one of the major attractions of Chilika. The island with circumference of 8 kmilometres is a protection site that preserves contrasting species of the migratory birds. The sanctuary is home to thousands of migratory and regional bird species and is hence considered as a delight for bird lovers. From a distance, it gives the impression of an area sprinkled with feathers due to the flock of birds that takes off.

Birding enthusiasts can visit Nalabana Bird Sanctuary during winter months, when several migratory birds descend to the island from Siberia, Russia, Mongolia, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq and Himalayas and other countries close to the northpole fly thousands of kilometers every year to this bird sanctuaries, to escape the harsh winters in their home countries.. Waterfowl such as Flamingos are the highlighting avian species. arriving at this island. Gulls, Terns, Eagles, Goliath Heron, Ardea Goliath, Herons, Eurynorphynchus Pygmaeus, Asian Dowitcher and Egrets are some of the common bird species that take shelter in the sanctuary. Along with these species, Golden Plover, Pluvialis Fulva, Green Sandpiper, Tringa Ochropus, Nalaban, Spoon-billed Sandpiper and Limnodromus Semipalmatus are some of the noteworthy species of the sanctuary.

Travellers can access beautiful bird paradise through the closest access point, Barkul. Besides, Orissa tourism facilitates travellers by providing boats to explore the island., which gets submerged during monsoons.