Photos: Rajasthan’s Sambhar salt lake welcomes flamingos | Hindustan Times
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Photos: Rajasthan’s Sambhar salt lake welcomes flamingos

Updated On Aug 16, 2018 05:03 PM IST

Located around 75 kilometres from Jaipur in Rajasthan, Sambhar lake is India’s largest inland saline lake and contributes significantly to the country’s salt production. Come monsoon season, its salt pans and periphery of over 190km lend it another highlight –the area turns home for the cooler months to an annual population of migratory birds from as far away as Europe and also local migratory species that thrive and nest in its waters teeming with algae and small fish. Among these, the greater and lesser flamingos are perhaps the most popular. HT photographer Vipin Kumar brings images of their arrival and settling in this year.

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A flock of lesser and greater flamingos seen at Sambhar salt lake, in Rajasthan. Every year between the months of June and November, thousands of migratory birds arrive at the lake turning its otherwise barren beds into winter sanctuary for rare species. (Vipin Kumar / HT Photo) expand-icon View Photos in a new improved layout
Updated on Aug 16, 2018 05:03 PM IST

A flock of lesser and greater flamingos seen at Sambhar salt lake, in Rajasthan. Every year between the months of June and November, thousands of migratory birds arrive at the lake turning its otherwise barren beds into winter sanctuary for rare species. (Vipin Kumar / HT Photo)

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Located around 75 kms from the state capital Jaipur with the craggy Aravalli Hills surrounding it, Sambhar lake, with a periphery of over 190km is the largest inland saline lake in the country and the largest wetland site designated of international importance to wetland birds under the Ramsar Convention. (Vipin Kumar / HT Photo) expand-icon View Photos in a new improved layout
Updated on Aug 16, 2018 05:03 PM IST

Located around 75 kms from the state capital Jaipur with the craggy Aravalli Hills surrounding it, Sambhar lake, with a periphery of over 190km is the largest inland saline lake in the country and the largest wetland site designated of international importance to wetland birds under the Ramsar Convention. (Vipin Kumar / HT Photo)

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Over recent decades, the number of these birds has seen a drastic fall due to pollution caused by illegal salt-making units and over-extraction of subsurface brine around the lake. This also affects the availability of food for visiting birds. (Vipin Kumar / HT Photo) expand-icon View Photos in a new improved layout
Updated on Aug 16, 2018 05:03 PM IST

Over recent decades, the number of these birds has seen a drastic fall due to pollution caused by illegal salt-making units and over-extraction of subsurface brine around the lake. This also affects the availability of food for visiting birds. (Vipin Kumar / HT Photo)

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The birds depend on the thriving of blue-green algae, local insects and small fish which the flamingos and other birds depend on. A bad monsoon or deteriorating health of the lake’s waters has an adverse effect on the visiting population. (Vipin Kumar / HT Photo) expand-icon View Photos in a new improved layout
Updated on Aug 16, 2018 05:03 PM IST

The birds depend on the thriving of blue-green algae, local insects and small fish which the flamingos and other birds depend on. A bad monsoon or deteriorating health of the lake’s waters has an adverse effect on the visiting population. (Vipin Kumar / HT Photo)

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Where the flamingo and other migratory birds such as the ruddy turnstone, Eurasian spoonbill, bar-headed geese, northern shoveler, river tern, greenshank and ruff among others would arrive around October a few years ago, changes in global climate have shifted their arrivals earlier into the year. (Vipin Kumar / HT Photo) expand-icon View Photos in a new improved layout
Updated on Aug 16, 2018 05:03 PM IST

Where the flamingo and other migratory birds such as the ruddy turnstone, Eurasian spoonbill, bar-headed geese, northern shoveler, river tern, greenshank and ruff among others would arrive around October a few years ago, changes in global climate have shifted their arrivals earlier into the year. (Vipin Kumar / HT Photo)

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Despite being the largest saline lake in India, 1985 was the last time Sambhar was full. Nowadays, its shallow wetlands range in depth between one and six feet. During much of the day, flocks of flamingos can be seen awkwardly balancing or preening in pockets. (Vipin Kumar / HT Photo) expand-icon View Photos in a new improved layout
Updated on Aug 16, 2018 05:03 PM IST

Despite being the largest saline lake in India, 1985 was the last time Sambhar was full. Nowadays, its shallow wetlands range in depth between one and six feet. During much of the day, flocks of flamingos can be seen awkwardly balancing or preening in pockets. (Vipin Kumar / HT Photo)

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Once the monsoon has done its share and the water evaporates, leaving behind pools, waders and flamingos build circular nests about 1ft high in these shallow waters. The birds come to feed around the salt pans much closer to Sambhar town and the nearby dam between Jhapog and Gudha villages. (Vipin Kumar / HT Photo) expand-icon View Photos in a new improved layout
Updated on Aug 16, 2018 05:03 PM IST

Once the monsoon has done its share and the water evaporates, leaving behind pools, waders and flamingos build circular nests about 1ft high in these shallow waters. The birds come to feed around the salt pans much closer to Sambhar town and the nearby dam between Jhapog and Gudha villages. (Vipin Kumar / HT Photo)

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The cooler months of the year post monsoon, and up to March, make for ideal visiting to Sambhar Lake for bird watching. At most sites, it’s even possible to walk across the lake surface and get up close to the flamingos and other visitors. After March, most of the lake runs dry. (VVipin Kumar / HT Photo) expand-icon View Photos in a new improved layout
Updated on Aug 16, 2018 05:03 PM IST

The cooler months of the year post monsoon, and up to March, make for ideal visiting to Sambhar Lake for bird watching. At most sites, it’s even possible to walk across the lake surface and get up close to the flamingos and other visitors. After March, most of the lake runs dry. (VVipin Kumar / HT Photo)

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Sambhar Lake is not a protected area and owned by the State government which has leased out parts of it to Sambhar Salts Limited. Conservationists worry human presence here is potentially damaging the ecosystem and reducing the number of birds here. A Ramsar site needs to maintain at least 20,000 birds for it to maintain the tag. (Vipin Kumar / HT Photo) expand-icon View Photos in a new improved layout
Updated on Aug 16, 2018 05:03 PM IST

Sambhar Lake is not a protected area and owned by the State government which has leased out parts of it to Sambhar Salts Limited. Conservationists worry human presence here is potentially damaging the ecosystem and reducing the number of birds here. A Ramsar site needs to maintain at least 20,000 birds for it to maintain the tag. (Vipin Kumar / HT Photo)

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For birdwatchers eyeing a visit, it’s advisable to head once the monsoon season is over and the majority of the birds have arrived. The vastness of the lake, few places to stay and isolated birding pockets make it a place that demands a couple of days and a detailed map with localised information. (Vipin Kumar / HT Photo) expand-icon View Photos in a new improved layout
Updated on Aug 16, 2018 05:03 PM IST

For birdwatchers eyeing a visit, it’s advisable to head once the monsoon season is over and the majority of the birds have arrived. The vastness of the lake, few places to stay and isolated birding pockets make it a place that demands a couple of days and a detailed map with localised information. (Vipin Kumar / HT Photo)

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