Interesting facts about Pangot and Kilbury Bird Sanctuary

India is famous for its rich flora and fauna all over the world. Pangot is one such beautiful hamlet in Uttarakhand which lies only 15 km from the city of Lake, Nainital. Walking into Pangot will make you feel like stepping into a remote Himalayan village. There this bird watchers’ paradise has more than ‘250 species’ of birds.
Driving through the forested area of ‘Cheena Peak Range’ via ‘Snow View Point’ and Kilbury, is the main habitat for excellent birding. The forests of Pangot as well as the surrounding areas are dominated by thick Oak, Pine, and Rhododendron trees. The streams passing by the area make it even more attractive. The district of Nainital covers the temperate, tropical, subtropical, subalpine as well as alpine zones. The Terai and Bhabar belt presents the ‘climate of the plains’ while the deep valleys with elevations up to 1000 Mts. Nainital plays host to varied types of animals, birds, and trees typical of hills as well as plains. The bird sanctuary is indeed worth visiting.

Attraction

Here, in Pangot and Kilbury Bird Sanctuary, one can see a variety of bird species and a way to Pangot such as Lammergeier, Himalayan Griffon, Spotted and Slaty-backed Forktail, Rufous-bellied Woodpecker, Rufous-bellied Niltava, Blue-winged Minla, Khalij pheasant are to name a few. One can also spot mammals. For example: Himalayan Goral, Barking Deer, Yellow-throated Himalayan Marten, Sambhar, Leopard, Civets, Leopard Cat, Serow, Wild Boar, Yellow-bellied Himalayan Weasel, Red Fox, and many more. The famous ‘Jim Corbett National Park’ is situated nearly 80 kilometers from Pangot.

The hill station is visited in a large number by tourists all around the year. The pleasant and spellbound weather in summer along with in winter’s snow-clad mountain peaks attract visitors from all over the world. Pangot is such a quiet and calm place that it can be an ideal destination for honeymooners as well. It is an incredible place for watching birds and adventurous activities like mountain biking and trekking. The trekking trail starts from Pangot which eventually leads to Naina Peak. Another one leads to ‘Jim Corbett National Park’. Kilbury is a picturesque picnic spot as well gaining the attraction of the tourists. From kids to adults, anyone can enjoy this place as it has something for everyone.

Inside/Outside Views

Kilbury is located 12 km from Nainital city, Kilbury is a known as bird watcher’s paradise and plenty of bird species are found here at Kilbury. Positioned at an altitude of approximately ‘2,500 meters’ above sea level, it is part of the larger ‘Pangot and Kilbury Bird Sanctuary’. Kilbury is enclosed by a flourishing green thick jungle of oak, pine as well as rhododendron. The thick forests of Kilbury provide sufficient opportunities for Bird watchers and make Kilbury a perfect ‘birding holiday destination’.

Most of the visitors at Kilbury are birding holiday lovers. They visit Kilbury very frequently to enjoy an ample variety of bird species. Many birds are found in the midst of the wonderful ‘flora and fauna’ of Kilbury forest, Bird watchers feel enchanted by watching birds like Brown wood owls, Collared Grosbeaks, Forktails, White-throated Laughing Thrushes, and many other birds.

How to Reach

By road: Kilbury is located on Kilbury Road before Pangot and Sigri village. From the busy area of Nainital, Pangot and Kilbury Bird Sanctuary is 12 km away. Nainital is well connected with other major cities like Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai, etc. of the country. And from Nainital city, you will get local transport to reach the site.

By air: The closest airport, ‘PantNagar Airport’ (which is a domestic one), is almost 80 kilometers away from this area and is in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand. You can visit this place from India. Apart from that, there are airports in Delhi or Lucknow with direct flights to Pant Nagar. From the airport, you can easily get local transport to reach the site.

By train: The closest railway station from the Pangot and Kilbury Bird Sanctuary is 46 km away at the ‘Kathgodam railway station’. This station is well connected with major areas of the country. From the station, you will get local transport so that you can reach the site.

Tips for Travellers

Please wear suitable and comfortable clothes according to both culture and seasons.
Don’t forget to follow the code of conduct.
If you are visiting Nainital for the first time, try to visit in a group for safety purposes.
Avoid theMonsoon, it’s better to avoid visiting during the monsoon season (from July to August) due to heavy rainfall, which can lead to landslides and difficult travel conditions.
· Beautiful birds everywhere but one needs to get up very early in the morning for the bird watching walk.
· Respect the birds. Remember that you are in their home. Do not throw stone-like objects that harm the birds anyhow.

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