Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary

Captured at Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, a fleeting wildlife moment has taken Baiju Patil to the top of global photography. This is the story of patience, time, and a photograph that made history.

For 100 years, one family has documented Bharatpur’s birds, people, festivals, and disappearing wildlife. Today, filmmaker Abhinandan Sharma is racing to digitise this priceless archive before the memories fade.

As a child, Shreyovi Mehta accompanied her parents, Kahini and Shivang, on many trips to national parks. She grew up immersed in wildlife, from the lush landscapes of Corbett and Bharatpur to an unforgettable visit to Masai Mara at just four years old.

From identifying the near extinct Siberian cranes, to guiding photographers to the best spots within the sanctuary, to speaking at length about the breeding habits of painted storks, these rickshawallahs will amaze you with their stupendous knowledge.

When was the last time you saw a bird closely? Or listened to a beautiful bird song? With this list of amazing bird sanctuaries in the country, it’s time to wake up the bird watcher in you, and go explore.