Site description (2004 baseline):
AVIFAUNA: Over 150 species of birds are reported from the Sanctuary, of which around 90 species are waterbirds. The site is important for prebreeding congregation and nesting of Sarus Crane Grus antigone. Gopi Sunder et al. (2000) have seen 35 cranes in May 1998. Thol also supports one of the biggest congregations of Ruff Philomachus pugnax. Sometimes 5-6 thousand Flamingos congregate in the Thol lake. Thakker (1983) found 70-80 nests of flamingo, presumably Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus ruber, although he does not mention the species. It is also not proved whether the flamingo bred there or just made the nests and abandoned them, as they do in many other wetlands. Thol is a very important wintering area for waterfowl. For example, approximately 62,000 birds were estimated in December 2000 (Singh 2001).
OTHER KEY FAUNA: In the fields surrounding the Sanctuary, Bluebull Boselaphus tragocamelus, Striped Hyena Hyaena hyaena, Wolf Canis lupus, Golden Jackal Canis aureus and Blackbuck Antilope cervicapra are found. In some parts of Mehsana district, Blackbuck has become a major menace to crops but as the people are generally vegetarian, they do not molest these animals. Nilgai is also common and spreading.
Most of the water of the lake is drawn for irrigation, leaving the waterspread in less than 10 ha during midwinter. Local villagers carry out cultivation within the Sanctuary. Although the level of protection against poaching is good, there are difficulties in implementing the provision of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, because of historical use of the water by local people as well as non-settlement of legal issues related to illegal cultivation and withdrawal of water (Singh 1998). There are seven crude oil wells in the Sanctuary for pumping crude oil and supplying it through the pipeline. Oil spills around the well cause pollution.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Thol Lake Wildlife Sanctuary (India). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/thol-lake-wildlife-sanctuary-iba-india on 23/12/2024.