In a remarkable ecological milestone, Sambhar Lake in Jaipur, India's largest inland saltwater wetland and a designated Ramsar site, has recorded an unprecedented 2.3 lakh migratory waterbirds from 47 different species during the Asian Waterbird Census (AWC) conducted in 2026. This extraordinary count reaffirms Sambhar's critical significance as a key staging area on the Central Asian Flyway, a vast avian migratory route that stretches from breeding grounds in the Arctic to wintering sites across South Asia.
Comprehensive Census Led by Environmentalist Abid Ali Khan
The 2026 census was spearheaded by noted bird enthusiast and environmentalist Abid Ali Khan, with active cooperation from forest department officials and dedicated volunteers. The survey was meticulously conducted across three distinct zones of the Sambhar Lake complex: the main Sambhar Lake, Sitarampura Lake, and Naliyasar Lake.
"While a total of 71 bird species were recorded across all three zones, species diversity was found to be highest in the Sambhar and Sitarampura zones, with 47 species spotted at each location. Naliyasar Lake supported 25 species," explained Ali, highlighting the varied ecological niches within the wetland system.
Flamingos Dominate the Spectacle
Migratory birds overwhelmingly dominated the count in the main Sambhar Lake, accounting for nearly 99.5% of the total recorded population. Flamingos led this avian spectacle with the total count exceeding 1.8 lakh individuals, including 1.4 lakh Lesser Flamingos and over 37,000 Greater Flamingos, according to the survey report.
The huge concentration of these iconic birds, attributed to favourable conditions in the hypersaline shallow waters following good rainfall this year, turned vast stretches of the Sambhar lake system into a breathtaking pink panorama. Other notable waterbirds recorded during the census included over 31,000 Northern Shovelers, nearly 6,000 Avocets, 4,300 Common Teals, 1,400 Gadwalls, over 1,000 Little Stints, and 327 Marsh Sandpipers.
Naliyasar Lake supported a diverse mix of shovelers, pochards, coots and cormorants, while Sitarampura Lake recorded significant populations of geese, teals, stilts and small waders, demonstrating the ecological richness of the entire wetland complex.
Significant Recovery from Previous Years
The 2026 tally marks a substantial recovery compared to previous years, showcasing the resilience of this important wetland ecosystem. "In 2020, the lake hosted around 43,500 birds from 31 different species, but species diversity at the site dipped in 2022. The next few years, however, showed sharp rebounds, with over one lakh birds and nearly 78,000 Lesser Flamingos recorded in 2025," revealed a staff member of the forest department involved in the census.
Persistent Threats to Migratory Avian Populations
Despite these encouraging numbers, the 2026 census report flags serious and persistent threats to migratory avian populations at Sambhar Lake. These include pollution from untreated domestic sewage and industrial waste, along with excessive tourism activities such as drone use, balloon and parachute rides, vehicle movements on the lakebed, and film shootings that disrupt the delicate ecosystem.
"Illegal borewells, encroachments, unauthorised saltpan expansions, groundwater extraction, invasive plant species and disturbances by dogs are among documented threats," cautioned Ali. "The 2019 botulism outbreak, which killed over 20,000 birds, remains a stark reminder of the Sambhar wetlands' vulnerability to environmental challenges."
The record-breaking bird count at Sambhar Lake underscores both the ecological importance of this Ramsar site and the urgent need for continued conservation efforts to protect this vital habitat for migratory species along the Central Asian Flyway.
