The Kabar Jheel (Lake) Bird Sanctuary is located 22 km north west ( latitude of 25° 35' N and a longitude of 86° 10' E) of Begusarai. Area of the sanctuary is 63.11 sq.km (covers a surface area of about 6737 to 7400 hectares). Widely hailed as one of the largest freshwater lake in Asia, Kabar Tal (Kabar lake or Kawar lake). This Lake is formed through the meander of River Burhi Gandak that supports about 59 types of migratory birds and 106 residential species as well as 31 species of fishes.This Sanctuary is spread over on an area of about 217.99 km.
By virtue of its global, national and regional significance the State Government has declared Bird Sanctuary as a closed area. This wetland is rich in aquatic flora and fauna and is a fascinating wintering ground for the migratory birds.
Every year it welcomes thousands of migratory birds, which come here to spend the winters. The biotic life of the lake (both flora and fauna) are amazing in itself. Some of these birds spend long periods there to nest and raise their hatchlings, while others simply stop for a short time to rest or fatten up for the long journeys ahead, which can start in the frozen Taymyr region of Russia and can extend as far as the warm coastline of Africa. The Bihar region offers abundant nourishment and a tranquil spot for the birds to have undisturbed rest, making it one of the most important habitats in Central Europe for migratory waterbirds.
Every year it welcomes thousands of migratory birds, which come here to spend the winters. The biotic life of the lake (both flora and fauna) are amazing in itself. Some of these birds spend long periods there to nest and raise their hatchlings, while others simply stop for a short time to rest or fatten up for the long journeys ahead, which can start in the frozen Taymyr region of Russia and can extend as far as the warm coastline of Africa. The Bihar region offers abundant nourishment and a tranquil spot for the birds to have undisturbed rest, making it one of the most important habitats in Central Europe for migratory waterbirds.
Kawar Tal is one of the examples of excellent wetlands, which are found in the flood plains, and is the largest freshwater lake in Northern Bihar. It lies between Burhi Gandak, Old Bhagmati and Kareh rivers. The lake is formed by the meandering action of Gandak River and is now a residual ox-bow lake, one of the thousands in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh flood plains. In years of high rainfall, vast areas of these two states get flooded. This causes coalescing of wetlands and forms one huge expanse of water. During these times the wetlands of the Kawartal region may cover hundreds of sq. kms. The floods leave behind deposits of sand, slit and clay in layers of varying thickness. In years of average rainfall, Kawartal gets connected with Burhi Gandak (a tributary of River Ganga) and with nearby Nagri Jheel and Bikrampur chaurs, unite to form a lake of about 7400 ha. By late summer however, the water is confined to the deeper depressions and only about 300-400 ha of Kawartal remains flooded and cut off from the adjacent floodplains (chairs). As the water level recedes, over 2800 ha of the exposed mudflats are converted into rice (paddy) fields. In 1951, a drainage channel was excavated to expose additional areas for agricultural purposes, but the channel silted up in few years, and the lake reverted to its former condition. In recent years, further siltation of the overflow channel has resulted in sight fluctuation in water levels throughout the lake. There is a permanent island (Jaimangalgarh) of about 130ha in the Southeast corner of the lake. The Kawar and its adjoining lakes are probably oxbow lakes fed by highly meandering river, the Burhi Gandak that once flowed through these areas. As this lake area remains wet and submerged for a longer period, it has developed specially adopted wetland vegetation and organisms. The emergent, submerged and floating plants present some unique type or representative flora and fauna particularly of this lake and its adjoining areas. Hence, it is a spectacular wetland habitat and perhaps one of the largest freshwater inland wetlands in the country.
