Pankh The Long Flight Home
In the heart of Gujarat, where the Thol Wildlife Sanctuary stretches wide and quiet, a gathering of survivors assembles each winter, beating the odds and making that long, nearly-impossible journey to find a more habitable place. From November to February, the sky above fills with wings— powered by instinct and resilience, descending upon Thol’s man-made reservoir. From lands that grow cold and food-scarce, they journey against odds, drawn here by the promise of refuge—a place to find food, warmth, and perhaps a taste of peace.
For the Greater Flamingo, Greylag Geese, Painted Stork, White Tailed Lapwing, Great Egret, and many more this sanctuary is more than a seasonal home; a chance to endure. Each species arrives with tales etched in their feathers, stories of near-misses with predators, storms weathered mid-flight, and the push to survive another season. Unlike the city birds hardened by the cacophony of urban life, the birds that come to Thol aren’t used to human presence. “To witness them, you must become part of that silence,” says Deval Mehta, a passionate wildlife photographer.
A few miles away, Nalsarovar, which was once alive with avian visitors is also stepping towards the twilight of its existence. Qasim Mohammed, someone who has frequented the place since he was a kid due to his love for birds, now talks about the fading glory with fewer birds each season.
Conservationists and local communities work tirelessly to maintain this ecological haven, protecting the delicate balance that sustains such biodiversity. But as with many natural habitats, Thol faces its share of environmental pressures, including pollution and habitat loss. Visitors are gently reminded to tread with care preserving this paradise. Their efforts are a race against time to protect this precious haven, not only for today’s migratory visitors but for generations yet to come.
To step into Thol is to witness survival itself, not in battles or bloodshed, but in resilience. Thol stands as a testament to survival. For as long as its waters and shores remain, it offers a space where life endures in spite of odds, a space where humans are merely spectators, bearing witness to nature’s graceful defiance.