film

I visited this serene location for the first time in December 2010, Lake Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary, consisting primarily of a huge lake and ambient marshes, is situated about 70km to the West of Ahmedabad near Sanand Village, in the Gujarat state of India.
Mainly inhabited by migratory birds in winter and spring, it is the largest wetland bird sanctuary in Gujarat, and one of the largest in India. The lake attracts over 210 species of birds in the winter, and harbours a variety of flora and fauna. Thousands of migratory waterfowl flock to this sanctuary just after the Indian monsoon season. The shallow area and ponds on the outer fringes of the lake attract the wading birds that feed in the shallow waters. nter and spring. It harbours over 250 species of wetland birds. Winter migrants from the north including Rosy Pelicans, Flamingos, White Storks, Brahminy Ducks and Herons visit Nal Sarovar.
Between November and February, this lake, is home to vast flocks of indigenous and migratory birds. Ducks, geese, pelicans and flamingos are best seen early in the morning and in the evening and the sanctuary is best visited as a day excursion by taxi.
The water in the lake is only about 4 feet deep and the boatmen are quite friendly guides, it is well worth the excursion for the day. Try to go out onto the lake at sunrise or an hour or two before sunset as that is the best time to see the birds and the beauty of the surroundings.

Music: Nitin Sawney - Migration

Travelling through Gujarat in 2010/11 we took a detour through one of the small villages around Nal Sarovar. The women and their families of differing religions were going about their daily tasks or chores as we in the west would see it, of walking great distances from their homes to collect water from this well. Twice a day, morning and late afternoon they elegantly carry the water containers balanced on their heads full of very heavy water all the way back home.

Watching and filming them for an hour was such a pleasant experience everyone was happy chattering, catching up on the gossip and the kids were there to help doing the dishes, while their mothers collect the water that was to last them until the next day.