Kanjli Wetland in Kapurthala

One of the attractive tourist attractions in Kapurthala is the Kanjli Wetland situated just a mere 4 km from Kanjli Village in Kapurthala. This man made wetland dates back to the 19th century, when it was created in 1870 across the River Bein to provide help in irrigating the nearby areas and villages.

About Kanjli Wetland in Kapurthala

The Kanjli Wetland covers an area of 490 hectares. Of this 490 hectares the Kanjli Lake is spread over 184 hectares. The Kanjli Wetland is a very important wetland ad it has been included in the list of Wetlands of International Importance by the Ramsar Convention in the year 2002. The Ministry of Environment and Forest of the Government of India looks after the management and conservation of the wetland.

History and Religious Significance of Kanjli Wetland

The Kanjli Wetland has history and tradition that dates back a long way. It is associated with Gru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism. He was believed to have gone for a bath at a local stream and suddenly disappeared for three days. He reappeared after three days, transformed being and started preaching. The root of Sikhism is believed to have taken shape since then. It was the Kali Bein, the river that is the provider of water to Kanjli Wetland and Lake , in which the incident took place. Thus the place has rich religious significance.

Things To Do At Kanjli Wetland

The Kanjli Wetland has come up due to to the efforts of the rulers of Kapurthala. It was raja Randhir Singh whose building activities on the banks of River Kali Bein led to the developing of the wetland. Since those times the place has been used as a popular spot for spending leisurely time. In fact, a beautiful villa named the Villa Buona Vista was constructed by the Maharaja that acted as a retreat for the Royal family. Today, the wetland and surrounding areas is increasingly becoming a popular tourist destination. Visitors can enjoy fishing and boating in the Kanjli lake. The site is also famous for a traditional fair that is held annually during Deewali.

Flora And Fauna in Kanjli Wetland

The Kanjli Wetland and the lake have rich aqua flora and fauna. One can find a great variety of plants and animals in the region. Some of them are as below:
Fauna in Kanjli Wetland in Kapurthala

Mammals in Kanjli Wetland

One can find animals like mongoose, squirrel, Indian Porcupine and Indian Civet etc in the Kanjli Wetland and the nearby areas.

Aqua Fauna in Kanjli Wetland in Kapurthala

The Kanjli Wetland is richly endowed with a variety of Aqua Fauna. There are great numbers of variety of fish such as Great Snakehead, Labeo Calbasu, Cythus Striatus and many more. One can witness tortoise very often in the wetland region.

The Kanjli Wetland also has multiple varieties of birds. Beautiful birds of Indian origin as well as migratory birds can be seen here. As per data, there are twenty eight species of Indian birds and up to nine species of migratory birds. There are various species of goose, Common Teal, Mallard, Shoveller, Wigeon etc that can be found in the wetland.

Accessibility to Kanjli Wetland in Kapurthala

The Kanjli Wetland is very easily accessible. It is very near to Kapurthala Town in the village of Kanjli. It is a mere 4 kms from Kapurthala town and one can reach easily by road from Kapurthala Bus Stand or Kapurthala Railway Station.

The Kanjli Wetland and Kanjli Lake are worth a visit in Kapurthala. Bustling with birds, animals and plants of different species, it provides a good opportunity to take a breather for a well deserved break. It is calm and serene and is an internationally acclaimed wetland.

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