Nandur Madhmeshwar Bird Sanctuary is in Niphad Tehsil of Nashik district in Western Maharashtra. It is an important wetland with 23 lakes and tiny ponds. The sanctuary is known for the avian population and is also referred to as “Maharashtra’s Bharatpur“. The International Ramsar Convention on Wetlands has declared the Nandur Madhameshwar wetland as Ramsar wetland. It is the first wetland in the Maharashtra state and among the nine wetlands in India declared by the Convention as Ramsar sites. The Bird Sanctuary is developed around Nandur Madhmeshwar Dam which is constructed on the Sangam of the Godavari and Kadawa river. 

Districts/ Region    
Tehsil: Niphad, District: Nashik, State: Maharashtra

History    
Nandur Madhmeshwar Bird Sanctuary is a harbour for thousands of beautiful and migratory birds in Maharashtra. There are more than 230 species of birds, out of which 80 are migratory species. The migratory birds found in this sanctuary are White Stork, Glossy Ibis, Spoonbills, Flamingo, Goose Brahminy Duck, Pintails, Mallard, Wigeon, Gargenery Shoveller, Pochards, Cranes Shanks, Curlews, Pratincole Wagtails, Godwits, Weavers, etc.  
The inhabitant birds consist of Black Ibis, Spot Bills, Teals, Little Grabe, Cormorants, Egrets, Herons, Stork, Kites, Vultures, Buzzards, Harriers, Osprey, Quails, Partridges, Eagles, Water Hens, Sand Pipe, Swifts, Gray Hornbill, Peafowl etc. 
There are around 460 species of plants, out of which almost 80 are aquatic plant species. The trees that are found on the edges of the lake are Babul, Neem, Tamarind, Jamun, Maharukh, Vilayati Chinch, Mango, Pangara, Nilgiri etc. The encompassing areas and partly submerged areas are intensively cultivated for wheat, Jowar, Sugarcane, Vegetables etc. 
However this sanctuary is primarily a bird sanctuary, numerous other fascinating types of wildlife can be spotted in the close vicinity. The animals spotted here are Ottar, Palm Civet, Fishing Cat, Jackal, Mongoose, Wolves and numerous types of Snakes etc. Almost 24 types of fish have been recorded in the reservoir. 

Geography    
The Nandur Madhamesh Bird Sanctuary has located 40 KM from Nashik. The distance of the Niphad-Nandur Madhamesh Bird Sanctuary is 12 KM. The distance between the Sinnar-Nandur Madhamesh sanctuary is 25 KM. State transport and local taxi services are accessible to reach there.

Weather/Climate    
The climate of Nasik district is generally dry, except during the South-West monsoon season. The maximum temperature in summer is 42.5⁰C, and the minimum temperature in winter is below 5⁰C. 

Things to do    
The Bird sanctuary is paradise for the bird lovers.  

Nearest tourist place    
In the vicinity of 55-60KM of the bird sanctuary, the following are few known tourist destinations to visit.
1. Muktidham: It is a unique temple depicting the important Hindu pilgrim centres in India.
2. Tapovan: It is a pictorial spot and has a close association with the epic Ramayana. This place was once used by great sages for meditation.
3. Ramkund: it is a sacred bathing ghat on the bank of the Godavari river, which is also the venue of the spectacular Kumbh Mela. Centrally located, and a focal point of Nashik, Ramkund sees hundreds of Hindu pilgrims arriving daily to bathe, and pray.
4. Kalaram temple: It is an old Hindu shrine dedicated to Lord Rama in the Panchavati area of Nashik City

How to travel to tourist place by Rail,Air,Road (train,flight,  bus ) with distance and required time    
Air: Nearest Airport is in Aurangabad at 180-KM from the sanctuary.
Rail: The nearest railway station is Niphad, a small station at 12-KM on the Mumbai-Bhusaval railway line.
Road: The sanctuary is easily approachable by road either via Niphad, Nashik and Sinnar.

Special food speciality and hotel    
There are hotels and restaurants outside the area of the bird sanctuary where they serve veg and non-veg food. Freshwater fish from the dam is considered a delicacy by tourists visiting here.  
There is no facility for food inside the bird sanctuary nor outside food is permitted.

Accommodation facilities nearby & Hotel/ Hospital/Post Office/Police station    
In the nearby vicinity of the sanctuary, there are a number of hotels and resorts available.

MTDC Resort nearby details    
The nearest MTDC resort is Grape Park resort Nashik. It is located 55 KM from the sanctuary.    

Visiting Rule and Time, Best month to visit    
The best time to visit the sanctuary is November to January. The entry fee for adults is Rs. 20 and Rs. 10 for children above six years and below 12 years. One needs to pay entrance fees for vehicles too. 

Language spoken in area    
English, Hindi, and Marathi