By Dr. Sakeena Gul Niazi — Thursday, 8 October 2026

Just after sunrise on a recent autumn morning, I stood at the edge of Barkhera, waiting for the familiar burst of movement that usually animates the wetland. Instead, I found an unsettling quiet. I couldn’t help noticing that the place felt smaller, as if the wetland on the outskirts of Jaipur had retreated overnight. That sense of shrinking space has become increasingly common among those who visit this landscape.

Barkhera, about 30 km from Jaipur near Shivdaspura, off Tonk Road and close to Chandlai Lake, has long been a quiet favourite among birders seeking alternatives to the city’s better‑known sites. Its shallow waterbody and marsh, ringed by sandy fields, babul trees and farmland, offer a natural refuge on the city’s expanding edge. Even Google Maps acknowledges its charm, marking a spot near Barkhera Lake as “Birding Heaven.” But as winter approaches, the wetland looks markedly different. Encroachment has become visible to the naked eye, raising concerns about the future of a habitat that has quietly supported migratory birds for years.

Old Banyans

The landscape’s identity is tied closely to its old banyan trees. The name Barkhera is believed to come from bar, the banyan (Ficus benghalensis). The village is also an important pilgrimage site for Digambar Jains and home to the Adinath Jain Temple. Some banyans around the wetland are thought to be more than two centuries old, having witnessed generations of change. Yet several massive trees have recently been cut down and left where they fell. A regular birder, who requested anonymity, said the wood had not been removed or used, and the reason for the felling remains unclear.

Wetlands like Barkhera play an essential role in supporting migratory species. The State of the World’s Migratory Species Report 2024 identifies habitat loss, fragmentation and barriers along migratory routes as major threats to birds that travel thousands of miles in search of places to feed, breed and rest. Wetlands along these routes provide critical feeding and wintering grounds, yet they are among the ecosystems facing the fastest rates of decline globally. Urban wetlands, in particular, are often dismissed as wastelands despite their role in supporting biodiversity, absorbing excess rainwater, improving water quality and helping cities cope with extreme weather. Small, unrecognised wetlands receive even less attention, making them especially vulnerable to gradual degradation.

The banyans that remain continue to support an astonishing amount of life. Bats, owls, Alexandrine parakeets, swallows and bee‑eaters roost in their branches. In many ways, a single old banyan is an ecosystem unto itself. New shoots emerging from older trunks hint at their ability to regenerate. Near the water, the remains of cut trees have become perches for cormorants and egrets. During one visit, cormorants basked on a fallen banyan branch with their wings spread wide, appearing almost as though they had gathered for a quiet meeting.

As Jaipur expands, areas once largely natural or agricultural are being reshaped. Barkhera now lies within the city’s growing sphere of influence. Residential colonies and construction activities are appearing around the waterbody, and in some places, mud and soil are being used to fill the wetland’s edges. Vehicles passing through add to the disturbance. These changes are altering the landscape and raising questions about the future of the habitat and the birds that depend on it.

This year, noticeably fewer birds were seen along the lake’s edge compared to previous years. It is too early to say whether this is directly linked to encroachment, as bird numbers can vary depending on rainfall, water levels, food availability and conditions at other wetlands along their migratory routes. What is clear is that the habitat itself is changing. Shallow areas, muddy edges and exposed patches are vital feeding grounds for waders and other waterbirds. Flamingos rely on shallow water to feed on algae and small aquatic organisms. If these areas are filled or altered, Barkhera could lose key feeding zones. The long‑term impact will become clearer only through regular monitoring, especially during the main birdwatching season from October to March.

Chandlai Connection

Pressure on Barkhera mirrors concerns at nearby Chandlai Lake, which has also faced encroachment and habitat degradation. In 2019, the Rajasthan High Court was approached over alleged encroachment around Chandlai, Barkhera and Nevta lakes. More recently, the National Green Tribunal directed authorities to act against encroachments in the Chandlai Dam catchment. Implementation, however, has been complicated by a few structures on private land with valid approvals, leaving officials uncertain about how to proceed.

Wetlands are often viewed as vacant land available for development, especially near expanding cities. Small, unlisted wetlands like Barkhera face an added challenge because they are frequently left out of conservation planning. Despite their size, they provide essential habitat for migratory waterbirds and support important ecological functions. Barkhera forms part of a broader wetland landscape, with water from Chandlai moving to its basin during heavy rainfall. In winter, these wetlands attract flamingos, storks, geese, ducks and a variety of waders. eBird records include Greater Flamingos, Bar‑headed and Greylag Geese, Northern Shovelers, Common Teals, Northern Pintails, Common Pochards, Ruffs, Redshanks and Pied Avocets.

Jaipur has already lost several wetlands to development. Mahala Wetland, Talkatora, Ramgarh and Amanishah have all suffered severe degradation due to encroachment, construction and other pressures. In Barkhera, the concern extends beyond the birds seen today to whether the wetland will continue to provide the habitat they need in the years ahead. The loss of mature trees and the alteration of the wetland’s boundaries raise a larger question: what will remain of Jaipur’s wetlands—both within the city and around it—as urban expansion continues?

The story of Barkhera is part of a wider concern about the future of urban wetlands in India. Protecting these spaces means protecting the habitats that allow wildlife to thrive. Where habitat endures, wildlife follows.

About the author: Dr. Sakeena Gul Niazi is a forestry researcher with a PhD in Forestry and an interest in writing about forests, wetlands, wildlife and conservation.