Bandh Baretha

Bandh Baretha is a freshwater man-made wetland and wildlife sanctuary covering an area of 10 square kilometers. It is located approximately 50 kilometers south of Bharatpur city, in the Bayana tehsil of Bharatpur, India. This sanctuary serves as a significant winter resort for migratory birds and plays a crucial role in storing drinking water for the region.

The sanctuary is situated near the small river Kakund, which enters the south-western border of Bayana tehsil from the Karauli side. Here, the river's waters are held in the Baretha reservoir. During low rainfall years, the population of water birds increases, making it a large, permanent, and legally protected wetland.

Bundh Baretha is home to a diverse avian population, with a total of 67 water bird species, including six globally threatened species. It is an essential refuge for birds, especially when adverse conditions prevail in the nearby Keoladeo National Park wetlands. The aquatic vegetation in this sanctuary is similar to that found in Keoladeo National Park, further highlighting its ecological significance.