Sur Sarovar Sanctuary is more popularly known as Keetham Lake, after the lake and the surrounding area which constitute the Sanctuary. Keetham Lake, a haven for waterfowl, was declared a Wildlife Sanctuary in 1991. It was named Sur Sarovar after the famous 15th century Bhakti poet, Surdas. The lake is home to over 126 species of migratory and resident waterfowl!
The bird Sanctuary is located 20 kms from Agra and 12 kms from Fatehpur Sikri and can be covered as a part of golden triangle holiday package.
Keetham, the shallow, pentagonal reservoir, was developed by the British in 19th century, as an emergency reservoir to take care of Agra's drinking water supply. Initially covering a modest area of 4.03 sq kms, the Forest Department later expanded the Sanctuary area to cover 8 sq kms, by planting trees around the lake to increase the green cover for its wild animals.
The Forest Department also developed several artificial islands on the lake, and shallower water bodies around the lake, for the birds to roost. The depth of the lake varies from 5 to 8 m.
Sur Sarovar Sanctuary is conveniently situated on the Delhi-Agra highway. Cars are allowed for some of the way inside, before the road peters into a walking path. The woods are situated along the walking path, with several small trails leading inside. Here, one can hear the rustle of the leaves, the muffled sounds of wild animals moving, and even the occasional hiss of snakes! Hog deer, spotted deer, nilgai and monitor lizards can be easily seen in the woods.
The main path, along the woods, leads to Keetham Lake, which is about 2 kms from the gate. At the lake, hundreds of birds swoop down on to the artificial islands, enjoying the undisturbed calm of the reservoir, unmindful of visitors.
Come winter, thousands of migratory waterfowl make their home on Keetham Lake. These include graylag goose, bar-headed goose, ruddy shelduck, gadwall, shoveller, mallard and red-crested pochard. Pelicans have also been reported from the lake. Resident birds include Indian cormorant, painted stork, open-billed stork, white ibis and purple moorhen.
There are two watchtowers labeled 1 and 2 accordingly, from where visitors enjoy a clear view of the lake.
Another place of tourist interest within the Sanctuary is 'Python Point, near watchtower 2, so called because of the large population of pythons found slithering on the rocks or basking in the sun. At present, there are over 300 pythons in the Sanctuary!
There is a Bear Rescue Centre within the Sanctuary, about 200 m from the lake. The facility shelters a large number of dancing bears, rescued from highways and fairs. This centre was established in 1999, and is managed by Wildlife SOS. The Sur Sarovar Sanctuary provides a natural forest habitat where the bears are allowed to roam freely, after the necessary quarantine period.
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