Darbhanga Kusheshwar Sthan Bird Sanctuary Waterbirds

Kusheshwar Asthan in Darbhanga district is a seasonal wetland complex of oxbow lakes and marsh that transforms into one of India's most important waterbird destinations during October-February, attracting demoiselle cranes from Mongolia and Siberia, bar-headed geese from Central Asia, and thousands of ducks and waders. The sanctuary's seasonal flooding creates ideal shallow water foraging habitat for herons, storks, and egrets that breed in the tall grass margins. Darbhanga's fishing community at Kusheshwar participates in the ecotourism programme that brings birdwatchers from across India; the sanctuary's management balances migratory bird protection with the fishing rights of local Mallah families who have fished these waters for generations.