Visit — Chadva Rakhal Nature Conservancy

THE PRAGSAR LAKE & ORCHARD IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC DAILY, FROM SUNRISE TO SUNSET

Entry fee is Rs 100/- per person Mon-Sat, and Rs 150/- per person on Sunday and festivals.
Free entry for under 12s.
Discounts for student groups by prior appointment.
Wedding/drone photography = Rs 4000/- per session, by prior appointment. Please contact admin@chadvarakhal.org.

Ticket sales to visit the Pragsar Lake & Orchard contribute towards its maintenance as a place of peace and tranquility for visitors, and as a safe habitat for its wild denizens.

On-site car parking is available. Kindly note that access becomes water-logged after heavy rainfall.

Please help us to maintain the sanctity of Chadva Rakhal by respecting the area as place of peace and natural beauty where wildlife can thrive.

When Maharao Pragmalji II commissioned Kutch’s first masonry dam, ‘Prayagsar’ in 1870, he simultaneously planted an orchard of tamarind, fig, chikoo, date and jamun trees. Today, the 150 yr old walled garden-gone-wild is a bewitching oasis unlike any other place in Kutch. The 100+ acre lake helps sustain the rich biodiversity of the entire Rakhal, including 26 mammal species, 200+ birds, reptiles, insects and over 250 recorded floral species.

Comprehensive records of bird sightings at Chadva Rakhal have been uploaded on eBird.org; the world’s largest database of bird distribution, abundance, habitat use and other trends, contributed directly by birdwatchers. Please help us to build an accurate portrayal of Chadva’s bird populations by contributing your own checklists, photographs and other recordings. eBird data has proven ability to help with the long-term preservation of wildlife habitats and hotspots.

Click here to view and contribute to Chadva Rakhal’s bird checklist on eBird.org.

Wildlife species vary between the different micro-habitats found in the Rakhal, but overlap widely too. The photographs below are an indication of what you might be able to spot during your visit to the Pragsar Lake & Garden at Chadva Rakhal. Carrying a pair of binoculars can significantly enhance your experience.

What to look out for in the orchard…