Sindh has nine wetlands on the Ramsar list of internationally important sites, and reports say more than half of Pakistan's wetlands are in the province. Most are winter bird habitats along the Indus flyway. The season runs from about late August to February, with the most birds from November to February. For a visitor from Karachi the easy ones are Haleji Lake, Keenjhar (Kinjhar) Lake and the Jubho Lagoon, all within a day's drive.
This guide lists the sites, says what each is like, and explains the seasons and the state of the birds. It is an overview. Where we have a dedicated guide, we link to it.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Ramsar sites in Sindh | Nine, per the published list |
| Bird season | Birds arrive from late August; peak roughly November to February; most gone by March |
| Nearest to Karachi | Haleji Lake and Keenjhar Lake (Thatta district) |
| Route | Indus flyway, from Siberia and Central Asia |
| Bring | Binoculars, water, sun protection, warm layer for early mornings |
Which wetlands in Sindh are Ramsar sites?
The list on Wikipedia, drawn from Ramsar records, shows these nine, with the areas in hectares:
| Site | District | Area (ha) | Listed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drigh Lake | Qambar Shahdadkot | 164 | 1976 |
| Haleji Lake | Thatta | 1,704 | 1976 |
| Keenjhar (Kinjhar) Lake | Thatta | 13,468 | 1976 |
| Jubho Lagoon | Sujawal | 706 | 2001 |
| Nurri Lagoon | Badin | 2,540 | 2001 |
| Indus Dolphin Reserve | Sindh | 125,000 | 2001 |
| Deh Akro-II Desert Wetland Complex | Shaheed Benazirabad | 20,500 | 2002 |
| Indus Delta | Sindh | 472,800 | 2002 |
| Rann of Kutch | Badin | 566,375 | 2002 |
Designation is an international recognition, not a guarantee of protection. Jubho Lagoon, for example, was described as not protected under any national law or site-specific programme despite its Ramsar status.
When to go: the bird seasons
Waterfowl fly the Indus flyway from Siberia, a journey of about 4,500 km, and reports put their arrival at late August to September and October, with departures by February. For most visitors, November to February is the sensible window.
Go early. Birds feed and move around dawn and are easiest to see in the first two or three hours of light. By midday the water is glare and the birds have settled far out.
Wetlands within reach of Karachi
Haleji Lake
An artificial freshwater lake in Thatta district that has been a Ramsar site since 1976. It is a wintering ground for native and migratory waterfowl, including cotton teal, spot-billed duck, purple moorhen and pheasant-tailed jacana, and egrets and herons breed there. See our full Haleji Lake birdwatching guide.
Keenjhar Lake
The largest of the three 1976 listings, near Thatta, and a popular weekend spot with families. Most visitors go for boating and the lakeside more than the birds, so pick a weekday if you want quiet. See our Keenjhar Lake guide, and Keenjhar versus Haleji if you can only visit one.
Jubho Lagoon
A shallow brackish lagoon about 138 km south-east of Karachi in Sujawal district, with marshes and mudflats. It is best known for a large gathering of Dalmatian pelicans, roughly 6,000 birds and the biggest concentration in Pakistan, and tens of thousands of migratory birds each year. Facilities for visitors are basic, and fishing and livestock are local livelihoods, so treat it as a rural outing and go with someone who knows the way.
The Indus delta
The largest of the coastal sites, covering about 472,800 hectares of creeks and mangroves. It supports breeding, staging and wintering waterbirds. Our Indus delta guide explains the towns, distances and cautions, and the Keti Bandar and Shah Bandar guides cover two access points.
The remote sites
Drigh Lake (Qambar Shahdadkot), Deh Akro-II (Shaheed Benazirabad) and Nurri Lagoon and the Rann of Kutch (both Badin) are far from Karachi and have few facilities or established visitor routes. We have not found current visitor information for them, so don't plan a trip around them without checking locally. Check current security and road conditions in the interior before setting out.
How are the birds doing?
Not well. Sindh Wildlife Department figures reported by Dawn put the count at 1.2 million birds in 2023, 603,900 in 2024 and 545,000 in 2025, a drop of more than half in two years. The causes cited are prolonged drought, falling water levels, degraded habitat and illegal trapping. The wetlands named as short of water include Keenjhar, Haleji, Nareri Lagoon and the Rann of Kutch.
The practical advice: expect fewer birds than old photographs suggest, and don't judge a site by one visit. Don't buy wild birds, and don't encourage trapping.
Is it worth the trip?
Yes, if you like birds or quiet water and can go in winter. A half day at Haleji is the simplest introduction. It is less rewarding for people who want facilities, guided hides and guaranteed sightings, because these are working landscapes with little tourist infrastructure. Our travel guide and destinations page cover planning across Pakistan, and our best time to visit Sindh covers the heat.
Frequently asked questions
How many Ramsar sites are there in Sindh?
Nine on the published list, including Haleji Lake, Keenjhar Lake, Jubho Lagoon, Nurri Lagoon, Drigh Lake, Deh Akro-II, the Indus delta, the Indus Dolphin Reserve and the Rann of Kutch.
When is the best time to see birds in Sindh?
November to February. Birds start arriving in late August and are mostly gone by February or March.
Which Ramsar site is nearest to Karachi?
Haleji Lake, in Thatta district, is the closest of the main sites, and Keenjhar Lake is also in Thatta district.
Where can I see pelicans in Sindh?
Jubho Lagoon in Sujawal district hosts the largest Dalmatian pelican concentration in Pakistan, around 6,000 birds.
Are Sindh's migratory bird numbers falling?
Yes. Sindh Wildlife Department counts reported by Dawn fell from 1.2 million in 2023 to about 545,000 in 2025.