Thol Lake Wildlife Sanctuary

Thol Lake is a man-made freshwater reservoir covering about 7 sq km. The Gaekwad rulers built it in 1912 to hold rainwater for irrigation and to check soil erosion and floods, and in 1988 it was declared a wildlife sanctuary to protect the birds that gather here, especially in winter.

More than 160 resident and migratory species have been counted. Flamingos feed in the shallows, eagles hunt overhead, painted storks are common, and the sarus crane, the tallest flying bird on earth, can be seen among the reeds. Boat rides on the lake and paths along its banks are the main ways to explore.