Lahore, the capital of Pakistan’s Punjab province, is a historic city known for its rich culture, architecture, and food. One of the city’s unique attractions is an artificial bird nest located in Jallo Park. This man-made nest provides a safe spot for migratory birds to rest and breed during their annual migrations.
What is the man made bird nest in Lahore?
The artificial bird nest in Lahore is a large dome-shaped structure built in the middle of Jallo Park. It sits on top of a raised circular platform and resembles a massive bird’s nest woven from twigs and branches. The dome measures approximately 30 feet in diameter and rises over 16 feet high at its tallest point.
The nest structure itself consists of a metal frame covered in natural materials like sticks, vines, and leaves carefully woven together to form a cohesive and convincing bird’s nest exterior. The interior contains trees, vegetation, sandy areas, and small pools of water to provide a functional and habitable environment for a variety of bird species.
Where is the man made nest located?
The man made bird nest is located in Jallo Park near the Lahore Zoo. Jallo Park covers over 460 acres and lies along the Canal Bank Road in Lahore, Pakistan. The park’s coordinates are 31.549°N, 74.291°E.
The artificial nest itself sits on a circular concrete platform in a central area of the park. Visitors can easily spot its large domed shape rising above the treetops when walking through Jallo Park.
Why was the nest built?
The primary reason the artificial bird nest was built was to provide a safe spot for migratory birds to stop, rest, nest, and breed during their annual migration patterns. Pakistan sees thousands of birds from over 300 species pass through each year as they migrate between Europe, Central Asia, and India.
Birds face habitat loss during migration due to urbanization and deforestation. The man-made nest at Jallo Park was constructed to give migrating birds a rejuvenating and protected place to stop in Lahore before continuing their long journeys.
When was the nest constructed?
The artificial bird nest was built in 2013 as a collaboration between the Punjab Wildlife Department, World Wide Fund for Nature Pakistan, and Tandi Forestry. It took around two months to fully construct the nest structure and supporting platform.
The nest was inaugurated on March 23, 2013 by the Governor of Punjab at the time, Makhdoom Ahmad Mahmud. The aviary habitat was the first public-private partnership of its kind aimed at supporting wildlife conservation in Pakistan.
What materials were used to build the nest?
The man-made nest was constructed using a combination of metal, wood, and natural materials:
- Metal framework provides the structural base and shape of the dome.
- Branches and twigs woven over metal frame to form the external nest material.
- Vines, leaves, grass and mud integrated to mimic real bird nests.
- Trees, shrubs, water pools, and sand banks in interior provide habitat.
- Concrete circular platform for foundational support.
Expert weavers worked to hand weave appropriate natural materials harvested locally in Punjab around the metal frame. This created an organic look while still meeting structural needs.
What are the nest’s dimensions?
The artificial bird nest has the following key dimensions:
- Height: Over 16 feet (5 meters) tall at highest point of dome
- Diameter: Approximately 30 feet (10 meters) wide
- Interior Space: 1,700 cubic meters total
- Platform Diameter: Approximately 85 feet (26 meters) wide
- Platform Height: 6 feet (2 meters) high
The large interior volume allows the nest to comfortably accommodate hundreds of birds at once. The wide platform adds stability and prevents flooding during Lahore’s rainy season.
What species of birds visit the nest?
Over 80 different species of migratory birds have been observed using the man-made nesting site in Jallo Park. Some of the most commonly seen birds include:
- Eurasian Spoonbill
- Black Kite
- Pied Kingfisher
- Little Egret
- Garganey
- Common Coot
- Green Bee-eater
- Black-winged Stilt
- Common Teal
The nest’s design provides suitable habitat for both wetland and terrestrial species. Permanent water pools, sand banks, vegetation, and secluded nesting spots accommodate many different types of migrating birds each year.
How has the nest supported bird conservation?
Since its construction, the artificial bird nest at Jallo Park has provided critical support for bird conservation in a number of key ways:
- Provided a safe stopover site for over 80 migratory species.
- Allowed a spot for shelter, rest, and breeding during migration.
- Raised public awareness about bird ecology and migratory patterns.
- Demonstrated a successful public-private conservation collaboration.
- Supported research and educational opportunities related to birds.
- Inspired plans for more artificial nests in Pakistan.
Experts report increasing migratory bird populations and more breeding behaviors from birds like pheasants and storks observed at the site.
Does the nest suffer any conservation challenges?
While largely successful, the Lahore nest does face some conservation challenges:
- Pollution from nearby roadways impacts water quality.
- Predators like feral dogs sometimes enter the habitat.
- Funding for continued maintenance is limited.
- Vandalism and unauthorized visitors occasionally disrupt nesting birds.
- Climate shifts and extreme weather events put stress on ecosystem.
Conservationists aim to address these issues through solutions like improved security, design tweaks to increase isolation, trash removal initiatives, and working to limit pollution runoff entering the habitat.
How can you visit the artificial nest?
The man-made bird nest is open year-round for visitors to see. Jallo Park charges a small entrance fee of around 50 rupees for admission. There are some tips for visiting:
- Visit during peak migration from August to November for best bird sightings.
- Hire a local guide to help spot and identify birds.
- Bring binoculars for good visibility of nesting birds.
- Weekday visits are less crowded.
- Respect nesting birds by keeping noise levels down.
Guided tours and school groups frequently visit the site to observe birds and learn about conservation. Remember to walk only on marked paths to protect the habitat during your visit.
Conclusion
The unique man-made bird nest in Lahore provides critical migratory bird habitat and supports conservation efforts in Pakistan. After opening in 2013, it has sheltered over 80 species and boosted breeding behaviors. While some challenges like pollution persist, creative solutions help maintain an educational and functional ecosystem for birds needing rest. Visiting the nest in Jallo Park allows seeing these remarkable migratory species up close while they use this carefully crafted sanctuary during their annual journeys.
