Migrating Birds Home - "Khichan"

Khichan is a small village located in Phalodi tehsil of Jodhpur district, in the state of Rajasthan. It is located just 3.6 km away from Phalodi which is 113.9 km away from Jodhpur and 339 km away from the Jaipur which is capital city of Rajasthan. 

The village is known for a large number of Demoiselle cranes that visit it every winter from Eurasia and Mongolia. This annual bird migration began with around a hundred cranes in the 1970s, when a local couple started feeding pigeons. Other villagers joined their efforts, and as of 2014, Khichan now hosts over 20,000 Demoiselle cranes from as early as August each year to as late as March of the following year.

In the 1970s, Ratanlal Maloo, being devout Jains. Started feeding grains on a plain ground, a number of pigeons, sparrows and squirrels started coming to the place; Peacocks also occasionally visited the place. In September, a dozen Demoiselle cranes (called kurja in Rajasthani) also joined the other birds. During September-February, around 100 cranes came to the feeding place. During the next winter, around 150 cranes visited the place. What started initially as a few dozen visiting birds has now become a major migration with thousands of cranes visiting the village year after year, during the period of August to March, and the number is reported to be increasing.

In 2008, it was estimated that up to 3,000 kilograms (6,600 lb) of bird seed are consumed every day by the feeding birds. In 2010, the number of cranes visiting Khichan was estimated at 15,000. The village achieved international recognition when it was featured in Birding World magazine in an article titled, “Khichan - the Demoiselle Crane village”.

According to the 2011 census of India, the population of the village is 7025, including 3729 males and 3296 females. The village is home to 1190 families. The village has a number of Marwari Jain families and Sthanakvasi Jain monks. 

Khichan can be visited by native and foreign tourists during the month of August to march because these months are the season of migrating birds. The peak season of the migration activities happens during November to February. Most of the native and foreign tourists visit this particular village only for birds watching during the migration season.

    Investments in Mutual Funds