Salim Ali Lake

Salim Ali Sarovar is located near Delhi Gate, opposite Himayat Bagh, Aurangabad. It is located in the northern part of the city. During the Mughal period it was known as Khiziri Talab. It has been renamed after the great ornithologist, naturalist Salim Ali and also known as birdman of India. The office of Divisional Commissioner Aurangabad division is located near it, so is the collector's office of Aurangabad District.Mughal eraIn Aurangzeb's time, a large marsh or tank extended the whole length of the northern wall, (extending from present day Salim Ali Lake till Begumpura / Makbara) but the exhalation and dampness proved unhealthy and Aurangzeb ordered the portion immediately in front of his palace (Kila-e-Ark) to be filled in and converted into fields. This reclaimed portion was later developed into Mughal garden, (now known as Himayat Bagh) by one of the officials of Aurangzeb's court, with many fruit bearing trees of different varieties for the royal court and its officials. The remainder was known as the Khizri talao which is just beyond the Delhi gate. The other small tank was the Kanval or Loti talao, (near present-day Aam Khas grounds between Kila-e-Ark and Begumpura) was fed by a spring and was confined in the hollow between the palace of Aurangzeb and the Mecca gate, but the band was purposely destroyed to save the city from being flooded.Present periodSalim Ali Talab as it is known in the present times also contains a small bird Sanctuary and the area around the lake is good for Bird watching in Winter when a number of migratory birds arrive for nesting. There is a garden maintained by the Aurangabad Municipal Corporation. Boating facilities is also available when the lake is full during the rainy & winter seasons. Recently it was dredged for silt to increase its water holding capacity.