Soor Sarovar Bird Sanctuary

Soor Sarovar Bird Sanctuary, also known as Keetham Lake, is a protected wetland and bird sanctuary located at Keetham on the Agra-Delhi highway in Agra district, Uttar Pradesh. Spread over 7.97 sq km around the artificial Keetham Lake, it was declared a bird sanctuary in 1991 and designated a Ramsar Site in 2020. It is notable for its resident and migratory birds, scenic lake landscape, and the Agra Bear Rescue Facility located within its premises.

Visitors can expect a large freshwater lake surrounded by wetlands, woodlands and scrub within a protected sanctuary about 20 km from Agra. The site offers birdwatching from watchtowers and lakeside trails, with resident and winter migratory birds visible on and around Keetham Lake. Boating on the lake, nature walks, photography, and a visit to the Agra Bear Rescue Facility located inside the sanctuary are available. The environment is calm and natural, with interpretation displays and viewing points.

Keetham Lake is an artificial lake created by impounding water. The area was declared as Soor Sarovar Bird Sanctuary in 1991 by the Uttar Pradesh government and named after the 16th-century poet Soordas. It was designated as a Ramsar Site on 21 August 2020 for its importance as a wetland habitat.

The sanctuary is named after the renowned Braj poet Soordas, who is traditionally associated with the region. The lake and surrounding Braj area hold local cultural importance and the sanctuary is promoted as an ecotourism and nature education site in Uttar Pradesh.