Introduction
A
paradise for the avian world, and the pilgrimage for the bird lovers, it was
known as the best duck shooting reserve in the British empire. But was declared
a reserve for birds in 1956 and later upgraded to National Park. UNESCO has
listed it as a world heritage site. The geographical location is ideal as it
is on the main North-South avian route of India. Although small in size, 29
sq km. Only, it boasts to house more than 375 species of beautiful birds, and
more than 132 of them breed inside the Keoladeo Ghana National Park and nearly
every year new ones are added to the list.
The sanctuary not only attracts birds from India but also
from places like Europe, Siberia, China and Tibet Before monsoons resident birds
activity starts on the babool and kadam trees of the park. Water coming through
the Ajan Bandh starts filling the various ponds and lakes of the Park.
When assured of enough food, hundreds of large, medium and little cormorant, darter,
purple and grey heron, various species of egret, painted, open-billed, white necked
and black necket stork, white ibis, spoonbill, night heron and other birds get
busy in courting and mating. The trees are overflooded with nest, one can observe
a tree housing nests upto fifties and sixties in number belongign to different
species of birds looking after theri loving young onces. The nests on the trees
look like pearl necklaces. Gracious Saras cranes, the tallest flight birds nest
in exposed and open area, both partners share the duty of hatching, while changing
incubating duties, they come together, raise their neck and give out shrill trumpetic
calls in unison and at the same time fan their feathers.
The newly born
chicks are only 10cm. in size but grows upto one metre in height within a year.
As the monsoons arrive birds from every part of the country start pouring into
the park. Migratory water-fowls, including the pride of Keoladeo Siberian Cranes
form the indispensable part of Park. The water-fowls visit the park in millions
during the month of October. Rosy starling marks the beginning of the arrival
of migratory birds. The most noticeable water-fowl coming to the park are barheaded
and greyleg geese.
The
ducks spotted here are pintail, common teal, ruddy shelduck, mallard, widgeon,
shoveler, commong shelduck, red crested pochard, gadwall etc. predatory birds
like imperial eagle, steppe and tawny eagee, spotted eagle, marsh harrier and
laggar falcon are attracted towards the park completing the avian food chain
of the ecosystem. Some of them like short toed eagle, lesser spotted eagle and
shikra are the residents of Park.
About 11 sq km Area of the park is covered
with water the remaining portion is rich with Kingfisher, Red Vented and white
cheeked Bulbuls, Babblers, Quails, Partridges,Sunbirds, Sparrows, Parakeets and
orioles which live in bushes and burrows. The year round activity of the winged
beauties has made the park a pilgrimage for bird lovers and an ornithologists
delight. The animal populace also show their presence although they are thoroughly
dominated by feathers, wings and beaks. The animals include the Black Buck, Sambhar
- the largest Indian Antelope, Spotted deer, and Nilgais.
Pythons can
also be observed at some places bask in the sun. Vehicles are only permitted upto
Shanti Kutir inside the park. The Electra Van of forest department can be engaged
in the sanctuary, although the best way to explore the park is on foot or bicycles
which are available on hire. Cycle rickshaws can also be hired.
Keoladeo
National Park, (Bharatpur) Reservation Form
*
Compulsory fields.
Keoladeo
National Park, Bharatpur
Keoladeo National Park :: Flora
Bharatpur :: Fauna Bharatpur :: Places
to See in the Park :: Places
to see around the Park :: Reaching Bharatpur
The Bagh, Bharatpur ::
Services & Activities at The Bagh, Bharatpur :: Bird
Checklist :: Map of Bharatpur :: Suggested
Tours Bharatpur ::
Virtual Tour of Bharatpur
