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Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary
(Keoladeo Ghana National Park)
Location : Bharatpur, Rajasthan
Nearest Access : Bharatpur
Main Wildlife Found : Sambar, Chital, Nilgai, Boar, Migratory Birds
Coverage Area : 29-sq-kms
About Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary
One of the finest bird parks in the world, Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary (Keoladeo
Ghana National Park) is a reserve that offers protection to faunal species
as well. Nesting indigenous water- birds as well as migratory water birds
and waterside birds, this sanctuary is also inhabited by Sambar, Chital, Nilgai
and Boar.
Flora in Bharatpur
More than 300 species of birds are found in this small wildlife park of 29-sq-kms
of which 11-sq-kms are marshes and the rest scrubland and grassland. Keoladeo,
the name derives from an ancient Hindu temple, devoted to Lord Shiva, which
stands at the centre of the park. 'Ghana' means dense, referring to the thick
forest, which used to cover the area.
A Man Made Natural World
While many of India's parks have been developed from the hunting preserves
of princely India, Keoladeo, popularly known as Bharatpur Wildlife Sanctuary,
is perhaps the only case where the habitat has been created by a maharaja.
In earlier times, Bharatpur town used to be flooded regularly every monsoon.
In 1760, an earthen dam (Ajan Dam) was constructed, to save the town, from
this annual vagary of nature. The depression created by extraction of soil
for the dam was cleared and this became the Bharatpur Lake.
At the beginning of this century, this lake was developed, and was divided
into several portions. A system of small dams, dykes, sluice gates, etc.,
was created to control water level in different sections. This became the
hunting preserve of the Bharatpur royalty, and one of the best duck - shooting
wetlands in the world. Hunting was prohibited by mid-60s. The area was declared
a national park on 10 March 1982, and accepted as a World Heritage Site in
December 1985.
Major
Wildlife Attractions
The major attractions of tourists visiting the park are the numerous migratory
birds, who come from as far away as Siberia and Central Asia and spend their
winters in Bharatpur, before returning to their breeding grounds. Migratory
birds at Bharatpur bird sanctuary include, several species of Cranes, Pelicans,
Geese, Ducks, Eagles, Hawks, Shanks, Stints, Wagtails, Warblers, Wheatears,
Flycatchers, Buntings, Larks and Pipits, etc.
Other Travel Attractions
Bharatpur Govenment Museum : One of the major attention grabber after
the Bharatpur sanctuary is Government Museum of Bharatpur, which provides
a glimpse of the past royal splendour of Bharatpur.
Bharatpur Palace : Not far from the museum is the Bharatpur Palace,
an marvellous structural blend of Mughal and Rajput architecture.
Lohagarh Fort : The invincible Lohagarh Fort, which remained unconquered
despite several attacks by the British regime.
Deeg Palace : Situated just 32-kms away from Bharatpur is the Deeg
Palace. A strong and massive fortress, Deeg Palace was the summer resort of
the rulers of Bharatpur and houses numerous beautiful palaces and gardens.
Best Time to Visit Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary
Bharatpur Wildlife Sanctuary is open throughout the year, still the ideal visiting
months are from August-November for resident breeding birds and October- February
for migrant birds.
Trips within Bharatpur Wildlife Sanctuary
There are well-defined forest trails, which can easily be covered on foot
or on a cycle or you can also hire a rickshaw that are available on hire.
Rickshaw pullers have been trained by the park management in bird watching
and are quite knowledgeable. Boats are also available on hire. A early morning
boat trip or a late evening one is quite a rewarding experience to check out
the hidden surprises of Bharatpur.
Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, Reservation Form
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