Keoladeo Ghana National Park, Bharatpur, Rajasthan
History
In the middle of the 18th century a small reservoir was created three miles to the southeast of the Bharatpur fort. The building of the Ajan Bund and the subsequent flooding of this natural depression has created during the subsequent 250 years one of the world’s most facinating and spectacular bird reserves. It is commonly referred to as the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary
The range of flora in the park is extraordinary for such a small area. Dozens of grasses provide cover, nest material and food to a range of birds and mammals. Trees range from the throny acacia or babul which dominates much of the park to ber, khajur and khejari.
The lakes with their rich range of floating plants algae, reeds, flowering plants to millions of crustaceans, insects and fish in such enormous quantities that thousand of bird can depend on the area for raising their young and as a winter home.
Famous Bird and Animal Species in the Park
From August through November, thousand of indigenous water birds breed and raise their young here. Painted strocks, spoonbills, cormorants, three kinds of egret, open billed strocks, purple herons, night herons and sarus cranes are some of the famous species that can be found here. In early October , the first migrants arrive from the high plateaus of central Asia, Mongolia, and Siberia. The ducks, geese and waders arrive first. Raptors, including the steppe eagle, golden eagle, osprey and harrier follow.
Some 35-40 beautiful species feed on sedge tubers till early March when they return to Central Siberia. The forest also supports animals as nilgai, sambar, wild boar, feral cattle, civet, jacket and the rhesus macaque.
How to Reach Keoladeo Ghana National Park
A metaled road runs through the park from the north gate near the main Agra- jai[pur road. Vehicles are now allowed only as far as the tourist and forest lodges. A good network of raised paths along tree-lined bunds give good cover for bird watching and the visitor can walk through much of the park along the bunds. Visiting the park at any time of the year is a rewarding experience especially betwen October and March.
