Keoladeo National Park or Keoladeo Ghana National Park (formerly known as the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary) is a famous avifauna sanctuary in Bharatpur, Rajasthan, India, that hosts thousands of birds, especially during the winter season. Keoladeo, the name gets from an old Hindu temple, which is dedicated to Lord Shiva and remains at the focal point of the national park. "Ghana" implies thick, alluding to the thick woods, which used to cover the region. This park was established as a national park on 10 March 1982. Previously the private duck shooting preserve of the Maharaja of Bharatpur since the 1850s, the area was designated as a bird sanctuary on 13 March 1976. The last big shoot was held in 1964 but the Maharajah retained shooting rights until 1972. In 1985, the Park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site under the World Heritage Convention.
Keoladeo National Park is 2 km south-east of Bharatpur and 55 km west of Agra. It is spread over approx 29 sq km. One third of the Keoladeo National Park is wetland with mounds, dykes, and open water with or without submerged or emergent plants. The uplands have grasslands with tall grass species together with scattered trees and shrubs present in varying density.
Keoladeo National Park is known as a "bird paradise", since more than 375 bird species have been recorded in the park. Ornithologically, the park assumes significance in two respects: One because of its strategic location as a staging ground for migratory waterfowl arriving in the Indian subcontinent before dispersing to various regions.
Bharatpur was once the last known wintering ground for the highly endangered central population of the Siberian Crane. Winter grants include Bar-headed Geese from Tibet & China and the Grey-lag Geese from Siberia. The park is an excellent breeding site for the Painted Stork, Purple Heron, White Ibis and Eurasian Spoonbill. If you are lucky, you can witness the marvellous courtship dance of the Sarus Crane, the world's tallest bird in flight.
Mammals: Leopard, Chital Deer, Sambar Deer, Wild Boar, Langur, Rhesus Monkey, Jackal, Turtles etc.
Birds: Migratory birds at Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary haven incorporate, a few types of Cranes, Pelicans, Geese, Ducks, Eagles, Hawks, Shanks, Stints, Wagtails, Warblers, Wheatears, Flycatchers, Buntings, Larks and Pipits, and many more.
PLEASE WRITE TO US FOR THE BIRDS CHECKLIST OF BHARATPUR AND SURROUNDING REGION
Forest Type
Tropical dry deciduous forests (Dominated by Babool and Kadam Trees)
Yearly and weekly off
Holi, Diwali
Area
29 square kilometer
