Places of Interest
Keoladeo National Park, Bharatpur
A paradise for the avian world, and the pilgrimage for the bird lovers, it was
known as the best duck shooting resort 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 Sight. 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 hundreds of these exotic birds roost
and nest building activities start on the babool and kadam trees of Keoladeo
National Park (Bharatpur). Water coming through the Ajan Bandh starts filling
the various ponds and lakes of Keoladeo National Park (Bharatpur).
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
belonging to different species of birds looking after their loving young ones.
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 meter in height
within a year. As the monsoons arrive birds from every part of the country start
pouring into Keoladeo National Park (Bharatpur). Migratory waterfowls, including
the pride of Keoladeo Siberian Cranes form the indispensable part of Park. The
waterfowls visit Keoladeo National Park (Bharatpur) millions during the month
of October. Rosy starling marks the beginning of the arrival of migratory birds.
The most noticeable waterfowl coming to Keoladeo National Park (Bharatpur) are
barehanded and grey leg 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 Keoladeo National Park (Bharatpur) 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 Keoladeo National Park (Bharatpur) is covered with water the
remaining portion is rich with Kingfisher, Red Vented and white cheeked Bulbuls,
Babblers, Quails, Partridges,sun birds, Sparrows, Parakeets and orioles which
live in bushes and burrows. The year round activity of the winged beauties has
made Keoladeo National Park (Bharatpur) 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 lazing in the sun. Vehicles are
only permitted upto Shanti Kutir inside Keoladeo National Park (Bharatpur).
The Electra Van of forest department can be engaged in the sanctuary, although
the best way to explore Keoladeo National Park (Bharatpur) is on foot or bicycles
which are available on hire. Cycle rickshaws can also be hired.
Places of Interest
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