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From being a game reserve to an avifauna sanctuary, the Keoladeo National Park is a popular must-visit tourist destination for birdwatching in India. Naturalists and ornithologists visit this wildlife reserve to collect data on threatened migratory birds. This world heritage site is also rich in other flora and fauna species, which visitors can spot during the unique safari treks offered by this bird sanctuary.
The Keoladeo National Park is an 11 square mile (29 square kilometres) artificial forested establishment in the Bharatpur district of eastern Rajasthan. It was built 250 years ago and is named after the Keoladeo temple, a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva which lies in the central area of the park. Since the 1850s, it has been the Maharaja of Bharatpur's private game reserve for ducks or waterfowl. It gained international importance in October 1981 when it was designated as a RAMSAR site. This was done to recognize the cultural, economic, ecological, recreational, and scientific value of these wetlands to conserve and utilize their resources sustainably.
On March 10th, 1982, it was finally considered a National Park of India, and later on, UNESCO declared it a World Heritage site due to its diverse biodiversity and preservable environment in the year 1985.
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The locals of the park also referred to the place as "Ghana" meaning dense or thick, indicating the thick woodlands and woodland swamps that cover the park region. This Bharatpur bird sanctuary is a tropical dry deciduous forest where most of the forest has dried up due to scarcity of water. The highlands have dry grasslands (savannas) of tall grass species. Other than that, the majority of the land is covered with sparse medium-sized trees and shrubs of varying proportions. There are many trees like Babool, Jamun, and Kadam found on the northern and eastern sides of the Keoladeo National Park.
There is an artificial dam or embarkment, called Ajan Bund, built by Maharaja Suraj Mal, the ruler of the princely state of Bharatpur. It is seen at the intersection of two rivers, the Banganga (North) and the Gambhir (South). The rest of the marsh area is kept in check by artificial irrigation. This Bharatpur wetland bird sanctuary is divided into 10 units by dykes, with each unit's water level being controlled by a sluice gate system. The open-marsh scrubland area is occupied with vegetation such as Kandi, Kerr, and Plum. The aquatic vegetation of this Ghana bird sanctuary helps quench the thirst of the waterfowl migrating here. There's also a wood plant called Pilu spotted in the areas with salty soil.
With more than 370 diverse species of birds, the Keoladeo National Park is an IBA (Important Bird Area). This involves a variety of aquatic birds that migrate to India during the winter from Afghanistan, China, Siberia, and Turkmenistan. Bird watchers and professional photographers can easily watch and click pictures of them from three watchtowers built inside this bird sanctuary of Bharatpur.
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The most popular is the large breeding of rare and endangered Siberian White Cranes or Snow Cranes, which take an approximately 5000-mile journey to fly into the grounds of this Ghana Bird Sanctuary during the winter season. The project aimed at freeing the captivity-bred cranes into the forest. They also aimed to trace common crane migration patterns and increase the native crane numbers in the park. The tallest flight bird, the gracious pale grey Sarus crane, with red bare skin from head to neck and pink legs, is also occasionally spotted in this Bharatpur bird sanctuary performing its delightful courtship dance.
Herds of small grey-coloured Demoiselle Cranes with black necks and white plumes extending from behind their fiery eyes are also well-preserved in this natural habitat.
Common parakeets, a feathery long-tailed species of parrots, are also seen in the Ghana Keoladeo National Park. If lucky, tourists may also see a pair of rose-ringed parakeets. There are many breeding species of heronry birds like cormorants, darters, egrets, ibises, spoonbills, storks, and, of course, herons. The endangered Painted Stork, with its long-pointed beak, is also seen in this Ghana Bharatpur bird sanctuary looking for food. Among popular duck species, there is the Ruddy Shellduck, comb duck (American comb duck), tufted duck (tufted pochard), lesser whistling duck (a.k.a. Indian whistling duck or lesser whistling teal), and Eurasian teal (Anas crecca, common teal, or Eurasian green-winged teal). Babblers, bee-eaters, bulbuls, buntings, chats, warblers, Indian Grey Hornbill, Marshall's Iora, Painted francolins, and quails are among the migratory birds that can be seen throughout the year.
Osprey, Peregrine falcon, crested serpent eagle, Imperial eagle, Pallas' sea eagle, short-toed eagle, tawny eagle, and spotted eagle are among the raptors.
The large bird of prey, the Greater Spotted Eagle, has only recently begun breeding in this Ghana bird sanctuary, setting a new record for migratory bird breeding in India. Other birds include a variety of buntings, coots, larks, pipits, flycatchers, pelicans, geese, gadwall, hawks, rails, shanks, shovelers, stints, wagtails, warblers, wheatears, and so on.
All of these as a whole automatically make the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary an appealing destination for birding in India. In addition to these birds, the Keoladeo National Park is home to around fifty species of fish, thirteen species of snakes, five species of lizards, seven amphibian species, seven turtle species, and a diverse range of other animals.
It is home to 27 different mammal species, including Nilgai, Chittal Deer, Sambhar, Wild Boars, Black Bucks, and Hare. There are two mongoose species, Small Indian mongoose and Indian Gray mongoose found inside this bird sanctuary. The Jungle cats and fishing cats are among the cat species. Tourists will also be able to see Asian palm civets and small Indian Image by: Balaji Srinivasan, Unsplash civets. The wetlands of the Bharatpur
National Park are a habitat for the bullfrog and the skipper frog. On a bright winter day, it is common to see a python emerge from this hole in the ground and bask in the sun.
The common bi-coloured leaf-nosed bat, Indian porcupine, and monitor lizard have all been spotted in the python's burrow. The Ghana Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary's poisonous snakes include the krait, cobra, and Russell's viper. Among the park's small predatory animals are the smooth-coated otter, golden jackals, striped hyenas, and Bengal fox. There are numerous species of rats, gerbils, and bats. The Hanuman Langur and the Rhesus Macaque are two primates. This park is devoid of large carnivorous animals like the leopard, leopard cat, Indian fox, smooth-coated otter, and tiger.
A boundary wall runs along the edges of the Keoladeo Ghana National Park, limiting human activities or settlements. On the outside, it is surrounded by 15 villages. Unlike other popular national parks in India, the Keoladeo National Park and Bird Sanctuary has no buffer zone. Cattle grazing is prohibited within Ghana National Park.
Famous Tourists Attractions of The Keoladeo National Park & Bird Sanctuary
Lohagarh Fort
The Lohagarh Fort, also known as the Iron Fort, was established in the 18th century by the Jat ruler Maharaja Suraj Mal. It is among Rajasthan's architectural marvels and is regarded as one of the greatest forts ever constructed in Indian history. It used to be known as the Lohagarh Fort or Iron Fort. The fort has two gates: Ashtdhaatu to the north and Chowburja to the south. There are three palaces in the fort: Mahal Khas, Purana Mahal, and Kamra Palace or Mahal. The Kamra Mahal at present serves as the State Archaeological Museum. Deeg Palace: Deeg Palace was constructed by Maharaja Suraj Mal, the renowned ruler of Bharatpur. It is situated in Deeg, the capital of the Jat kings in 1730 AD. It is surrounded by remarkable gateways, moats, and ramparts. Numerous canons and guns belonging to various rulers can be found in this palace, which is an emblem of Bharatpur's superiority. The fort has an 8-kilometre-long wall as well as a gate guarded by anti-elephant attacks. Even though the inside was nearly ruined, the watchtower stood tall over the city and fort. The largest of the fort's 12 towers is Lakha Burj in the northwest corner. The vast gardens are all well preserved and frequently visited by locals. The fort contains multiple castles such as the Gopal Bhavan, Keshav Bhavan, Kishan Bhavan, Nand Bhavan, Purana Mahal, Sheesh Mahal, and Suraj Bhavan.
Government Museum Bharatpur
The Government Museum Bharatpur, which is situated in the heart of Lohagarh Fort, exhibits the immense archaeological wealth of the place. It also has sculptures stored since 1994 AD. Manuscripts, paintings, Jat monarchs engaged in combat, and zoological preservatives are also on display. The art exhibition has miniature portraits of Maharaja Bharatpur on peepal leaves, ancient lithograph papers or sheets, mica, stone sculptures, terracotta, coins, weapons, and more.
Unique Safari Trek Opportunities, Planning & Reservation for The Keoladeo National Park & Bird Sanctuary
There are three unique safari treks offered by the Keoladeo National Park - Bicycle Safari, Rickshaw Safari, and Tonga (Horse Carriage) Safari. Safaris begin at 8 a.m. and last until 5 p.m. Most people are more likely to take the rickshaw safari because it is quieter. Tourists can also rent bicycles. There's also the option of Walking on Foot Safaries, where the tourists are accompanied by a naturalist and can sight birds with their binoculars.
During the winter, the park opens at 6:30 a.m. and ends at 5 p.m. The rest of the year it starts at 6 a.m. and ends at 6 p.m.
Travel Guide for The Keoladeo National Park & Bird Sanctuary
Bring a binocular to get a closer view of the birds from a distance. There is no charge for taking a digital camera inside the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary. Personal vehicles are allowed inside the park, but only up to Shanti Kutir. You must arrive at the main gate about 30 minutes in advance to quickly finish off the entry procedures. Do not disturb the birds within the sanctuary's grounds. Keep a water bottle with you at all times, as the journeys are long. Also take with you a hat, mosquito repellent, and sunscreen lotion. Wear light cotton clothing is vital in the summer. Light woollen garments are required in the winter seasons. Wear comfy shoes because you will be walking around a lot in this bird sanctuary. Do not litter within the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary. Bring binoculars to help you find the birds. Do not pick flowers or trees while exploring the "Ghana" forest of the Keoladeo National Park.
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Best Time To Visit The Keoladeo National Park
Summers in Keoladeo National Park are extremely hot, with temperatures ranging from 38 °C to 45 °C from April to June. Temperatures can fall below 10 degrees Celsius during the winter months of October to March. From December to January, the park gets very foggy during both the day time and night time. The rainy seasons happen in July, August, and September. To summarize, the best time to visit Keoladeo Bird Sanctuary is from September to February. From August to October, the park becomes the best breeding ground for the resident birds, and lastly, for sighting migratory birds, the correct time will be from October to February.
How To Get To The Keoladeo National Park & Bird Sanctuary
The city of Bharatpur is situated in east Rajasthan and is well connected to Delhi, Agra, Gwalior, and other major Indian cities. The Keoladeo National Park is 2 kilometres south of Bharatpur and 55 kilometres west of Agra, the city with the famous Taj Mahal.
By Air
Agra International Airport is 56 kilometres away from Bharatpur. One can easily get a taxi or cab from the airport to reach the park.
By Train
Bharatpur railway station is 5 to 6 kilometres from the park. It is well-connected to major cities like Agra, Delhi, and Jaipur.
By Road
The NH-11 links Bharatpur and Agra (56 km, 5 hours). The other two places where travellers usually drive are Delhi (176 km, 5 hours) and Jaipur (176 km, 6 hours).
