Beautiful World of Birds. Review on Keoladeo Ghana National Park

Keoladeo Bird Sanctuary

Situated in Bharatpur District of Rajasthan State in India

In the middle of the 18th century a small reservoir was created three miles (5Km) 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 fascinating and spectacular bird reserves. This man-created wilderness was developed and for many years was the shooting preserve of the Majarajas of Bharatpur until the last ruler gifted it to the Rajasthan Government and it became a sanctuary in 1956. It is commonly referred to as the Bharatpur bird Sanctuary.

Despite its becoming a national park in 1982, human pressures on it are still tremendous. A stone wall built in the late 1970s has halped control grazing by large numbers of domestic buffaloes and cattle, but illegal collection of fodder continues. Of the total area of only 11 Square miles (29 Square Km.) about one-third is, after a satisfactory monsson, under some one to 1.5 meters of water.

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 an mammals. Trees range from the thorny acacia or babul which dominates much of the park, to Ber, Khajur and Khejri. Babul and Kadamb are nesting trees for many bird species. The lakes with their rich range of bloating plants, algae, reeds, flowering plants and aquatic grasses provide food and cover to millions of crustaceans, amphibians, insects and fish in such enormous quantities that thousands or birds can depend on the area for raising their young and as a winter home.

From August through November, thousands of indigenous water birds breed and raise their young here. Pained storks, spoonbills, cormorants, three kinds of Egret, Open-Billed Storks, Purple Herons, Night Herons and Sarus Cranes are some of the main breeding species. From the onset of the monsoon, nest building begins and by October all eggs will have been laid and young of all sizes demand a constant supply of food.

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 and finally the rare Siberian Crane. Some 35 to 40 of this beautiful species feed on sedge tubers till early March when they return to Central Siberia.

The scrub forest and grassland of the park support a range of animals, including nilgai, sambar, wild boar, feral cattle, civet, jacket and the rhesus macaque. Fishing cat, jungle cat, otter and mongoose are among the smaller species seen.

A metaled road runs through the park from the north gate near the main Agra-Jaipur 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.