Keoladeo
Ghana National Park, popularly known as 'Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary', is
rated as one of the finest waterfowl reserves in the world. The sanctuary
gets its name from the ancient Hindu temple devoted to Lord Shiva which
has a residing deity called Keoladeo, while Ghana in local parlance implies
'dense' which refers to the thick forests covering the area. More than
two hundred years ago, Keoladeo Ghana was once a vast semi-arid region,
contiguous with the rest of Rajasthan's dry expanse. The area formed a
slight depression, which, during the monsoon season, collected rain water
and attracted a few migratory ducks and wildfowl. The then Maharaja of
Bharatpur recognized the area's potential and developed it into a beautiful
sanctuary. He augmented the water supply by diverting water from a nearby
irrigation canal and also constructed small dams, dykes and shooting butts,
thus converting the area into one of the finest wildfowl hunting preserves
in North India. In just a few years, the new ecosystem flourished to such
an extent that it was able to support thousands of water birds. In 1956,
the hunting preserve was converted into a sanctuary and then upgraded
to a National Park in 1981.
Rajasthan has traditionally been hailed as the 'land of
colour, valour and festivals'. It has been as famous for its splendid
wildlife as for its amazing forts and palaces. Though for long the
Royalty of Rajasthan had indulged in the hunting sport, today, with
its famed wildlife preserves, the state is certainly in the forefront
of the wildlife conservation movement. The tiger reserves at Ranthambore
and Sariska, and the Bird Sanctuary at Bharatpur form perhaps the most
popular wildlife triangle in India.
Keoladeo Ghana, the wetland paradise is entirely man-made and created
as a private duck-shooting preserve in the nineteenth century by the
then Maharaja of Bharatpur to attract wildfowl. He was successful beyond
dreams, and over the years astonishing number of birds were shot - without,
it seems, causing any appreciable decline in their number. In a shoot
in December 1914 held for Lord Harding, 4062 birds were shot by 49 guns;
two years later 51 guns accounted for 4206 birds; and in 1938 a record
was set in the presence Lord Linlithgow when 4273 birds were bagged.
Shooting sport was gaining popularity in some adjoining areas too -
further north in Rajasthan, near the town of Bikaner Viceroy Irwin went
on a shoot in 1929 in which 10,000 imperial sandgrouse were killed.
Ironically, though one of the most popular tourist engagement in Bharatpur
today is browsing the giant stone slabs that list the hunting records
of the Royalty and other VIPs at Bharatpur before the area was accorded
the sanctuary status. Now, of course, with the listing of Bharatpur
as A WORLD HERITAGE NATURAL SIGHT, its conservation status has increased
significantly in the international arena.
The world renowned Bird Sanctuary of Bharatpur, now a national park,
is located about 175 kms from New Delhi and 50 kms west of Agra, and
in fact, very close to the popular golden tourist triangle of 'Delhi,
Jaipur and Agra'. Over 350 species of birds find refuge in this
29 square kilometers wetland habitat comprising shallow lakes and woodland.
Almost one third of the birds seen at Bharatpur are migrants from as
far away as Siberia and Central Asia. Approximately 120 species nest
in the park itself and the heronry at Keoladeo Ghana is said to be one
of the finest in the world.
Bharatpur is a heaven for nature lovers and offers pleasant bird-watching
walks along the many fine trails in the marshes which trails branch
out from a central metallic road, lined all along with dense Babul trees.
Apart from its marvellous stock of birds, Keoladeo Ghana has a bewildering
variety of flora representing 64 families, 181 genera and 227 subspecies.
Besides the Babul tree, there are several other native species of trees.
Several species of grass and reeds cover the rich landscape, providing
abundant grazing for the ungulates, and a rich source of food for the
birds. The variety of trees and expansive grassy parks make Bharatpur
a wonderful grassland and woodland, besides the grand wetland that it
in fact is. Consequently, visitors to Bharatpur can see the flora and
fauna of a wetland, grassland and a woodland all at once.
Monsoons and migratory birds bring cheer to Bharatpur. In fact the
entire wonderful mesh of animal life at Bharatpur depends upon a good
monsoon season. During the start of the winter season in October, the
heronries are still occupied, although breeding begins shortly after
the onset of the monsoons. As many as eight or nine species of birds
can be seen nesting on one single tree. Painted storks, White Ibis,
Openbill Storks, Spoonbills, Egrets, Herons, Cormorants and Shags are
found in abundance here, while thousands of Moorhens and Jacanas breed
in the floating vegetation on the water surface. Several birds from
farther afield gradually begin to arrive in October. Among the ducks,
geese and wader species that come to Bharatpur are Gadwal, Wigeon, Shoveller,
Garganey, Marbled, Common, Falcated and Whistling Teals, as well as
the Red-crested, Common and White-eyed Pochards. The Greylag and Bare-headed
Geese also appear in large numbers and Waders include various species
of Plover, Sandpiper and Snipe. Two species of Pelicans, the Rosy and
Dalmatian, join the Grey Pelicans. Besides the waterfowl, there are
many terrestrial migrant species. Warblers, Pipits, Wagtails and Buntings
are also winter visitors.
Among the migrants, the most sought bird species are the gorgeous Siberian
Cranes. These impressive, pure-white birds, with their black primaries,
crimson bills and facial patches, are one of four types of cranes in
the sanctuary. The Demoiselle and Common Cranes are also winter visitors,
the Sarus being the only resident species. Among other notable migrants
are the Steppe Eagle, Pale and Marsh Harriers, Osprey and Peregrine
Falcon. Even the resident Indian species are no less striking! Some
of these are the Tawny Eagle, Pallas Ring-Tailed Fishing Eagle, Crested
Serpent Eagle, Brahminy and Black-Winged Kites. Four species of vultures
can also be seen. The stately Sarus (Cranes), the multi-hued Kingfishers,
White-Breasted Waterhens, Red-Wattled Lapwings, the grey and purple
Herons, the elegant Darters, snow-white Egrets and a few smaller species
of Herons comprise some of the most delightful sights in the marshes
of Bharatpur.
Besides its vast heterogeneity of birds, Bharatpur is also a home to
a large variety of animals like the Sambar, Bluebull, Chital, Blackbuck,
Jackal, Rhesus Monkey, Porcupine, Wild boar, Leopard Cats and Fishing
Cats, Otters, Hares, Mongoose, Indian and common Palm Civet, Hyenas
and Foxes etc. One can occasionally spot a Monitor Lizard and also water
snakes and pythons which are an added attraction during the peak winter
months at the park. Small fresh water turtles basking in the sun are
also a sheer delight to watch !
Perhaps the most popular and vintage bird-watching point at Bharatpur
in the interestingly named 'Sapan Mori' trail, and the 'Sunset Point'
by the old jetty area. And the visitors are acquainted to the winged
glory of Bharatpur by more than five dozen, colourful rickshaw-wallahas
- the main means of transport within the park (though one has the option
of hiring a bike, or just walking through on foot). Most of the rickshaw-pullers
are good bird-guides too.
Bharatpur offers a rich and exotic bird viewing experience with each
of the four seasons bringing forth varied and characteristic forms of
life. The experience of spending the entire day, from sunrise to sunset,
in the company of the exotic feathered friends and exploring the marshes
of Bharatpur - a veritable mesh of life in all its amazing diversity,
will leave you with memories that will last for ever ! Not to be missed,
and perhaps the most enjoyable part of one's sojourn to Bharatpur, is
the popular boat trip through a small, shallow lake area passing through
the nesting colonies of a variety of birds. Also, one must make it
a point to see the marvellous movie, "BIRDS OF INDIAN MONSOON", which
is screened daily during the season by the park authorities. This superbly
made film shows the visitors the changing avian scenario at Bharatpur
all through the twelve months of the year.
According to the 1989-90 report of the Ministry of Environment &
Forests, the National Wetland Management Committee has identified 16
wetlands for conservation and preparation of management action plans.
The plans include survey and demarcation, weed control, soil conservation,
control of siltation and creation of public awareness. All this certainly
augurs well for Bharatpur and the continued preservation of its splendid
birdlife.
Tourist Information
Though the park is open for visitors throughout the year,
the best months for watching these wonderful birds and animals is from
October to March. One can hire a bicycle and explore the labyrinth of
romantically laid out trails or simply enjoy a rickshaw ride which takes
you along the straight roads bisecting into several sprawling marshes
and stopping wherever birds are sighted. One can get a lot of information
from the rickshaw-pullers who have over the years acquired the skills
of a well trained guide. Many visitors prefer seeing the Sanctuary on
foot. Sapan mori is an interesting vantage point from where you can spot
a variety of water birds. There is also a splendid boating facility available
at the entry point.
Besides the luxury Forest Lodge belonging to the Ashok Group of Hotels
and the Government-owned Shanti Kutir, there are a number of private hotels
located outside the Sanctuary. For the budget tourist too there is fairly
reasonable accommodation available at a number of hotels and guest-houses
in the vicinity of the bird-sanctuary. Interestingly, almost all these
hotels are named after birds, like SUNBIRD, FALCON, PELICAN, CRANE CRIB
and EAGLE's NEST ETC. We highly recommend FALCON guest house. It is basic
though - but quite clean, homely, and owned by nice people (and they are
very good cooks too!)
The Frontier Mail and Paschim Express trains conveniently connect Delhi
to Bharatpur on the Western Railway's Delhi-Bombay route There is also
a regular bus service between Delhi and Bharatpur, where one can combine
a trip to Bharatpur with a visit to the magnificent Taj Mahal at Agra.
Bharatpur is also one of the destinations on-route the prestigious Palace
on Wheels train.
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