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About Bharatpur Bird Sanctaury
Keoladeo Ghana National Park, more popularly known as the Bharatpur
Bird Sanctuary has one of the most prolific bird life in the country.
Two-thirds of the Park lies under water and the remaining one-third
 is
covered in dry deciduous forests and extensive grasslands.
The history of the area dates back in time when Prince Bhamji of Morvi
state, Gujarat, used the area as a hunting preserve. Gradually, it
became popular with the ruler of Bharatpur. On one occasion held in
honor of Viceroy Lord Curzon in 1902, thousands of birds were killed
and their exploits engraved on stone plaques standing near the
Keoladeo Temple, standing tall in the heart of the Sanctuary.
Bharatpur is the real kingdom of Avian fauna in India with not less
than 377 bird species already spotted. If your luck permits it is not
too tough to spot 50 to 100 species in a day. If you are coming in
winter, ready for a sudden (though most unlikely) encounter with the
elusive Siberian Crane wintering here. The fact remains that Bharatpur
is one of the only two known wintering haunts of Siberian Crane. Birds
come to this national park in waves.
Wiildlife Attractions
Over 350 species of birds find a refuge in the 29 sq km of shallow
lakes and woodland, which makes up the park. A third of them are
migrants, many of whom spend their winters in Bharatpur, before
returning to their breeding grounds, as far away as Siberia and
Central Asia. Migratory birds at Keoladeo include, as large a bird as
Dalmatian pelican, which is slightly less than two meters, and as
small a bird as Siberian disky leaf warbler, which is the size of a
finger. Other migrants include several species of cranes, pelicans,
geese, ducks, eagles, hawks, shanks, stints, wagtails, warblers,
wheatears, flycatchers, buntings, larks and pipits, etc.
Unique Attractions
Siberian Crane
Common Kingfisher Colourful kingfishers, graceful pelicans rare
Siberian cranes and trans- continental fliers- the migratory water -
fowl are amongst the 375 species of birds found in the Keoladeo
National Park. The most spectacular nesting is that of the egrets,
storks, herons and cormorants which make over 10,000 nests every year.
This makes outstanding bird havens of the world. The park covers an
area of 28.73km.
Waterfowl
The story of Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary is incomplete without an account
of the migratory waterfowl. The most prominent water fowl coming to
this park are bareheaded and greylag geese. Ducks also create a lot of
fluttering in the lakes. The ducks usually found here are pintail,
widgeon, common shelduck, shoveler, garganey, teal, mallard pochard
etc.
White Breasted Kingfisher
Spoonbill in flight Attracted by the influx of the water fowl the
predatory birds-tawny eagles, spotted eagles short-toed eagles
imperial eagles and fishing eagle also arrive. They all forms the apex
of the biological pyramid of the sanctuary and complete the avian food
chain of the ecosystem. There are large herds of the nilgai, chital,
wild boar and fear cows in addition to a few herds of sambar. |
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Best time to visit
Keoladeo National Park is open to visitors throughout the year , but
it is more rewarding to visit it between August to end of March. The
best way to see the park is on foot. Other options available are to
see it on cycle or a cycle rickshaw. Both are available on hire. Cycle
rickshaw pullers have been trained by the forest department in bird
watching and are knowledgeable. Boats are also availble for a trip of
the lake area. A boat trip early in the morning or in the evening is
quite a rewarding experience.
Safari
Take an early dawn elephant back safari with an authorized mahout
guide. Jeep rides can be arranged at the Tourist Centre. Although
jeeps penetrate deeper into the forest than elephants, they cannot get
nearly as close to the wild animals.
How to Get there
Air : The nearest airport is situated at Guwahati, 217 kms
away. The other airport at 97 kms is in Jorhat
Rail : The nearest railhead is located in Furkating, situated
75 km away.
Road : Kaziranga National Park is easily accessible by buses
between Guwahati and the east. Along with private buses, there are
also Assam State Transport buses that ply the route |
