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Location: |
Bharatpur,
Rajasthan |
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Area covered: |
29 sq km
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Main Wildlife
Found: |
Sambar, Chital,
Nilgai, Boar, Migratory Birds |
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Best time to
visit: |
October to
February |
About
Keoladeo Ghana N ational
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.
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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
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.
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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.
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.
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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.
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