Keoladeo
Ghana National Park
The Keoladeo Ghana National Park is the only wildlife
sanctuary built artificially by the then Maharaja of Bharatpur. Created as an
artificial lake and Dam to store the water brought by the annual floods in the
nearby areas, The Keoladeo Ghana Sanctuary is today the 'paradise" for the
avian lovers. Located in the Bharatpur city of Rajasthan and lying between two
of India's most historic cities, Agra and Jaipur. The city of the Taj Mahal, Agra
is just about 55kms from the Sanctuary. The Park was granted national park status
in 1982 and declared a World Heritage Site in 1985 by UNESCO. It derived its name
Keoladeo from the Hindu God Lord Shiva and Ghana meaning dense forest. Formerly
the private hunting ground of the Maharajas of Bharatpur, the park today houses
diverse variety of flora & fauna, majority of which are the winged species.
Around 400 species of birds can be found in this 30kms long stretch land comprising
of marshes , bogs and mixed wetlands, The Park is famous for the last visiting
Siberian cranes. With paved - lane walkways, cycle tracks artificially built,
a noticeable numbers of bird species upto 150 on a particular day can be glimpsed.
Visitors are overwhelmed by the sheer number of Waterfowls and Waders that congregate
on the marshy lake.
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Wildlife Attraction
: Birds : A part of the vast Indo- Gangetic plains and home to many endangered
and rare species like the Solitary Lapwing, Indian Courser, Imperial, Indian Spotted
Eagles, Darters, Asian OpenbillStorks, Demoiselle Cranes, Dalmatic Pelicans, Grey
Night Jars, Dusky Eagle Owls, Marshall's lora, White Ibis, Brook's Leaf Warblers
etc. Various species of Ducks namely, Pintails, Mallard, Shoveler, Waders , and
Raptors make the place the pilgrimage for the birds. The Sanctuary attracts migratory
birds from all over the world including Europe and China, Central Asia as well
as Siberia. Come the monsoon, the trees are filled with nests all over them, giving
the shape of a pearl necklace. About 11km area of the Park is covered with water,
the rest are inhabited by Kingfisher, Red Vanted Bulbuls, Quails etc, making the
place colourful round the year with the vivid beauty of the avifauna.
Flora
& Fauna : Renowned as the "Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary" the park
is known to contain a variety of floral families, about 180 generes, 227 subspecies
are found. One third of the park is covered by dry decidous forests filled with
Ber, Acacia, Kadam and Khajur Trees. The grass wet lands with waters all over
is the swimming pool of the duck species. The animal population that share the
same habitat are Blackbucks, Sambhar, Indian Antelope, Spotted Deer and Nilgais.
Pythons can be sometimes observed on hot sunny days. Three types of wildcats,
the Jungle cats, the Leopard cats and Fishing cats are prominently seen around.
Park Trip : An early morning boat trip enables the visitors to
experience the hidden treasures of the sanctuary. The park can be viewed on foot
or by riding a cycle through the beautifully crafted cycle tracks. Cycle -Rickshaws
are also available on hire basis.
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Best Time : Keoladeo Ghana Park is open to visitors throughout
the year. Winter is the best season to visit as the birds are seen in plenty.
The migratory birds also flock the sanctuary in the winters. The month between
October and February is suitable for a trip to Bharatpur.
The climate ranges
from 38°Centigrade to 45°Centrigrade in the summers while the winters
see a downfall to as low as 10°C.
Accomodation : Two forest
lodges are situated inside the Park. A tourist bunglow by the name of Saras Tourist
Bunglow is available inside the Sanctuary. Private accomaodation like the Golbagh
Palace Hotel with luxurious amenities are available nearby the Park. The hotels
ranges from Heritage to Deluxe and Budget accomodations. Laxmi Villa Palace is
located close to the Bharatpur circuit house with 26 well appointed rooms with
attached bathrooms along with running hot and cold water.
How
to Reach Bharatpur
By Air : Nearest Airport is at Agra at a distance
of only 55kms from the Park area. New Delhi International Airport is situated
at a distance of 176kms from Bharatpur.
By Rail : Trains from New Delhi
to Mumbai and Agra - Jaipur route halts at Bharatpur station. The Park's gate
is close to the railway station and Bus stand.
By Road : Bharatpur
is connected by road to Agra(60kms), Jaipur(180kms)and New Delhi (175kms) via
Fatehpur Sikri. Easy accesible links are available to go to major city of Rajasthan
and neighbouring states from Bharatpur.
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