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Rajasthan --» Rajasthan Tourist Places --» Bharatpur City
Keoladeo National Park
A
paradise for the avian world, and the pilgrimage for the bird lovers, it was
known as the best duck shooting resort in the British empire. But was declared
a reserve for birds in 1956 and later upgraded to National Park. UNESCO has
listed it as a world heritage site.
The geographical location is ideal as it is on the main North-South avian route
of India. Although small in size, 29 sq km. Only, it boasts to house more than
375 species of beautiful birds, and more than 132 of them breed inside the Keoladeo
Ghana National Park and nearly every year new ones are added to the list.
The sanctuary not only attracts birds from India but also from places like Europe,
Siberia, China and Tibet Before monsoons hundreds of these exotic birds roost
and nest building activities start on the babool and kadam trees of the park.
Water coming through the Ajan Bandh starts filling the various ponds and lakes
of the Park.
When assured of enough food, hundreds of large, medium and little cormorant,
darter, purple and grey heron, various species of egret, painted, open-billed,
white necked and black necket stork, white ibis, spoonbill, night heron and
other birds get busy in courting and mating.
The trees are overflooded with nest, one can observe a tree housing nests upto
fifties and sixties in number belongign to different species of birds looking
after theri loving young onces. The nests on the trees look like pearl necklaces.
Gracious Saras cranes, the tallest flight birds nest in exposed and open area,
both partners share the duty of hatching, while changing incubaating duties,
they come together, raise their neck and give out shrill trumpetic calls in
unison and at the same time fan their feathers.
The newly born chicks are only 10cm. in size but grows upto one metre in height
within a year. As the monsoons arrive birds from every part of the country start
pouring into the park. Migratory water-fowls, including the pride of Keoladeo
Siberian Cranes form the indispensable part of Park.
The
water-fowls visit the park in millions during the month of October. Rosy starling
marks the beginning of the arrival of migratory birds. The most noticeable water-fowl
coming to the park are barheaded and greyleg geese.
The ducks spotted here are pintail, common teal, ruddy shelduck, mallard, widgeon,
shoveler, commong shelduck, red crested pochard, gadwall etc. predatory birds
like imperial eagle, steppe and tawny eage, spotted eargle, marsh harrier and
laggar falcon are attracted towards the park completing the avian food chain
of the ecosystem. Some of them like short toed eagle, lesser spotted eagle and
shikra are the residents of Park. About 11 sq. km.
Area of the park is covered with water the remaining portion is rich with Kingfisher,
Red Vented and white cheeked Bulbuls, Babblers, Quails, Partridges,Sunbirds,
Sparrows, Parakeets and orioles which live in bushes and burrows. The year round
activity of the winged beauties has made the park a pilgrimage for bird lovers
and an ornithologists delight.
The animal populace also show their presence although they are thoroughly dominated
by feathers, wings and beaks. The animals include the Black Buck, Sambhar -
the largest Indian Antelope, Spotted deer, and Nilgais.
Pythons can also be observed at some places lazing in the sun. Vehicles are
only permitted upto Shanti Kutir inside the park. The Electra Van of forest
department can be engaged in the sanctuary, although the best way to explore
the park is on foot or bicycles which are available on hire. Cycle rickshaws
can also be hired.
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