Area : 232sq.km/2,873 hectares
Established : 1956 as a bird sanctuary,
1981 as a national park
INTRODUCTION
The Keoladeo Ghana National Park or Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary lies between two
of India's most historic cities, Agra and Jaipur. This north Indian sanctuary
is situated in the country's northwestern state of Rajasthan, about 190 km from
the national capital of Delhi. The name . Keoladeo. is derived from the name of
an ancient Hindu temple devoted to Lord Shiva in the sanctuary. s central zone
while the Hindi term 'Ghana' implies dense, thick areas of forest cover.
History(Bharatpur
Bird Sanctuary)
Prince Bhamji of Morvi state in Gujarat converted
this area into a world famous wildlife reserve. Duck shoots were organised in
the area every year by the rulers of Bharatpur, in honour of Viceroy Lord Curzon
and his party on 1st December, 1902. The exploits of all visiting dignitaries
since 1902 have been engraved on stone plaques standing near the Keoladeo temple.
Largest
number of birds (4273) were killed on 12th November, 1938, by Lord Linlithgow,
Viceroy & Governor General of India and his party. After independence, this
reserve was notified as a bird sanctuary but the former rulers of Bharatpur continued
to enjoy their shooting rights over the area till 1972. The area was notified
as a National Park in 1981 but made effective only in Novemeber,1982.
Conservation
efforts originally started by Dr. Salim Ali received a further impetus when the
area was deemed a national park in March 1982. In 1985, Bharatpur was accepted
as a World Heritage Site.
Bharatpur National Park(Population)
Keoladeo Ghana National Park or Bharatpur hosts a variety of bird species(Siberian
crane etc) from across the globe. Close to 380 species of birds are found in this
29 sq km stretch, approximately 10 sq km of which comprises of marshes and bogs.
Rest of the area comprises of scrublands, grasslands and more than 44,000 trees
that are used for nesting by birds each year. This rather intriguing blend of
marshes, woodland and flora found here represents and, at the same time, substantiates
the density and diversity of the region' s forest cover.
CLIMATE(Bharatpur
National Park)
During summers (April. June), the temperature of the
national park varies from 38°C to 45°C. In The Month of monsoon the temperature
to about 27°C. In Winter season the temperature of the park falls below 10°C.
REACHING
THERE
Bharatpur is on the Agra. Jaipur highway, just a two-hour journey
by bus from Agra (55 km) and an hour from Fatehpur Sikri. The nearest rail junction
is Bharatpur, which is well connected to Delhi, Bombay, Ahmedabad, Jaipur and
many other parts of India.
SEASON:
The
park is open throughout the year. Best months are August-November for resident
breeding birds and November-March for migrant birds.
TIPS
TO THE VISITOR
Light cotton clothing for summers and woolens for
the winters would be suitable. Vehicles are prohibited within park confines.
