Major Attractions : Sambar, Chital, Nilgai, Boar, Migratory Birds
Area Covered : 29 sq-km.
Ideal Time to Visit the Park : Between the months of August-November for resident breeding birds and October- February for migrant birds.
Nearest Attractions : Bharatpur Govenment Museum, Bharatpur Palace, Lohagarh Fort, Deeg Palace (32 km).
Some Major Accesses : Bharatpur is well connected by road from Agra (56 km), Delhi (176 km) and Jaipur (176 km), all of which have airport facilities too.
Things
to KnowWhere is the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary
One of the finest bird sanctuaries in the world, Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary is a reserve that offers protection to faunal species as well. The Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, also know as the Keoladeo Ghana National Park is a distance of 2 km form the Bhartapur town in Rajasthan India.
The recent name Keoladeo, given to the Bharatpur Sanctuary is the name derived from an ancient Hindu temple, devoted to Lord Shiva, which stands at the centre of the park. The famous Bharatput Wildlife sanctuary is also known as the Ghana Wildlife Santuary. 'Ghana' means dense, referring to the thick forest, which used to cover the area.
Bharatpur - the Man Made World
Keoladeo Wildlife Sanctuary, popularly known as Bharatpur Wildlife Sanctuary, is perhaps the only wildlife preserve, where the wildlife habitat has been created by a man - the Maharaja of Bharatpur. In earlier times, Bharatpur town used to be flooded regularly every monsoon. In year 1760, an earthen dam (Ajan Dam) was built, to save the town, from this yearly vagary of the nature. The cavity created by removal of soil for the dam was cleared and the Bharatpur Lake was formed.
At the commencement of this century, the lake was developed, and was divided into several sections. A system of small dams, dykes, sluice gates, etc., was created to control water level in different parts. This became the hunting preserve of the Bharatpur royalty, and one of the best duck - shooting wetlands in the world.
Important Dates in the Bharatpur's History
Hunting was prohibited by mid-60s. The area was declared a national park on 10 March 1982, and accepted as a World Heritage Site in December 1985.
The Ecological System in the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary
The Flora in the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary
The Bharatpur Bird Santuary has a dense forest cover, which shelters a diverse flora. The vast flora is responsible in providing natural habitat to these migratory birds and also haven of free natural perpetuation. The diverse plant species found here are a real exception to the region.
Avifauna in the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary
More than 300 species of birds are found in this small wildlife park of 29 sq-km of which 11 sq-km are marshes and the rest is scrubland and grassland. The major attractions of tourists visiting the park are the numerous migratory birds, who come from places as far away as Siberia and Central Asia and spend their winters in Bharatpur, before returning to their breeding grounds. Migratory birds at Bharatpur bird sanctuary include, several species of Sarus Cranes, Pelicans, Geese, Grey Heron, Ducks, Eagles, Brown long eared bat, Hawks, Shanks, Stints, Garganey Teal, Wagtails, Warblers, Wheatears, Flycatchers, Buntings, Larks and Pipits, etc.
The Fauna in the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary
The Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary is also inhabited by Sambar, Chital, Nilgai and Boar.
Birding Trips in the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary
Walking & cycling along the raised embankments offer an opportunity to get close to the rich bird life. A cycle rickshaw is another way of exploring the sanctuary. There are well-defined forest paths, which can easily be reached by foot or on a cycle or you can also hire a rickshaw that are available on hire. Rickshaw pullers have been trained by the park management in bird watching and are quite knowledgeable. Boats are also available on hire. A early morning boat trip or a late evening one is quite an enthralling experience to find out the hidden treasures of Bharatpur.
Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary Travel Circuit
Delhi - Bharatpur - National Chambal Sanctuary
Delhi - Jaipur - Ranthambore - Bharatpur - Agra - Khajuraho - Bandhavgarh - Kanha - Nagpur
How to Reach Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary...
Air : The nearest airport is situated at Agra, which is 56-kms from Bharatpur.
Rail : Regular rail services connect Bharatpur with all the major cities of India such as Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur and Agra. The Bharatpur railway station is 6 km from the park.
Road : An excellent network of roadway services links Bharatpur to all the major cities of the Rajasthan and its neighbouring states like Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana.
