Keoladeo National Park, Bharatpur
This magnificent bird haven in actual came into being paradoxically as a duck
shooting preserve for Maharaja Suraj Mull of Bharatpur. He transformed the shallow
depression formed by the confluence of River Gambhir and River Banganga into
a reservoir by damming the rainwater in monsoons. Flooding of water created
shallow wetland ecosystem causing it to be a perfect habitat for an astounding
variety of birds. The park that was a hunting preserve for the Maharaja and
the British continued to be so till 1964, after which the hunting was banned.
A forestation policy of planting acacias was vigorously followed. However the
ecosystem at the Park continues to be fragile due to pressures of tourism and
need for water from surrounding villages. However the environmentalists won
the day in 1985 when UNESCO listed it as World Heritage site and earlier in
1982 it was declared as National Park. And, today the Park is recognised as
the most important breeding and feed grounds for the birds in the world. Some
species are still endangered and especially the Siberian crane. Visitors are
advised to maintain low noise level and avoid littering the park.
The Park opens from sunrise to sunset around the year. The ticket is Rs 200
per foreign visitor and Rs 25 for Indian visitor. Vehicles are permitted upto
Shanti Kutir about 1.7 kilometres inside at Rs 50 per vehicle. After this you
can choose to walk, bicycle, or go by cycle rickshaw, Tonga or boat when the
water level is high. The cycle rickshaw wallah’s displaying yellow plate
meaning authorised double up as guides also carry binoculars. Hotels do supply
packed lunches and you can get a bite at a canteen on the second gate and even
at Forest Lodge.
The Bharatpur habitat supports an amazing range of birds. For most visitors
however the Park is evocative of the Siberian Crane (a winter migrant) and their
journey to this wetland is well documented. However this species is threatened
as only a few survivors reach after the arduous journey as most of them get
hunted down in the mountains.
During the monsoons period of July to august and a month more the wetlands are
home to huge colonies of birds that breed and feed here. Some of the species
that can be seen at the wetlands are Storks, Moorhens, Herons, Flamingos and
Pelicans, Geese and Ducks, Egrets and Cormorants. While the Siberian Crane is
a winter migratory.
Other wildlife includes Sambhar, Neelgai, Cheetal and Black Buck. The habitat
also includes nocturnal Leopard, Jungle Cat, Hyena and Fox. Amongst the rarity
one can even sight a Python in the Park.
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