Keoladeo Ghana National Park, popularly
known as 'Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary', is rated as one
of the finest waterfowl reserves in the world. The sanctuary
gets its name from the ancient Hindu temple devoted
to Lord Shiva which has a residing deity called Keoladeo,
while Ghana in local parlance implies 'dense' which
refers to the thick forests covering the area. More
than two hundred years ago, Keoladeo Ghana was once
a vast semi-arid region, contiguous with the rest of
Rajasthan's dry expanse.
The area formed a slight depression,
which, during the monsoon season, collected rain water
and attracted a few migratory ducks and wildfowl. The
then Maharaja of Bharatpur recognized the area's potential
and developed it into a beautiful sanctuary.
He augmented the water supply by diverting
water from a nearby irrigation canal and also constructed
small dams, dykes and shooting butts, thus converting
the area into one of the finest wildfowl hunting preserves
in North India. In just a few years, the new ecosystem
flourished to such an extent that it was able to support
thousands of water birds. In 1956, the hunting preserve
was converted into a sanctuary and then upgraded to
a National Park in 1981.
Rajasthan has traditionally been hailed
as the 'land of colour, valour and festivals'. It has
been as famous for its splendid wildlife as for its
amazing forts and palaces. Though for long the Royalty
of Rajasthan had indulged in the hunting sport, today,
with its famed wildlife preserves, the state is certainly
in the forefront of the wildlife conservation movement.
The tiger reserves at Ranthambore and Sariska, and the
Bird Sanctuary at Bharatpur form perhaps the most popular
wildlife triangle in India.
Keoladeo Ghana, the wetland paradise is entirely man-made
and created as a private duck-shooting preserve in the
nineteenth century by the then Maharaja of Bharatpur
to attract wildfowl. He was successful beyond dreams,
and over the years astonishing number of birds were
shot - without, it seems, causing any appreciable decline
in their number.
In a shoot in December 1914 held for Lord
Harding, 4062 birds were shot by 49 guns; two years
later 51 guns accounted for 4206 birds; and in 1938
a record was set in the presence Lord Linlithgow when
4273 birds were bagged. Shooting sport was gaining popularity
in some adjoining areas too - further north in Rajasthan,
near the town of Bikaner Viceroy Irwin went on a shoot
in 1929 in which 10,000 imperial sandgrouse were killed.
Ironically, though one of the most popular
tourist engagement in Bharatpur today is browsing the
giant stone slabs that list the hunting records of the
Royalty and other VIPs at Bharatpur before the area
was accorded the sanctuary status. Now, of course, with
the listing of Bharatpur as A WORLD HERITAGE NATURAL
SIGHT, its conservation status has increased significantly
in the international arena.
The world renowned Bird Sanctuary of Bharatpur, now
a national park, is located about 175 kms from New Delhi
and 50 kms west of Agra, and in fact, very close to
the popular golden tourist triangle of 'Delhi, Jaipur
and Agra'. Over 350 species of birds find refuge
in this 29 square kilometers wetland habitat comprising
shallow lakes and woodland. Almost one third of the
birds seen at Bharatpur are migrants from as far away
as Siberia and Central Asia. Approximately 120 species
nest in the park itself and the heronry at Keoladeo
Ghana is said to be one of the finest in the world.
Bharatpur is a heaven for nature lovers and offers pleasant
bird-watching walks along the many fine trails in the
marshes which trails branch out from a central metallic
road, lined all along with dense Babul trees. Apart
from its marvellous stock of birds, Keoladeo Ghana has
a bewildering variety of flora representing 64 families,
181 genera and 227 subspecies. Besides the Babul tree,
there are several other native species of trees.
Several species of grass and reeds cover
the rich landscape, providing abundant grazing for the
ungulates, and a rich source of food for the birds.
The variety of trees and expansive grassy parks make
Bharatpur a wonderful grassland and woodland, besides
the grand wetland that it in fact is. Consequently,
visitors to Bharatpur can see the flora and fauna of
a wetland, grassland and a woodland all at once.
Monsoons and migratory birds bring cheer to Bharatpur.
In fact the entire wonderful mesh of animal life at
Bharatpur depends upon a good monsoon season. During
the start of the winter season in October, the heronries
are still occupied, although breeding begins shortly
after the onset of the monsoons. As many as eight or
nine species of birds can be seen nesting on one single
tree. Painted storks, White Ibis, Openbill Storks, Spoonbills,
Egrets, Herons, Cormorants and Shags are found in abundance
here, while thousands of Moorhens and Jacanas breed
in the floating vegetation on the water surface.
Several birds from farther afield gradually
begin to arrive in October. Among the ducks, geese and
wader species that come to Bharatpur are Gadwal, Wigeon,
Shoveller, Garganey, Marbled, Common, Falcated and Whistling
Teals, as well as the Red-crested, Common and White-eyed
Pochards.
The Greylag and Bare-headed Geese also
appear in large numbers and Waders include various species
of Plover, Sandpiper and Snipe. Two species of Pelicans,
the Rosy and Dalmatian, join the Grey Pelicans. Besides
the waterfowl, there are many terrestrial migrant species.
Warblers, Pipits, Wagtails and Buntings are also winter
visitors.
Among the migrants, the most sought bird species are
the gorgeous Siberian Cranes. These impressive, pure-white
birds, with their black primaries, crimson bills and
facial patches, are one of four types of cranes in the
sanctuary. The Demoiselle and Common Cranes are also
winter visitors, the Sarus being the only resident species.
Among other notable migrants are the Steppe
Eagle, Pale and Marsh Harriers, Osprey and Peregrine
Falcon. Even the resident Indian species are no less
striking! Some of these are the Tawny Eagle, Pallas
Ring-Tailed Fishing Eagle, Crested Serpent Eagle, Brahminy
and Black-Winged Kites. Four species of vultures can
also be seen. The stately Sarus (Cranes), the multi-hued
Kingfishers, White-Breasted Waterhens, Red-Wattled Lapwings,
the grey and purple Herons, the elegant Darters, snow-white
Egrets and a few smaller species of Herons comprise
some of the most delightful sights in the marshes of
Bharatpur.
Besides its vast heterogeneity of birds, Bharatpur is
also a home to a large variety of animals like the Sambar,
Bluebull, Chital, Blackbuck, Jackal, Rhesus Monkey,
Porcupine, Wild boar, Leopard Cats and Fishing Cats,
Otters, Hares, Mongoose, Indian and common Palm Civet,
Hyenas and Foxes etc. One can occasionally spot a Monitor
Lizard and also water snakes and pythons which are an
added attraction during the peak winter months at the
park. Small fresh water turtles basking in the sun are
also a sheer delight to watch !
Perhaps the most popular and vintage bird-watching point
at Bharatpur in the interestingly named 'Sapan Mori'
trail, and the 'Sunset Point' by the old jetty area.
And the visitors are acquainted to the winged glory
of Bharatpur by more than five dozen, colourful rickshaw-wallahas
- the main means of transport within the park (though
one has the option of hiring a bike, or just walking
through on foot). Most of the rickshaw-pullers are
good bird-guides too.
Bharatpur offers a rich and exotic bird viewing experience
with each of the four seasons bringing forth varied
and characteristic forms of life. The experience of
spending the entire day, from sunrise to sunset, in
the company of the exotic feathered friends and exploring
the marshes of Bharatpur - a veritable mesh of life
in all its amazing diversity, will leave you with memories
that will last for ever ! Not to be missed, and perhaps
the most enjoyable part of one's sojourn to Bharatpur,
is the popular boat trip through a small, shallow lake
area passing through the nesting colonies of a variety
of birds. Also, one must make it a point to see the
marvellous movie, "BIRDS OF INDIAN MONSOON", which is
screened daily during the season by the park authorities.
This superbly made film shows the visitors the changing
avian scenario at Bharatpur all through the twelve months
of the year.
According to the 1989-90 report of the Ministry of Environment
& Forests, the National Wetland Management Committee
has identified 16 wetlands for conservation and preparation
of management action plans. The plans include survey
and demarcation, weed control, soil conservation, control
of siltation and creation of public awareness. All
this certainly augurs well for Bharatpur and the continued
preservation of its splendid birdlife.
Tourist Information
Though the park is open for visitors throughout
the year, the best months for watching these wonderful
birds and animals is from October to March. One can
hire a bicycle and explore the labyrinth of romantically
laid out trails or simply enjoy a rickshaw ride which
takes you along the straight roads bisecting into several
sprawling marshes and stopping wherever birds are sighted.
One can get a lot of information from the rickshaw-pullers
who have over the years acquired the skills of a well
trained guide. Many visitors prefer seeing the Sanctuary
on foot. Sapan mori is an interesting vantage point
from where you can spot a variety of water birds. There
is also a splendid boating facility available at the
entry point.
Besides the luxury Forest Lodge belonging to the Ashok
Group of Hotels and the Government-owned Shanti Kutir,
there are a number of private hotels located outside
the Sanctuary. For the budget tourist too there is fairly
reasonable accommodation available at a number of hotels
and guest-houses in the vicinity of the bird-sanctuary.
Interestingly, almost all these hotels are named after
birds, like SUNBIRD, FALCON, PELICAN, CRANE CRIB and
EAGLE's NEST ETC. We highly recommend FALCON guest house.
It is basic though - but quite clean, homely, and owned
by nice people (and they are very good cooks too!)
The Frontier Mail and Paschim Express trains conveniently
connect Delhi to Bharatpur on the Western Railway's
Delhi-Bombay route There is also a regular bus service
between Delhi and Bharatpur, where one can combine a
trip to Bharatpur with a visit to the magnificent Taj
Mahal at Agra. Bharatpur is also one of the destinations
on-route the prestigious Palace on Wheels train. |
