Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary – a heaven of more than 360 species of birds is also known as Keoladeo Ghana National Park. It is among the prominent bird sanctuaries of India with scores of visitors from different parts of the globe. It had been the duck shooting ground for the Maharaja of Bharatpur since 1850 and in 1986 declared as a bird sanctuary.
Photo Credit: Sam Singh
The name of the park holds the unique significance; the first letter Keoladeo is devoted to lord Shiva, while the Ghana means dense or thick forest, offering an opportunity to scout various unseen affairs. Cropping was forbidden in the park due to the quarrels flanked by government and local government in 1982, however in 1985 it was acknowledged as a world heritage site by UNESCO.
Located in Bharatpur town in the magical state of Rajasthan and stretched over an area of 29 sq km, the park boasts of around 379 floral species, 20 aquatic species and few other creatures, which entice the travelers the most on their tour. The park is easy to get to by road, air and bus, and about 2 miles from bharatpur railway station and 35 miles from Jaipur, the nearest airport for the travelers.
During the tour in Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, one can spot various species of resident as well as migratory birds like pipit, wagtail, white Ibis, warbler, grey hornbill, peregrine, spotted eagle, short-toed eagle, imperial eagle, geese, kingfisher, cormorant and many, many more. Besides, one can also witness a huge array of birds arriving from China, Siberia, Turkmenistan and Afghanistan.
Apart from avifauna, travelers can scout distinctive variety of flora and fauna topping with beautiful vibrant ambience and beautiful surroundings. Babul and Kadam trees can be commonly in the area of national park while the assorted varieties of animals are sambhara, jungle cat, boar, blackbuck, chital and many more.
Best season
Tourists can visit the park from October to November. During this time, plethora of migratory birds comes into sights. However, in the month of August and September, one can spot a huge variety of resident birds.
What not to forget
One must be certain that he/she is carrying a binocular and camera before leaving for a bird watching tour. Doing this will render him/her glimpses of far-off places along with pictures of splendid nature and wildlife.
Where to stay
There are so many hotels, which are situated at a small distance from Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary. All of them proffer the best amenities and facilities to make the stay of the guests pleasurable and memorable. Visitors can choose the one that suits them the most. Some of the properties are:
- Swaraj Resort
- Bharatpur Forest Lodge
- The Birder’s Inn
