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.
