Winging it
- POSTED ON: 27 Jun, 2023
- TOTAL VIEWS: 145 Views
- POSTED BY: Rohini Ramakrishnan | Article by R. Krithika
- ARTICLE POINTS: 150 Points
Think of this: 366 bird species, 379 floral species, 50 species of fish, 13 species of snakes, five species of lizards, seven amphibian species, seven turtle species and a variety of other invertebrates… Keoladeo National Park or Keoladeo Ghana National Park (formerly known as Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary) is among the best-known places in Rajasthan. The reserve forest covers an area of 29sq.km, locally called Ghana, which includes dry grasslands, woodlands, swamps and wetlands.
Formerly known as the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, Keoladeo National Park or Keoladeo Ghana National Park is a famous avifauna sanctuary in Bharatpur, Rajasthan. While there are around 350 species of birds that are permanent residents of this park, it is known for the migratory visitors including the critically endangered Siberian Crane.
The building of the Ajan Bund by Maharaja Suraj Mal (the ruler of Bharatpur between 1726 and 1763) led to the flooding of a natural depression and created conducive conditions for various life forms to thrive. Since the wetlands in the park are not natural, they are dependent on the monsoon and on water pumped in traditionally from the Ajan Bandh reservoir. In the late 19th century, the park was a hunting ground for the Maharajas of Bharatpur and annual duck shoots were organised for the British viceroys. In 1938, according to some estimates, over 4273 ducks like mallards and teals were shot.
In 1971, the area was declared a protected sanctuary and established as a National Park on March 10, 1982. In 1985, it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site because it is an important wintering site for the migratory birds from Central Asia. In winter, one can spot waterfowl from Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, China, and Siberia in this park.
Species that have been spotted include gadwalls, shovellers, common teals, tufted ducks, pintails, white spoonbills, Asian open-billed storks, and Oriental ibises. The UNESCO website points out that five critically endangered, two endangered and six vulnerable species and 42 species of raptors were spotted in the park and that it is the breeding ground for 115 species of birds including 15 water bird species.
Apart from birds, one can also see common monitor lizards, Indian porcupine, the bi-coloured leaf-nose bat and snakes such as the krait, cobra and Russell’s viper. In the wetlands, there are a variety of worms, insects and molluscs that are consumed by fish, birds and some animals as well.
Fun facts
The name Keoladeo comes from an ancient Shiva temple within the sanctuary.
This is the only National Park in India completely enclosed by a two-metre high boundary wall to minimise encroachment and disturbances.
Renowned ornithologist Salim Ali was instrumental in getting the area the National Park status.