Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan)

Formerly known as the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, the Keoladeo National Park is well known worldwide as the ‘Bird Paradise’. It is named after the Keoladeo or Shiva temple within its boundaries. The sanctuary was created 250 years ago and originally was a natural depression. Maharaja Suraj Mal, then the ruler of the princely state of Bharatpur (18th century), constructed the Ajan Bund here, at the confluence of its two rivers. The park was a hunting ground for the Maharajas of Bharatpur, a tradition dating back to 1850, and duck shoots were organised yearly in honour of the British viceroys. In fact, Lord Linlithgow, the Viceroy of India from 1936 to 1943, shot over thousands of mallards and teals with his hunting party in a single day. The park was established as a national park on 10 March 1982 and then designated as a bird sanctuary on 13 March 1976 and a Ramsar site under the Wetland Convention in October 1981. In 1985, the Park was declared a World Heritage Site under the World Heritage Convention. It is a reserve forest under the Rajasthan Forest Act, 1953 and thus the property of the State of Rajasthan. It was also heavily promoted and influenced by the noted Indian ornithologist Salim Ali. The reserve has a very strategic location in the middle of Central Asian migratory flyway. In addition, the abundant presence of water attracts large congregations of ducks, geese, coots, pelicans and waders in the winter. About 375 species of birds have been recorded in the region. The park was the only known wintering site of the central population of the critically endangered Siberian Crane, and also serves as a wintering area for other globally threatened species such as the Greater Spotted Eagle and Imperial Eagle. Other species include Sarus Crane, tufted duck, knob-billed duck, little cormorant, great cormorant, Indian shag, ruff, painted stork, white spoonbill, Asian open-billed stork, oriental ibis, darter and the several varieties of sandpipers. The animals in the area are Golden Jackal, Striped Hyaena, Fishing Cat, Jungle Cat, Nilgai, Sambar, Blackbuck, basking python and wild Boar.

The Keoladeo National Park is located in Bharatpur in the state of Rajasthan, India. It extends to an area of 29 square kilometers, and is locally known as Ghana. The park has a bund created at the confluence of two rivers: The River Gambhir and the River Banganga. Its wetlands are a part of the Indo-Gangetic Great Plains. The sactuary is located 02 kilometers from Bharatpur, 39 kilometers from Mathura, 55 kilometers from Agra and 184 kilometers from New Delhi. The state capital Jaipur is 176 kilometers away. The park has a well-connected road network and visitors can either opt for the regular bus services or hire private vehicles to reach the park from Agra, Mathura, Delhi, Jaipur and several other major cities of India. The nearest railway station is the Bharatpur Junction, that falls on the main line. Therefore, there are regular trains from New Delhi, Mumbai, Mathura, Sawai Madhopur, Kota, and several other major cities. Private taxis are available to be hired from therein to reach the reserve. The nearest airport is the Agra Airport, from where buses as well as cabs are ready to be hired. Visitors can also opt for the Delhi International Airport and the Jaipur International Airport and take the bus services from there to reach Bharatpur.

Unlike most National Parks, the Keoladeo Bird Sanctuary is open even during the monsoons. The summer season, from April to June, are hot and humid, and the maximum temperature often ranges up to 46 ̊C. The monsoon remains for August and September. However, there are days of heavy rainfall, making it difficult to navigate the park. The winters, from October to March are the most preferred and favorable months to visit the sanctuary. The weather is pleasant and the temperature ranges between 5 ̊C to 12 ̊C. Therefore, the best time to visit the park is from November to February. However, for photographers, the preferred duration may vary. January is sometimes extremely foggy, and the weather does not clear even till the mid-day. November is a bit too early as there are not many migratory birds in the park. March, on the other hand, could be too late. Therefore, they must always check for the weather beforehand and prepare accordingly.

There are three types of safari available at the Keoladeo National Park: the Elephant Safari, the Jeep Safari and the Rickshaw Safari. The Jeep Safari is used to navigate through the jungles of the sanctuary and see the wildlife and vegetation more closely. However, it is not the most preferred medium for bird watchers as the sound of the vehicle often scare away the birds. This safari starts and ends with the opening and closing time of the park respectively, and are booked at the tourist centers outside the main entrance. Elephant safari is a god option to spot the birds. The best way to spot the birds of the national park is through the Rickshaw Safari, that starts at 08:00 am and ends by 05:00 pm in the evening. It is always advisable to book the licensed rickshaw pullers as they are also trained forest guides and have more than a decade of experience. This safari is also booked at the main entrance. In addition, boats are also available to see the park through the waterways present within. In addition to this, selected private vehicles are allowed inside the park. Tourists also hire bicycles to not only roam around the flourishing diversity but also watch the birds on their way. There is an individual entry fees, that does not include the cost of the vehicles that are booked separately. The entry time of the park is from 06:30 am to 05:00 pm during winters and from 06:00 am to 06:00 pm during summer.

The Keoladeo National Park is a paradise for the bird enthusiasts. It is also the main inspiration for several renowned works of the noted ornithologist, Salim Ali, as well as a major destination for wildlife photographers around the globe. The sanctuary witness heavy tourism throughout the year and is one of the world’s most important breeding and feeding grounds for hundreds of species of birds. Unlike most of the reserves that offer the magnificence of those hat roam the land, the area belongs to the aerial beings. It has an unmatched biodiversity, with several water bodies within it. In addition, it provides for an iconic travel mode – the rickshaw safari, which is one of its kind. Therefore, the site is a perfect option to plan your next trip to.