Keoladeo Ghana National Park alias Keoladeo National Park, is a famous avifauna sanctuary and home to a large number of birds. It is located at Bharatpur, Rajasthan state, India. It is a Ramsar Wetland of International importance and a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Keoladeo Ghana National Park, Bharatpur.
Keoladeo Wildlife National Park was previously known as Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, situated at Bharatpur. It was declared a bird sanctuary on 13 March 1976 and a national park on 10 March 1982.
In October 1981, it was declared as a Ramsar site. In 1985, this national park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site under the World Heritage Convention.
Keoladeo Ghana National Park is a man-made wetland built about 250 years ago on the waterfowl hunting ground.
A bund known as Ajan Bund was constructed by Maharaja Suraj Mal, the king of the princely state of Bharatpur, at the confluence of two rivers, the Gambhir and Banganga rivers. This water reserve is spread over 29 square kilometers (11 square miles) and is locally known as Ghana. Ghana means the thicket.
Lord Linlithgow, the Viceroy of India from 1936 to 1943, shot thousands of ducks at this park in a single day!
There is a boundary wall along the sides of the Keoladeo Ghana National Park, thus restricting human encroachment. Cattle grazing is banned inside Ghana National Park. Unlike other national parks, this one has no buffer zone and is surrounded by heavenly populated villages numbering around 15.
Flora and Fauna at Ghana National Park
This National Park is rich in flora and fauna. 379 floral species are found in this wildlife park. 366 species of birds, 50 fish species, 13 snake species, five lizard species, seven amphibian species, and turtles.
It is also a habitat for a large number of other fauna. Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary is among the world’s best bird sanctuaries and the most affluent bird areas.
Keoladeo Ghana National Park is home to around 230 species of birds. Many migratory birds come to this Park during the winter months. A total of 366 bird species are there in this Park. Ornithologists throng this sanctuary in large numbers. There are three watch towers inside this wildlife sanctuary.
Migratory waterfowl are seen here during the winter season for breeding. Courtship dance by Indian Sarus, a species of crane bird, can be seen here.
How Do I Go to Keoladeo Ghana Wetlands?
Keoladeo Ghana National Park is situated around 2 kilometers from Bharatpur town. It is close to the
Agra city, famous for the Taj Mahal, is around 55 kilometers from this wildlife national park. The nearest airport is at Agra.
Jaipur and New Delhi are around 180 kilometers distance from Keoladeo National Park. Mathura, the birthplace of Lord Krishna, is about 35 kilometers from Keoladeo Ghana National Park at Bharatpur.
Accommodation is available at Bharatpur Forest Lodge, inside the national park. There are 17 air-conditioned rooms at Bharatpur Forest Lodge. It is run by the government and is situated inside the National Park. There are many hotels and restaurants in Bharatpur city.
Lohagarh Fort is an ancient fort near the national park at around 3 kilometers distance.
I had no idea that Keoladeo was a Unesco protected site. Is it the same as the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary or are they different? We may go this winter on a weekend.
Both are the same. Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary is the old name of the sanctuary, which was renamed as Keoladeo Ghana National Park.
I used to stay in Gurgaon a few years back but I never had an opportunity to visit the Keoladeo National Park. An early morning bird watching visit would be so serene.
Interesting post. Unfortunate that there’s no buffer zone so crucial to preserving the ecology of the area and the safety of the wildlife here. What sort of animals are found in the park? I am yet to visit any sanctuaries and national parks in India, despite how much I love wildlife. Keoladeo Ghana National Park is definitely on my list now.
As the park is very small, not much of wild animals are there. Birds are the specialty of this national park.
I would love to try wildlife phtography there! Beein there is a enough of a reason to rent some of Canons super tele photo lenses.
It’s great to see places where people have actually helped nature to grow and prospect instead of destroying it. Too bad that it is the exception instead of the rule.
Totally enjoyed reading about this national park. Last time I was in India, I didn’t had the chance to go here but hopefully next time. Going to bookmark it. Thanks for sharing
Thank you for sharing this another UNESCO protected site. It would be lovely to have a safari adventure here.
I remember once I went on a train that crossed Bharatpur Sanctuary and I spotted a peacock sitting on a pole beside the track. This was in my school days and that was the first time I saw peacock in wild!
Great nostalgic memories!