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Keoladeo
National Park
A
paradise for the avian world, and the pilgrimage for the bird lovers, it was
known as the best duck shooting resort in the British empire. But was
declared a reserve for birds in 1956 and later upgraded to National Park.
UNESCO has listed it as a world heritage site. The geographical location is
ideal as it is on the main North-South avian route of India.
Although
small in size, 29 sq km. Only, it boasts to house more than 375 species of
beautiful birds, and more than 132 of them breed inside the Keoladeo Ghana
National Park and nearly every year new ones are added to the list. The
sanctuary not only attracts birds from India but also from places like
Europe, Siberia, China and Tibet Before monsoons hundreds of these exotic
birds roost and nest building activities start on the babool and kadam trees
of the park.
Water coming through the Ajan Bandh starts filling
the various ponds and lakes of the Park. When assured of enough food,
hundreds of large, medium and little cormorant, darter, purple and grey
heron, various species of egret, painted, open-billed, white necked and
black necket stork, white ibis, spoonbill, night heron and other birds get
busy in courting and mating. The trees are overflooded with nest, one can
observe a tree housing nests upto fifties and sixties in number belongign to
different species of birds looking after theri loving young onces.
The
nests on the trees look like pearl necklaces. Gracious Saras cranes, the
tallest flight birds nest in exposed and open area, both partners share the
duty of hatching, while changing incubaating duties, they come together,
raise their neck and give out shrill trumpetic calls in unison and at the
same time fan their feathers. The newly born chicks are only 10cm. In size
but grows upto one metre in height within a year.
As the monsoons
arrive birds from every part of the country start pouring into the park.
Migratory water-fowls, including the pride of Keoladeo Siberian Cranes form
the indispensable part of Park. The water-fowls visit the park in millions
during the month of October. Rosy starling marks the beginning of the
arrival of migratory birds. The most noticeable water-fowl coming to the
park are barheaded and greyleg geese.
The ducks spotted here are
pintail, common teal, ruddy shelduck, mallard, widgeon, shoveler, commong
shelduck, red crested pochard, gadwall etc. predatory birds like imperial
eagle, steppe and tawny eage, spotted eargle, marsh harrier and laggar
falcon are attracted towards the park completing the avian food chain of the
ecosystem. Some of them like short toed eagle, lesser spotted eagle and
shikra are the residents of Park. About 11 sq. km.
Area of the
park is covered with water the remaining portion is rich with Kingfisher,
Red Vented and white cheeked Bulbuls, Babblers, Quails, Partridges,Sunbirds,
Sparrows, Parakeets and orioles which live in bushes and burrows. The year
round activity of the winged beauties has made the park a pilgrimage for
bird lovers and an ornithologists delight. The animal populace also show
their presence although they are thoroughly dominated by feathers, wings and
beaks.
The animals include the Black Buck, Sambhar - the largest
Indian Antelope, Spotted deer, and Nilgais. Pythons can also be observed at
some places lazing in the sun. Vehicles are only permitted upto Shanti Kutir
inside the park. The Electra Van of forest department can be engaged in the
sanctuary, although the best way to explore the park is on foot or bicycles
which are available on hire. Cycle rickshaws can also be hired.
