Bharatpur
Bird Sanctuary (Keoladeo Ghana Natiuonal Park) is one of the finest bird
parks in the world, that offers protection to faunal species as well.
Nesting
indigenous water- birds as well as migratory water birds and waterside
birds, this sanctuary is also inhabited by Sambar, Chital, Nilgai and
Boar. Over 350 species of birds find a refuge in the 29 sq km of shallow
lakes and woodland, which makes up the park. A third of them are
migrants, many of whom spend their winters in Bharatpur, before
returning to their breeding grounds, as far away as Siberia and Central
Asia. Migratory birds at Keoladeo include, as large a bird as Dalmatian
pelican, which is slightly less than two meters, and as small a bird as
Siberian disky leaf warbler, which is the size of a finger. Other
migrants include several species of cranes, pelicans, geese, ducks,
eagles, hawks, shanks, stints, wagtails, warblers, wheatears,
flycatchers, buntings, larks and pipits, etc.
Best time to
visitKeoladeo National Park is open to visitors throughout the
year , but it is more rewarding to visit it between August to end of
March. The best way to see the park is on foot. Other options available
are to see it on cycle or a cycle rickshaw. Both are available on hire.
Cycle rickshaw pullers have been trained by the forest department in
bird watching and are knowledgeable. Boats are also availble for a trip
of the lake area. A boat trip early in the morning or in the evening is
quite a rewarding experience.
Since
migratory birds are the center of attraction, the time you visit is very
important. It is ideal to be there from late Nov to early Feb. You can
start the tour of the sanctuary by going on the boat as it takes you
very close to the roosting birds. After the boat ride, you can go along
the road on the rickshaw. These rickshaw drivers are guides in their own
way and will take you to the right spots.
Cycle hire is another
way you can move and so is walking. In addition to the birds, Keoladeo
is home to a wide range of mammal and reptile species, including deer,
jackals, blackbuck, fishing cats, otters and blue bulls. Do take a pair
of binoculars with you along with a camera. The excitement of seeing a
variety of water birds will began before you reach the sanctuary
entrance.
Today, the Park supports a population of 375 species
of birds along with many mammals and reptiles. You can watch terrestrial
birds like red wattled lapwing, grey partridge, black partridge, common
quail, bush quail, pea fowl, jungle fowl, etc., nest on the ground along
with the resident bird like the Sarus cranes. Among the latter, the
highly endangered Siberian Cranes, which come to nest in winter, are the
rarest. Your local guide will know exactly how many of which birds visit
this area as they usually keep a daily track of them.
- Bharatpur Govenment Museum
One of the major attention
grabber after the Bharatpur sanctuary is Government Museum of
Bharatpur, which provides a glimpse of the past royal splendour of
Bharatpur.
- Bharatpur Palace
Not far from the museum is the
Bharatpur Palace, an marvellous structural blend of Mughal and
Rajput architecture.
- Lohagarh Fort
The
invincible Lohagarh Fort, which remained unconquered despite several
attacks by the British regime.
- Deeg Palace
Situated just 32-kms away from Bharatpur
is the Deeg Palace. A strong and massive fortress, Deeg Palace was
the summer resort of the rulers of Bharatpur and houses numerous
beautiful palaces and gardens.
How to reach
- Air
Agra 56-km is the nearest airport.
- Rail
Regular rail services connect Bharatpur with
several cities on Delhi -Mumbai trunk route, Jaipur and Agra. Some
important train connections are : Golden Temple Mail
(Mumbai-Bharatpur-Jammu Tawi); Intercity Express (Hazrat
Nizamuddin-Bharatpur); Paschim Express (New Delhi-Bharatpur-Mumbai)
- Road
A network of bus services links Bharatpur with
several cities within and outside the State. Local Transport: Tongas
and Cycle-rickshaws are the best way to commute within the city.
