Keoladeo
Ghana National Park
This magnificent bird haven in actual came into being paradoxically as a duck
shooting preserve for Maharaja Suraj Mull of Bharatpur. He transformed the shallow
depression formed by the confluence of River Gambhir and River Banganga into
a reservoir by damming the rainwater in monsoons. Flooding of water created
shallow wetland ecosystem causing it to be a perfect habitat for an astounding
variety of birds. The park that was a hunting preserve for the Maharaja and
the British continued to be so till 1964, after which the hunting was banned.
A forestation policy of planting acacias was vigorously followed. However the
ecosystem at the Park continues to be fragile due to pressures of tourism and
need for water from surrounding villages. However the environmentalists won
the day in 1985 when UNESCO listed it as World Heritage site and earlier in
1982 it was declared as National Park. And, today the Park is recognised as
the most important breeding and feed grounds for the birds in the world. Some
species are still endangered and especially the Siberian crane. Visitors are
advised to maintain low noise level and avoid littering the park.
The Park opens from sunrise to sunset around the year. The ticket is Rs 200
per foreign visitor and Rs 25 for Indian visitor. Vehicles are permitted upto
Shanti Kutir about 1.7 kilometres inside at Rs 50 per vehicle. After this you
can choose to walk, bicycle, or go by cycle rickshaw, Tonga or boat when the
water level is high. The cycle rickshaw wallah’s displaying yellow plate
meaning authorised double up as guides also carry binoculars. Hotels do supply
packed lunches and you can get a bite at a canteen on the second gate and even
at Forest Lodge.
»
Ranthambhor National Park
»
Sariska Tiger Reserve
»
Keoladeo Ghana National Park
»
Darrah Sanctuary
»
Sajjangarh Sanctuary
»
Kumbhalgarh Sanctuary
»
Desert National Park
»
Mount Abu Sanctuary
»
SitaMata Sanctuary
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