An Insight :
The Bharatpur National Park (Keoladeo Ghana National Park) or-as many
people prefer to call it-the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary lies between two of
India's most historic cities, Agra and Jaipur. This north Indian sanctuary
is situated in the country's northwestern state of Rajasthan, about 190 km
from the national capital of Delhi.
While many of India's parks have been developed from the hunting preserves
of princely India; Keoladeo, popularly known as Bharatpur Wildlife
Sanctuary, is perhaps the only case where the habitat has been created by a
Maharaja. In earlier times, Bharatpur town used to be flooded regularly
every monsoon. In 1760, an earthen dam (Ajan Dam) was constructed, to save
the town, from this annual vagary of nature. The depression created by
extraction of soil for the dam was cleared and this became the Bharatpur
Lake.
At the beginning of this century, this lake was developed, and was divided
into several portions. A system of small dams, dykes, sluice gates, etc.,
was created to control water level in different sections. This became the
hunting preserve of the Bharatpur royalty, and one of the best duck -
shooting wetlands in the world.
The park, with its rich Bio-geographic diversity, is home to more than 380
species of birds - about quarter of the total species found in the entire
Indian subcontinent! It is Considered one of the true bird parks of the
world. Migratory birds at Bharatpur bird sanctuary include, several species
of Cranes, Pelicans, Geese, Ducks, Eagles, Hawks, Shanks, Stints, Wagtails,
Warblers, Wheat ears, Flycatchers, Buntings, Larks and Pipits, etc. The
numerous water bodies provide an ideal habitat for Ducks and Waders which
are migratory. The park forms a natural crossroad and meeting ground for
avian species from high altitude areas, plains and eastern and western
regions.
There are well-defined forest trails, which can easily be covered on foot
or on a cycle or you can also hire a rickshaw that are available on hire.
Rickshaw pullers have been trained by the park management in bird watching
and are quite knowledgeable. Boats are also available on hire. A early
morning boat trip or a late evening one is quite a rewarding experience to
check out the hidden surprises of Bharatpur.
» Bharatpur Palace
Not far from the museum is the Bharatpur Palace, an marvelous
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.
Safaris in Bharatpur :
Bharatpur national park is a bird watcher's paradise. Bird Watching Trips
are very exciting. The park, with its rich Bio-geographic diversity, is home
to more than 380 species of birds - about quarter of the total species found
in the entire Indian subcontinent! It is Considered one of the true bird
parks of the world. Migratory birds at Bharatpur bird sanctuary include,
several species of Cranes, Pelicans, Geese, Ducks, Eagles, Hawks, Shanks,
Stints, Wagtails, Warblers, Wheat ears, Flycatchers, Buntings, Larks and
Pipits, etc. The numerous water bodies provide an ideal habitat for Ducks
and Waders which are migratory. The park forms a natural crossroad and
meeting ground for avian species from high altitude areas, plains and
eastern and western regions. Because of this unique location, the bird
population is Pretty high throughout the year, with winter visitors, summer
visitors, altitudinal migrants, passage migrants and local migrants. The
park is an avid bird watcher's destination.
There are well-defined forest trails, which can easily be covered on foot
or on a cycle or you can also hire a rickshaw that are available on hire.
Rickshaw pullers have been trained by the park management in bird watching
and are quite knowledgeable. Boats are also available on hire. A early
morning boat trip or a late evening one is quite a rewarding experience to
check out the hidden surprises of Bharatpur.
Where
is Bharatpur?
» By Air - The nearest airport is situated at Agra,
which is 56-kms from Bharatpur.
» By Rail - Regular rail services connect Bharatpur
with all the major cities of India such as Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur and Agra.
The Bharatpur railway station is 6-kms from the park
» By Road - Bharatpur is well connected by road
from Agra (56-kms, 1 hour), Delhi (190-kms, 3 hours) and Jaipur (185-kms, 4
hours).
