Originally a duck shooting preserve of Maharaja Suraj Mull of Bharatpur, the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary of Rajasthan was declared a national park in 1982. Later, in 1985, it was listed as a World Heritage site by Unesco. At present, the Rajasthan Keoladeo Ghana National Park serves as one of the chief breeding and feed grounds for the birds around the world.
The Bharat Pur Wildlife Sanctuary, of Rajasthan, houses approximately
300 species of birds. Amongst them, the most prominent ones are Painted
Storks, Open and Spoon Bills, Egrets, Cormorants, White Ibis, Jacanas,
While Harriers, Fishing Eagles, Pied Kingfisher, etc. However, the most
awaited species of birds is the Siberian Crane. Apart from Iran, India
is the only place where this bird migrates in winter.
Bharatpur sanctuary remains open throughout the year from sunrise to
sunset. There is permission for vehicles to go up to Shanti Kutir, i.e.
approximately 1.7 km inside the park. Beyond this point, the options are
to walk or take a bicycle or go by a cycle rickshaw. Even tongas and
boats are available when the water level is high.
A hunting ground for the Maharaja, Bharatpur was formed by
transformation of the shallow depression created by the union of River
Gambhir and River Banganga. This was then formed into a reservoir by
damming the rainwater in monsoons. The ultimate result was the formation
of a shallow wetland ecosystem, a perfect habitat for birds. The park
continued to be a hunting preserve for the Maharaja and the British till
In the following years, hunting in the area got banned. Plantation of
acacias, under a policy of forestation) was followed with a great zeal.
However, till date, the ecosystem at the Park is in a delicate state.
The culprits behind this are the tourist pressures and water needs of
the nearby residing villagers. Some of the bird species continue to live
in a state of endangerment, especially the Siberian crane.