The Keoladeo
Ghana National Park or 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. The name . Keoladeo. is
derived from the name of an ancient Hindu temple devoted to Lord Shiva
in the sanctuary. s central zone while the Hindi term 'Ghana' implies
dense, thick areas of forest cover.
HistoryPrince
Bhamji of Morvi state in Gujarat converted this area into a world famous
wildlife reserve. Duck shoots were organised in the area every year by
the rulers of Bharatpur, in honour of Viceroy Lord Curzon and his party
on 1st December, 1902. The exploits of all visiting dignitaries since
1902 have been engraved on stone plaques standing near the Keoladeo
temple.
Largest number of birds (4273) were killed on 12th
November, 1938, by Lord Linlithgow, Viceroy & Governor General of
India and his party. After independence, this reserve was notified as a
bird sanctuary but the former rulers of Bharatpur continued to enjoy
their shooting rights over the area till 1972. The area was notified as
a National Park in 1981 but made effective only in Novemeber,1982.
Conservation efforts originally started by Dr. Salim Ali received a
further impetus when the area was deemed a national park in March 1982.
In 1985, Bharatpur was accepted as a World Heritage Site.
Keoladeo
Ghana National Park or Bharatpur hosts a variety of bird
species(Siberian crane etc) from across the globe. Close to 380 species
of birds are found in this 29 sq km stretch, approximately 10 sq km of
which comprises of marshes and bogs. Rest of the area comprises of
scrublands, grasslands and more than 44,000 trees that are used for
nesting by birds each year. This rather intriguing blend of marshes,
woodland and flora found here represents and, at the same time,
substantiates the density and diversity of the region. s forest cover.
