Bharatpur
Bird Sanctuary is situated in the desert state of Rajasthan. It is one
of the most famous wildlife sanctuaries in India and is like a heaven
for bird lovers. Bharatpur Wildlife Sanctuary is also the only sanctuary
of India that was created artificially. Maharaja of Bharatpur got an
artificial lake and dam constructed to store the water brought by the
annual floods in this area. This dam gradually turned into an ecosystem,
where the maharaja started coming for hunting. In the year 1982, this
hunting preserve was awarded the status of a national park.Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary was declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1985. The national park serves as home to over 300 species of birds, both resident and migratory. One can also find a number of wild animals inhabiting the park. Bharatpur bird sanctuary is also known by the name of Keoladeo Ghana National Park, after the Lord Shiva temple situated inside its premises. The best time to visit the park is from August to November (for watching resident birds) and October to February (for watching migratory birds).
Flora
The terrain of the Bharatpur National Park is made up of scrubland and grassland, along with marshes. One can also find large-scale cultivation of acacias inside the park, which was carried out under an afforestation program.
Bird Species
Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary of India serves as the second home of the Siberian Cranes in winters. A large number of birds also visit the sanctuary from Central Asia as well as other parts of the world. These include Ducks, Larks, Wagtails, Eagles, Cranes, Flycatchers, Hawks, Geese, Wheatears, Shanks, Pipits, Pelicans, Stints, Buntings, Warblers, Ducks, etc.
Wildlife
The wild animals found inside Bharatpur Wildlife Sanctuary of Rajasthan include Sambar, Chital, Jackal, Nilgai, Hyena, Fishing Cat, Jungle Cat, Wild Boar, Blackbuck, etc.
Other Attractions at Bharatpur
