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Travel Rajasthan
Bharatpur
:
Keoladeo
Ghana National Park :
This bird paradise
acquired its name - Keoladeo because of the existence of the Keoladeo
temple of Lord Shiva. After the name of this temple the lake is called
'Ghana' Keoladeo. Ghana being the vernacular synonym for dense forest. It
was known as the best duck shooting resort during the British reign, but
was declared a reserve for birds in 1956 and later upgraded to a National
Park. UNESCO has listed it as a world heritage site.
The
geographical location is ideal, as it is on the main north-south avian
route of India. Although small in size (only 29 sq. kms), it has over 375
species of beautiful birds, and more than 132 of these breed inside the
Keoladeo Ghana National Park. Almost every year, new species are added to
the list. The Bird Sanctuary not only attracts birds from all over India,
but also from far off Europe, Siberia, China and Tibet.
Before the monsoons, hundreds of these exotic birds roost and nest here,
and building activities start on the 'babool' and 'kadam' trees of the
park. Water, flowing through the Ajan Bandh starts filling the various
ponds and lakes of the Park. When assured of enough food, hundreds of
large, medium and little cormorants, darters, purple and grey herons,
various species of egret, white-necked as well as black-necked storks,
white ibis, spoonbills, night herons and other birds get busy courting and
mating. The trees are overloaded with nests - a single tree houses
approximately fifty to sixty nests - belonging to different species of
birds looking after their young ones.
Saras
cranes, the tallest flight birds, nest in exposed and open areas; both
partners share the duty of hatching; while changing incubating duties,
they come together, raise their neck and give out shrill trumpeting calls
in unison, fanning their feathers at the same time .The newborn chicks are
only 10 cm. in size but grow up to one metre in height within a year.
About
11 sq. kms of the Park is covered by water; the remaining portion is rich
in birds like the kingfisher, red vented and white-cheeked bulbuls,
babblers, quails, partridges, sunbirds, sparrows, parakeets and orioles,
which live in bushes and burrows. These winged beauties carry on their
activities all the year round, thus making this Park a pilgrimage for bird
lovers and an ornithologist's delight.
Animals like the black buck, sambar-the largest Indian antelope, spotted
deer, and nilgais also show their presence here, though they are greatly
outnumbered by the winged fraternity. Pythons can also be observed, at
some places, lazing in the sun. Vehicles are only permitted upto Shanti
Kutir inside the Park. The Electra Van of the Forest Department in the
Sanctuary can be engaged, although the best way to explore the Park is on
foot, bicycle or cycle rickshaws which are available on hire.
Back
courtesy - rtdc
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