Keoladeo National Park is located in Bharatpur National Park, India. This park is a paradise for nature lovers, with a diverse ecosystem that is sure to captivate the soul. My visit to this bird paradise was enchanting. It was a journey that began with the sound of bird calls and ended with the lush beauty of nature.
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As I walked along the winding trails and tranquil water bodies of the park, I was welcomed by an impressive collection of more than 370 species of birds, each of which contributes to the rich and colorful life of the park. Keladeo Ghana National Park, formerly Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, is one of the world’s most famous UNESCO World Heritage Sites and lives up to the hype. The wetlands that surround the park are home to migratory birds during the peak migration season.
I was mesmerized as I watched Siberian Cranes glide past, and the painted storks soar high above the water. It was a sight I will never forget.
In addition to the birdlife, the park is home to a wide variety of plants and animals. The tall trees, blooming flowers, and tranquil lakes create a peaceful environment that is perfect for a break from the hectic pace of everyday life.
The park is dedicated to conserving endangered species and keeping the balance of nature intact. Keladeo National Park isn’t just a place to visit, it’s a place where nature is most beautiful. My experience in this magical place has left me with a deep sense of awe for the beauty of nature and a desire to do something to help preserve it. As the sun set behind the horizon, glistening golden over the marshy wetlands, I left the park with a feeling of gratitude for what I had seen.
Timings
The Keoladeo National Park is visited by more than lakhs of local and foreign tourists every year. The opening time of Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary varies depending on the season. The park is open from Monday to Saturday and stays open all day. However, the opening time of the park may change during festivals and public holidays. Therefore, you should check the park timings before planning your trip. Here are the winter and summer timings of Keoladeo National Park
| October to February | 07:00 am to 05:30 pm |
| March to September | 06:30 am to 06:30 pm |
Keoladeo National Park Timing And Entry Fee
The entry fee to the Keoladeo National Park is different for Indians and non-Indians. The entry ticket for Indian tourists costs Rs. 75 and for foreign visitors, it costs Rs. 500. Cars and 2-wheelers cannot enter the Keoladeo National Park and must be parked in the designated parking area inside the park. Visitors can enter the park by walking, hiring cycle rickshaws, or taking a bicycle, whichever option suits them best. The yellow-colored rickshaws are allowed to enter the park and they bring a binoculars to look for birds. There is also a battery-powered vehicle available in the park.
The ideal time to tour Keoladeo National Park
You can explore the park throughout the year as it remains open,. However, the months of August to February are the best months to visit the Keoladeo National Park. During these months, you will be able to see many migratory birds. These months also provide the best birding and photo opportunities. Therefore, it is best to avoid visiting the park during the afternoon hours on the summer days. During the winter months, the park is filled with migratory birds.
Safaris at Keoladeo National Park
Cycle safaris, Rickshaw safaris, Horse tongas safaris, and Battery cars are all carried out within Keoladeo National Park. The safaris begin at 8 AM and end at 5 PM. The most popular way for tourists to go on a cycle safari is by using a rickshaw as it is noiseless and allows them to see more birds. The safaris can also be arranged by renting bicycles and going on a cycle tour around the park. You must provide your ID at the counter to hire a cycle.
How to reach Keoladeo National Park
Bharatpur is located 56 km from the nearest airport, Agra Airport. Taxis can be easily accessed at the airport. The nearest railway station Bharatpur railway station, is 5 km from the Bird Sanctuary. NH 11 connects Bharatpur with major cities like Jaipur, Alwar, Agra, and Delhi. There is also a bus stand in Bharatpur with state-run transport buses.
List of Birds at Keoladeo National Park
Location for an unrivaled breeding site for:
- herons,
- storks and
- cormorants
large numbers of migrant – ducks.
The most common waterfowl are:
- gadwall,
- shoveler,
- common teal,
- cotton teal,
- tufted duck,
- knob-billed duck,
- Bar-headed goose,
- little cormorant,
- great cormorant,
- Indian shag,
- ruff,
- painted stork,
- white spoonbill,
- Asian open-billed stork,
- oriental ibis,
- darter,
- common sandpiper,
- wood sandpiper,
- green sandpiper,
- greater flamingos,
- spot-billed pelican,
- great white pelican,
- demoiselle cranes, and
- the sarus cranes,
only regular wintering area in India for the:
- Siberian crane
Birds present include:
- warblers,
- babblers,
- bee-eaters,
- bulbuls,
- buntings,
- chats,
- painted francolins and
- quails,
- Indian grey hornbill and
- Marshall’s iora.
- Raptors include:
- osprey,
- peregrine falcon,
- Pallas’ sea eagle,
- short-toed eagle,
- tawny eagle,
- imperial eagle,
- spotted eagle and
- crested serpent eagle.
FAQs – frequently asked questions
Why is Keoladeo National Park called Bird Paradise?
There are over 370 species of birds found in Keoladeo National Park, making it one of the most bird-rich places in the world.
Who built Keoladeo National Park?
Keladadu Ghana National Park is a wildlife sanctuary located in the eastern part of the state of Rajasthan, in the state of Uttar Pradesh, in the north-west of India, south of the state capital of Jaipur. Founded in the late 1800s as a hunting reserve by the maharajah Suraj Mal of the princely state Bharatpur, it was converted into a Bird Sanctuary in 1956.
Which river is in Keoladeo National Park?
Located at the intersection of the banks of the river Gambhir in Bharatpur (Rajasthan) and the bank of the river Banganga (Bharatpur) in the state of Uttar Pradesh, the Ghana National Park, formerly known as Keoladeo, was a natural depression, prone to seasonal floods.
Video credit: @WalkIntoTheWild
Birds at Keoladeo National Park SOURCE FROM: Wikipedia
Photo by sumit kumar on Unsplash
Photo by Tapan Kumar Choudhury on Unsplash