Keoladeo Ghana National Park, Bharatpur, Rajasthan

The Keoladeo National Park, formerly known as the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary in Bharatpur, Rajasthan, India is a famous bird sanctuary that plays host to thousands of birds each year. The best time though would be the winter season when myriad migratory birds come here in the hibernal season. Over 230 species of birds are known to have made the National Park their home. In the year 1971, the park was declared a protected area. Long time ago, this was duck-hunting reserve of the Maharajas and a number of aquatic birds from Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, China and Siberia came here. Around 364 species of birds, such as Siberian crane, have been seen in the park making an entry which is great.
The park is a man-made wetland and is a mosaic of dry grasslands, woodlands, woodland swamps, and wetlands. As per official records, the place is home to 366 bird species, 50 species of fish, 13 species of snakes, 379 floral species, 5 species of lizards, 7 amphibian species,7 turtle species, and a variety of other invertebrates. The Sanctuary is one of the richest bird areas in the world. It is known for nesting of its resident birds and visiting migratory birds including water birds and is declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

This bird paradise was declared a national park in 1982 and the hunting was made illegal here. Owning to its strategic location and presence of water in abundance, a large number of ducks, geese, coots, pelicans and waders were recorded in the park. It was the only known park in the country where rare and dying out Siberian cranes were spotted and which also made this park their home. Some of the other endangered species like the greater spotted eagle and imperial eagle can also be seen here during the winter season. When its breeding time, you can spot some really amazing and spectacular birds like herons, ibis, cormorants, spoonbills and storks.
There were several issues faced by the authorities earlier as the wetland required a large amount of water. And because of high population and around 15 villages around the park made it difficult for them to provide adequate water but it was managed somehow. But even after all the difficulties, today this is one of the prominent wildlife sanctuaries not only in the country but also abroad. If records are to be believed, the park is visited by more than 100,000 visitors each year which is simply awesome. Food and accommodation facilities are also made available in and proximity to the park for the convenience of visitors and birdwatchers. So, do come here and enjoy the vacation in the middle of greenery and birds. But you might want to book you accommodation well in advance as the hotels get booked quite soon during the holiday season!