India's birding paradise - Keoladeo National Park, Bharatpur

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• published: 13 Oct 2015
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The Keoladeo National Park is a true embodiment of the Sanskrit phrase “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”, meaning, the world is a family, for its role in the coexistence of the wide variety of flora and fauna found here.Home to 375 bird species, 379 floral species, 50 species of fish, 13 species of snakes, 5 species of lizards, 7 amphibian species,7 turtle species, and a variety of other invertebrates, this National Park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985. In fact, UNESCO terms the reserve a “bird paradise.” Located in the city of Bharatpur in the North-western Indian state of Rajasthan, about 180 kms from the country’s capital - New Delhi, the National Park takes its name from the temple of a local deity Keoladeo, located near the centre of the reserve. Spread over an area of about 29 kms2, the reserve is locally known as the Ghana National Park. Its dubious distinction as a hunting ground lies firmly buried in it's past.Before being declared a protected park in Independent India in 1971, subsequently a National Park in 1982 and a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1985, the reserve acted as a duck shooting reserve for the Maharajas of Bharatpur and also hosted duck shoots in the Honour of British Viceroys. A third of the total area of Keoladeo is a wetland. Though the National Park is man-made and man managed, it was developed in a natural depression. Though various bird species live here round the year, the best season for bird-watching begins in winter - in the month of November, when due to its strategic location along the Central Asian migratory flyway and the presence of water, the Park attracts large flocks of waterfowl such as ducks, geese, coots, pelicans, and waders. Keoladeo also acts as a breeding ground for around 115 bird speciesincluding the beautiful Sarus Cranes. The park becomes an enchanting albeit loud, heronryduring the breeding season with 15 distinct species of herons, ibis, cormorants, spoonbills and storks. In the evenings during this season, the spectacular courtship dance of the Sarus cranes can also be seen by either waiting for them near their identified habitat or tracking them by their distinct, shrill call. Various land-birds are also found in the park, such as the Indian Grey Hornbill, Indian Roller, bee-eaters, parakeets, partridges, kingfishers, doves and many more. Although more popular as a bird watching destination, the park is also a great place to spot pythons in the winter months, which, being cold blooded, come out of their holes to soak in the sun and warm their bodies. Also seen are Spotted Deer, Sambhar, and Nilgai –the largest antelope, found in Asia. One can easily spot jackals, monitor lizards as well as mongoose whilst on a stroll in the park. The tourist season picks up in the winter month of November with the arrival of the migratory birds, and reaches its peak thereafter. The Palace on Wheels – India’s most luxurious Tourist Train stops at the Bharatpur Railway Station every Tuesday, bringing excitement and cheer to the rickshaw-pullers plying Rickshaws in the park premises as well as the rather well-informed local guides who ride cycles and are aware not only about the birds found in the park but also the locations where rarer birds like owls, nightjars, etc can be sighted. As no vehicles are allowed inside the park premises, tourists can opt for bicycles or rickshaws to see the park or can cover the park on foot. The rickshaw-pullers double up as guides and their knowledge of the birds and wildlife found in the park is admirable. To SUBSCRIBE click the below link: http://www.youtube.com/subscription_c... Like & Follow Us on: Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/WildernessFil... Twitter: https://twitter.com/wildfilmsindia Website: http://www.wildfilmsindia.com/ This footage is part of the professionally-shot broadcast stock footage archive of Wilderness Films India Ltd., the largest collection of HD imagery from South Asia. The collection comprises of 100, 000+ hours of high quality broadcast imagery, mostly shot on HDCAM / SR 1080i High Definition, Alexa, SR, XDCAM and 4K. Write to us for licensing this footage on a broadcast format, for use in your production! We are happy to be commissioned to film for you or else provide you with broadcast crewing and production solutions across South Asia. We pride ourselves in bringing the best of India and South Asia to the world... Please subscribe to our channel wildfilmsindia on Youtube for a steady stream of videos from across India. Also, visit and enjoy your journey across India at www.clipahoy.com , India's first video-based social networking experience! Reach us at rupindang [at] gmail [dot] com and admin@wildfilmsindia.com