Keoladeo Ghana National Park

By : Neha Dhyani

Updated : Apr 25, 2022, 13:22

The Keoladeo Ghana National Park, or Keoladeo National Park, was earlier known as Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary. Situated in the Bharatpur district of Rajasthan, this national park is a significant wintering area for countless Palaearctic migrating birds. It is well-known for its extensive gathering of non-migratory birds.

Furthermore, diverse species from far-flung regions and nations like Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Siberia, and China visit the bird sanctuary every year. Keep reading the article below to learn more about the famous Keoladeo Ghana National Park that will help you better prepare for your upcoming UPSC mains and prelims examination.

Keoladeo Ghana National Park - Overview

To monitor and review the seasonal fluxes in the activity of birds, the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary (now known as Keoladeo National Park) has undertaken the ringing of Oriental Darters after almost two decades. This ringing of bird species with bright bands will help in finding out their practice of returning to their nests and will also assist in the protection of Oriental Darters.

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Facts about the Keoladeo Ghana National Park

  • Keoladeo National Park was earlier a duck-hunting reserve for the ancient rulers.
  • This national park was artificially constructed in 1850 and is now a preserved wetland area
  • The Keoladeo Ghana National Park was declared a bird sanctuary in 1956.
  • The sanctuary was established as a wetland of international significance in 1981 under the Ramsar Convention.
  • It was announced as a national park on March 10, 1982.
  • It was recorded as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985 and is home to over 375 bird species.

Keoladeo Ghana National Park - Prominent Bird Species

  • Cormorants, sarus cranes, peacocks, owls, darters, waterhens, the purple sunbird, and the common coot are all prominent attractions in this national park. Other endangered avifauna species include Dalmatian pelican, Baer’s pochard, lesser and greater adjutants, spot-billed pelican, cinereous vulture, etc.
  • Animals like the Bengal fox, jackal, blackbuck, chital, hog deer, common palm civet, and sambar are also found in this national park.

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Keoladeo Ghana National Park Significance

  • Since this is an artificially created national park, its primary water source is a transient waterhole, i.e., the Ajan dam. This Ajan dam fetches water from the famous Indian river Gambhir. The scarcity of water is a concern in this national park. Furthermore, the Panchana dam construction across the river Gambhir in 2003 has exacerbated the water issue in the Keoladeo Ghana National Park.
  • It is the only national park in the country that is surrounded by a 2m high border wall, which strives to reduce the chances of any illegal activities, encroachment, and other biotic disruptions.
  • The Keoladeo Ghana National Park is lawfully guarded under the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 and the Indian Forest Act of 1927. The Rajasthan Forest Division oversees this national park with the support of national conservation communities, regional organizations, and other global bodies.

To sum up, we can say that given its strategic establishment in the middle of the Central Asian migratory flyway and the existence of hundreds of birds and animal species, Keoladeo Ghana National Park is one of the leading national parks in India.

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FAQs on Keoladeo Ghana National Park

Q 1. Where is the Keoladeo Ghana National Park situated?

The Keoladeo Ghana National Park is situated in the Bharatpur district of Rajasthan.

Q 2. Under which laws are the Keoladeo Ghana National Park protected?

The Keoladeo Ghana National Park is protected under the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 and the Indian Forest Act of 1927.

Q 3. When did Keoladeo Ghana National Park get its status as a national park?

The Keoladeo Ghana National Park got its national park status on March 10, 1982.

Q 4. What was Keoladeo Ghana National Park earlier known as?

The Keoladeo Ghana National Park was earlier known as Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary.

Q 5. What are some prominent bird species seen in Keoladeo Ghana National Park?

Cormorants, sarus cranes, peacocks, owls, darters, waterhens, the purple sunbird, and the common coot are all prominent attractions in the Keoladeo Ghana National Park.