Keoladeo National Park, also known as Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, is
counted among finest bird sanctuaries in the world. Designated as UNESCO
World Heritage Site in 1985, the park is famous for water-birds as well
as migratory birds. Situated on the border of Rajasthan and Uttar
Pradesh, the park is mainly a marshy area. Keoladeo Ghana was created by
the Maharaja (king) of Bharatpur in the 19th century. In fact, the King
went to Britain on invitation for duck shooting and created his own
reserve after returning to India. The existing marshland was deepened
and extended to attract water birds. Since then Keoladeo became a
favourite hunting preserve of Maharajas and one of the best duck -
shooting wetlands in the world. In March 1956, the duck shooting forest
was declared a bird sanctuary and upgraded to a national park in 1982.
Prime Attractions of the Park
Fauna of the Park
The park is home to around 375 species of birds, 27 species of mammals,
50 species of fishes , 5 species of amphibians, 8 species of lizards, 13
species of snakes and 7 species of turtles. With the start of winters
migratory birds from all over world visit the park. Migratory birds
which visiting the park include Siberian Crane, Spanish Sparrow, Coot
Snipes, Red Crested Porhard, Rosy Pelican, Flamingo, Geese, Ducks,
Eagles, Hawks, Shanks, Stints, Wagtails, Warblers, Wheatears,
Flycatchers, Buntings, Larks and Pipits etc. The park also houses wild
animals like Spotted Deer, Blue Bull, Black Buck, Sambhars, Jackals,
Fishing Cats, Otters, Monitor Lizards and Pythons etc.
Flora of the Park

The
park spreads over an area of 29 sq.kms of which 11 sq.kms is covered by
marshes, rest of the area is covered by scrublands, grasslands and more
than 44,000 trees. The vegetation of the park is varied in density and
diversity. The marshy terrain is covered with kadam forests, grasslands
and shallow lakes.
Other Attractions
Government Museum
Situated close to the park, the museum displays the royal grandeur of
Bharatpur Maharajas.
Bharatpur Palace
The architectural masterpiece is the blend of the Mughal and the Rajput
architecture.