Ghana National Park

Total Area: 29 square kilometers

Best time to visit: August - November for native birds October - February for migratory birds

Nearest Town: Bharatpur (2 kilometres away)

Species found: Resident and migratory birds, Jackal, Hyena, Nilgai, etc

Entry Fees: Foreign visitor - rupees 200, Indian visitor – rupees 25 Extra charges for photographic equipments

More information: Field Director, Ghana National Park, Bharatpur, Rajasthan

The Keoladeo Ghana National Park is a premier wildlife sanctuary. This major tourist attraction is located in Bharatpur, Rajasthan. The marshy lads of the sanctuary cover almost 29 square kilometres of area. In the 19th century, the sanctuary was created by Maharaja of Bharatpur as a shooting preserve.

The Wildlife Sanctuary gained the status of a national park in the year 1982. Later in 1985, it was declared to be a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. It proudly claims to be a chief breeding ground for over 350 species of birds. August to November is the best time of the year to see the native birds while migrant birds can be seen between October to February.

The landscape of the sanctuary is covered with grasslands. Marshes can be seen in a major area of the park. Wide plantations of acacias make the park rich in flora.

Over 300 species of both native as well as migratory birds can be seen here. The national park is a delight for the bird lovers. The migratory birds include: Cranes, Ducks, Pelicans, Eagles, Flycatchers, Shanks,Geese, Wagtails, Hawks, Warblers, Buntings, Stints, Larks and Pipits, etc.

Bharatpur waits with bated breath for the Siberian Cranes, which come to nest here in winter. They are the rarest of all the existing bird species. The one and only known wintering ground for the Siberian Crane in India is Bharatpur.

The Keoladeo Ghana National Park is home to mammal and reptile species that include Deer, Black Buck, Jackal, Nilgai, Hyena, Sambar, Fishing Cat and Wild Boar.

Some of the worth seeing nearby attractions include: Bharatpur Government Museum, Lohagarh Fort, Bharatpur Palace and Deeg Palace.