Wildlife Overview - Bird Sanctuatries - Bharatpur

by Anil Benipuri

Keoladeo Ghana Sanctuary - Bharatpur

The Indian region is amazingly rich in bird life. Roughly 2400 species of birds (including the subspecies) inhabit this land. That’s almost one third of the species in the world. India, with geographical features ranging from deserts to high mountains, plains, tropical forests, an extensive coastline and various variations in between offers suitable living conditions to a great variety of birds. In his autobiography The Fall of a Sparrow, Dr Salim Ali the noted ornithologist writes “As a boy

I had found it far pleasanter to be chasing birds in pleasant places than doing ridiculous sums in elementary mensuration in the classroom. Since then I have watched birds through half a century and more, chiefly for pleasure and elation of the spirit they have afforded. Birdwatching provided the excuse for removing myself to where every prospect pleases --- up in the mountains or deep in the jungles – away from the noisy rough and tumble of the dubious civilization of this mechanical high-speed age. A form of escapism, maybe, but one that hardly needs justification.”

North India in winter can provide for very exciting viewing with multitudes of waterfowls rising almost vertically from the cold mirror-like surface of jheels emanating misty vapours giving an almost surreal atmosphere to the whole drama. National Parks and Sanctuaries are amongst the best places to indulge in a spot of birding, as it is here that the natural habitat conducive to bird life has not been subject to Mans predation. There are a large number of these across the length and breadth of India. The Keoladeo Ghana Sanctuary at Bharatpur about 50 km from Agra is undoubtedly the Mecca for all bird enthusiasts. The place acquires a unique ambience in the winter months when thousands of migratory birds from the northern latitudes throng the place like the rare Siberian Cranes shown here.

It is said that if either of the pair dies the other too dies of grief. The Sarus Crane is revered by the people as a symbol of fidelity. Availability of birds and mammals at Bharatpur ensures that the python survives without much hassles. The peafowl belongs to the pheasant family. The National Bird of India, the beautiful courtship display by the male is a sight to behold.

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