One of the finest bird sanctuaries in the world, the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary (Bharatpur National Park) is the only manmade wildlife sanctuary in India, developed by an erstwhile Maharaja of Bharatpur as a hunting reserve in 1890. Also known as the 'Keoladeo Ghana National Park', the sanctuary is spread over an area of 29 sq km, 19 sq km of which comprises of scrubland, grassland and more than 45,000 trees and the rest 10 sq. km of fresh water marshes and bogs. The flora in Bharatpur National Park is quite diverse and dense, which attract thousands of birds of more than 400 species, including both domestic and the migratory ones.
The literal meaning of 'Ghana' is dense, which goes on to prove that the area was once full of lush green flora. Today, the forests cover of the park mayn't be so dense but it's enough to shelter thousands of birds and other wildlife. Along with scrubland and grasslands, the park has about 45,000 trees of diverse species, offering ideal conditions for survival of birds and other wilds.
The main species of flora found in the Bharatpur National Park include Salai (Boswellia Serrata), Bamboo (Dendrocalamus Strictus), Mango (Mangifera Indica), Camar (Gmelina Arborea), Bhirra (Chloroxylon Sweitenia), Dhaman (Grewia Tilifolia), Jamun (Syzygium Cumini) and many more. Bamboo is thick grass vegetation that offers complete shade and ideal conditions for bird nesting. Mango is an evergreen tropical tree and its fruit is very delicious and sweet. Jamun is another evergreen tropical tree and an important flora in Bharatpur National Park. It has dense foliage and tends to grow in a shape of an umbrella and thus provides birds a pleasant cool shade during summer. The fruit of the tree resembles blackberry and is quite favorite with birds in Bharatpur National Park. The Bharatpur National Park is also known to be only second home for word renowned endangered species of Siberian Cranes. What attract to this wonderful migratory bird to India are the favorable climatic conditions and the adequate availability of flora in the Bharatpur National Park, on which they feed. The Siberian Cranes, which were last seen in Bharatpur few years ago, are entirely a vegetarian bird. The underground aquatic roots and tubers, found in plenty in the wetland of the Bharatpur National Park, provided them with a plentiful supply of food. Other birds that feed on plants include flamingos, which sieve the water for plankton and spoonbills looking for weeds.
The vast flora in the Bharatpur National Park is a haven for birds, supporting birds in their free natural perpetuation. There are over 10-15,000 nests of Pelicans, Cranes, Egrets, Darters, Cormorants, Grey Herons and Storks. Thousands of new chicks are born in the Bharatpur National Park every year.
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