Keoladeo

Keoladeo National Park is located in the north of India, the main feature of which is a huge variety of birds. The park, which includes plains, savannas, forests and swamps, covers an area of more than 28 ^km2. This is one of the most important wintering grounds for birds. In winter, it is home to many rare and endangered bird species, comprising more than 370 varieties.

However, the locals did not always feel so at ease, previously it was a hunting area where maharajas hunted birds. At the beginning of the twentieth century, a hunt was carried out, during which more than 4 thousand ducks and geese were shot. There is an inscription on one local temple recording this event with the names of the hunters and their trophies. It was only 20 years later, after independence, that the situation changed radically. The territory was awarded the title of a bird sanctuary, and hunting was banned altogether. Since 1982, it has been the Keoladeo National Park. The first direction was to plant acacias and create the necessary conditions for the fauna population. Since 1985, Keoladeo has been a part of UNESCO's natural heritage.

Today, about 4 thousand trees are growing on the territory, providing nesting houses for birds. The main dominant ones are acacias and date palms. There are a large number of shallow lakes in the area, where waterfowl live. The main ones are cormorants, herons, pelicans, ducks and geese. A bird of a rare species of sturgeon is doing well. These white cranes winter in the reserve, despite their usual habitat in Northern Russia.

Keoladeo Park is home to many predators – eagles, falcons, kites. In addition to birds, there are a wide variety of mammals in the entire circumference of the park - hyenas, antelopes, monkeys, wild boars. There are also venomous cobras. Many local inhabitants are listed in the Red Book.

In Keoladeo National Park, the history and culture of India are intertwined with the beauty of nature and its inhabitants. It is interesting for both tourists and scientists to visit. To get acquainted with the fauna and see the maximum number of birds, you should take into account their winter migration and choose the time from October to February to visit the park.