Why in News?
The Rajasthan Government has proposed to construct a zoo inside Keoladeo National Park, a World Heritage Site popularly known as Bharatpur bird sanctuary, to display a range of wetland species.
- The purpose of this zoo, called Wetland ex-situ Conservation Establishment (WESCE), is to display a range of wetland species, including rhinos, water buffaloes, crocodiles, dolphins and exotic species.
What are the Key Points of Keoladeo National Park?
About:
Keoladeo National Park is a wetland and bird sanctuary located in Bharatpur, Rajasthan. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most important bird-watching areas in the world.
- India acknowledged Chilika Lake in Orissa and Keoladeo National Park in Rajasthan as its inaugural Ramsar Sites in 1981.
- Currently, Keoladeo National Park and Loktak Lake (Manipur) are in Montreux record.
It is known for its rich avian diversity and abundance of waterbirds. The park is home to over 365 species of birds, including several rare and threatened species, such as the Siberian crane.
Different species from far-flung areas of the northern hemisphere visit the Sanctuary for breeding. You can see the Siberian crane here; it’s one of the rare species.
Map of Keoladeo National Park
World Heritage Site
Keoladeo Ghana National Park was made a World Heritage Site in 1985, under critera iv. The justification provided was that the park is a “…wetland of international importance for migratory waterfowl. It is the wintering ground for the rare Siberian crane and habitat for large numbers of resident nesting birds”. In 2005, when they updated the criteria, the park fulfilled the requirements for achieving World Heritage status. This criterion emphasizes the importance of the site in preserving diverse and crucial natural habitats. It specifically highlights the presence of endangered species that hold universal value for science and conservation.
Flora & Fauna in Keoladeo National Park
Keoladeo National Park is spread across 2,873 hectares of woodlands, grasslands, wetlands & woodland swamps. The vegetation here is of a dry deciduous type, with medium sized trees & shrubs found inside its forest. You can easily spot some common trees inside the park, like kadam, jamun, babul, kandi, ber, kair, and piloo.
Keoladeo National Park is home to 370 species of birds. A large number of aquatic birds from Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Siberia & China visit the park. Actually, you can only spot the critically endangered Siberian Crane during the winters in this region of India. Some of the birds which you can expect to spot here are cranes, pelicans, eagles, wagtails, spotted bill duck, white breasted kingfisher, moor hen, painted stork, partridge, magpie robin, honey buzzard, rose ringed parakeet & green footed yellow pigeon.
FAQs related Keoladeo National Park
A1: Keoladeo National Park is located in Bharatpur, Rajasthan, India.
A2: Keoladeo National Park, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, boasts a diverse range of birds and is famous for the abundance of waterbirds it hosts. It is a popular bird-watching area and is home to over 365 species of birds, including rare and threatened species such as the Siberian crane.
A3: The Rajasthan Government has proposed to construct a zoo called Wetland ex-situ Conservation Establishment (WESCE) inside Keoladeo National Park. The purpose of this zoo is to display a range of wetland species, including rhinos, water buffaloes, crocodiles, dolphins, and exotic species.
Read also:- Betla National Park, Jharkhand
