Also known as Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, Keoladeo Ghana National Park was created around 250 years back and is named after a small temple enshrined within the park where Lord Shiva is manifested in the form of god Keoladeo. The park was a hunting ground for the maharajas of Bharatpur and duck hunting was organized every year in the honor of British Viceroys. It was declared a protective sanctuary in 1971. It was established as a national park in 1982 and declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985. Spread over 129 square meters, Keoladeo Ghana National Park is home to the population of over 300 bird species especially the migratory Siberian Crane. Other avifauna species found in this park include Dalmatian pelican, spot-billed pelican, greater adjutant, lesser adjutant, marbled teal, Baikal teal, Baer’s pochard, red kite, cinereous vulture and lapwing.
