Keoladeo Ghana National Park as a man made wetlandsis one of the most renowned national parks of India. Well-known for its avifauna traveller would be shock to know that the sanctuary houses over 230 species of birds making it one of the environmental and biological in terms of its vistas.
History
When it comes to trace its history than it trace back the narration of centuries and that has been a sole reason for UNESCO to recognise the area as the heritage site of UNESCO. Named after shive temple to stop the natural depression Maharaja Suraj Mal constructed the bund to stop flooding.
The park during its initial stage served as a hunting place of maharajas and the duck shoot used to get organised by the local authority during the call of 1850s to honour the governance of British Viceroy.
After the call of independence the site was declared as national park in 1982 and at present owing to its diversity in vegetation and avifauna the park has become an important site where number of migratory birds prevails in during the time of summer.
Flora
When it comes to the principle vegetation of the park than it includes tropical dry deciduous forest, dry grassland, shrubs and woodland which in turn has made the park one of the richest in terms of vegetation.
Fauna
Various invertebrate insects, mammals, aquatic animals, birds, animal species and several endangered animals have made this park their house which in turn would give you an opportunity to take an insight regarding the importance of conservation.
Tourism
When it comes to tourism importance than the site is visited by series of ornithologist and biological and zoological students to do some research in their subject. As mentioned above that park is home to series of birds which in turn would offer splendid opportunity to bird watchers to spend some quiet time while witnessing the might of the same.
Entry Fee
To visit the park foreigners would require paying Rs 200 and for native it is only 50.
Facilities
Traveller should not worry about the accommodation problem because within the area of the park they have Bharatpur Forest Lodge which is maintained and run by ITDC. Beside that there are many palaces, heritage hotels, circuit and bungalows where you can look to spend your night.
Within the site of the park one can look to trail within the reserve by opting for rickshaw or boating which means a journey could be adventurous and natural.
How to Reach
By air- the nearest airport to reach Keoladeo Ghana National Park is Delhi airport or Jaipur airport.
By train-the nearest railway station to reach the park is Bharatpur Junction which is located at a distance of around 5 km from the park.
By road- from Delhi and nearby areas one can look to travel by road because there are ample of bus services can be avail from Mathura, Jaipur, Alwar, Agra and other adjoining areas.
So come here because paradise of bird is waiting for you to advent its flourishing environment which is enthralled by numerous species of snakes, mammals, fish, floral fauna, amphibian, lizards and turtles.
Jaipur, the capital city of Rajasthan is the only place in this whole wide world where this unique sport of elephant polo is organized. Jaipur has a long association with the elephants and over here, there is no festival, no religious ceremony and no formal occasion, which is ever complete without the inclusion of the vibrantly decorated elephants.
History
The sport was every much popular among the royals, who once ruled this region. That is why the game is also regarded as the ‘Game of Kings’. It is believed that the sport was first originated in China and Persia around 2,000 years back. The name of this game is said to have been derived from the word “pholo”, which means ‘ball’ or ‘ball game’ in the Balti language of Tibet. Similar version of the game is also played in countries like Nepal, Thailand and Sri Lanka, but in Jaipur, the sport is played almost throughout the year.
Mughal dynasty was responsible for introducing this game gamed in the East from Persia. The Mughal emperor Babur was the one who introduced the sport in India. The British tea planters discovered the game in Manipur, in the 1850s and hence they founded the world’s first polo club at Silchar, located at the west of Manipur. Other clubs were founded later on, among which, the oldest one in the world is the Calcutta Club, which was founded in the year 1862.
The Rajputs who were very good in horse riding made the game their own during the Mughal period and also added some extra features to the game. Polo is regarded as a royal game in Rajasthan. At this place, the game is not just played on horses, but also on camels, elephants and even on bicycle. Elephant Polo competitions are held yearly at Jaipur’s Chaugan Stadium during the festival of Holi, which falls during the months of February to March. The competition is participated by various Polo teams in Rajasthan. These polo teams have won several awards and its players have also have earned international acclaim.
The Sport
The sight of the game being played in itself is an unforgettable experience. The first timers will certainly be awe-struck with the huge size of the elephants, which are quite gentle in nature. Though the elephants lack the speed and agility as compared to the polo horses, it is a fascinating sight to watch these majestic animals moving around gracefully around the field after the ball. In this particular sport, the elephants are guided by their mahouts, who in turn are instructed by the polo players. The pitch on which this sport is played is two-thirds in size in comparison to the standard polo pitch. This is to compensate the slower pace of the elephants. The ball used in the sport is the same as the one used in the standard the standard polo sport, which is moved around with the help of the 6 to 10 ft of cane or bamboo stick.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Jaipur in order to witness this fascinating game is during the festival of Holi, which falls during the months of February to March.
Accommodation
Jaipur being the capital of Rajasthan has plenty of options available for quality accommodation. The place is dotted with hotels, lodges and resorts that are ranged between luxury and budget class. Also that, most luxurious hotels in Rajasthan can arrange viewing and participation in the friendly Polo matches.
How to Reach
By Air: The Jaipur Airport is located at a distance of about 13 km from the main city. The airport is well connected with major cities in India, like Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Bangalore, Goa, Udaipur, Raipur, Jodhpur and others. Apart from this, the airport also conducts regular flights to international cities like Kathmandu, Dubai, Muscat, Kuwait, Bangkok etc.
By Train: The Jaipur Railway Station is well linked with various major cities in India like Chennai, Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Indore, Mysore, Howrah, Bikaner, Udaipur, Kota and many more.
By Road: Jaipur has very good network of roads that connects the place with various major cities in India. Regular public and private buses ply from these places to Jaipur. Jaipur is also well connected by road with the major cities in Rajasthan.
Nestled within the ambience of Chambal River which is at the Tri point of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh the national park here is home to critically endangered animals like Crocodile, red-crowned roof turtle and Ganges River Dolphin.
Since the site of the national park interlocks the border of three states so the management process is handled by all the three states. All the animals here are the rarest of rare and during the course of civilisation they lost half of their breed and at present all the animals are almost on the line of extinction.
History
It was in 1978 when administrative blocks approved and authorised it as a national park and protected area under the order no of 17-74/77-FRY and when it comes to claim the status of Sanctuary than 18(1) of the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 provided sufficient reason to make it wildlife sanctuary.
Conservation Management
As mentioned above the site is protected under the constitutional act of Wildlife Protection 1972 so the field of sanctuary is managed and supervised by department of forest of Madhya Pradesh. It is very sad to learn that part of the sanctuary is threatened by illegal mining which in turn has made difficult for crocodile to initiate with their breeding process at the same time the situation is hampering lotic ecosystem.
So to prevent such measures ministry of forest and environment have set up National Tri-State Chambal Sanctuary Management and Coordination Committee to protect the crocodiles of the Chambal sanctuary.
Fauna
Within the thick bushes of Chambal national park you are sure to witness endangered animals like crocodile, red-crowned roof turtle and Ganges River Dolphin. Beside that within the boundary that commands the area of 5,400 km you will get to see Muggar crocodile, Smooth-coated Otter, Striped Hyena, Indian narrow-headed softshell turtle, Three-striped roof turtle and crowned river turtle.
When it comes to other reptiles than sanctuary houses Indian flapshell turtle, Soft Shell turtle, Indian roofed turtle, Indian tent turtle and Monitor lizard.
Now coming down to an existence of mammal than you have presence of Rhesus Macaque, Hanuman Langur, Golden Jackal, Bengal Fox, Common Palm Civet, Indian Small Mongoose, Indian Grey Mongoose, Jungle cat, Wild Boar, Sambar etc.
Traveller must understand that the site is heaven for bird watchers because within the site of sanctuary you will get to see amazing species of birds like migratory birds from Siberia, Indian skimmer, Sarus Crane, Pallas's Fish Eagle and Indian Courser etc.
Best Time to Visit
Expect to come here during the month between November to March to witness the vivid perks of National Chambal Sanctuary.
Things to Do
The best thing you can look to do while coming here is go for Chambal Safari to witness every adventurous perks of the National Chambal Sanctuary. Beside that make sure to try bird watching which would give you an opportunity to understand the behaviour of migratory and vivid species of birds.
Expect to go for boating and river safari within the lake of Chambal and forest excursion would complete the journey of National Chambal Sanctuary.
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