How a former royal duck hunting ground became a critical sanctuary for migratory birds.

Countries & Cities · Published 29 September 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Keoladeo National Park in Rajasthan, India, is a man-made wetland that serves as a vital wintering ground for thousands of migratory birds. Once a private hunting reserve for the Maharaja of Bharatpur, this UNESCO World Heritage Site now balances complex ecological management with the challenges of severe water scarcity.

Established as a national park on 10 March 1982, Keoladeo Ghana National Park occupies 29 square kilometers of diverse terrain, including grasslands, woodlands, and swamps. Its history is rooted in the 1850s, when it functioned as a private duck shooting preserve. Following the efforts of ornithologist Salim Ali, it was designated a bird sanctuary in 1956 and later recognized as a Ramsar site in 1981. Its status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, granted in 1985, highlights its role as a critical habitat for migratory waterfowl and threatened species.

The park's ecology is defined by its position where the desert meets the tropics, creating a unique mosaic of biodiversity. It hosts at least 400 avian species, alongside 27 mammalian species, 70 reptile and amphibian species, and over 1,000 invertebrate species. The wetland is maintained through a delicate system of regulated water flow, including pumping from deep tube wells to sustain aquatic life during dry periods. This management is essential, as the park faces persistent water shortages that have historically impacted migratory patterns and the health of resident fauna.

Conservation efforts have faced significant hurdles, including the 1982 ban on livestock grazing, which led to local protests and ongoing management difficulties regarding vegetation overgrowth. Furthermore, the park has struggled with invasive species like the mesquite Prosopis juliflora and the threat of pollution. Despite these challenges, the site remains a focal point for international conservation projects, such as the collaborative effort between India, Russia, and Japan to protect the Siberian crane. Today, the park continues to serve as a vital staging ground for waterfowl navigating the Indian subcontinent.

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