Imán Crane in Keoladeo National Park India Travel

Keoladeo National Park, also known as Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, is one of India’s most celebrated wildlife sanctuaries and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Located in Rajasthan, about 180 kilometers south of Delhi, the park covers around 29 square kilometers of wetlands, grasslands, and woodlands that were originally created as a royal duck-hunting reserve in the 18th century. Today, it’s a carefully managed mosaic of shallow lakes and marshes sustained by seasonal flooding, attracting over 370 species of birds—both resident and migratory. During winter, the park becomes a living tapestry of color and sound as Siberian cranes, pelicans, storks, herons, egrets, and countless ducks arrive to feed and nest. Among its most famous inhabitants is the Sarus crane, the tallest flying bird in the world, known for its striking red head and graceful, lifelong pair bonds. Keoladeo’s network of levees and trails makes it ideal for exploring on foot or by cycle rickshaw, allowing close observation of wildlife in a peaceful, almost timeless setting. Beyond birds, the park supports jackals, pythons, deer, and wild boar, all coexisting within this vibrant wetland ecosystem. As both a refuge for threatened species and a triumph of habitat restoration, Keoladeo stands as a model for wetland conservation in South Asia.