Ramsar Sites of India: Keoladeo National Park, Rajasthan

Contents: Preface. 1. Introduction. 2. Physico--chemical environs. 3. Biodiversity. 4. Wetlands values. 5. Park management. Appendices. References. Annotated bibliography.

From the preface: "A natural depression that was converted into a wetland and water fowl refuge in the 1700's by the then rulers of Bharatpur, Keoladeo National Park has established itself as one of the most famous bird sanctuaries in the world. The variety of habitats within this tiny, 29-sq km national park, support a bewildering diversity of plant and animal life, dominated by avifauna, both migratory and resident. The park's designation as a Ramsar Site and a World Heritage Site has given it the international recognition that it deserves.

"Despite it elevated status and the protection afforded to it, the park has not been without its problems. Paucity of water on account of competition from irrigation, proliferation of macrophytes and consequent loss of open water habitat resulting mainly from the ban on cattle grazing in the park, and overpopulation of feral cattle left inside the reserve by villages, are some of the management problems that the park authorities have had to contend with. The habitat has deteriorated for some waterfowl, mainly the open water-preferring species such as diving ducks. The increasing inhospitality of the Keoladeo habitat for the long distant migrant, the Siberian crane, has also been reported.

"This illustrated report is based on the findings of a ten year ecology study of Keoladeo National Park undertaken by the Bombay Natural History Society between 1980 and 1990. Third to be published by the WWF-India under the Ramsar Sites of India Series, this publication describes the characteristics of the Keoladeo wetland ecosystem, its biological diversity, prevailing threats to the park, and presents management options. An annotated bibliography is appended."