World Heritage Identification Number: 340
World Heritage since: 1985
Category: Natural Heritage
WHE Type: Protected Areas & National Parks
Transboundary Heritage: No
Endangered Heritage: No
Country: 🇮🇳 India
Continent: Asia
UNESCO World Region: Asia and the Pacific
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Keoladeo National Park: A Sanctuary for Migratory Birds
The Keoladeo National Park, formerly known as the Keoladeo Ghana National Park, is a significant natural habitat located in the Indian state of Rajasthan. Established as a hunting reserve for the Maharajas of Bharatpur, this park has since evolved into a crucial wintering ground for numerous aquatic bird species that migrate from various regions across Asia.
More to come…UNESCO Description of the World Heritage Site
This former duck-hunting reserve of the Maharajas is one of the major wintering areas for large numbers of aquatic birds from Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, China and Siberia. Some 364 species of birds, including the rare Siberian crane, have been recorded in the park.
UNESCO Justification of the World Heritage Site
Criterion (x): The Keoladeo National Park is a wetland of international importance for migratory waterfowl, where birds migrating down the Central Asian flyway congregate before dispersing to other regions. At time of inscription it was the wintering ground for the Critically Endangered Siberian Crane, and is habitat for large numbers of resident nesting birds. Some 375 bird species have been recorded from the property including five Critically Endangered, two Endangered and six vulnerable species. Around 115 species of birds breed in the park which includes 15 water bird species forming one of the most spectacular heronries of the region. The habitat mosaic of the property supports a large number of species in a small area, with 42 species of raptors recorded.
Encyclopedia Record: Keoladeo National Park
Keoladeo National Park, or Keoladeo Ghana National Park, is a national park in Rajasthan, India. The national park hosts thousands of native, resident and migratory birds, especially during the winter season, when many different species fly to the Indian subcontinent to escape harsh winters further north in Eurasia. At least 400 avian species have been noted or observed in the national park.Additional Site Details
Area: 2,873 hectares
Number of Components: 1
Coordinates: 27.15888889 , 77.50861111
IUCN World Heritage Outlook
The 2025 Conservation Outlook on Keoladeo National Park reports the following assessment:
Source: International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) · View assessment
Image
© Nikhilchandra81, CC BY-SA 3.0 Resized from original. (This derivative is under the same CC BY-SA license.)
World Heritage Research
Discover scientific research and academic studies that deepen our understanding of Keoladeo National Park from its history and significance to its conservation, management, and contemporary challenges.
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An Updated Account of Mammal Species and Population Status of Ungulates in Keoladeo National Park, Bharatpur, Rajasthan
A comprehensive study of Keoladeo National Park (KNP) reveals significant shifts in mammalian diversity and ungulate population dynamics since its designation as a protected area. The research documents the local extinction of eight mammal species, including the blackbuck, while identifying 34 extant species within the park. Line transect surveys estimated densities for key ungulates: chital (52.37 ind/km²), feral cattle (33.66 ind/km²), nilgai (13.68 ind/km²), wild boar (3.21 ind/km²), and sambar (0.32 ind/km²). Notably, habitat generalist species like chital and nilgai have seen increased densities over the past 25 years, contrasting with declines in more specialized species such as the sambar. These findings underscore substantial changes in mammalian diversity, driven by habitat alterations and local extinctions, particularly among carnivores.
Singh, A., Mukherjee, A., Dookia, S., & Kumara, H. N. (2017). An Updated Account of Mammal Species and Population Status of Ungulates in Keoladeo National Park, Bharatpur, Rajasthan. Current Science, 113(01), 103. https://doi.org/10.18520/cs/v113/i01/103-111
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Resource Partitioning in Three Sympatric Species of Storks in Keoladeo National Park, India
A study on resource partitioning among three sympatric stork species—Black-necked Stork, Painted Stork, and Asian Openbill—in Keoladeo National Park, India, revealed that their feeding success is significantly influenced by water depth and habitat use. The Black-necked Stork, a solitary generalist forager, relies on tactile and visual methods with a diet rich in fish, while the Painted Stork and Asian Openbill forage in groups, specializing in fish and snails (Pila spp.), respectively. Differences in prey composition were attributed to variations in feeding behavior and water levels at foraging sites. The study found that peck rate, steps, and success rate varied significantly among the species, with water level playing a crucial role in feeding success. These findings highlight the importance of fine-scale habitat management for the conservation of stork species.
Ishtiaq, F., Javed, S., Coulter, M. C., & Rahmani, A. R. (2010). Resource Partitioning in Three Sympatric Species of Storks in Keoladeo National Park, India. Waterbirds, 33(1), 41–49. https://doi.org/10.1675/063.033.0105
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