Keoladeo World Heritage Site (27º7’6”N – 27º 12’2”N and 77º 29’5” E – 77º 33’9”E) is a 29 sq.km. area situated on the extreme western edge of the Gangetic basin that was once confluence of Rivers Gambhir and Banganga in Bharatpur district in the State of Rajasthan. KWHS has a unique mosaic of habitats that include wetlands, woodlands, scrub forests, grasslands that supports an amazing diversity of both plant and animal species. Keoladeo WHS’s flora consists of over 372 species of angiosperms of which 96 species are aquatic species.
The fauna includes more than 350 species of birds which include 42 species of raptors and 9 species of owls, 34 species of mammals, 22 species of reptiles, 8 species of amphibians, 57 species of fishes and 71 species of butterflies, more than 30 species of dragonflies and more than 30 species of spiders inhabit the park. Owing to the abundance of the birds, KNP is often referred as ‘Birders Paradise’.
The Salim Ali Visitor Interpretation Centre, Keoladeo National Park, Bharatpur has been conferred the Best Asian Wetland Centre Award 2010 by Wetland Links International. The award was given to Aditi and Abhishek by Chris Rostron (Director, WLI) and the Head of Malaysia Nature Society during the Wetland Link International Symposium being held in Malaysia. Participants here are from many countries including China, Japan, Philippines, Hongkong, Iran, Iraq and Malaysia, of course. The aim of the award is to identify and reward best practice wetland centres in Asia.
The criteria was:-
- Range of interpretation materials and displays.
- Work to involve and engage local communities in the centre's activities.
- Events and activities aimed at broad cross-section of visitors.
- Work on active conservation of species and habitats.
- Innovative approaches to wetland education and engagement.
- Active engagement in the wider WLI network i.e. work with other partners, contributions to website etc.
