KEOLADEO GHANA NATIONAL PARK - ENVIRONMENT

News: Rajasthan plans zoo for dolphins, rhinos inside Bharatpur sanctuary

 

What's in the news?

       The Rajasthan state Forest Department has proposed to construct a zoo inside Keoladeo National Park, a World Heritage Site popularly known as Bharatpur bird sanctuary, to display a range of wetland species, including rhinos, water buffaloes, crocs, dolphins and exotic species.

 

Key takeaways:

       The purpose of this zoo, called Wetland ex-situ Conservation Establishment (WESCE), says the Detailed Project Report (DPR) of the Rajasthan Forestry and Biodiversity Development Project (RFBDP), is “to rejuvenate the bio-diversity of Keoladeo National Park, thereby boosting its outstanding universal values.”

       The Rajasthan Forestry and Biodiversity Development Project (RFBDP) was launched with the support of France for over eight years with a fund of nearly ₹1200 crores.

 

Keoladeo Ghana National Park:

       Keoladeo Ghana National Park formerly known as the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary in Bharatpur, Rajasthan, is a famous avifauna sanctuary that hosts thousands of birds, especially during the winter season.

       Over 230 species of birds are known to be resident.

       It is also a major tourist center.

       It was declared a protected sanctuary in 1971 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

       It is a man-made and man-managed wetland.

       It was designated as a Ramsar site under the Wetland Convention in 1981.

       Keoladeo Ghana National Park comes under the Montreux record of Ramsar Convention along with Loktak lake.