The fight to save Bharatpur

Ornithology is the study of birds. When we look at ornithology in India, the name of Dr. Salim Ali stands out.

Dr. Salim Ali was one of the foremost ornithologists and naturalists of our country. Though formal education held no interest for the young Salim, he could spend hours observing birds and noting their behaviour. 

Salim Ali's career began well before India gained independence. Once, the Raja of one of India's princely states invited Salim Ali for a visit. There was an extensive man made wetland of over 7,000 acres in this state, which was the nesting ground of innumerable species of both resident and migrant birds. The local people called it 'ghanaa' which meant a dense forest. They called the man made lakes in this forest 'jheels'.

During that period, the 'ghanaa' was used exclusively by the Raja as a shooting preserve for himself, and for his guests. The resident and migrant birds who nested in the trees around the 'jheels' provided ample opportunities to those interested in bagging birds.

Salim Ali and his associates carried out bird ringing exercises here. They would capture birds and attach lightweight, numbered metal rings to their legs. This helped to keep track of the birds' subsequent movements, and helped understand their migration, longevity, feeding behaviour, and other aspects.

One of the unique features of the 'ghanaa' was that it was possible to observe birds throughout the autumn and winter, which was unique in the subcontinent. A few species were permanent residents of the area, while other species visited it in winter, having migrated from colder regions.

After about a decade, the British prepared to leave our country. The Raja was willing to merge his state with India. However, he retained the rights to shoot birds in the 'ghanaa'. The Raja had enemies within his state, who wanted to make him eat humble pie. They had plans to get the 'jheels' drained, and parcel  out the land. These people portrayed him as a selfish person who wanted to keep the 'ghanaa' for his own use, and thus deprive farmers of fertile land.

The people who wanted to gobble the land, had taken their plans to an advanced stage. The 'ghanaa' and the 'jheels' were in danger of being lost forever.

However, Salim Ali and two other ornithologists, who were visiting the Raja at the time, got wind of these plans. It was a dark hour for one of the best bird habitats of India. The situation was so dire that Salim Ali and his two friends had to appeal to no less than the Prime Minister to intervene. The Prime Minister heard their appeal, and asked the Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation to take up the matter.

This Ministry studied the charges of deprivation of land and water, and reconciled the matter in such a way that the 'ghanaa' and the 'jheels' were preserved. The area was officially declared a Bird Sanctuary in 1956 and it was upgraded to a National Park in 1982. In 1985, UNESCO included it among the World Heritage Sites.

Toastmasters and guests, the 'ghanaa' and the 'jheels' belong to the Keoladeo National Park in Rajasthan. Numerous species of geese, storks, ibis, egrets, flamingos and cranes are to be seen in the Park. In addition, birds of prey such as ospreys, falcons, and eagles inhabit the Park. The total count of bird species observed in the Park is no less than 370!

The Park gives sanctuary to at least 27 species of mammals, including spotted deer, nilgai, blackbuck and sambur. The jungle cat, leopard cat and the golden jackal find a home here.

If it were not for the action taken by Salim Ali and his two colleagues, and the prompt response from the Union Government, this natural treasure of  our country would have been lost. The 'jheels' would have been drained, and the birds and wild animals living around them would have been literally left high and dry. Fortunately, they still have the habitat they need, and continue to give us a glimpse of the natural diversity of our country.