Rajasthan: Panchna Dam Waters Attract Rare Pelicans To Bharatpur Sanctuary

Nearly 50 pelicans, including Great White and Dalmatian species, have arrived at Keoladeo National Park in Bharatpur.

Bharatpur: Rajasthan’s Keoladeo National Park, widely known as Ghana Bird Sanctuary, has begun hosting one of the largest groups of avian guests–pelicans–with approximately 50 birds currently inhabiting the park’s ‘K’ block, officials said. The number of pelicans is expected to rise in the coming days, bringing excitement to bird lovers and tourists alike, they added.

According to the park’s director, Manas Singh, sufficient water from the Panchana Dam has created ideal conditions for pelicans to thrive. “Around 50 pelicans have already arrived. In 2022, we saw hundreds of pelicans due to water availability from the same source, and this year’s favourable environmental conditions are expected to yield similar results,” Singh said.

The Great White Pelican and the Dalmatian Pelican are the two main pelican species found in the park. Great White Pelicans are renowned for their eye-catching appearance. They have long, pink and yellow bills with characteristic pouches that help them capture fish.

To get to Bharatpur, these birds fly thousands of kilometers from southeast Europe.

Standing nearly six feet tall, weighing 9 to 15 kilograms, with wingspans reaching up to 12 feet, these pelicans are among the largest marine birds in the world.

According to Singh, “this is not only exciting for bird lovers, but it’s also a great indicator of the sanctuary’s ecological health.” He highlighted the park’s well-preserved biodiversity by explaining that pelicans only flourish in places with an abundance of food and water.

In addition to being aesthetically pleasing, pelicans play an important role in maintaining ecological balance by consuming fish and other small aquatic animals. Their existence demonstrates the sanctuary's ability to support a wide range of species due to conservation efforts and the water supply provided by the Panchana Dam.