Birds nest ahead of time in Keoladeo Park this year

Jaipur, May 17 (UNI) The Keoladeo National Park this year is already agog with sonorous sounds of fledglings and is attracting tourists despite tremendous heat.

The native birds started nesting two months back and laid eggs, which led to their small ones being born ahead of time.

Domestic birds Sarus Night Heron, Open Bridge Stone, Spotbill Grey Heron, Egrets Gormoret laid eggs before schedule this year. Once these fledglings become independent, their mothers are expected to nest again after three-four months. This phenomenon has been made possible after three years in a row.

Keoladeo's director Vijay Kumar Salwan told UNI, ''Normally domestic birds start nesting in June and July but this year they started before time as they could get adequate food in the form of fishes and worms.'' ''Due to good rains last year, the lakes in the park were filled to the brim till a few days back. Water too was released from the Ajaan dam, which did not let the lakes dry this year,'' he added.

''Even birds which come during the winter months stayed here for more days this year because of adequate water,'' he added.

However, tremendous heat wave sweeping the state has reduced the water-levels in the park lakes now.

Mr Salwan, while elaborating about the security of the park, said this year only one pucca road is open which will act as both exit and entry point to the park. And only cycles and cycle rickshaws are currently allowed into the park.

Other small entry points have been closed due to security reasons, he added.

Guards have been posted at night also and there are special fire squads to save the forest in case of a fire, Mr Salwan said.

UNI RRT AK VP1030