Keoladeo Ghana Bird Sanctuary (Formerly Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary) located in Rajasthan is the first  bird sanctuary in India. Keoladeo Ghana Bird Sanctuary (or Bharatpur National Park) was created around 250 years ago and was named after a Shiva temple located within the forest by the Rajput King Maharaja Suraj Mal. Keoladeo. Ghana Bird Sanctuary was announced as a bird sanctuary in 1971 and is famous for conserving more than 230 species of birds.

The oldest water bird sanctuary in India is the Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary located in Tamil Nadu. It was established in 1936. The protected area is the home of above 1000 species of birds .

The first sanctuary or national park established in India is Manas National Park or Manas Wildlife Sanctuary which is many in one -a national park, UNESCO Natural World Heritage site, a Project Tiger reserve, an elephant reserve and a biosphere reserve in Assam, India. The Manas National Park was declared a sanctuary on 1 October 1928 with an area of 360 km2. Manas bioreserve was created in 1973. Prior to the declaration of the sanctuary it was a reserved forest called Manas R.F. and North Kamrup R.F. The park is known for its rare and endangered endemic wildlife such as the Assam roofed turtle, hispid hare, golden langur and pygmy hog. Manas is famous for its population of the wild water buffalo.

Arun:

Kindly have a look at this link for insights:

http://www.thrillophilia.com/blog/top-10-wildlife-sanctuaries-in-india/

Best

Syed

Dear Arun,

Vedanthangal is the oldest water bird sanctuary in the country. It is famous home to  to many migratory birds such as pintail, garganey, grey wagtail, blue-winged teal, common sandpiper , etc.  More than 40,000 birds (including 26 rare species), from various parts of the world visit the sanctuary during the migratory season every year

In 1936, the park was notified as a sanctuary, and in 1962, the Madras Forest Act legally accorded the status of a reserve forest to Vedanthangal.In 1972 it was declared as a wildlife sanctuary. In the government order dated 8 July 1988, the area was declared as 'Vedanthangal Lake Bird Sanctuary', under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972.

I have previously stated in detail about the first bird sanctuary in India i.e. Keoladeo. Ghana Bird Sanctuary which was announced as a bird sanctuary in 1971.

Now Arun, i think, it  is clear to you that that Keoladeo. Ghana Bird Sanctuary is the oldest and 1st bird sanctuary in India.

Best wishes

Jayanta K. Biswas

Arun:

You may also like to have a look at this link:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keoladeo_National_Park

Best

Syed

Please have a look at these links also.

http://www.walkthroughindia.com/wildlife/top-10-famous-bird-sanctuaries-of-india/

http://indianwildlifeclub.com/ezine/view/details.aspx?aid=324

Please go through this link

http://www.envfor.nic.in/sites/default/files/protected-area-network.pdf

Keoladeo National Park (KNP), a Ramsar site as well as world heritage site, is one of the most enchanting waterfowl rejfuges of the world and home to rich biological diversity. The park was declared a 'Ramsar site' in October 1981 on the basis of ecological, botanical, zoological and limnological criteria. The word 'Keoladeo' signifies the location of the temple of Lord Shiva (Keoladeo) in the centreof park. Formerly it was known as ('Ghana Bird Sanctuary', the first bird sanctuary( because of dense (Ghana) forests covering the area.