After witnessing a good monsoon, the Keoladeo National Park, home to thousands of migratory birds who fly here to hibernate, was hoping to have a better tourist season. In a bid to provide better amenities to the tourists, the authorities began construction of a parking lot. However, they seem to be oblivious of the fact that the noise of the heavy machines at work is disturbing the winged visitors, who had just begun roosting. According to wildlife activists, the 29 square km area, which is being cleared for the construction, is a nesting and breeding ground for a few native species of owl and parakeets. "The new parking lot is being developed inside the main gate of the park, which is a clear disturbance to the birds perching on nearby trees. Moreover, trees are being cut for the development work and this is unacceptable," Pradeep Sharma, a wildlife researcher, told DNA. Officials are, however, in denial. Talking to DNA, an officer of the park said that the construction work is being done near the entry gate. "We have got `2.6 crore from the Union government for improving the tourist facilities at Keoladeo. Therefore, we have started developing a parking space beside the park gate. We are not disturbing the flora and fauna of the park. The construction work is a part of the management plan and has been approved by higher authorities," K Anup, deputy chief wildlife warden, Bharatpur, said. Despite protests, Keoladeo authorities are planning to go ahead with the developmental work. "We are planning to develop the basic facilities and will also renovate the orientation centre near the main entrance," K Anup said.