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Rajasthan Wildlife
Sanctuaries & National Parks
Rajasthan
Wildlife Experience
In spite of a comparatively hostile terrain, Rajasthan surprisingly
is the abode of a number of mammals and birds. Its vast size and
latitudinal variations above the sea level of 1,700m provides it
with varied vegetation. It provides semi green forests of Mount Abu
to dry grasslands of the desert, and from the dry deciduous thorn
forest of Aravali to wetlands of Bharatpur.
The Sanctuaries, an isolated landscape with some backdrops, that
attracts herds of species from all over to their temporary habitat
that provides comfortable subsistence. In the season time, the whole
place echoes with enchanting sounds and fascinating visuals against
the sprawling meadow of flora. Rajasthan is the haven of the tigers
and many endangered species.
» Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary
This is truly a fantasy of
feathers. It is the bird kingdom, where time takes wing. Welcome to
the Keoladeo Ghana National Park at Bharatpur in Rajasthan. Spread
over an area of little over 232 sq kms, Keoladeo derives its name
from the Shiva Temple in the heart of the sanctuary. Formerly known
as the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, ornithologist Salim Ali, is
credited for bringing this park to public notice.
» Ranthambore National Park
The Ranthambore National
Park was the hunting ground of Maharaja of Jaipur. In 1955, it was
declared a game sanctuary; in 1980, it became a national park. But
with the commissioning of Project Tiger in 1972, it was included in
the project. With the addition of neighbouring Keladevi and Mansingh
sanctuaries, the total area of the national park stands at 1,334 sq
km. But the entire park - the core area is just 392 sq kms - is not
open to the public.
» Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary
Sharp cliffs of hills and
narrow valleys of the Aravallis dominate the landscape of Sariska,
whose forests are dry and deciduous. Within the Sariska wildlife
sanctuary there are the ruins of medieval temples of Garh-Rajor,
belonging to the 10th and 11th centuries.
» Keoladeo Ghana National Park
Keoladeo Ghana’ name
signifies the location of the temple of Lord Shiva (Keoladeo) in the
centre of the Park and dense (ghana) forest covering the area. It's
a s oggy
green paradise, an ideal home for a large variety of birds. the most
famous of them being the magnificent but nearly extinct Siberian
crane (Grus leucogeranus). This interlocking ecosystem of woodlands,
swamps, wet prairies and dry Savannah is considered to be one of the
world's richest heronries, where thousands of birds get busy
courting, mating and nesting.
» Gajner Wildlife Sanctuary
The lake and forested hills
of this reserve, 32 km from Bikaner on the Jaisalmer road, are
inhabuted by wildfowl, hares , wild boar, desert foxes and a number
of deer and antelopes including blackbucks and bluebulls. The lake
at Gajner attracts water birds in thousands. Imperial sand gouse
migrate here in winter. Gajner Wildlife Sanctuary, houses the former
Hunting lodge of Bikaner and has a beautiful lake surrounded by a
dense forest.
» Sitamata Wildlife Sanctuary
Sitamata Sanctuary spread
over the Araveli and Vindhyachancal mountain ranges and is the only
forest region where teak trees of building value are found. In this
sanctuary, around 50% trees are of teak. Besides these salar, tendu,
amla, bamboo bel are also found in abundance. The leopard, hyena,
jackal, fox, jungle cat, porcupine, spotted deer, wild bear, four -
horned antelope and Nilgai are the animals found here.
» Tal Chappar Sanctuary
The spectacular Tal Chappar
Wildlife Sanctuary lies on the way of the migratory passage of many
birds. During the month of September, this wild life sanctuary comes
alive with the chirping of various migratory birds including
montagur's, marsh harrier, pale harrier, imperial eagle, tawny
eagle, short toed eagle, sparrow hawk, skylark, crested lark, ring
drove, brown dove, blue jay, green bee eaters, black ibis and
demoiselle cranes.
» Jai Samand Sanctuary
Jaisamand Sanctuary is
situated 50 kms south of Udaipur the picturesque city of lakes
verdant valleys and hills. It is on the bank of Jaisamand Lake, the
second largest artificial Lake in Asia. The sanctuary extends over
an area of 52 sq kms of thick forests land. The leopard, hyena,
jungle cat, fox and wolf are among the carnivores of the sanctuary.
» Khumbalgarh Sanctuary
The majestic fort of
Kumbhalgarh overlooks the 578 sq km. sanctuary. The Aravallis hills,
which remain barren for most of the year, turn green during rains
and provide shelter to sloth bear, leopard, flying squirrel. It is
also the only sanctuary where the Indian wolf is breeding
successfully. Best time to visit is March to May, and September to
November.
» Mount Abu Sanctuary
The highest point of the
Aravallis, the Guru Shikhar, lies in this 289 sq kin sanctuary.
Established in 1960, this provides shelter to the common langaur,
wild boar, sambhar and leopard. The grey jungle fowl can also be
spotted here. Besides, a number of flowering trees enhance the
beauty of this place.
» Desert National Sanctuary
Established in 1980, it is
a colossal park sprawling on 3162 sq km. It ha shrubs and trees in
addition to rolling sand dunes. The wildlife wealth her comprises
fox, desert cat, hare, spiney tail uromastix and sand fish.
Thousands of sparrows, imperial sand grouse during the winter.
» Darah Sanctuary
This area is like one long
strip and nowhere is wider than 6kms. The forest area lies between
two parallel mountain ranges about 52 to 65 kms long. This sa nctuary
is surrounded by the rivers - Chambal, the Kalisindh the Amjhar and
the Ahu, which form its natural boundaries.
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Fast Facts of
Rajasthan Wildlife Sanctuaries
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