Rajasthan is a haven of wildlife. The topography of Rajasthan ranges from the barren desert, scrub-thorn and forests, rock and ravines to wetlands and lush, green forests. And each of these are houses a large variety of animal and bird life, some of them rare, while some endangered. Rajasthan is the home of the tigers, black bucks, chinkara, the rare desert fox the endangered caracal, the great Indian bustard, gavial, monitor lizard wild boars, porcupines... Migratory birds like the common crane, ducks, coots, pelicans and the rare Siberian cranes, imperial sandgrouse, falcons, buzzards... flock to this State during the winter months. Typical areas representing each of the ecosystems have been earmarked as special are for the protection and management wildlife. Rajasthan boasts of two National Parks, over a dozen Sanctuaries and two Closed Areas.
Ranthambore National Park :
Ranthambore National Park is situated in India' s north western state of Rajasthan, near the town of Sawai Madhopur, midway between Bharatpur and Kota townships. It is surrounded by the Vindhya and Aravali hill ranges and is very near to the outer fringes of the Thar Desert. The entire area has sprawling tracts of the desert and semi-desert vegetation. Originally a hunting ground of the Maharaja of Jaipur, Ranthambore was declared a game sanctuary in 1955. In 1980, it became a national park and listed among the reserves protected under Project Tiger (1973). Presently the Kaila Devi Sanctuary, also famous for its tigers, and Mansingh Sanctuary also form part of Ranthambore Reserve Best time to visit is October to April.
Keoladeo Ghana National Park, Bharatpur :
Declared a National Park in 1983, this 29 sq km park is one of the world’s greatest heronries. Its shallow, fresh water marsh attracts thousands of migratory birds. Over 10,000 nests of egrets, darters, cormorants, grey herons and storks hatch nearly 20,000 to 30,000 chicks every year. There is an infinite variety of migratory birds. Mammals like the sambhar, black buck, chital, nilgai, fishing cat, otter and mongoose also roam freely here. Best time to visit is August to February.
Sariska Tiger Reserve :
Sariska National Park lies in the Aravalli hills and is the former hunting preserve of the Maharaja of Alwar. Sariska itself is a wide valley with two large plateaus and is dotted with places of historical and religious interest, including the ruins of the Kankwari Fort, the 10th century Neelkanth temples, the Budha Hanumab Temple near Pandupol, the Bharthari Temple near the park office, and the hot and cold springs of Taalvriksh. The large Siliserh Lake is at the north-eastern corner. The forests are dry deciduous, with trees of Dhak, Acacia, Ber and Salar.
Bhensrod Garh Sanctuary :
A fairly new sanctuary, it was established in 1983 and covers a total area of 229 sq km of scrub and dry deciduous forest. Leopards, chinkara, sloth bear can be spotted here if one is lucky. The best time to visit is between October and May.
Darrah Sanctuary :
Previously the hunting ground of the Kota maharajas, this sanctuary was established in 1955 and covers an area of 266 sq km. This hilly sanctuary with its thick forests is worth a visit. The animals here include wolf, sloth bear, chinkara and leopard. The best time to visit is between February and May.
Desert National Sanctuary :
Established in 1980, it is colossal park sprawling on 3162 sq km. The Desert National Park is an excellent example of the ecosystem of the Thar desert and its diverse fauna. Sand dunes form around 20% of the Park. The major landform consists of craggy rocks and compact salt lake bottoms, intermedial areas and fixed dunes which are quite suitable for the chinkara to move at high speed. The blackbuck is another common antelope of this region. Its other notable inhabitants are the desert fox, Bengal fox, wolf and desert cat.
Sambhar Lake Wildlife Sanctuary :
Sambhar is India's largest saline lake, 190 sq km in extent at full capacity, and lays some 60 km west of Jaipur, just outside prosaically named Salt Lake City. It stretches in length for 22.5 km, its width varying between 3 and 11 km. Several seasonal freshwater streams, two of the major ones being the rivers Mendha and Rupangarh, feed it.There is a sharp briny tang in the air that takes one straight back to coastal fish markets.
Gajner Wildlife Sanctuary :
The lake and forested hills of this reserve, 32 km from Bikaner on the Jaisalmer road, are inhabited by wildfowl, hares , wild boar, desert foxes and a number of deer and antelopes including black bucks and blue bulls. The lake at Gajner attracts water birds in thousands. Imperial sand house migrate here in winter. Gajner Wildlife Sanctuary, houses the former Hunting lodge of Bikaner and has a beautiful lake surrounded by a dense forest.
Jaisamand Sanctuary :
Established in 1957,this sanctuary is located beside the man-made lake of the same name. Covering a total area of 160 sq km, it harbours sloth bear, leopard, chital, chinkara, wild boar and a number of birds. Some crocodiles and fish can also be spotted here. Best time to visit is between November and January.
Kumbhalgarh Sanctuary :
The majestic fort of Kumbhalgarh overlooks the 578 sq km sanctuary. The Aravalis hills, which remain barren for most of the year, turn green 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 Aravalis, the Guru Shikhar, lies in this 289 sq km 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 threes enhance the beauty of this place.
Akal Wood Fossils Park :
18 kms from Jaisalmer is the Akal wood fossils which is about 180 million years of age. Sea shells and massive fossilized tree trunks in this park record the geological history of the desert. The whole area is now preserved for posterity as a natural wonder. The area of wood fossil Park, Akal is 21 hectare. It is 15 kilometer form Jaisalmer on the Jaisalmer Barmer road. The fossilized wood logs are lying prostrate in random orientation. 25 wood logs are visible on the surface of which 10 are well exposed. The largest exposed log is 7 m. in length and 1.5 m.in. width. There are more wood fossils lying deep under the surface. Evidence of similar fossils are surfacing in many other areas in Jaisalmer region.
