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National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries in Rajasthan |
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Rajasthan is a home of a large variety of wildlife
animals like tiger, black buck, chinkara, Desert fox,
Caracal, wild boar, deer and bear and birds like the
great Indian bustard. Migratory birds like the common
crane, coot, pelican, Siberian crane, imperial sand
goose and falcon visit Rajasthan during the winters.
Rajasthan boasts of two national parks, over a dozen
wildlife sanctuaries and two closed areas. Most of these
wildlife sanctuaries are open to visitors round the year
but are closed during the monsoon. Some of the
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national parks and wildlife
sanctuaries in Rajasthan are as follows:
Chambal Sanctuary, Kota
Chambal Sanctuary is located along the banks of the Chambal
river all the way to its confluence with the river Jamuna,
near Kota. The sanctuary is a breeding ground of the gharial
crocodiles. Besides crocodiles, other wildlife animals like
caracal, wolf, blackbuck and chinkara can also be seen in this
sanctuary.
Desert National Park, Jaisalmer
The Desert National Park is located in the vast tracts of
desert sands around Jaisalmer. The Desert National Park was
established in 1980 in Jaisalmer and covers an area of 3162
square km. The vegetation in the park comprises of very few
grasses, shrubs, and some indigenous trees on the rolling
landscape of sand dunes. The Desert National Park is
associated with the endangered great Indian bustard. This bird
lives in small flocks and has strong legs which are meant for
walking and feeds on everything from cereals and berries to
grasshoppers, locusts and snakes. Other birds which are found
in this park are sandgrouse, gray partridge, quails, peafowl,
bee-eaters, shrikes, orioles, drongos, warblers and babblers.
Houbara, the lesser bustard and the desert courser which
breeds in the Thar on its migratory journey through the desert
can also seen in this park. Thousands of bustards, falcons and
eagles migrate here during the winter. This park supports a
unique variety of wildlife species and reptiles like the
desert hare, hedgehog, Indian wolf, desert cat, fox, spiny
tailed lizard, sandfish, chameleons, and snakes that include
the deadly saw-scaled viper and Sind krait. The best time to
visit this park is during September to March. |
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Keoladeo Ghana National Park,
Bharatpur |
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Keoladeo Ghana National Park, also known as the
Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary was established in 1956 in
Bharatpur. This sanctuary is one of the world's best
bird sanctuaries and the largest bird sanctuary in Asia.
More than 300 species of birds are found in this small
national park of 29 square kms out of which 11 square km
area is covered by marshes and the rest are scrubland
and grassland. During winters, this park is visited by
over 400 species |
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of migratory
water birds including the rare Siberian crane, herons, ibis,
pelicans, egrets, Brahminy ducks and geese from Afghanistan,
Central Asia, Tibet, Siberia and Russia. The best time to
visit this sanctuary is from November to February.
More...
Kumbhalgarh Sanctuary, Kumbhalgarh
The majestic fort of Kumbhalgarh overlooks the 578 square km
Kumbhalgarh sanctuary. The Kumbhalgarh Sanctuary is a very
large sanctuary in the Aravallis, about 120 km from Udaipur.
The Aravallis hills, which remain barren for most of the year,
turn green during monsoon and thus provide shelter to Sloth
bear, Leopard, Deer, Four-horned antelope and Flying squirrel.
It is also the only sanctuary where the Indian wolf is
breeding successfully. The best time to visit this sanctuary
is from March to May and from September to November.
Mount Abu Sanctuary, Mount Abu
Mount Abu Sanctuary is situated at the highest point of
Aravallis, the Guru Shikhar in Mount Abu. This sanctuary is
located on the fringes of the town of Mount Abu and thickly
forested. The slopes of the hills provide some of the state's
most interesting topography, especially in the summers. This
sanctuary covers an area of 289 square km. This sanctuary was
established in 1960 and provides shelter to the common Langur,
Chinkara, Wild boar, Sambhar, Leopard and the grey Jungle
Fowl. |
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Ranthambore
National Park, Ranthambore |
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Ranthambore National Park in Ranthambore is a well known
tiger reserve under Project Tiger. The landscape, with
its lakes, vegetation, the second largest banyan tree,
fort and temples, make it one of the most picturesque
parks in the country. This park covers an area of 392
square km. This national park is the home of a vast
variety of animals. The main attraction of this park is
Tiger. In |
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this park
various other animals like Leopards, Caracals, Jungle Cat,
Hyena, Jackal, Sloth bear, Deer, Antelopes, Nilgai, Sambhar,
Chital, Chinkara, Wild Boar, Porcupines, Indian Hare, Mongoose
and Marsh Crocodile can also be seen in this park. The best
time to visit this park is from November to March.
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Jaisamand Sanctuary, Udaipur
Jaisamand Sanctuary was established in 1957 in Udaipur. This
sanctuary is located on the fringes of the Jaisamand lake, a
vast man-made lake and covers a total area of 160 square km.
This small picturesque sanctuary is the home of Sloth bear,
Leopard, Deer, Chital, Chinkara, Wild boar and birds. Some
crocodiles and fish can also be spotted here. The best time to
visit this sanctuary is between November and January.
Sitamata Sanctuary, Udaipur
Sitamata Sanctuary is located about 108 kms from Udaipur. This
sanctuary is surrounded by the forests of bamboo and dry
deciduous vegetation. This forested sanctuary provides rich
pastures for a variety of animals like Chousingha, Deer,
Caracal, Wild Boar, Pangolin and Leopard. |
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Sariska National Park, Sariska
Sariska National Park is situated in the Aravalli hills
in Alwar and spread over an area of 498 square km.
Sariska was the hunting ground of the erstwhile rulers
of Alwar and was brought under the Project Tiger in
1979. Today this park provides shelter to a large
variety of wildlife animals including Tiger, Sambhar,
Chital, Nilgai, Leopard, Jackal, Hyena, Wild dog,
Four-horned Antelope, Wild Boar, Common Langur, Caracal,
Jungle Cat, Porcupines and Crocodiles. Besides animals,
various birds can also be seen in Sariska National Park.
The ruins of 9th and 10th century AD temple and
Kanakwari fort also exists in this park. The best time
to visit the Sariska National Park is from November to
June.
More...
Talchappar Sanctuary,
Shekhawati
Talchappar Sanctuary is a very small sanctuary, located
in the Shekhawati region. This sanctuary is a |
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home of a
large population of graceful blackbuck. Desert fox, desert
cat, partridges and sandgrouse are also found in this
sanctuary.
Bhensrod Garh Sanctuary, Kota
Bhensrod Garh Sanctuary is a new sanctuary in Kota and about
53 kms from Kota. This sanctuary was established in 1983 and
covers a total area of 229 square km of scrub and dry
deciduous forest. Leopards, Chinkara, Sloth Bear are the main
animals which are found here. The best time to visit this
sanctuary is between October and May.
Darrah Sanctuary, Kota
Darrah Sanctuary was established in 1955 in Kota and covers an
area of 266 square km. Earlier, Darrah sanctuary was the
hunting ground of the Kota Maharajas. This sanctuary is
surrounded by hills and thick forests. The animals which are
found here include wolf, sloth bear, chinkara and leopard. The
best time to visit this sanctuary is between February and May. |
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