Despite being dominated by arid land at some part of the state, Rajasthan
is immensely rich in wildlife. The forest reserve of Rajasthan is a haven
for a wide spectrum of wildlife. The topography of Rajasthan ranges from the
barren desert, scrub-thorn arid forests, rocks and ravines to wetlands and
lush, green forests. And each of these areas are home to a large variety of
animal and bird life. Some of them rare while some endangered.
Rajasthan is home to many animals and birds. Rajasthan boasts of two
National Parks, over a dozen Sanctuaries and two Closed Areas. The forest,
National Parks and wildlife sanctuaries of Rajasthan habours , tigers, black
bucks, chinkara, the rare desert fox, the endangered caracal, the great
Indian bustard, gavial, monitor lizard, wild boars, porcupine. Migratory
birds like the common crane, ducks, coots, pelicans and the rare Siberian
cranes, imperial sand grouse, falcons, buzzards flocks to this state during
the winter months.
The whole bio-diversity of Rajasthan is rich with great varieties of flora
and fauna. The water lily and lotus, peafowl and tree pie, dung beetle and
looper caterpillar, cobra and viper, to name a few of the great variety, are
all part of the rich natural heritage of this state.
Several jungles with varied flora and fauna have been conserved by the
state government to preserve the life and henceforth the ecosystem and the
bio-diversity.
Some of the best known wildlife sanctuaries are :
Ranthambore National Park
This is the state's most well-known tiger reserve under Project Tiger. One
can spot sambhar, cheetal, wild boar, leopard, sloth bear, jackal, hyena
among others. Artificial lakes, dense forests and the shield of the
Aravallis have helped to make this park very impressive and interesting.
Bharatpur Bird
Sanctuary (now, Keoladeo National Park)
Declared a National Park in 1983, this 29 sq km park is one of the world's
greatest breed gorund for herons. Over 10,000 nests of egrets, darters,
cormorants, grey herons and storks hatch nearly 20,000 to 30,000 chicks
every year here. Infinite variety of migratory birds can be spotted here
every year. Mammals like the sambhar, blackbuck, chital, nilgai, fishing
cat, otter and mongoose are also found here.
Sariska Wildlife
Sanctuary
The other tiger land in Rajasthan which was brought under Project Tiger in
1979. Other than leopard, sambhar, nilgai, wild dog, and chinkara, the ruins
of 9th and 10th century temples also exist here.
Other sanctuaries are :
Sitamata, Darrah, Chambal, Tal Chapper, Jamwa Ramgarh, Kaila Devi, Van
Vihar, Ramgarh, Shergarh, Todgarh-Rad and Jawahar Sagar, Bhensrod Garh
Sanctuary, Desert National Sanctuary, Jaisamand Sanctuary, Kumbhalgarh
Sanctuary, Mount Abu Sanctuary.
