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.