Desert National Park is situated in Jaisalmer and Barmer districts, Rajasthan.
The major landform consists of craggy rocks and compact salt lake bottoms, intermedial areas and fixed dunes.
It falls within the Thar Desert, also known as the Great Indian Desert, which is the most arid region in India. The Luni river flows through Thar Desert.
Vegetation: Open grassland, thorny bushes, and dunes.
Major Flora: Patches of sewan grass and aak shrub.
Major Avifauna: Great Indian bustard (CR), eagles, harriers, falcons, buzzards, and vultures.
Major Fauna: Chinkara or Indian Gazelle, desert fox.
Keoladeo Ghana National Park, Ramsar Site
Keoladeo Ghana National Park, formerly known as Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, it is a freshwater swamp. It gets flooded during the monsoon.
It is a famous avifauna sanctuary that hosts thousands of birds, especially during the winter season. It is a Ramsar Site and UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Chilika Lake (Orissa) and Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan) were recognized as the first Ramsar Sites of India in 1981.
Currently, Keoladeo National Park and Loktak Lake (Manipur) are in Montreux record.
Gambhir and Banganga are two rivers that flow through this National Park.
Vegetation: tropical dry deciduous forests, dry grasslands and wetlands.
It is the only regular wintering area in India for the Siberian crane (CR).
Major Avifauna: Migratory waterfowl, sarus crane (VU) (large non-migratory crane found in parts of India).
Major Fauna: Blackbuck, hog deer, chital deer, sambar.
Mukundra Hills National Park, Tiger Reserve
Mukundara Hills National Park, previously known as Darrah Wildlife Sanctuary, it is located within the Kathiawar-Gir dry deciduous forests ecoregion.
The park is situated in a valley formed by two parallel mountains viz. Mukundra and Gargola.
The 4 rivers (Ramzan, Ahu, Kali and Chambal) form the boundary of the valley.
It is located on the eastern bank of the Chambal River and is drained by its tributaries.
Like Sita Mata Wildlife Sanctuary, Mukandara hills National Park was one of the places which were considered for the reintroduction of the Asiatic lion.
Parks and Sanctuaries Included: The Mukundra Tiger Reserve constitutes 3 Wildlife Sanctuaries viz; Darrah, Jawahar Sagar and Chambhal and covers 4 key districts of Rajasthan (Kota, Bundi, Chittorgarh and Jhalawar). The forest of the reserve is very thick and dense.
Ramgarh Vishdhari Wildlife Sanctuary is a tiger reserve in Bundi district, Rajasthan.
It is in continuation with the buffer area of Ranthambore tiger reserve on the North-eastern side and Mukundara Hills tiger reserve on the southern side.
The government is making efforts to strengthen the prey base by transferring chital (spotted deer) from Ghana Bird Sanctuary (Karauli) to Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve, Keoladeo National Park, and Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve.
River: Mez, a tributary of the Chambal River, passes through the tiger reserve.
Vegetation: Dry Deciduous Forest
Topography: It varies from gentle slopes to steep rocky cliffs, from the flat-of hills of Vindhyas to the conical hillocks and sharp ridges of the Aravallis.
Its flora consists of Dhok, Khair, Salar, Khirni trees with some Mango and Ber trees.
The Fauna consists of birds and animals like Leopard, Sambhar, Wild boar, Chinkara, Sloth bear, Indian Wolf, Hyena, Jackal, Fox, deer and Crocodile.
Ranthambhore National Park, Tiger Reserve
It is bounded to the north by the Banas River and to the south by the Chambal River.
According to experts, there is overcrowding at the Ranthambore reserve. The Rajasthan government has announced its plan to develop the Bundi Wildlife Sanctuary as a Tiger Reserve to provide a second habitat for tigers in the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve.
Vegetation: Dry deciduous forests and grasslands.
Major Fauna: Bengal Tiger, leopard, nilgai, sambar. It is also the natural habitat for the Indian Star tortoise.
Major Reptilian Fauna: Mugger crocodile.
Threats: Poaching, poisoning of tigers by villagers, habitat fragmentation.
Sariska National Park, Tiger Reserve
Sariska Tiger Reserve is located in Alwar District of Rajasthan, and part of the Aravalli Rangeand theKathiawar-Gir dry deciduous forests’ ecoregion. It is rich in mineral resources, such as copper.
Vegetation: Arid forests, dry deciduous forests, scrub-thorn and grasslands.
Major Fauna: Royal Bengal Tiger, Indian leopard, golden jackal, chital, sambar deer, nilgai, rhesus macaque.
Threats: Marble mining, habitat loss and poaching.
In 2005, it was reported that there were no tigers left in Sariska. In 2008, two tigers from Ranthambhore National Park were relocated to Sariska Tiger Reserve.
The Sanctuary houses ruined temples, forts, pavilions and a palace.
Kankarwadi fort is located in the center of the Reserve and it is said that Mughal emperor Aurangzeb had imprisoned his brother Dara Shikoh at this fort in struggle for succession to the throne.
The Reserve also houses a famous temple of lord Hanuman at Pandupole related to Pandavas.
Wildlife Sanctuaries of Rajasthan
Bhensrodgarh Wildlife Sanctuary
Bhainsrodgarh Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the town of Bhainsrogarh in the Chittorgarh district of Rajasthan, Near Rana Pratap Sagar Dam (on Chambal River).
The sanctuary is surrounded by the Aravalli Hills and provides a habitat for various wildlife species such as wild boar, four-horned antelopes, leopards, jackals, chinkara, and more.
Mukundara Hills (Darrah) Wildlife Sanctuary
It consists of three wildlife sanctuaries: Darrah Wildlife Sanctuary, Chambal Wildlife Sanctuary, and Jawahar Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary.
Jaisamand Wildlife Sanctuary
It is located in Udaipur around Dhebar Lake (Jaisamand Lake). Dhebar lake is one of the largest artificial lakes in India.
Govind Ballabh Pant Sagar on Rihand River (a tributary of Son River) is India’s largest artificial lake.
The forest of the Sanctuary used to be a Shikargah (Game Reserve) of the erstwhile Maharanas of Mewar.
Vegetation: Dry deciduous forests, and scrub forests.
Flora: The flora of this Sanctuary comprises of thickly wooded forests of mainly Teak wood.
Fauna:
It is habitat to a large variety of animals like Bears, Black Bucks, Blue Bulls, Chinkaras, Chittal or Spotted Deer, Civets, Common Langurs, Four-horned Antelope, Foxes etc.
It is also home to a huge variety of over 300 species of resident as well as migratory birds like Babblers, Buzzards, Curlews, Dalmatian Pelicans, Darters, Doves, Eagles, Egrets, Falcons, etc.
Debar Lake (Jaisamand Lake):
It is renowned for being the second largest artificial lake in Asia.
In 1685, Maharana Jai Singh built this lake while making a dam on the Gomti River.
The lake receives water from four main rivers, the Gomti, Jhamari, Rooparel and Bagaar.
The massive dam was constructed on this lake also houses a centrally located Shiva temple.
The northern end of the lake has a palace with a courtyard while its southern end has a pavilion of 12 pillars.
Islands:
There are seven islands on the lake and the tribe of Bhil Minas inhabit these islands.
There are two main islands which are large in size. The biggest island is called Babaka Bhagra while the smallest is called “Piari”.
Jamwa Ramgarh Wildlife Sanctuary
Jamwa Ramgarh Wildlife Sanctuary is located near the city of Jaipur in the state of Rajasthan.
It derives its name from the Ramgarh Dam.
The Banganga River passes through the Jamwa Ramgarh Wildlife Sanctuary.
Jawahar Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary
The Jawahar Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in the south eastern region of the Rajasthan in Chittorgarh district.
It is located near the Jawahar Sagar Dam (over the Chambal River) in Kota.
Jawahar Sagar Dam is the third dam in the Chambal Valley Projects. It is located upstream of Kota Barrage and downstream of Rana Pratap Sagar.
There are several gorges in the Chambal river bed which are ideally suited for crocodile and Gharial.
The sanctuary is a part of Mukundra Hills National Park.
Kailadevi Wildlife Sanctuary
The Kailadevi Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Karauli district of the state of Rajasthan, within the Aravalli Range.
The Kailadevi Wildlife Sanctuary is the northern extension of the Ranthambore National Park and falls within the buffer zone of the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve.
It is bounded on west by Banas River and on south by Chambal River.
Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary
Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Sirohi district of Rajasthan.
It is located in one of the oldest mountain ranges of India, the Aravalli range.
In altitude, it ranges from 300 to 1,722 m at Guru Shikhar (highest peak in Rajasthan).
National Chambal Wildlife Sanctuary
It is located on the Chambal River near the tripoint of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.
The National Chambal Sanctuary is home to critically endangered Gharial (small crocodiles), the red-crowned roof turtle and the endangered Ganges River dolphin.
Chambal supports the largest population of Gharials in the wild.
It is listed as an important bird area (IBA).
Topography: The topography is full of ravines, hills & sandy beaches.
Vegetation: It is part of the Kathiar-Gir dry deciduous forest ecoregion.
Ramgarh Vishdhari Wildlife Sanctuary
It is located in Bundi and is recently upgraded to Tiger Reserve.
Sawaimadhopur Wildlife Sanctuary
It is a part of Ranthambore Tiger Reserve.
Ranthambore Tiger Reserve lies in the eastern part of Rajasthan state in Karauli and Sawai Madhopur districts, at the junction of the Aravali and Vindhya hill ranges.
It comprises the Ranthambore National Park as well as Sawai Mansingh and Kailadevi Sanctuaries.
Sawai Man Singh Wildlife Sanctuary
It is a part of Ranthambore Tiger Reserve.
Sitamata Wildlife Sanctuary
It is situated in Pratapgarh and Chittaurgarh.
It was once considered for the reintroduction of the Asiatic lion.
Tal Chhapar Wildlife Sanctuary
Tal Chhapar Wildlife Santuary is located in Sujangarh tehsil of Rajasthan’s Churu district.
It is situated on the border of the Great Indian Thar Desert.
It was established as a “Reserved area” in 1962 and was given the status of a sanctuary in 1966.
Topography: This Sanctuary has nearly flat territory and combined thin low lying region.
Fauna:
The sanctuary is home to over 4,500 Blackbucks, Chinkara, and more than 250 species of birds, including migratory raptors.
It is a distinctive shelter of the most graceful Antelope seen in India, “the Blackbuck”.
It is one of the top halting places for migratory birds such as harriers. The migratory birds come from Central Asia and Europe.
Flora: It has got open and wide grasslands with spread Acacia and Prosopis plants that offer it a look of a characteristic Savanna.
Bandh Baratha Wildlife Sanctuary
The Band Baretha Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Bayana Tehsil of Bharatpur district of Rajasthan.
It is situated around the Band Baretha Dam on the Kakund River.
Bassi Wildlife Sanctuary
Bassi Wildlife Sanctuary is located near Bassi in Chittorgarh district of Rajasthan.
The sanctuary is located on the western border of the Vindhyachal Ranges and includes the Orai and Bassi dam as part of the sanctuary.
Nahargarh Wildlife Sanctuary
Located in the vicinity of Nahargarh Fort on the outskirts of Jaipur.
The sanctuary has been named Nahar, because it falls under Nahar Village (Nahad village).
It encompasses a large area of 720 hectares and is situated under the Aravalli range.
It is home to 285 species of birds, Asiatic lions, Bengal tigers, sloth bear, hyenas, panthers, deer, crocodiles etc.
Nahargarh Biological Park (NBP) is famous for the lion safaris.
It has now become a convenient breeding centre of lions.
Nahargarh Fort:
Nahargarh Fort was made by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II as a defence mechanism for the Jaipur city.
It is a magnificent fort offering panoramic views of the Pink City.
Kesarbagh Wildlife Sanctuary
Kesar Bagh Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in the Dholpur district of Rajasthan.
It is located near the Chambal River, which is known for its clean water and the presence of rare river dolphins and crocodiles.
Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary
It is situated in the Rajsamand district of Rajasthan.
The wildlife sanctuary encompasses the historic Kumbhalgarh Fortand is also named after the fort.
It acts as a dividing line between Mewar and Marwar, two different parts of Rajasthan.
Rivers:
River Banas also graces the sanctuary and is the primary source of water.
The rainwater on the western slopes flows as small rivers such as Sukdi, Mithdi, Sumer and Kot, all of which are the tributaries of River Luni that ultimately merge into the Arabian Sea.
Flora:
Many types of flora are found here, mainly a variety of herbal flora like Dhok, Salar and Khair.
Many trees and plants and medicinal plants with herbal properties are also included in it.
Fauna:
It provides a suitable habitat for endangered and rare wild animals, including four-horned antelope, sambar, wild boar, nilgai, sloth bear, leopard and caracal.
There are a large number of birds to be sighted here, the most common one spotted here is the grey jungle fowl.
Phulwari Ki Nal Wildlife Sanctuary
Phulwari Ki Nal Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Udaipur District of Rajasthan. It is situated in the southern Aravalli Hills, bordering the state of Gujarat.
Some of the notable fauna found in the sanctuary include the large-tailed nightjar, flying squirrel, three-striped palm squirrel, Asian chameleons, Indian star tortoise, mouse deer, four-horned antelope, and panther.
Ramsagar Wildlife Sanctuary
Ramsagar Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in Dholpur district of Rajasthan.
It is in close proximity to the popular Van Vihar Wildlife Sanctuary.
The sanctuary is characterized by the Ramsagar Lake which surrounds it on all four sides.
Sajjangarh Wildlife Sanctuary
Sajjangarh Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Udaipur District of Rajasthan in the southern Aravalli Hills.
The Sanctuary lies around the Sajjangarh Fort, built by the erstwhile Maharana Sajjan Singh of Mewar in 1874 on Bansdara Hill.
It is famous for Long-billed vulture, commonly known as the Indian vulture.
Shergarh Wildlife Sanctuary
Shergarh Wildlife Sanctuary, located in the Baran district of Rajasthan, to the east of Mukundara Hills National Park.
The sanctuary is situated near the ancient Shergarh Fort. The fort adds historical and cultural significance to the area.
The sanctuary houses Jain and Brahmanical temples, making it a site of religious importance frequently visited by pilgrims.
The sanctuary is bordered by the Parban River, providing water sources and habitat for wildlife.
Todgarh Raoli Wildlife Sanctuary
Todgarh Raoli Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the state of Rajasthan, India. It extends over the districts of Ajmer, Pali, and Rajsamand. The sanctuary is situated in the middle of the Aravalli ranges.
Van Vihar Wildlife Sanctuary
Van Vihar Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Dholpur district.
It is situated in the Vindhyan range.
Ramsar Sites of Rajasthan
Keoladeo National Park
It is a complex of ten artificial seasonal marshes. Vegetation is scrub and open grassland.
The invasive growth of the grassPaspalum distichum has reduced its suitability for certain waterbird species, notably the Siberian Crane (CR).
Placed on the Montreux Record in 1990 due to water shortage and an unbalanced grazing.
Sambhar Lake
The Sambhar lake basin is spread, at the confluence of three districts of Rajasthan namely Jaipur, Nagaur and Ajmer close to the desert fringe line. It is surrounded on all sides by the Aravali hills.
The vegetation present in the catchment area is mostly xerophytic type.
Xerophyte is a plant adapted for growth under dry conditions.
The lake receives water from six rivers: Mantha, Rupangarh, Khari, Khandela, Medtha and Samod.
It is India’s largest inland saltwater lake. It is a key wintering area for Flamingos (LC).
Fauna: Flamingoes, pelicans and the waterfowls are commonly sighted at the Sambhar Lake.
