Wildlife in Rajasthan

Wildlife in Rajasthan is known as a hot and arid destination which is also home to the famed Thar Desert. However, this India’s largest state is still quite rich in wildlife and is blessed with a variety of vegetation and a plethora of animal and bird species. In fact, Rajasthan is one of the top destinations in India for tiger sighting and birdwatching.

The state has semi green forests; mountainous terrains; dry grasslands; dry deciduous thorn forest and even wetlands for a biodiverse wildlife to thrive. There are about 480 species of plants and trees that can be found in Rajasthan. It is also home to a number of national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and bird sanctuaries that make it to the top wildlife holiday destinations in India.

For tiger sighting, Rajasthan offers Ranthambore National and Sariska National Park, while for birdwatching, UNESCO World Heritage Site Keoladeo National park along with Tal Chhapar, Van Vihar, and Jorbeed make for the best destinations in the state. The Desert National Park is home to the critically endangered species of Great Indian Bustard. Apart from these, Rajasthan is home to a large number of leopards, blackbuck, great Indian spotted eagle, and marsh crocodiles.

Wildlife in Rajasthan
- Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary
- Darrah Wildlife Sanctuary
- Desert National Park
- Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary
- Ranthambore National Park
- Sariska National Park

SARISKA NATIONAL PARK
Set amid the Aravali Hills, Sariska Tiger Reserve covers an area of 800 sq km of grassland, dry deciduous forests and rocky landscape. Right from camel safaris to visiting medieval palaces and wildlife watching, Sariska National Park offers all what you require for a great and adventurous holiday. Earlier, Sariska National Park was the hunting reserve of the royal families of Rajasthan. After the sustained efforts of Maharaja Jai Singh in 1958, the place became a national park. Since then, Sariska National Park became the natural habitat for endangered species. In 1971, the Project Tiger was launched which declared the national park as a Tiger Reserve. The Project Tiger was as an attempt to preserve the fast depleting numbers of tigers in India.
Apart from the tiger, one can find a variety of wild animals in the park including leopard, sambhar, chital, nilgai, four-horned antelope, wild boar, rhesus macaque, langur, and hyena and jungle cats. The park boasts of being home to India’s largest population of peafowl, harbours quail, sand grouse, golden- backed woodpeckers and crested serpent eagles. Siliserh Lake, located on the edge of the park has a number of crocodiles. Sariska National Park houses the ruins of medieval temples of Garh-Rajor which date back to the 10th and 11th centuries. There is a 17th century castle set on a hilltop at Kankwari, near the park, which provides a panoramic view of flying vultures and eagles.
The best time to visit the park is during the months of October to March. The park is open to public from 8:00 AM to 6:30 PM. The best way to explore the beauty of the park is through open jeep safari.

BHARATPUR BIRD SANCTUARY
Playing a host to thousands of exotic species of birds, the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary is one of the finest in the world. This manmade sanctuary and wetland is located in the Bharatpur region of Rajasthan. Also known as Keoladeo Ghana National Park, the sanctuary offers a natural habitat to more than 230 species of birds that include a rich assortment of water fowls and land birds. Its history dates back to 18th century, when the park was a hunting ground for the Maharajas of Bharatpur. Being renowned as a UNESCO world heritage site in the modern times, the bird sanctuary is one of the most popular attractions in Rajasthan.

In order to watch the best of the flock, it is advised that one must plan a visit to Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary between the months of October and February. It is during these months the migratory birds like the rare Siberian Crane make a raid over the skies of Bharatpur sanctuary. For the convenience of tourists, the sanctuary authorities have provided comfortable accommodations in the natural habitat. The ITDC Bharatpur Forest Lodge, which is located inside the sanctuary, is one such option.

RANTHAMBORE NATIONAL PARK
The largest national park of Rajasthan, Ranthambore National Park also happens to be a popular one in North India. This used to be the hunting grounds of maharajas, in the erstwhile era. Along with its neighboring sanctuaries (Mansingh and Kaila Devi), Ranthambore National park covers an area of 392 km sq. It is mainly popular for its population of tigers. The park is nestled upon an edge of a plateau, and is bounded by two rivers (Banas and Chambal). Government of India declared the area a Project Tiger Reserve in 1973, and in 1980 it was declared a national park.

The popular Ranthambore Fort is located inside the park. This is where maharajas relaxed after the hunting session in the jungle. The fort has been regarded as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Ancient temple, mosque, hunting pavilions, crocodile lakes are found around the fort. The park is open between October to June and is considered to be the best place to spot tigers in Rajasthan. Other than tigers, leopards, nilgai, sloth bear, sambal and several other wild animals and birds call the vicinity their home. About 300 species of birds are found chirping and sitting on the branches.