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Wildlife in Rajasthan
Wildlife in Rajasthan is one of the major tourist attractions in the desert state of India. Rajasthan, worldwide known as land of forts & palaces, is home to several wildlife sanctuaries. Though the terrain and environment of Rajasthan is quite tough and inhospitable but still it is bestowed with a large variety of flora, fauna and wildlife. The variety in topography and climate create different kinds of forests and meadows like deciduous forest of Ranthambore, wet & marshland of Bharatpur, dry grasslands of desert & semi green forest of Mount Abu in Aravalli valley. As a result, Rajasthan happens to be a natural habitat for several endangered species. Among the most popular species are the rarest bird Great Indian Bustard, the endangered Siberian Crane, the most coveted big cat Royal Bengal Tiger etc. Apart from that, there is a wide variety of other animals and birds in Rajasthan wildlife sanctuaries and parks. Some of the famous National Parks of Rajasthan, along with Rajasthan wildlife sanctuaries, are:
Ranthambore National Park :
This is the state's internationally known tiger reserve under Project Tiger. This was set up as a sanctuary in 1955. Later on its status was upgraded to that of a national park. It used to be the hunting ground of Maharajas of Jaipur. The total area of this national park is 392 sq. km. Extensions of the Aravalli and Vindhyan hills form an important physiographic feature of these hills. Artificial lakes form an important part of this park. The Park provides ground to a large variety of wildlife species. Apart from Tigers, the Park has the largest and most diverse collection of wildlife species in India like sambhar, cheetal, wildboar, sloth bear, jackal and hyena. The Sanctuary has a great variety of flora and fauna including 300 trees, 50 aquatic plants, over 300 species of birds, 12 reptiles and 30 mammals. It makes home for both resident and migratory bird population. The Park is adjoined by two other sanctuaries, i.e., the Kaila Devi Sanctuary and the Mansingh Sanctuary. Hunting is prohibited in the grounds of this National Park. Ranthambore Park is also classified as a heritage site as it possesses some of the ruins of old monuments.
Desert National Park:The Desert National Park is situated in Jaisalmer district of Rajasthan. This is one of the newer sanctuaries and was established in the year 1980. It is a huge park that spread over an area of 3162 sq km, this is probably the largest park of India. The topography of the park comprises of craggy rocks, compact salt lake bottoms and vast sand dunes. The wildlife here includes the spiny- tail lizard, desert monitors, sand fish, chameleons, and snakes that include the deadly viper and krait. Other important wilds found here are chinkara, blackbuck, the desert fox, and Bengal fox and many others. The greatest attractions of the park are the great Indian bustards, an endangered species of bird. This large, heavy and graceful bird draws thousands of bird lovers from all corners of the world. Besides, the great Indian bustards the park supports a wide variety of exotic and rare birds. This park, unlike most preserves throughout the world, does not overwhelm with a profusion of either vegetation or wildlife, but it is precisely because of this that its preservation has ensured that a vital link in the eco-system has not been destroyed.
Bharatpur (Keoladeo Ghana) National Park:Maharaja of Bharatpur created this splendid and spectacular wetland bird habitat of Bharatpur National Park in the 1890s because he wanted to entertain British royalty with hunting forays more impressive than those he had experienced with them in England. Now it is a world-renowned 29 km sanctuary of shallow lakes and marshes with huge numbers of birds of some 415 species. In 1983, Keoladeo Ghana bird sanctuary was given the status of National Park. The name Keoladeo has been derived from a nearby ancient Hindu temple, devoted to Lord Shiva. In 1985 UNESCO listed it as World Heritage site. The main attractions of Keoladeo Ghana Park are the migratory birds, which comes from Siberia and Central Asia to spend their winters in Bharatpur, before returning back to their breeding grounds. Some of the migratory birds that visit Keoladeo /Bharatpur bird sanctuary include several species of Cranes, Hawks, Pelicans, Geese, Shanks, Ducks, Eagles, Warblers, Stints, Wagtails, Buntings, Wheatears, Flycatchers, Larks,Pipits etc, besides the migratory and resident birds.
Sariska National Park: After Ranthambore, Sariska is the other tiger land in Rajasthan which was brought under Project Tiger in 1979. Sariska Tiger Reserve lies in the Alwar district in Rajasthan. The protected area at Sariska is all of 492 sq. km., 293 sq. km. of which was indicated for grant of National Park status in 1982. The total forest area brought under Project Tiger in 1979 is 866 sq. km. The rich wildlife of the Sariska National Park consists of Leopard, Wild Dog, Jungle Cat, Hyena, Jackal, Tiger, Sambar, Chital, Nilgai, Chausingha, Wild Boar, Langur, Rhesus Monkeys, etc. Also a habitat to numerous varieties of birds, the park is full of birds like Peafowl, Grey Partridge, Bush Quail, Sand Grouse, Tree Pie, Golden backed Woodpecker, crested Serpent Eagle, The Great Indian horned Owl, etc.
Bhensrorgarh Sanctuary: This sanctuary was established in 1983 and covers a total area of 229 sq km of scrub and dry deciduous forest. It is 53 km from Kota. The animal population here includes Leopards, chinkara and sloth bear.
Gajner Wildlife Sanctuary:This sanctuary is 32 km from Bikaner, a small sanctuary in the desert region. It has an area of 10 sq. km., are inhabited by desert cat, desert fox, black buck, chinkara and birds. The lake at Gajner attracts water birds in thousands. Imperial sand house migrate here in winter. It, houses the former hunting lodge of Bikaner and has a beautiful lake surrounded by a dense forest.
Mount Abu Sanctuary:The highest point of Aravallis, the Guru Shikhar, lies in this 289 sq km sanctuary. Established in 1960, this provides shelter to the common langaur, wild boar, sambhar and leopard. The grey jungle fowl can also be found here. Besides, a number of flowering trees enhance the beauty of this place.
Jaisamand Sanctuary: Established in 1957, this sanctuary is located beside the man-made lake of the same name. Covering a total area of 160 sq km, this sanctuary is the home of leopard, wild boar, cheetal, chinkara, crocodile and many species of resident and migratory birds.
Ranthambore Fort
Jogi Mahal
Sariska Tiger Reserve
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City Palace
Ram Bag Palace
Kaila Devi Fair
Mewar Festival
Baneshwar Fair
Brij Festival
Marwar Festival
Jaisalmer Desert Festival
Gangaur Festivals
Camel Festival
Karni Mata Fair
Elephant Festival
Pushkar Fair
Jaigarh Fort
Nahargarh Fort
Bhanwar Vilas Palace
Madan Mohan Temple
Chand Baori
Harshat Mata Temple
Kishangarh Fort
Jag Mandir Palace
Lake Fatehsagar
Nagda Temple
Udai Bilas Palace
Adinath Temple
Juna Mahal
Ghanerao Royal Castle
Ai Mata ka Mandir
Sardargarh Fort
Manohar Sagar
Vijay Stambh
Sat-Bees Devra
Guru Shikhar
Nakki Lake
Adhar Devi Temple
Purjan Vihar
Lohagarh Fort
Bharatpur Museum
Keoladeo Bird Sanctuary
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