Wildlife of Rajasthan

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.

Darrah Wildlife Sanctuary – Kota
For wildlife lovers, the Darrah Wildlife Sanctuary is a perfect excuse for an excursion.The beauty of the forests and wildlife will impress you very much. The wildlife sanctuary was declared a protected reserve in the year 1955. In earlier times, the land where the sanctuary rests was a hunting ground for the Maharajas of Kota. With an uncountable number of tigers, rhinos and deers and widespread forest area, this was heaven. Presently, you can still find tigers, leopards, antelopes, nilgai and sloth bears.

Kailadevi Wildlife Sanctuary – Karauli
The Kailadevi Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the most popular wildlife sanctuaries in Rajasthan and an extension to the Ranthambore National Park. When Ranthambore was declared as a national park in 1980, the adjacent vast grasslands were by default converted into sanctuaries that they are today. The sanctuary serves as an example among environmentalists for forest protection resolutions. The sanctuary has a dry deciduous vegetation throughout except those near the Chambal ravines.

National Chambal Sanctuary – Kota
The National Chambal Sanctuary is a 2,100 square mile tri-state protected area specially built to protect the red-crowned roof turtle, the endangered Ganges river dolphin and the gharial. The beautiful Chambal river cuts through the sanctuary and runs at a point where the three states of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh combine. The majority of the sanctuary is limited to the waters and therefore the fauna too. Smooth-coated otters, tortoises, fish, mugger crocodile, Indian narrow-headed softshell turtle and other water mammals are found in majority.

Gajner Wildlife Sanctuary – Bikaner
Bikaner is famous for its heritage and culture city and forms a major connection between the Golden Triangle. However, the place has also given home to vivid flora and fauna in the form of Gajner Wildlife Sanctuary, which is one of the many places to visit in Bikaner. The sanctuary was formerly a hunting ground for the Maharajas of Bikaner. The sanctuary attracts nature enthusiasts who want to explore the desert wildlife. Slowly but steadily, the sanctuary is gaining popularity with fauna like black buck, wildfowl, antelope, nilgai, deer, chinkara and desert fox.

Tal Chhapar Sanctuary – Churu
Do you want to surprise yourself with grasslands in the heart of the Thar? Then the Tal Chhapar Sanctuary is the best bet for you. Located in the Shekhawati region of Churu district, the sanctuary is an important resting ground for the endangered blackbuck. Though small in size, the sanctuary has rich biodiversity where you can spot several other animals including desert cats, chinkara and migratory birds from Siberia. It is one of the finest weekend getaways from Jaipur, located just 200 km away.

Desert National Sanctuary – Jaisalmer
Situated close to Jaisalmer, this is another major Sanctuary of Rajasthan. It spreads across 3162 sq kilometers or area forming the largest national park in India. The sanctuary provides an instance of a brilliant desert ecosystem. The landscape is also unique. Despite its landscape, the sanctuary is filled with birdlife. The most common birds found here include the Great Indian Bustard, kestrels, sand grouse, laggard falcons, tawny eagles, spotted eagles, vultures, falcons, harrier, short-toed eagles, buzzards, and eagles.
You will also find a great collection of animal and plant fossils about 180 million years old. The most common animals you will see in the national park include blackbucks, chinkara, hedgehogs, desert cats, wolves, and Bengal foxes. However, the Great Indian Bustard happens to be the main attraction of the park.

Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary – Kumbhalgarh
The Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the best places to visit in Kumbhalgarh. It is located in the district of Rajsamand in Rajasthan. It covers an area of about 578 sq km while surrounding the borders of the Kumbhalgarh Fort. In this sanctuary, you will find a wide variety of animals, out of which many of them are endangered species. The animals you will get to see in the sanctuary in abundance include chinkaras, hares, four-horned antelopes, sambhar, nilgai, jungle cats, sloth bears, hyenas, wolves, and leopards.
The sanctuary is also the home of a large variety of birds including grey jungle fowl, doves, bulbuls, peacocks, white-breasted kingfisher, golden oriole, pigeons, and parakeets. The natural beauty of the sanctuary is what attracts visitors from all over the world to this place.