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Rajasthan Wildlife
SanctuaryNature trails and eco-tourism parks have been developed as an attempt
to reverse the damage done by territorial encroachment and to recreate a pristine
environment. There are several in Rajasthan. The Nahargarh Biological Park has
a variety of vegetation and several species of wild beasts. The Jhalana Nature
Trail, Arboretum Park, Amrita Devi Park and Machia Safari Park are the other popular
ones. Rajasthan has four famous National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries that offer
a fascinating variety of birds and beasts, of flora and fauna and of hilly and
forested terrain. These sanctuaries can be explored either by jeep or on elephant
back. For those with the spirit for adventure, these sanctuaries provide the kind
of excitement that really makes the adrenaline flow. The Keoladeo Ghana National
Park at Bharatpur is a bird sanctuary that is visited, every year, by our feathered
friend from distant lands. It is famous for the exotic Spoonbills and Siberian
Cranes. The Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary and the Ranthambore National Park are tiger
reserves and homes to the royal Indian tiger. These destinations have a large
variety of other wild species including the wild boar, jackal, sambar and nilgai.
The Ranthambore National Park is also a heritage site, as it houses the magnificent
ruins of a thousand-year-old fort. So, get set for a jeep or elephant safari and
enjoy a close encounter with the wild beasts and beautiful birds in their natural
habitat. A trip to these wildlife sanctuaries is highly recommended for animal
and adventure lovers.
Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary
Keoladeo
Ghana Bird Sanctuary at Bharatpur is one of the most important breeding and feeding
grounds for migratory birds in the world. More than 30 sq.km of shallow lakes
and scrubby woodland harbour over 350 bird species from as far away as Europe
and Siberia. It is possible to see 150 species in a day and as many as 10 species
nesting in a single tree. The main migratory season is from mid October to mid
February, but many residents nest and breed in the sanctuary during the hotter
months and monsoon.
Bharatpur was given National Park status in 1982
to control visitors, and offer protection from illegal grazing. The sanctuary
was declared a World Heritage Site in 1985 and is widely held to be the best birding
site in India.
One of the most visually exciting sights is the Keoladeo
Heronry with six different species of herons and egrets. Nesting alongside are
Painted Storks, Ibises, Spoonbills, Jacanas and Cormorants, together with terrestrials
including a variety of Babblers, Warblers and Bee-Eaters. The most important visitors
are the Siberian Cranes, but since they raise only one chick their numbers are
dwindling, just one or two pairs have visited in recent years.
The park
is refreshingly free of any motor vehicles. Walking and cycling along raised embankments
offers a unique opportunity to get closer to the rich birdlife. Many people choose
a cycle rickshaw, which has the added advantage of providing a local bird expert.
Boats are also available, depending on water levels. The park lies between Delhi
and Ranthambhore and is only 50km from Agra, the ancient Moghul city of Fatehpur
Sikri is also nearby. The Bund Bhareta Reservoir and National Chambal Sanctuary
offer further wildlife opportunities for those with an additional day to spend
in the area.
Best Time To Visit
The park is open throughout the year although most visitors choose to come between
October and February, when wintering wildfowl assemble in thousands on the lakes.
The breeding season is between August and October.
Park
Population
The park supports a population of 375 species of birds,
numerous mammals and reptiles. With the onset of winter, migratory birds from
all over world come here. They arrive by August and leave in February. Visitors
include Coot Snipes, Spanish Sparrow, Red Crested Porhard, Rosy Pelican and Flamingo.
The special attraction, however, remains the arrival of the rare Siberian Crane.
The park is also rich in Pythons, Spotted Deer, Sambhars, Blue Bull, Black Buck,
Jackals, Otters, Fishing Cats, Monitor Lizards.
Nearby
Attractions
Nearby places of interest are the Government Museum,
Bharatpur which gives a glimpse of past splendour. Not far from the museum is
the Bharatpur Palace which is an excellent blend of Mughal and Rajput architecture.
There is the Lohagarh Fort which remained invincible despite several attacks by
the British. Just 32 km from Bharatpur, is the Deeg Palace. This strong and massive
fort was the summer resort of the rulers of Bharatpur and has many palaces and
gardens.
How to reach
Air :
56-kms from Bharatpur is the nearest airport situated at Agra.
Rail : The
Bharatpur railway station is 6-kms from the park and regular rail services connect
Bharatpur with all the major cities of India such as Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur and
Agra.
Road : A fine network of roadway services links Bharatpur to all the
major cities of the Rajasthan and its neighbouring states like Delhi, Uttar Pradesh,
Haryana. Bharatpur is well connected by road from Agra (56-kms, 5 hours), Delhi
(176-kms, 5 hours) and Jaipur (176-kms, 6 hours), all of which have airport facilities
too.
Ranthambore National Park
Situated in India. s northwestern
state of Rajasthan, near the town of Sawai Madhopur, midway between Bharatpur
and Kota townships Ranthambore National Park is surrounded by the Vindhya and
Aravali hill ranges and is very near to the outer fringes of the Thar Desert.
The entire area has sprawling tracts of the desert and semi-desert vegetation.
Originally a hunting ground of the Maharaja of Jaipur, Ranthambore was declared
a game sanctuary in 1955. In 1980, it became a national park and listed among
the reserves protected under Project Tiger (1973). Presently the Kaila Devi Sanctuary,
also famous for its tigers, and Mansingh Sanctuary also form part of Ranthambore
Reserve.
The tigers can be spotted quite often even during the day, at
their normal pursuits - hunting and taking care of their young. With the strict
measures that have been taken for their conservation, they seem quite accustomed
to human activity and are not disturbed by it. A good time to visit is between
November and April when the nature of the dry deciduous forests makes sightings
common. Ranthambore has large numbers of sambar, chital and nilgai. Sounders of
boar and an occasional gazelle the chinkara can be seen, as also the Indian hare,
mongoose and monitor lizards.
The Park which covers an area of 392 sq.
km. is set between the Aravalli and Vindhya ranges. Its deciduous forests were
once a part of the magnificent jungles of Central India. The terrain is rugged
and there are rocky ridges, hills and open valleys with lakes and pools. Ranthambore's
royal past manifests itself in the picturesque ruins that dot the Park. There
are lake palaces, chhatris, old fortifications and a majestic thousand year old
fort on a height overlooking the Park. The forest rest house at the foot of the
Ranthambore fort is located in the lovely Jogi Mahal. It overlooks a tank - the
pretty Padam Talao, afloat with water lilies.
The lakes and pools at
the Park are where the deer congregate and where it is easiest to see the animals.
Among the other local fauna are the leopard, hyena, jackal, jungle cats, sloth
bear and marsh crocodile. A view of the Jogi Mahal deciduous forests of the ancient
Aravalli range, are excellent tiger country and Sariska, was once the royal reserve
of the rulers of Alwar. Declared a sanctuary in 1955, it became a Tiger Reserve
in 1979 under Project Tiger. Jacanas, painted stork, black stork, and white necked
stork are seen along the water bodies. Peafowl are found in abundance and other
birds include Bonelli's eagle, crested serpent eagle, the great Indian horned
owl, quail, partridge, spur fowl and the paradise flycatcher.
Seasons
: October-June, the best period being December-April.
Access : Fly to
Jaipur (the closest airport) and drive to Ranthambore (165 kms) By train : Ranthambore
National Park is approx. 12 km from the Sawaimadhopur Railway station, that lies
on the Delhi to Mumbai trunk route.
Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary
In the Aravalli range, which cuts across Rajasthan, a few pockets of forest still
survive; one such area is the Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary & Tiger Reserve,
once the shikargah (hunting ground) of the princely state of Alwar. Under the
guidance of Maharaja Jai Singh, many waterholes and watchtowers were constructed
within the jungles, which have been a boon for the wildlife. Sariska became a
Sanctuary in 1958 and was brought under Project Tiger in 1979.
Sariska
lies within the Golden Tourist Triangle of Delhi, Jaipur and Agra, and is an important
halt for the traveller. It is one of the last surviving densely forested tracts
along the Aravalli mountain range and the 800km2 dry deciduous jungles are interspersed
with forest, scrubland and water-bodies, which provide fruit, fodder and water
for its birds, mammals and reptiles.
The Park is rich in avifauna as
well; besides the omnipresent Peafowl other birds such as woodpeckers, partridges,
quails, owls, treepies and several species of raptors may be spotted with patience
and bit of luck. As a Ranathambhore National Park, also in Rajasthan, this park
contains ruined temples as well as a fort, pavilions and a palace (now a hotel)
built by the maharajas of Alwar, the former owners of this area. The sanctuary
can be visited year-round, except during July/ August when the animals move to
higher ground, but the best time is between November and June. You will see most
wildlife in the evening, though tiger sightings are becoming more common during
the day.
The tiger reigns supreme in the forests of Sariska, but other
animals cohabit with the "Great Cat" and herds of Chital (spotted deer),
solitary Nilgai (Blue Bull) and Sambar (largest Asiatic deer), Wild Boar, Indian
Porcupine, Wild Dog and Hare may be seen on a safari through the Park. Hides have
been constructed at strategic locations (e.g. near a waterhole) to enable visitors
to photograph animals (special permission needed).
Best
time to visit
The best time to visit this beautiful countryside
is between November and June. One can see the most of the animals in the evening
How to reach
Sariska is 35 km from
Alwar, which is a convenient town to approach the sanctuary. Frequent buses ply
between Sariska and Alwar. From Jaipur, Sariska is 120 km away and it takes three
hours by road. Jaipur is well connected by air, rail and road to most of the important
cities in India.The best way to visit the park is by jeep and these can be arranged
at the Forest Reception Office on the Jaipur Road.
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