Rajasthan Wildlife Sanctuary
Nature 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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