Spanning an area of about 3,42,000 sq km, located in north-west India, Rajasthan is among the largest of the country’s states and is remarkably rich in wildlife, its vast size and latitudinal variations (sea level to over 1,700 m) have provided it with varied vegetation- from the semi-evergreen forests of Mt Abu to the almost barren or dry scrub grasslands of the desert and from the dry deciduous thorn forests of the Aravalli hills to the wet marshes of Bharatpur.
The climate of the state may be described as tropical monsoon, but varies considerably from area to area, its extremes of temperature ranging from frost cold winters to scorching hot, dry summers. The average annual rainfall varies from 100-1,500 mm.
Geographically, Rajasthan can be divided into four regions, each distinctive—the desert in the north and west, the Aravalli hills in the middle, the alluvial Indo-Gangetic plains in the east, and the Vindhyan hills and the Deccan trap in the south and south-eastern parts of the state-with ecosystems that support a variety of wildlife. Till a hundred years ago the Asiatic lion, now confined to the Gir forests of Gujarat, and the cheetah, now extinct in India, were found in many parts of the state. Sightings of herds of over a thousand antelopes was not unusual. The range and number of these antelopes has declined with the increase in human population and the ploughing of marginal lands-yet, large herds can still be spotted in the state’s non-forest areas. Tigers and their prey animals, deer and wild bqar, are essentially forest animals and are, therefore, confined to the Aravalli and Vindhyan hills. Two protected regions have been included under Project Tiger. Although the tiger is an elusive animal, yet the chances of seeing one in the dry deciduous forests of Rajasthan is better than in most other tiger reserves.
The leopard, also called panther in India, an adaptable animal, is usually found in the forest areas as well as in the open, degraded forest areas with rocky outcrops adjoining towns and villages. The cunning predator finds it easy to prey on unguarded village dogs, goats, donkeys, calves and poultry.
Besides the two big cats, five lesser cats-caracal, jungle cat, fishing cat, desert cat and rusty spotted cat-inhabit the state. The caracal, found in both the forest and the desert, is a graceful feline with a sandy coloration and black tufted ears. Once trained for hunting doves, pigeons, partridges and other birds by the cheetah-trainers of Jaipur, this agile hunter has now become rate, occasionally sighted in Ranthambhore and Sariska. There have been recent reports of sightings of the rusty spotted cat for the first time in Sariska. It is possible that it is also present in other, similar areas though no such reports are available. The jungle cat is common in most protected areas as well as in the wastelands. The distribution of the desert cat is confined to the arid parts of the state, whereas the best place to spot a fishing cat is the Keoladeo Ghana national park, Bharatpur.
The Rbesus macaque and common langur are found throughout Rajasthan with the exception o the arid Thar desert. Monkeys are unharmed by people because of religious sentiments, resulting in their bold behaviour, especially near towns and villages where they snatch food and offerings from unwary pilgrims. The langur feeds on wild leaves and fruit. A wasteful feeder, it drops large quantities on the ground where it is consumed by deer and wild boar which often move with the langur. The langur sounds the alarm to announce the presence of large predators like the tiger or leopard to warn their prey.
The state provides shelter to around 500 species of birds, some of which are rare and endangered. About 50 per cent of these species are local and the balance migratory, mostly from eastern Europe, northern Asia and Africa. It is easy to spot as many as 100 species of birds in just a day in Bharatpur.
Te Sarus is a handsome crane and the tallest bird in the world to fly. The state’s only resident crane, it is commonly found in its eastern and southern parts. Sarus cranes usually live in pairs or small family groups, but congregate in large groups in the summer months before the onslaught of the monsoons. Even popular legend acknowledges that these birds pair for life, the partner pining away on the death of one. They indulge in an elaborate courtship dance and nest in shallow waters using a heap of grass and reeds. Both partners incubate the eggs. Partners sometimes greet each other while exchanging incubation duties at the nest and perform their courtship dance accompanied with trumpeting.
The majesti great Indian bustard or godawan is the state bird and is a protected species. Easily spotted in many areas in the desert region, the Desert national park near Jaisalmer is a good area to look for it and, during winter, for the migratory Hubara bustard. The lesser florican too is becoming scare in Rajasthan, though a few birds can be spotted during their breeding season (monsoon) in the fields near Nasirabad and Kishangarh, in the district of Ajmer. Because peacocks are considered sacred by Hindus, they are quite common in the forests, fields and villages of the state. In the Kumbhalgarh and Mt Abu wildlife sanctuaries, the graceful grey jungle fowl is to be found in its northern most limit o distribution in India.
The wetlands and waterbodies of Rajasthan provide refuge to a large number of migratory and resident birds. These include ducks, cranes, pelicans, storks, herons, jacanas, ibises and other aquatic birds. The migratory birds are accomopanied by a number o predatory birds. The Siberian crane is the rarest bird that comes to Bharatpur: its numbers have dwindled from over 40 to a mere three birds in less than 20 years, probably because it is hunted on its migration route over Pakistan and Afghanistan. Attempts to induct captive-bred birds in the wild have not succeeded. Common cranes visit Rajasthan in winter and can be observed at the Keoladeo national park. Demoiselle cranes visit western Rajasthan in large numbers.
The hot, dry climate of Rajasthan, its vast sandy areas, hilly tracts and numerous lakes, rivers and waterbodies provide diverse habitat conditions suitable for a number of species of reptiles which include crocodiles, snakes, lizards and turtles. Two species of crocodiles, the marsh crocodile and the gharial inhabit the rivers. The gharial is a fish-eating crocodile and does not attack humans. Once endangered, Rajasthan has contributed substantially in saving the inoffensive gharial from extinction, with most of its country-wide population hatched from eggs collected from the state’s Chambal river.
Of a total of 30 species of snakes found here, 26 are non-poisonous. The four venomous snakes include the Indian cobra (Naja naja), Indian krait (Bungarus caeruleus), Russell’s viper (Vipera russelii) and Pud (Ecbis caeruleus). Unless provoked or stepped upon, these snakes do not attack humans. The common rock python (Python molurus) is the biggest snake found in Rajasthan. Although pythons can be found in a number of wildlife sanctuaries, the best place to spot them during the winter months is at the Keoladeo national park, Bharatpur. www.rajasthanwildlife.in
Of the 26 species of lizards found in Rajasthan, two are monitor lizards- the Varanus bengalensis widely spread throughout the state, and the Varanus griseus which is confined to the western part o the state. Sanda or the spiny tailed lizard lives only in the drier, western region of the state. A shy vegetarian, it uses its spiny tail for defense against enemies. Rajasthan has only one specie of land turtle, the star turtle (Geocbelone elegans). Confined to the hilly tracts of the Aravallies, it is threatened because of loss of habitat. The remaining 11 species are acuatic, found in the perennial waterbodies of eastern and southern Rajasthan.
The Chambal sanctuary on the eastern boundary of the state provides a suitable habitat for highly endangered, freshwater or Gangetic dolphins, as well as for gharials, crocodiles and a number of species of turtles.
The religious, cultural, social and historical traditions of the people of the state have contributed a good deal to saving its natural heritage. The ethics of conservation are a part of the state’s fabric, nurtured by saints, philosophers and religious gurus. Te desert community shards its scarce resources of food and water willingly with wild animals. Food and water is provided for birds and animals in many parts of India. However, there is no parallel to the feeding of Demoiselle cranes in Kheechan village near Phalodi in Jodhpur district. During migration (September-March) thousands of Demoiselle cranes arrive early in the morning and land in the village to be fed by the villagers. Treated like guests and addressed as friends and companions, they have found a place in the state’s folklore and folk songs.
Communities like those of the Bishnois provide protection to all wild animals in their villages because of their religious faith and belief. The blackbuck and abinkara are considered sacred and aggressively protected. Large herds of these graceful antelopes roam freely in the Bishnoi fields in the desert districts of the state. Even the powerful maharajas of pre-independent India refrained from hunting on Bishnoi lands, respecting the sentiments of these conservators. No hunter or poacher is likely to attempt to hunt in these areas for fear of the wrath of the entire community. Because of this, there are more wild animals to b found in the non-forest areas than in the forest area.
The rulers of the erstwhile states contributed substantially to the preservation of wildlife. Athough they themselves enjoyed sbikar, at the same time they prevented others from the sport. Most of the state’s wildlife sanctuaries and national parks were once their exclusive shooting reserves.
The climate of the state may be described as tropical monsoon, but varies considerably from area to area, its extremes of temperature ranging from frost cold winters to scorching hot, dry summers. The average annual rainfall varies from 100-1,500 mm.
Geographically, Rajasthan can be divided into four regions, each distinctive—the desert in the north and west, the Aravalli hills in the middle, the alluvial Indo-Gangetic plains in the east, and the Vindhyan hills and the Deccan trap in the south and south-eastern parts of the state-with ecosystems that support a variety of wildlife. Till a hundred years ago the Asiatic lion, now confined to the Gir forests of Gujarat, and the cheetah, now extinct in India, were found in many parts of the state. Sightings of herds of over a thousand antelopes was not unusual. The range and number of these antelopes has declined with the increase in human population and the ploughing of marginal lands-yet, large herds can still be spotted in the state’s non-forest areas. Tigers and their prey animals, deer and wild bqar, are essentially forest animals and are, therefore, confined to the Aravalli and Vindhyan hills. Two protected regions have been included under Project Tiger. Although the tiger is an elusive animal, yet the chances of seeing one in the dry deciduous forests of Rajasthan is better than in most other tiger reserves.
The leopard, also called panther in India, an adaptable animal, is usually found in the forest areas as well as in the open, degraded forest areas with rocky outcrops adjoining towns and villages. The cunning predator finds it easy to prey on unguarded village dogs, goats, donkeys, calves and poultry.
Besides the two big cats, five lesser cats-caracal, jungle cat, fishing cat, desert cat and rusty spotted cat-inhabit the state. The caracal, found in both the forest and the desert, is a graceful feline with a sandy coloration and black tufted ears. Once trained for hunting doves, pigeons, partridges and other birds by the cheetah-trainers of Jaipur, this agile hunter has now become rate, occasionally sighted in Ranthambhore and Sariska. There have been recent reports of sightings of the rusty spotted cat for the first time in Sariska. It is possible that it is also present in other, similar areas though no such reports are available. The jungle cat is common in most protected areas as well as in the wastelands. The distribution of the desert cat is confined to the arid parts of the state, whereas the best place to spot a fishing cat is the Keoladeo Ghana national park, Bharatpur.
The Rbesus macaque and common langur are found throughout Rajasthan with the exception o the arid Thar desert. Monkeys are unharmed by people because of religious sentiments, resulting in their bold behaviour, especially near towns and villages where they snatch food and offerings from unwary pilgrims. The langur feeds on wild leaves and fruit. A wasteful feeder, it drops large quantities on the ground where it is consumed by deer and wild boar which often move with the langur. The langur sounds the alarm to announce the presence of large predators like the tiger or leopard to warn their prey.
The state provides shelter to around 500 species of birds, some of which are rare and endangered. About 50 per cent of these species are local and the balance migratory, mostly from eastern Europe, northern Asia and Africa. It is easy to spot as many as 100 species of birds in just a day in Bharatpur.
Te Sarus is a handsome crane and the tallest bird in the world to fly. The state’s only resident crane, it is commonly found in its eastern and southern parts. Sarus cranes usually live in pairs or small family groups, but congregate in large groups in the summer months before the onslaught of the monsoons. Even popular legend acknowledges that these birds pair for life, the partner pining away on the death of one. They indulge in an elaborate courtship dance and nest in shallow waters using a heap of grass and reeds. Both partners incubate the eggs. Partners sometimes greet each other while exchanging incubation duties at the nest and perform their courtship dance accompanied with trumpeting.
The majesti great Indian bustard or godawan is the state bird and is a protected species. Easily spotted in many areas in the desert region, the Desert national park near Jaisalmer is a good area to look for it and, during winter, for the migratory Hubara bustard. The lesser florican too is becoming scare in Rajasthan, though a few birds can be spotted during their breeding season (monsoon) in the fields near Nasirabad and Kishangarh, in the district of Ajmer. Because peacocks are considered sacred by Hindus, they are quite common in the forests, fields and villages of the state. In the Kumbhalgarh and Mt Abu wildlife sanctuaries, the graceful grey jungle fowl is to be found in its northern most limit o distribution in India.
The wetlands and waterbodies of Rajasthan provide refuge to a large number of migratory and resident birds. These include ducks, cranes, pelicans, storks, herons, jacanas, ibises and other aquatic birds. The migratory birds are accomopanied by a number o predatory birds. The Siberian crane is the rarest bird that comes to Bharatpur: its numbers have dwindled from over 40 to a mere three birds in less than 20 years, probably because it is hunted on its migration route over Pakistan and Afghanistan. Attempts to induct captive-bred birds in the wild have not succeeded. Common cranes visit Rajasthan in winter and can be observed at the Keoladeo national park. Demoiselle cranes visit western Rajasthan in large numbers.
The hot, dry climate of Rajasthan, its vast sandy areas, hilly tracts and numerous lakes, rivers and waterbodies provide diverse habitat conditions suitable for a number of species of reptiles which include crocodiles, snakes, lizards and turtles. Two species of crocodiles, the marsh crocodile and the gharial inhabit the rivers. The gharial is a fish-eating crocodile and does not attack humans. Once endangered, Rajasthan has contributed substantially in saving the inoffensive gharial from extinction, with most of its country-wide population hatched from eggs collected from the state’s Chambal river.
Of a total of 30 species of snakes found here, 26 are non-poisonous. The four venomous snakes include the Indian cobra (Naja naja), Indian krait (Bungarus caeruleus), Russell’s viper (Vipera russelii) and Pud (Ecbis caeruleus). Unless provoked or stepped upon, these snakes do not attack humans. The common rock python (Python molurus) is the biggest snake found in Rajasthan. Although pythons can be found in a number of wildlife sanctuaries, the best place to spot them during the winter months is at the Keoladeo national park, Bharatpur. www.rajasthanwildlife.in
Of the 26 species of lizards found in Rajasthan, two are monitor lizards- the Varanus bengalensis widely spread throughout the state, and the Varanus griseus which is confined to the western part o the state. Sanda or the spiny tailed lizard lives only in the drier, western region of the state. A shy vegetarian, it uses its spiny tail for defense against enemies. Rajasthan has only one specie of land turtle, the star turtle (Geocbelone elegans). Confined to the hilly tracts of the Aravallies, it is threatened because of loss of habitat. The remaining 11 species are acuatic, found in the perennial waterbodies of eastern and southern Rajasthan.
The Chambal sanctuary on the eastern boundary of the state provides a suitable habitat for highly endangered, freshwater or Gangetic dolphins, as well as for gharials, crocodiles and a number of species of turtles.
The religious, cultural, social and historical traditions of the people of the state have contributed a good deal to saving its natural heritage. The ethics of conservation are a part of the state’s fabric, nurtured by saints, philosophers and religious gurus. Te desert community shards its scarce resources of food and water willingly with wild animals. Food and water is provided for birds and animals in many parts of India. However, there is no parallel to the feeding of Demoiselle cranes in Kheechan village near Phalodi in Jodhpur district. During migration (September-March) thousands of Demoiselle cranes arrive early in the morning and land in the village to be fed by the villagers. Treated like guests and addressed as friends and companions, they have found a place in the state’s folklore and folk songs.
Communities like those of the Bishnois provide protection to all wild animals in their villages because of their religious faith and belief. The blackbuck and abinkara are considered sacred and aggressively protected. Large herds of these graceful antelopes roam freely in the Bishnoi fields in the desert districts of the state. Even the powerful maharajas of pre-independent India refrained from hunting on Bishnoi lands, respecting the sentiments of these conservators. No hunter or poacher is likely to attempt to hunt in these areas for fear of the wrath of the entire community. Because of this, there are more wild animals to b found in the non-forest areas than in the forest area.
The rulers of the erstwhile states contributed substantially to the preservation of wildlife. Athough they themselves enjoyed sbikar, at the same time they prevented others from the sport. Most of the state’s wildlife sanctuaries and national parks were once their exclusive shooting reserves.
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