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The Thar desert also reffered to as the Great Indian Desert falls for most part within the state though parts of it does stretch into other states such as Gujarat, Punjab and Haryana and this is what gives Rajasthan its unique topographical character. Unlike the typical desert it does not have oasis, palms or cactii and is densely populated. Sand dunes characterise it just as much as saline depressions and lakes.
Another distinguishing natural feature in Rajasthan is the Aravalli mountain chain, often reffered to as hills beacuse the height is rarely beyond thousand metres. The folds of the Aravallis were used sucessfully by the Rajput princess to establish their citadels but the mountains are among the oldest in the world, the result of early volcanic activities also responsible for their mineral wealth of copper, zinc, cobalt, manganese, asbestoes, soapstone, garnet and marble. Since the Aravallis tended to be heavily forested they became a natural refuge for birds and animals. Even though human degradtion of the environment has led to deforestation in areas where the forests are still thick, the reserves continue to offer sanctuary to their original resident and migrant species.
Places to visit in Rajasthan
Sanctuaries & National Parks in Rajasthan
Rajasthan has a large number of sanctuaries and national parks some are smaller or more inaccessible or less well known than its more popular counterparts. Lets have a look :-
- Desert National Park (Jaisalmer)
- Keoladeo ghana National park (Bharatpur)
- Ranthambore National Park (Sawai Madhopur)
- Sariska National Park (Sariska)
- Bhensrodgarh - Close to Kota (53 kms) it consists of scrub and dry decidous forest and is home to leopards, sloth bear and the chinkara
- Darrah - Once the hunting preserve for the royal family of Kotathis sanctuary is 50 kms from Kota is home to the sloth bears, chinkaras, the leopard and the wolf.
- Jaisamand - (50 kms from Udaipur) Located on the fringes of a vast man made lake of the same name, the small sanctuary is picturesque and houses leopard, wild boar and a variety of deer while its watersare home to a population of crocodiles.
- Kumbalgarh - (120 kms from Udaipur) A large sanctuary in the Aravallis it has a formidable collection of wildlife that includes leopards and sloth bear, a variety of deer including the chousinga or four horned antelope as well as the flying squirrel.
- Mount Abu Sanctuary - Located in the fringes of the town of Mount Abu this small sanctuary is thickly forested. Wildlife includes leopard, chinkara, sloth bear, sambar and wild boar. The slopes of the hills provide some of the state's most interesting topography, especially since the height of this hillstation keeps it cool even in the summer months.
- Chambal - Just beyond Kota along the banks of the river Chambal all the way to its confluence with the Jamuna this is where the waters are rich with gharial crocodiles for which it is a breeding centre. Other wildlife includes carcal, wolf, blackbuck and the chinkara.
- Sitamata - (108 kms from Udaipur) In forests of bamboo and dry decisous vegatation this forested sanctuary provides rich foraging pastures for a variety of deer that include the chousingha and wild boar, pangolin and leopard.
- Talchappar - (210 from Jaipur) A very small sanctuary and in the Shekhawati region this is home to a large population of the graceful blackbuck. Desert fox and desert cat can also be spotted along with typical avifauna such as partridge and sandgrouse.
India has two deserts falling in the state of Rajasthan and Gujarat. Though hostile these deserts are the much sought after tourist destinations in the country. Due to the diversified habitat, the vegetation and animal life in this arid region is very rich.
A Royal Journey through the sands of Rajasthan
Wildlife is rich including tigers, deers, rhesus monkeys, reptiles including the python and a profusion of bird life that includes water birds.
It is extremely difficult to plan sightseeing in Rajasthan since there is so much to see all round.
