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Desert
National Park, Rajasthan, India, is located in the west Indian state
of Rajasthan nearby the town of Jaisalmer. This is one of the largest
national parks, that covers an area of about 3162 km˛. The Desert
National Park is a best example of the ecosystem of the Thar Desert.
Sand dunes form around 20% of the Park. The major landform consists of
craggy rocks and compact salt lake bottoms, intermedial areas and
fixed dunes.
Besides a fragile ecosystem there also exists a wide variety of
birdlife. This region is a heaven for the migratory and resident birds
of the desert. Many eagles, harriers, falcons, buzzards, kestrel and
vultures. Short-toed Eagles, Tawny Eagles, Spotted Eagles, Laggar
Falcons and kestrels are the mostly common among these. Spotted near
small ponds or lakes here are Sand grouse. The endangered Great Indian
Bustard is a magnificent bird that was found here in a relatively fair
numbers. It migrates locally in different seasons. The Desert
National Park contains a collection of fossils of animals and plants
of 180 million years old. Some fossils of Dinosaurs of 6 million years
old have been found in this area.
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The
Blackbuck is a common antelope of this region. The national park's
other notable inhabitants are the desert fox, wolf and desert cat.
Birdlife in this sandy habitat is vivid and spectacular. Birds such as
sandgrouse, partridges, bee-eaters, larks, and shrikes are mostly seen
here. In the winter, the birdlife is augmented by species like the
Demoiselle Crane and MacQueen's Bustard.
Perhaps the greatest attraction of the park is a bird called the Great
Indian Bustard, an endangered species was found only in India. Desert
National Park is one of the last sites in which these species can be
found in good numbers. As such, these species draws in thousands of
birdwatchers from all over the world. Besides the Great Indian
Bustard, the park supports a variety of other birds of interest to
birdwatchers and conservationists alike.
The Thar Desert, is also often called an 'ocean of sand', that covers
a large area of western Rajasthan. The fragile ecosystem of the Thar
supports a unique and varied wildlife. There Lies the famous Desert
National Park In this vast ocean of sands, that provides a beautiful
example of the ecosystem of the Thar Desert and its diverse wildlife
adventure. The vegetation here is sparse, and patches of sewan grass and aak
shrub (Calotropis) can also be seen. The landscape contains scraggy
rocks and compact salt lake bottoms, and also intermediate areas and
both fixed and shifting dunes. About 20 percent of the vast expanse is
covered with sand dunes.
Flora: Ronj, palm trees, Ber, dhok.
Fauna: Desert Fox, Bengal Fox, Desert Cat, Wolf, Hedgehog, Blackbuck
and Chinkara.
Reptiles: Spiny-tailed lizard, monitor lizard, Saw-scaled Viper,
Russell's viper, Common Krait.
Avifauna: Sandgrouse, partridges, bee-eaters, larks and shrikes are
year-round residents, while demoiselle crane and houbara bustard
arrive here in winter. Raptors include Tawny and Steppe Eagles,
Long-legged and Honey Buzzards, and falcons.
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