Location
: Jaisalmer, Rajasthan.
Covered Area : 3162 sq. kms.
Main Attractions : Rich in Reptiles.
Best Time To Visit : November to March.
Accommodation :
Arrival Information :
-- By Rail : The nearest railway station is Jaisalmer.
--
By Air : The nearest
airport is Jodhpur.
--
By Road :
--
Nearby Excursions : Jaisalmer fort, Sam sand duns, Lodurva.
-- Nearby Cities : Jaisalmer
DESERT
NATIONAL PARK The
Desert National Park is an excellent example of the ecosystem of
the Thar desert and its diverse fauna. 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 which
are quite suitable for the chinkara to move at high speed. The
blackbuck is another common antelope of this region. Its other
notable inhabitants are the desert fox, Bengal fox, wolf and
desert cat.
Sudashri
forest post is the ideal place for observing the wildlife of
Desert National Park and is the most suitable in the entire 3162
sq. kms. of this park for watching and photographing the
activities of the animals from behind cover.
Birdlife
in this sandy habitat is vivid and spectacular. Birds such as the
sandgrouse, partridges, bee-eaters, larks and shrikes are commonly
seen. Demoiselle crane and houbara arrive in the winter. The birds
of prey seen here are tawny and steppe eagles, long legged and
honey buzzards, falcons and kestrels. But the most outstanding of
the avifauna is the great Indian bustard. This tall, heavy bird is
an epitome of confidence and grace. It is good to see five or six
bustards near Sudashri water hole.
This
park is also very rich in reptiles. Spiny tail lizard, monitor
lizard, saw sealed viper, Russel's viper, Sind krait, toad agama
and sandfish are found in large numbers.
18
kms. from jaisalmer is the Akal Wood Fossils Park which is about
180 million years of age. Sea shells and massive fossilised tree
trunks in this park record the geological history of the desert.
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