Location and Area

Twenty – eight miles to the southwest of Jaisalmer, The Desert National Park Covers 1220 sq miles of scrub, thorn forest, desert and dunes. The range  of both flora and fauna is, to many surprisingly large for a desert area. The unique ecosystem reflects the successful adaptation  by a range of mammals, birds, insects and flowers to a harsh climate with temperature ranges from below freezing to over 130 F.

The rolling landscape of a sand – dunes and scrub- covered hills is often breathtaking beautiful. The active dunes of Sam contrast with 180 million year old wood fossils at Akal 10 miles from jaisalmer which indicate that his now arid area must have once been hot, humid and luxuriant.

The scant vegetarian and the animals dependent on it are in turn dependent on it are in turn dependent on whatever water is available. Water holes are therefore the ideal sports from which to watch animals and birds.

Desert National Park, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan

Famous Species in the Park

The small active desert fox is an important predator keeping a natural check on the population of desert rats and gerbils.

The wolf is perhaps the main predator and the jackal is found on the periphery of the park.

Group of blackbuck, chinkara and nilgiri are found in the villages and now thrive in the park’s areas of sparse.

Some smaller mammals have adapted to the desert environment by burrowing  like the gerbil, by living crested porcupine.

The desert bird life is extensive , ranging from a large number of birds of pery to sandgrouse, doves, quails, partridges, shrikes, bee- eaters and desert coursers. The most remarkable bird of the desert is the Great Indian Bustard weighing up to 30 pound. The Houbara Busted also found in the park Of three resident species of snadgrouse, the Indian sandgrouse is impressive with its routine of arriving in small groups to join large turbulent flocks in the early morning to drink at the same place each day.

Habitual destruction and hunting this majestic bird but its population in the park alone is over 1000. Many insects and reptile species evident throughout the park form important links in the desert food chains. The 43 species of reptile include lizards , chameleons and snakes.

Photo Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:D%C3%A9sert-du-Thar.jpg

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