Wildlife Tours in Rajasthan

Flora and Fauna in Rajasthan

Flora
The varied topography of Rajasthan accounts for its diversity in flora and fauna. Most of the vegetation found is endemic to arid region. Only 9.36% of the total geographical region lies under forest cover in the form of dry deciduous forest with thorny trees, grasses and shrubs that have adapted itself to the dry conditions. The other type of natural vegetation found in the state is ephemeral, a short transitory cycle lasting only during the monsoon season.

The most commonly found tree species are the khejri and acacia. The khejri is drought resistant and considered sacred by the Bishnoi community of Jodhpur. Rohira is scattered in almost all the arid regions. It has a number of utility but best known for its medicinal value while its wood is used for making furniture. The types of grass species found are sewan, dhaman, boor and bharut which also serve as food for the poor. Various shrubs like khair, ak, and thor are also found here. The wood of the shrubs are used for making furniture and they are also used for food.

Fauna
Rajasthan is an ideal place for wildlife tours. There are about 23 species of lizards and 25 species of serpents, 450 species of birds including migratory ones and all kinds of animals both wild and endangered are found here.

The great jungle cat inhabits the Keoladeo National Park and the Thar Desert. Leopards are found in parts of Jaipur and Jodhpur districts. The Ranthambore and Sariska National Parks house most of the tiger population. The Bishnoi tribes in Jodhpur district worship antelopes and gazelles and most of these species are found in that area and the tribes have helped in their proliferation in the desert zone. Besides these, jackals, desert foxes, gerbils, bandicoot, langurs, rhesus monkeys, bats, boars, bears, mongoose, jerboa and voles are found in abundance.

The Keoladeo National Park is also popular for bird watching. It is located in the Bharatpur district and is home to a number of bird species including migratory ones. Cranes, egrets, pelicans, stork, eagles, grey horn etc are easily visible in the months from October to March and July to August. Birds endemic to grasslands like the lark, quails, shrike, mynas, partridges, drongos and migratory birds like the lesser floricans and houbara bustard live in the Tal Chhapar Sanctuary in Churu, Sorsan near Kota, Sonkalia near Ajmer and the surroundings of the Indira Gandhi Canal. The eagles, buzzards, goshawks, peregrine falcons and kestrels are spotted at the dry deserts.