TOURISM: Desert National Park

Monday, October 24, 2011

Desert National Park

Rajasthan is an abode of many wildlife sanctuaries and National Park, however none of them is similar to the Desert National Park. The park is widely different from a usual park and actually for a novice, the park has little importance. Nonetheless, the Desert National Park has an important role to play in maintaining the ecological balance of the region.
It is the largest park in the state of Rajasthan spreading over an area of 3162 sq km. Around one fifth of the park is covered with sand dunes. The rest of the landmass comprises craggy rocks, compact salt lakes bottoms, inter medial areas and fixed dunes. The Thar Desert, which is known as the 'ocean of sands', covers a large portion of western Rajasthan. It's a wrong notion of people that the deserts can't support a varied flora and fauna. The fragile ecosystem of the Thar supports a unique and varied wildlife species. In this vast ocean of sands lies the famous Desert National Park, which provides an excellent example of the ecosystem of the Thar Desert and its diverse wildlife.

The Desert National Park is situated in Jaisalmer district of Rajasthan close to the India- Pakistan border. Spread over an area in excess of 3150 sq km, this is probably the largest park of India. The topography of the park comprises of craggy rocks, compact salt lake bottoms and vast sand dunes, which form about 20% of the Park. As the desert only supports a few type of small grasses, shrubs and xerophytic trees, the leaf cover is limited and not suitable for large herbivorous, camel being an exception. The wildlife here include the spiny- tail lizard, desert monitors, sand fish, chameleons, and snakes that include the deadly viper and krait. Other important wilds found here are chinkara, blackbuck, the desert fox, and Bengal fox among many others.

Desert National Park Attractions

Flora - The vegetation is sparse with only few grasses and shrubs that provide food for the wildlife inhabitants of the park.

Animals - The animals of the park include Desert Fox, Bengal Fox, Desert Cat, Wolf, hedgehog, Black Buck and Chinkara. These animals have live in an extremely difficult terrain, still they have managed to survive.

Reptiles - There is a fair number of reptiles found in the park as well. These are Spiny Tail Lizard, Monitor Lizard, Russel's Viper, chameleons and Sind Krait.

Birds - The bird population of the park is responsible for making it hugely attractive. The Great Indian Bustard which is a protected species in India, finds a safe shelter in this park.