Desert National Park – complete detail – updated

Desert National Park – complete detail – updated. Dominant flora and fauna of Desert National Park. Geography of Desert National Park. How to reach Desert National Park. The topography of Desert National Park supports sandy, gravelly, rocky, and compact salt lake bottoms. Sandy areas dominate the western parts of Jaisalmer district, while gravelly and rocky areas are scattered throughout central, southern and eastern areas.

Desert National Park is a beautiful place. The Desert protected sanctuary was declared as a National park in 1980. Desert National Park is one of the largest national parks in India. Total area of the National park is about 3162 km². 

The great Indian Bustard is a magnificent bird and can be seen in considerably  good numbers in this park. The Desert National Park is a unique and fragile ecosystem. More than 60 per cent of it is simply semi-arid desert. The seemingly barren lands gradually dissolve at the horizon touching Pakistan. But the warm sands of the Desert National Park beyond Jaisalmer form a fertile micro broth hiding an astounding variety of animals and birds.…………..

National park is an area which is strictly reserved for the betterment of the wildlife & biodiversity, and where activities like developmental, forestry, poaching, hunting and grazing on cultivation are not permitted. Their boundaries are well marked and circumscribed.

Desert National Park

Desert National Park is a beautiful place, located in the Jaisalmer district of the state of Rajasthan. Desert National Park is one of the largest national parks in India. The Desert National Park is also a protected sanctuary.

The Desert protected sanctuary was declared as a National park in 1980. Total area of the National park is about 3162 km². The desert is a harsh place to sustain life and thus most of the fauna and flora live on the edge.

Click here to view state wise list of Indian national parks – updated

The great Indian Bustard is a magnificent bird and can be seen in considerably good numbers in this park. It migrates locally in different seasons. The region is a heaven for migratory and resident birds of the desert.

Desert National park harbours a wide array of flora and faunal species. It is only place where Rajasthan State Bird (Great Indian Bustard), State animal (Camel) and State tree (Khejri) and State flower (Rohida) are found naturally.

It also has fossil evidences dating back to the Jurassic Period indicating hot and humid climate characterized by dense forests. 180 million years old fossils of animals and plants are preserved at Wood Fossil Park at Akal, situated 17 km away from Jaisalmer.

The Desert National Park is a unique and fragile ecosystem. More than 60 per cent of it is simply semi-arid desert. The seemingly barren lands gradually dissolve at the horizon touching Pakistan. But the warm sands of the Desert National Park beyond Jaisalmer form a fertile micro broth hiding an astounding variety of animals and birds.

Geography

Desert National Park is an excellent example of the desert ecosystem.  The landform primarily comprises rocks and compact salt lake bottoms, intermedial areas and fixed dunes.

Across the landscape of Jaisalmer, altitudes are low, ranging from 210-320 m above mean sea level.

The topography of Desert National Park supports sandy, gravelly, rocky, and compact salt lake bottoms. Sandy areas dominate the western parts of Jaisalmer district, while gravelly and rocky areas are scattered throughout central, southern and eastern areas.

The Desert National Park is barren with several sand dunes and a few hills in the north-western region. The Park forms a vast sandy and undulating terrain

Seasons

Winter – October to March

Summer – April to June

Monsoon – July to September

Average rainfall: 50 to 200 mm

Temperature:       Maximum – 50^o C

                             Minimum – 4^o C

Location – N 25 51 to N 26 52 and E 70 18 to E 70 34

Dominant flora

Ronj, Khair, Rohira, Dhok, Khejri, Palm trees, Ber, Aak shrub, Sewan grass etc.

Commiphora wightii, Ammannie desertorum, Acacia spp., Dipcadi erythraem, Enneatogon, Ephedra foliata, Glossonema varians, Helitropium rariflorum, Limeum indicum, Rhynchosia schimpari, Seddera latifolia, Sesuvium sesuvioides, Tephrosia falciformis, Tribulus rajasthanensis and Zizyphus truncate provide sustenance to the desert fauna.

State wise list of Wildlife Sanctuaries of India – updated 

Dominant fauna

Birds – Great Indian Bustard, Falcons, Eagles, Vultures, Bee-Eaters, Shrikes, Larks, Demoiselle Crane, Macqueen’s Bustard, Sandgrouse, Long-Legged, Honey Buzzards, chats, babblers, kites etc.

Mammals – Camel, Desert Fox, Bengal Fox, Chinkara, Wolf, Desert Cat, Blackbuck, Hedgehog, Nilgai etc.

Reptiles – Russell’s viper, Saw Scaled Viper, Monitor Lizard, Spiny tailed lizard, Saw scaled viper, Common Krait, Spiny Tailed Lizard, Gecko, Persian Gecko etc.

Other Attractions

Akal Wood Fossil Park – It is 17 km from Jaisalmer, holds a natural flora and faunas fossils that are estimated to be around 180 million years old. These fossils are quite rare.

Pokran – It is a fort town. Pokran has a museum of weaponry, brocade clothes.

The Desert National Park is a bird watcher’s paradise! Go on a birding tour with your buddies and spot the real beauties of nature. The rare Great Indian Bustard is most often sighted around the Sudashri waterhole.

The sand dunes in Thar Desert are worth a visit.

Best time to visit

The park is open throughout the year, but the ideal time to visit is from November to March.

Entry Fee

Entry fee – Rs. 100

Jeep fee – Rs. 100

Guide Fee – Rs. 200

How to Reach

By Air – Nearest airport is Jaisalmer airport located 45 km from the Desert National Park. However, this airport is managed by Indian Air Force is functional only from September to March.

Jodhpur airport is located 322 km, and it is well connected to other major cities.

By Rail: Nearest railway station is Jaisalmer railway station located 42 km from the Desert National Park.

By Road: Since it falls under the military region, the Desert National Park is connected to Jaisalmer by well-maintained roads. Regular buses run by the Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation are available.

Distance from Major Cities or Places

Jaisalmer – 60 km via

Thar Desert – 113 km

Jodhpur – 335 km

Ajmer – 538 km

Udaipur – 541 km

Gujarat – 734 km

Jaipur – 606 km

New Delhi – 820 km

Agra – 843 km

Punjab – 914 km

Mumbai – 1115 km

Other National Parks in Rajasthan. Name of National Parks, Year of Notification and Total Area is as follows……….

S. No.

Name of National Park

Year of Notification

Total Area (km²)

1	Sariska National Park	Rajasthan	1982	273.80
2	Ranthambore National Park	Rajasthan	1980	282
3	Mukundra Hills (Darrah) National Park	Rajasthan	2006	200.54
4	Keoladeo Ghana National Park	Rajasthan	1981	28.73