| 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 km 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 common 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 Woods Fossils Park which is about 180 million
years of age. Sea shells and massive fossiled tree trunks in this park record
the geological history of the desert. Best time to
Visit : Throughout the year Accommodation :
RTDC's Moomal Tourist Bunglow, RTDC's Tourist Bunglow at Sam. How
to get there : Jaisalmer is the nearest town (40 kms). Nearest air, road and
railhead is Jaisalmer. |