Wildlife
In Rajasthan
For all one's inclination to believe that
Rajasthan is a desert, it is difficult to ignore the fact that
the region, in fact. has a varied topography, and includes
from semi-arid, desert-like conditions to among the oldest
mountains in the world, and lush. water-filled valleys. No
wonder too that its wildlife is so rich in variety, including
from the tiger and leopard to endless varieties of deer.
rhesus monkeys, reptiles including the python. and a profusion
of bird-life that includes water- birds.
The Thar desert, also referred to as the Great Indian Desert,
falls for most part within the state, though parts of it do
stretch into other states such as Gujarat. Punjab and Haryana.
And this is what gives Rajasthan its unique topographical
character. Unlike the typical desert. it does not have oasis,
palms or cactii. and is densely populated. Sand dunes
characterise it, just as much as saline depressions and lakes.
Interestingly, since legends refer to this area as under water
aeons ago. scientists have now proved that some 25 million
years ago. this was indeed the case. Fossils unearthed in the
Akal area point to the remains of ferns and forests of cycades
that existed some 180 million years ago. pointing to a
possibly hot. humid climate. In fact. the area has a
geological history that places it under the sea on four
different occasions, and evidence is profuse in the wood
fossil park of Akal. and in other areas around Jaisalmer that
together constitutes the Desert National Park.
Another distinguishing natural feature in Rajasthan is the
Aravalli mountain chain, often referred to as hills because
the height is rarely beyond a thousand metres. The folds of
the Aravallis were used successfully by the Rajput princes to
establish their citadels, but the mountains are among the
oldest in the world, the result of early volcanic activities
also responsible for their mineral wealth of copper, zinc.
Cobalt manganese, asbestos, soapstone. garnet, and marble.
Since the Aravallis tended to be heavily forested, they became
a natural refuge for birds and animals. Kven though human
degradation of the environment has led to deforestation, in
areas where the forests are still thick, the reserves continue
to offer sanctuary to their original, resident and migrant
species.
Two other topographical conditions typify Rajasthan. The first
is the Vindhyan or Deccan Trap where the Vindhyan hill system
comes in contact with the Aravallis. creating a 'fault' that.
Most charaetcristically. can be detected in the Sawai Madhopur
area with its Ranthambhor National Park. The Vindhyan hills
consist mostly of sandstone that, even though it may
occasionally vary in colour, has resulted in the building
materials for many of the state's forts and palaces.
The resulting topography is a landscape consisting of
hard-topped plateaus made from tough, compact rocks. It is
that creation of the 'fault' where the two moi-intain chains
meet the' the mixed topography provicics the ideal shelter for
the tiger and its various prey pecies. Large, shallow lakes
have also resulted, so that, crocodiles are not unusual in the
desert state either.
A last, distinguishing feature are the wetlands of the
lndo-(langet.ic plains, such as in the regions around Mathura
and Agra. close to which Bharatpur is located. Exess water in
the monsoons causes vast areas hi be nooded, simply hecause
the rivers cease to flow when they overflow their banks,
instead of which they slinply spread out and inundate the flat
terrains around like a vast sea. Past of this topography is
shared by the Bharatpur wetlands as a result of the Jamuna
that passes close hy. and the other part by tile ('iiarnbal
which, as a tributary of the Jamuna.
originates in the Vindhyas in Madbya Pradesh and skirts
through its ravines to form llajasthan's eastern boundary with
that state. This may occasionally result in marshy eco-systerns
ideal fur sustaining a variety of birdlife.
Rajasthan
Wildlife Tours
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Wildlife Travel Tour Packages Including Rajasthan ||
Rajasthan
Travel Tour Packages
Duration:
08 Nights / 09 Days
Places Covered:
New Delhi - Agra - Bharatpur - Ranthambhore -
Jaipur - New Delhi
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Rajasthan
Travel Tour Packages
Duration:
19 Nights / 20 Days
Places Covered:
New Delhi - Agra - Bharatpur -
Ranthambore - Kota - Udaipur - Mount Abu - Kumbhalgarh
- Jodhpur - Jaisalmer - Gajner - Mandawa - Jaipur -
Sariska - New Delhi
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---------------------------------About
Rajasthan---------------------------------
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