National Parks in Rajasthan

Rajasthan is home to 5 national parks.

Table of Contents

Desert National Park

Location: Jaisalmer and Barmer districts, Rajasthan, India; western part of Rajasthan; Thar Desert region.
Physiography: Eastern boundary characterised by the Aravalli Hills; western boundary defined by the fertile plains of the Indus River.
Protected Area: Established in 1980.
Conservation Importance: Plays a crucial role in protecting endangered species, especially the Great Indian Bustard.
Area: ~3,162 sq. km (1,900 sq. km in Jaisalmer district and 1,262 sq. km in Barmer district).
Sections: Sudashri Forest; Sand Dunes.
River: Luni River (flows through the Thar Desert).
Fossils: Presence of fossils dating back to the Jurassic Period.
Plants: Khejri, Dhok, Rohida, Gugal.
Animals: Chinkara, Desert Fox, Indian Wolf, Desert Cat, Great Indian Bustard, Demoiselle Crane.

Location: Bharatpur district, Rajasthan, India; also known as Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary.
Unique Feature: Only national park in India completely enclosed by a 2 m high boundary wall.
Protected Area: Established as Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary in 1976.
Ramsar Site: Designated in 1981.
National Park: Upgraded and renamed Keoladeo National Park in 1982.
UNESCO Status: Inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 1985.
Area: ~28.73 sq. km (11.1 sq. miles).
River: Gambhir River, Banganga River.
Dam: Main water source is Ajan Dam (Khatia Dam).
Plants: Kadam, Jamun, Babul, Water lilies, Lotus, Water hyacinth.
Animals: Jackals, Sambar, Bengal Fox, Blackbuck, Chital, Hog Deer, Hyenas, Wild Boar, Siberian Crane, Baer’s Pochard, Cinereous Vulture.

Location: Kota district, Rajasthan, India.
Wildlife Sanctuary: Declared as Mukundra Hills Wildlife Sanctuary in 1955.
National Park: Upgraded to Mukundra Hills National Park in 2004.
Tiger Reserve: Notified in 2013.
Area: ~759.99 sq. km (293.43 sq mi).
Wildlife Sanctuaries within Park: Darrah Wildlife Sanctuary, National Chambal Sanctuary, Jawahar Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary.
Hills: Situated on the Mukundra Hills range, an extension of the Aravalli Range.
Highest Peak: Darrah Peak.
River: Chambal, Kali, Ahu, Ramzan.
Lake: Gagron Lake, Talab-e-Shahi.
Plants: Teak, Tendu, Khair, Dhak, Babul, Kadam, Neem, Mango, Ber, Khejri.
Animals: Tiger, Indian Wolf, Indian Leopard, Chital, Sambar Deer, Wild Boar, Sloth Bear, Chinkara, Mugger Crocodile, Gharial.

Location: Sawai Madhopur district, Rajasthan, India; at the junction of the Aravali and Vindhya hill ranges.
Game Sanctuary: Established as Sawai Madhopur Game Sanctuary in 1955.
Tiger Reserve: Declared under Project Tiger in 1973.
National Park: Officially declared Ranthambore National Park in 1980.
Adjacent Forests: Sawai Man Singh Sanctuary and Keladevi Sanctuary declared in 1984.
Area: ~1,334 sq. km (515 sq mi).
River: Banas River, Chambal River.
Lake: Padam Talao Lake, Rajbagh Talao Lake.
Fort: Ranthambore Fort located within the park.
Valley: Kachida Valley, known for a large population of panthers.
Plants: Dhok, Banyan, Babool, Kadam, Ber, Peepal, Mahua, Semal, Amla, Sissoo.
Animals: Tiger, Leopard, Sloth Bear, Chital, Chinkara, Indian Porcupine, Palm Civet, Desert Fox, Caracal, Indian Wild Boar, Ganga Softshell Turtle, North Indian Flapshell Turtle.

Location: Alwar district, Rajasthan, India; situated in the Aravalli Range.
Hunting Ground: Forests were hunting grounds for the Maharajas of Alwar.
Wildlife Sanctuary: Officially recognized in 1955.
Tiger Reserve: Declared under Project Tiger in 1978.
National Park: Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary declared a national park in 1979.
Area: ~800 sq. km.
Fort: Kankwari Fort; highest point in the park.
Hills: Pandupol Hills, Bhairon Vilas Hills.
River: Ruparel River.
Lake: Siliserh Lake.
Plants: Dhok, Salar, Khair, Ber, Rohida, Dhak, Semal.
Animals: Tiger, Leopard, Sambar Deer, Spotted Deer, Four-horned Antelope, Hyena, Caracal, Jungle Cat, Golden-backed Woodpecker.