List of National Parks in Rajasthan

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

Here is the list of National Parks in Rajasthan.

1.       Desert National Park

2.       Mukundra Hills (Darrah) National Park

3.       Keoladeo Ghana National Park

4.       Ranthambore National Park

5.       Sariska National Park

Desert National Park

The Desert National Park is one of the largest national parks in India, which is located in the Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. The Desert protected sanctuary was declared as a National park in 1980. Total area of the National park is about 3162 km².

The Desert National park is only place where Rajasthan State Bird (Great Indian Bustard), State animal (Camel), State tree (Khejri) and State flower (Rohida) is found naturally. This National Park is a unique and fragile ecosystem. More than 60% of it is simply semi-arid desert. The seemingly barren lands gradually dissolve at the horizon touching Pakistan.

Geography

Desert National Park is one of the best examples of the desert ecosystem.  The landform primarily comprises rocks and compact salt lake bottoms, intermodal areas and fixed dunes.

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

Mukundra Hills (Darrah) National Park

The Mukundra Hills National Park is also known as Darrah wildlife Sanctuary. Darrah wildlife Sanctuary is located to the southeastern border of the town Kota, Rajasthan. Darrah was declared a (Protected area) wildlife sanctuary in 1955, and visitors now require seeking permission from the local forest ranger to visit the park. The total area of the Mukundra Hills National Park is about 250 km².

The Darrah wildlife sanctuary was declared as a National park in 2004. The Park is a combination of three wildlife sanctuaries namely Darrah wildlife sanctuary, Chambal wildlife sanctuary and Jaswant Sagar wildlife sanctuary.

Seasons

Winter – October to March

Summer – April to June

Monsoon – July to September

Temperature:       Maximum – 43^o C       Minimum – 5^o C

Coordinates – 24°52′05″N and 75°51′22″E

Dominant flora

Babul (Accasia nilotica)

Imli (Tamarindicus indica)

Banyan (Ficus benghalensis)

Ber (Zizyphus mauritania)

Dhok (Anogeossispendula)

Khajur (Phoenix sylvestris)

Keoladeo Ghana National Park

The Keoladeo Ghana National Park is also known as Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary or Keoladeo Ghana Bird Sanctuary. It is located in the Bharatpur district of the state of Rajasthan. Keoladeo National Park is widely famous for housing of birds. The name Keoladeo has been derived from a nearby ancient Hindu temple, devoted to Lord Shiva (Maharaja Suraj Mal).

The Keoladeo bird sanctuary was declared as a National park in 1981. Total area of the National park is about 28.7 km². This National Park was designated a World Heritage Site under the world Heritage Convention in 1985 by UNESCO.

Seasons

Winter – October to March

Summer – April to June

Monsoon – July to September

Average rainfall: 300 to 500 mm

Temperature:        Maximum – 47^o C   Minimum – 5^o C

Location – 27*07′-27*12’N, and 77*29′-77*33’E

Best season

November to March is the best time, for the migratory birds are there as well as the residents. But the park is a treat all year round.

Ranthambore National Park

Ranthambore is a most beautiful place of Rajasthan, which is located in the Sawai Madhopur district of the state of Rajasthan. The Ranthambore National Park is one of the largest national parks in northern India.

The Ranthambore tiger reserve park was declared as a National park in 1981. Total area of the National park is about 282 km².

Ranthambore was a hunting reserve of the Maharajas of Jaipur and place of royal hunting parties in the past. This National Park is famous for its tigers and is one of the best places in the country to see these majestic tigers.

There are many water bodies, which provide perfect relief during the extremely hot summer months for the forest inhabitants.

Geographical Details

Longitude: From 76-23-00 E to 76-39-00 E

Latitude: From 25-54-00 N to 26-12-00 N

Total area – About 282 km²

Seasons

Winter – October to March

Summer – April to June

Monsoon – July to September

Average rainfall: 600 to 800 mm

Temperature:       Maximum – 47^o C     Minimum – 4^o C

Sariska National Park

Sariska is another beautiful National Park in Rajasthan, which is located in the Alwar district. Sariska was declared a wildlife reserve in 1955. The park was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1958 and came under the tiger reserve in 1979. The Sariska tiger reserve was declared as a National park in 1982. Total area of the National park is about 273.8 km².

Climate

Summers months are from April to June. The monsoon season (July to September) does not receive very heavy rainfall. Winters are from October to March.

Maximum Temperature – 49⁰ C

Minimum Temperature – 4⁰ C

Best Time to Visit Sariska National Park

Visitors can visit Sariska national Park throughout the year, but the best time to visit is between October to June. The sanctuary is open all through the year except between 1st July to 30th September.