Why
Indian Desert
Spanning through the magnificent states of Gujarat and Rajasthan the Indian
Desert is an amazing place to look for truly fantastic wild flora and fauna.
Animals and plants in the desert survive in a hostile environment. Intense
heat, searing sun, and lack of water are just a few of the challenges facing
desert animals and plants. The desert areas of India houses some animals
that never drink and plant seeds that can stay alive for years without water
are typical of the miracles of this most infirm zone. In the Indian
subcontinent, deserts, with an area of about 225,000 sq km covers just under
7% of the total land area.
The Two Divisions of Indian Desert
Divided into two distinct sub-divisions - Thar desert region covering
180,000 sq km in the state of Rajasthan and the Rann of Kutchh, covering
some 45,000 sq km of western Gujarat are lands of grand mirage and miracles.
The desert system is characterised not so much by the variety and numbers of
animal species but by the adaptations displayed to challenge the hardships
of desert life. The Thar exhibits a good range of nativeness in its faunal
structure.
The Desert Faunas
The desert cat, desert fox, the winter-visiting houbara bustard and
several sandgrouse species, as also a few reptiles are found only in the
Thar. Blackbuck, chinkara, the Indian wolf, caracal, great Indian bustard
can also be seen here.
In comparison to the sandy Thar, the Little and the Great Ranns, with very
common vegetation species, have a wide array of faunal and floral
composition. Though the Ranns are predominantly flatlands, they are
scattered with elevated mounds or islands, locally called bets. Both the
Ranns have unique faunal species. The Great Rann is best known for its huge
breeding colony of lesser flamingoes. The Little Rann is the only home of
the wild ass in the Indian peninsula, besides playing host to a fair number
of houbara bustards, sandgrouse and other avifauna.
Key Factors
States : Rajasthan
and
Gujarat.
Major Locations : Thar Desert and the Rann of Kutch
Best Time to Visit : October to March
Travel Tips : Consult your doctor before you start your journey. Get
well informed about the travel requirements and the routes of your
destination.
Venture in the Deserts
Some Desert Wildlife Sites :
Desert National Park, Rajasthan
Camel safari is the best option to explore the deserts of India. 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 National Park. The
major landscape comprises of craggy rocks and compact salt lake bottoms,
intermediary 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.
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.
Gajner Wildlife Sanctuary, Rajasthan
The lake and forested hills of Gajner Wildlife Sanctuary, 32 km from
Bikaner on the Jaisalmer road, are inhabited by wildfowl, hares, wild boar,
desert foxes and a number of deer and antelopes including blackbucks and
bluebulls. The lake at Gajner attracts water birds in thousands. Imperial
sand gouse flocks to this place in winters. Gajner Wildlife Sanctuary,
harbours the former Hunting lodge of Bikaner and has an amazing lake bounded
by a dense forest.
Little Rann of Kutch Wildlife Sanctuary, Gujarat
Little Rann of Kutch Wildlife Sanctuary was designated for protection of
the desert region of north-west Gujarat, especially the outer rim and a
narrow belt of adjoining land. A variety of desert life can be seen roaming
here. Some of the notable surviving herds are Indian wild ass(khur); also
wolf and caracal (a large, pale cat with tufted ears).
Additional Punch
If
you are in the deserts of India then don't miss the Camel Safari, as this is
one very awesome way to track the desert lifestyle in India. The Camel
Safaris in Rajasthan takes you to the imperial palaces, majestic forts,
beautiful lakesides, vivid wildlife reserves and what not! The opportunities
are limitless when you are on the Camel's back. Camel safaris take you to
the remote areas of Rajasthan & Gujarat and provides you an ample scope
to converse with the locales.
Few Difficulties
You may face some very severe difficulties in the desert lands. Days are too
hot and the nights are too cold. There is scarcity of water in the deserts.
You may not find your choice of food, so you have to bank on the local
Rajasthani food, if not provided by your tour organiser. The language is one
very big problem, as only the educated one can speak English here.
Few Suggestions
Take lots of water with yourself. Drink lots of water and juice. Take both
warm and light clothes, as you may need both. Don't get into any unknown or
illegal activity. Do not try to disturb the local culture and local
atmosphere. Try to be well informed about the routes and the place you are
going to visit. Contact us when and where needed, while on a wildlife India
Tour.
If you want more information on Wildlife India Tour then get back to us,
whenever needed. Let us know your requirements, so that we can make your
trip to India Wildlife completely exceptional and exciting.
