Wiled Life sanctuaries in Rajasthan :

Rajasthan is said to be a haven for a broad spectrum of wildlife. With diverse topography, Rajasthan provides an inspiring array of wildlife. All the national parks & wildlife sanctuaries boast of a huge variety of birds and animals.  Some of them will be rare, whereas others are endangered. 

Even though Rajasthan has hostile terrain and conditions but has abode of a number of mammals and birds. Due to vast size and latitudinal variations above the sea level of 1,700m there is a varied vegetation. It provides semi green forests (Mount Abu) to dry grasslands of the desert). It also provides dry deciduous thorn forest (Aravali) to wetlands (Bharatpur). The Sanctuaries attracts herds of species from all over to their temporary habitat that provides comfortable subsistence. Rajasthan is also the habitat of tigers and many endangered species. Sanctuaries of Rajasthan are :

Sita Mata Sanctuary, Pratapgarh :

The Sita Mata Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in the Pratapgarh district of Rajasthan and is one of the important wildlife sanctuaries in Rajasthan. It was declared as a protected zone in 1979 and sprawls over an area of 423 sq km. Covered in dense forests, the sanctuary is the chief attraction of Pratapgarh.

Among wild animals, the commonly spotted species include the neelgai, wild bear, spotted deer, porcupine, jungle cat, fox, jackal, hyena, leopard, pangolin, wild boar, caracal and four horned antelope. The most striking attraction of the Sita Mata Wildlife Sanctuary is the vegetarian mammal flying squirrel. 

Mount Abu Sanctuary, Mount Abu :

Situated in the oldest mountain ranges of the country – the Aravalli Hills, the Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the most visited wildlife sanctuaries in Rajasthan. It was declared as a wildlife sanctuary in 1980 and is home to a large number of wild animals, birds, plants and trees.The wildlife sanctuary is home to a large number of plants and trees.

A variety of orchid species are also found in the sanctuary. A part of the sanctuary also has bamboo forests. Among fauna, the wildlife sanctuary is home to a large number of animal species including lions, tigers, leopards, hedgehogs, porcupines, Indian hares, mongoose, pangolin, bears, wild boars, langurs, foxes, hyenas, jackals, small Indian civets, jungle cats, sambhars, and more. As many as 250 species of birds are found here. The grey jungle fowl is the speciality of the Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary.

Keladevi Wildlife Sanctuary, Karauli :

The Keladevi Wildlife Sanctuary is a part of the Ranthambore National Park. The Ranthambore National Park was created by including nearby wildlife sanctuaries, one of which was the Keladevi Wildlife Sanctuary. Spread over an area of 676 square kilometres, the Keladevi Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the most important wildlife sanctuaries in Rajasthan. The commonly sighted animals in the sanctuary include sambhar, wolves, hyenas, sloth bears, leopards, tigers, jackals, wild boars, chinkara, and others. 

National Chambal Wildlife Sanctuary, Kota :

The National Chambal Sanctuary is situated on the River Chambal, at the point where the borders of the three states Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh meet. The sanctuary was first declared to be in Madhya Pradesh in 1978.

Now, there is a narrow stretch of eco-reserve which is managed and administered by the three states. The sanctuary is also called the National Chambal Gharial Wildlife Sanctuary and is dedicated to the conservation of critically endangered gharials, the red crowned roof turtle and the threatened Ganges river dolphin. The sanctuary is protected under the country’s Wildlife Protection Act of 1972.

The sanctuary is home to several species such as the Indian Wolf, striped hyena, smooth coated otter, mugger crocodiles, and others. It is also home to eight of the 26 rare turtle species including the crowned river turtle, three striped roof turtle and Indian narrow headed softshell turtle.

The mammalian species include hedgehog, flying fox, hares, porcupines, Northern Palm Squirrels, Indian Gazelle, Blackbucks, nilgai, sambar, wild boar, jungle cats, Indian grey mongoose, Indian small mongoose, and common palm civet.

The main attractions of the sanctuary are the gharials, crocodiles, fresh water dolphins and rare turtles and these make the National Chambal Sanctuary one of the most exotic wildlife sanctuaries in Rajasthan.

Ramgarh Vishdhari Sanctuary, Bundi :

Ramgarh Vishdhari Sanctuary, a famous one among the Wildlife Sanctuaries and National Parks in Rajasthan that lies on the main Nainwa road, 45 KMs away from Bundi. Lined by dry deciduous forests with a numerous number of trees like Khair, Salar, Khirni, Ber, Babool, Mango and Dhok, the parklets every visitor to feel the state rejuvenation and being closer to nature again. 

Baretha Wildlife sanctuary, Bharatpur :

This astounding natural life haven is 45 km from Bharatpur and spreads a territory of 199.50 sq. km. The asylum is honored with numerous wild creatures like Wolf, Sambar, Blue Bull, Wild Boar, Hyena, Fox, Leopard, and water feathered creatures like Geese, Ducks, and Swans that relocate from different areas.

Jaisamand Sanctuary, Udaipur :

Jaisamand Sanctuary is yet another tiger reserve in Rajasthan which is exceptionally popular among the general population. Jaisamand Sanctuary is arranged at a separation of 51 km south-east of Udaipur and spread over a range of 160 square km. This Sanctuary was presented in the year 1957 and is honored with various species widely varied vegetation. 
The species incorporate sloth bear, panther, chital, chinkara, wild hog and a wide assortment of the winged animals that breed here, for example, darter open bill stork, lake heron, little cormorant and Indian Shag.

Todgarh Raoli Wildlife Sanctuary :

Todgarh Raoli Wildlife Sanctuary is spread over Pali, Ajmer and Rajsamand districts of Rajasthan.The major wildlife of this thick tropical deciduous forest and grassland includes leopard, sloth bears, wild boar, common langur, chinkara Indian wolf etc. This wildlife sanctuary is situated in the village Todgarh and has an impeccable stamina for ecotourism.

Sajjangarh Wildlife Sanctuary :

The Sajjangarh Wildlife Sanctuary is situated at a distance of 5 km from the Sajjangarh Palace and surrounds the palace in Udaipur. The sanctuary houses sambars, chitals, wild boars, hyenas, blue bulls, panthers, hares, jackals etc. 

The ecosystem of the Sanctuary is supported by the Tiger Lake that is also famous as Bari Lake or Jiyan Lake. It is an artificial lake which was built by Maharana Raj Singh, the former ruler of Mewar, in 1664. Gorilla viewpoint enables a view of varied species of birds and animals and a small fish-shaped hill that is called as Machla Magra.

Gajner Wildlife Sanctuary :

This protected area houses fauna like wild fowls, nilgais, deer, antelopes, black bucks, desert foxes, chinkaras, and wild boars. It is hard to believe that the epicentre of heritage and culture which we fondly know as Bikaner can be home to such a protected area. In the centre of the forest lies a natural lake that serves as a heavenly abode to the dwellers of the forest. It is mainly a desert forest.