>Tom.Reding at 12:51, 8 April 2021

2021-04-08T12:51:11Z

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{{Short description|National park in Rajasthan, India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2018}}
{{Infobox protected area
| name = Desert National Park
| alt_name =
| iucn_category = II
| photo =
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| map = India |relief=1
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| location =
| nearest_city = [[Jaisalmer]], [[Barmer, Rajasthan|Barmer]]
| coordinates = {{coords|26|N|70.5|E|display=inline, title}}
| area_km2 = 3,162
| established = 1981
| visitation_num =
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}}

'''Desert National Park''' is a national park situated in the Indian state of [[Rajasthan]], near the towns of [[Jaisalmer]] and [[Barmer, Rajasthan|Barmer]]. This is one of the largest national parks, covering an area of 3162 km². The Desert National Park is an excellent example of the [[ecosystem]] of the [[Thar Desert]]. [[Sand dune]]s form around 20% of the Park. The major landform consists of craggy rocks and compact salt lake bottoms, intermedial areas and fixed dunes.


Despite a fragile ecosystem, there is an abundance of birdlife. The region is a haven for [[Bird migration|migratory]] and resident birds of the desert. Many [[eagle]]s, [[harrier (bird)|harrier]]s, [[falcon]]s, [[buzzard]]s, [[kestrel]] and [[vulture]]s are spotted here. [[Short-toed eagle]]s, [[tawny eagle]]s, [[spotted eagle]]s, [[laggar falcon]]s and [[kestrel]]s are the most common among these. [[Sand grouse]] are spotted near small ponds or lakes. The endangered [[great Indian bustard]] is a magnificent bird found in relatively fair numbers. It migrates locally in different seasons. The most suitable time to visit the area is between November and January. The Desert National Park has a collection of [[fossils]] of animals and plants which is 180 million years old. Some fossils of [[dinosaurs]] which are 60 million years old have been found in the area.<ref>Dr Mohan Lal Gupta:Rajasthan Jyankosh, Rajasthani Granthagar, Jodhpur, 2008, {{ISBN|81-86103-05-8}}, p.216</ref>

==Geography and location==
The Desert National Park covers an area of 3162 km² of which 1900 km² is in Jaisalmer district and remaining 1262 km² is in Barmer district of Rajasthan State.

==Flora and fauna==
The [[Chinkara]] or Indian Gazelle (Gazella bennettii) is a common antelope of this region. The national park's other notable inhabitants are the desert fox, wolf and desert cat. Birdlife in this sandy habitat is vivid and spectacular. Birds such as sandgrouse, partridges, bee-eaters, larks, and shrikes are commonly seen. In the winter, the birdlife is augmented by species such as the [[demoiselle crane]] and [[MacQueen's bustard]].

[[File:Two Great Indian bustards.jpg|thumb|Two great Indian bustards at the Desert National Park]]
Perhaps the greatest attraction of the park is a bird called the [[great Indian bustard]], a critically endangered species found only in India. Desert National Park is one of the last sites in which this species can be found in good numbers. As such, the species draws in thousands of birdwatchers from all over the world. In addition to the great Indian bustard, the park supports a variety of other birds of interest to birdwatchers and conservationists alike.

The Thar Desert, often called an 'ocean of sand', covers a large area of western Rajasthan. The fragile ecosystem of the Thar supports unique and varied wildlife. In this vast ocean of sands lies the famous Desert National Park, which provides an excellent example of the ecosystem of the Thar Desert and its diverse wildlife adventure.

The vegetation is sparse, and patches of [[Lasiurus scindicus|sewan grass]] and aak shrub ([[Calotropis]]) can be seen. The landscape includes craggy rocks and compact salt lake bottoms, as well as intermediate areas and both fixed and shifting dunes. Around 20 percent of the vast expanse is covered with sand dunes.

'''Flora:''' [[Vachellia leucophloea|ronj]], [[palm trees]], [[Zizyphus|ber]], [[Anogeissus pendula|dhok]].

'''Mammals:''' [[Fennec fox|desert fox]], [[Bengal fox]], [[Asiatic wildcat|desert cat]], [[Indian wolf|wolf]], [[hedgehog]], [[chinkara]].

'''Reptiles:''' [[spiny-tailed lizard]], [[Varanus|monitor lizard]], [[saw-scaled viper]], [[Russell's viper]], [[common krait]].

'''Avifauna:''' [[sandgrouse]], [[Indian bustard]], [[partridge]]s, [[bee-eaters]], [[larks]] and [[shrikes]] are year-round residents, while [[demoiselle crane]] and [[houbara bustard]] arrive in winter. Raptors include [[tawny eagle|tawny]] and [[steppe eagle]]s, [[long-legged buzzard|long-legged]] and honey buzzards, and [[falcon]]s.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Khan|first=Asif N.|year=2015|title=Birding in North-West India|url=http://www.bnhsenvis.nic.in/PublicationArchiveDetails.aspx?SubLinkId=168&LinkId=754&Year=2015|journal=Buceros|volume=(20) 1|pages=10–17}}</ref>
[[File:Chestnut bellied Sandgrouse male.jpg|thumb|Chestnut bellied sandgrouse male at the desert national park]]
[[File:Long legged buzzard view from below.jpeg|left|thumb|Long legged buzzard flying over the desert national Park]]

==Attractions==
[[File:Gadsisar Lake Sunset.jpg|thumb|Gadsisar Lake, near [[Jaisalmer]]]]
'''Indian bustard:''' The endangered Indian bustard is the major attraction of Desert National Park. Brown and white in colour, the bustard is a metre tall and has long bare legs and a long neck. One can spot this tall and graceful ground-dwelling bird near the Sudashri waterhole.

'''Sam Sand Dunes:''' These dunes are located near the Thar Desert.
[[File:A view on Sams sand dunes.JPG|thumb|A view of Sams Sand Dunes]]
'''Gadsisar Lake:''' This lake is among the tourist places in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. Thousands of migratory birds come to this place every year.

==Tourism==
Jeep Safari enables tourists to explore a wider area of the park in relatively short span of time.

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Desert_Jird_Desert_NP_Jaisalmer.jpg|[[Indian Desert Jird]] at the Desert National Park
File:Black tailed fox (Bengal Fox) at Desert NP.jpg|[[Indian fox]] a common resident of Desert National Park
File:Chinkara Desert NP Jaisalmer.jpg|[[Chinkara]] commonly known as Indian gazelle at Desert National Park
</gallery>

==See also==
* [[Arid Forest Research Institute]] (AFRI)
* [[Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* [https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/5448/ Desert National Park; Nomination as World Heritage Site; Nomination entry - UNESCO World Heritage Centre]
* [https://maps.google.com/maps/place?cid=4097433194711448659&q=desert%2Bnational%2Bpark Location in Google maps]
* [http://www.cloudbirders.com/tripreport/repository/BARUAH_India_12_2015.pdf Birding in Desert National Park]

{{National Parks of India}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:National parks in Rajasthan]]
[[Category:Cheetah reintroduction in India]]
[[Category:Thar Desert]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Jaisalmer district]]
[[Category:Protected areas established in 1981]]
[[Category:1981 establishments in Rajasthan]]

Desert National Park - Revision history

>Tom.Reding at 12:51, 8 April 2021