Introduction

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.

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.

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.