Desert National Park, Rajasthan, India, is situated in the west Indian state of Rajasthan near the town of Jaisalmer. This is one of the largest national parks, covering an area of 3162 km˛. Park is
an excellent
example
of the ecosystem
of the Thar
desert and
its diverse
fauna. Sand
dunes form
around 20%
of the Park.
The major
landform
consists
of craggy
rocks and
compact
salt lake
bottoms,
intermedial
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.
Sudashri
forest post
is the ideal
place for
observing
the wildlife
of Desert
National
Park and
is the most
suitable
in the entire
3162 sq.
kms. of
this park
for watching
and photographing
the activities
of the animals
from behind
cover.
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.
This tall,
heavy bird
is an epitome
of confidence
and grace.
It is good
to see five
or six bustards
near Sudashri
water hole.
