Wildlife, National Parks and Sanctuaries of Rajasthan

1.1 The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 and Its Enforcement in Rajasthan

The **Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972** was enacted by the Parliament of India to establish a comprehensive legal regime for the conservation of wild fauna and flora. It was formally enforced across Rajasthan on **1 September 1973**.

The 2022 Amendment (Effective 1 April 2023):

The landmark Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Act, 2022 streamlined the earlier 6 schedules into **4 rationalized schedules**: 1. **Schedule-I:** Animal species accorded the highest level of statutory protection (e.g., Royal Bengal Tiger, Leopard, Great Indian Bustard, Chinkara, Blackbuck, Gharial, Gangetic Dolphin). Offences carry mandatory imprisonment of 3 to 7 years and fines ranging from ₹25,000 to ₹1,00,000. 2. **Schedule-II:** Animal species requiring high protection with lesser penal severity. 3. **Schedule-III:** Protected plant species (e.g., Lady's Slipper Orchid, Pitcher Plant, Beddome's Cycad). 4. **Schedule-IV:** Scheduled specimens governed by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). - *The legacy Schedule-V (Vermin) was repealed; the Central Government now issues site-specific, species-limited notifications.*

Statutory Bodies:

- **National Board for Wildlife (NBWL):** Chaired by the Prime Minister of India. - **State Board for Wildlife (SBWL):** Chaired ex-officio by the **Chief Minister of Rajasthan**. Any alteration of wildlife sanctuary boundaries or environmental clearances requires SBWL recommendation. - **National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA):** Statutory authority established under the 2006 amendment to oversee Project Tiger and ratify new Tiger Reserve notifications. - **Central Zoo Authority (CZA):** Regulates all zoos and biological parks in Rajasthan.

2. Classification of Protected Areas

Under the Act, protected habitats are classified into four distinct legal categories based on their level of inviolability and tenure:

Protected Category Competent Authority Human Settlement & Rights Livestock Grazing & Produce Extraction Boundary Alteration Rule
1. National Park State Government (Sec 35) Zero human rights; no private landholding, settlement, or tenancy permitted. Completely prohibited Requires formal resolution by State Legislature AND approval by NBWL.
2. Wildlife Sanctuary State Government (Sec 26A/38) Chief Wildlife Warden (CWLW) may permit limited pre-existing private rights. Grazing may be regulated and permitted conditionally. Requires clearance from NBWL and Supreme Court Standing Committee.
3. Conservation Reserve State Government (Sec 36A) Government-owned buffer/corridor lands; local community rights preserved. Regulated in consultation with local panchayats. Declared by State Government after consulting SBWL.
4. Community Reserve State Government (Sec 36C) Community-owned or private land managed by a local management committee. Regulated by the community's traditional conservation norms. Declared by State Government upon community request.

3. National Parks of Rajasthan

Rajasthan possesses 3 formally notified National Parks:

        ┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
        │       National Parks of Rajasthan                      │
        ├────────────────────────────┬───────────────────────────┤
        │ 1. Ranthambhore National Pk│ • 1 November 1980 (392 sq km)│
        │ 2. Keoladeo Ghana National │ • 27 August 1981 (28.7 sq km)│
        │ 3. Mukundra Hills Nat. Park│ • 9 January 2012 (199.5 sq km)│
        └────────────────────────────┴───────────────────────────┘

3.1 Ranthambhore National Park

- **District:** Sawai Madhopur. - **Historical Milestones:** Declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1955; incorporated into India's inaugural Project Tiger launch in 1973; notified as Rajasthan's **first National Park on 1 November 1980**. - **Topography:** Junction of the ancient Aravalli and Vindhyan mountain ranges, bounded by the Banas River to the north and the Chambal River to the south. - **Key Water Bodies:** Padam Talao, Rajbagh Lake, Malik Talao. The 10th-century UNESCO World Heritage Ranthambhore Fort and Trinetra Ganesha Temple overlook the park. - **Flora & Fauna:** Dominated by **Dhok (Anogeissus pendula)** forests. Celebrated globally as the "Land of Tigers" with high diurnal tiger visibility; notable for the legendary tigress 'Machli' (T-16), Leopards, Sloth Bears, Marsh Crocodiles, Sambars, and Chitals.

3.2 Keoladeo Ghana National Park

- **District:** Bharatpur. - **Epithet:** "Bird Paradise" / Ghana (dense forest). - **History:** Former private duck-shooting preserve of the Maharaja of Bharatpur; declared a bird sanctuary in 1956; upgraded to National Park status on **27 August 1981**. - **International Designations:** - **1981:** Designated Rajasthan's **first Ramsar Wetland Site**. - **1985:** Inscribed on the **UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site** list. - **1990:** Placed on the **Montreux Record** due to ecological changes from altered water inflows. - **Hydrology:** Located at the confluence of the Gambhir and Banganga rivers; fed historically by the Ajan Dam, and currently supported by the Govardhan Drain and Chambal drinking water pipeline. - **Avian Wealth:** Wintering habitat for thousands of migratory waterfowl, including the endangered Siberian Crane (*Grus leucogeranus*), Painted Storks, Pelicans, and Geese. Iconic field research hub of legendary ornithologist Dr. Salim Ali.

3.3 Mukundra Hills National Park

- **Districts:** Kota, Jhalawar, Bundi, and Chittorgarh (Rawatbhata). - **History:** Previously Darrah Wildlife Sanctuary (1955); rechristened Rajiv Gandhi National Park in 2003; renamed Mukundra Hills in 2006; formally notified as the state's **third National Park on 9 January 2012**. - **Rivers:** Traversed by the perennial Chambal, Ahu, Kalisindh, and Amjhar rivers. - **Heritage Features:** Houses the Gupta-period Badoli Shiva Temples, Abli Meeni Palace (built by Mukund Singh Hada), and the perimeter of Gagron Fort. Famed for the rare Alexandrine Parakeet (Gagroni / Hiraman parrot).

4. Tiger Reserves of Rajasthan

Under the auspices of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), Rajasthan hosts 5 notified Tiger Reserves:

No. Tiger Reserve Year of Notification Districts Covered Conservation Context
1. Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve 1973 (1st) Sawai Madhopur, Karauli Pioneer constituent of Project Tiger 1973; flagship tiger population reservoir.
2. Sariska Tiger Reserve 1978 (2nd) Alwar Suffered local tiger extinction by 2004–05; staged India's first successful helicopter airlift tiger reintroduction from Ranthambhore on 28 June 2008.
3. Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve 9 April 2013 (3rd) Kota, Jhalawar, Bundi, Chittorgarh Formed by unifying Darrah, Jawahar Sagar, and Chambal sanctuaries.
4. Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve 16 May 2022 (4th) Bundi, Bhilwara, Kota India's 52nd and Rajasthan's 4th Tiger Reserve; serves as a vital corridor connecting Ranthambhore and Mukundra Hills along the Mez River.
5. Dholpur-Karauli Tiger Reserve August 2023 (5th) Dholpur, Karauli India's 54th and Rajasthan's 5th Tiger Reserve; protects rugged Chambal ravine habitats.

Proposed 6th Tiger Reserve: Kumbhalgarh Tiger Reserve (Rajsamand, Udaipur, Pali).

5. Wildlife Sanctuaries of Rajasthan (Complete Master Matrix)

Rajasthan has 27 notified Wildlife Sanctuaries:

Sanctuary Name District(s) Established Distinctive Ecological & Biological Attributes
Desert National Park Jaisalmer & Barmer 1981 Largest sanctuary in Rajasthan (3,162 sq. km: Jaisalmer 1,900 + Barmer 1,262); designated as a Sanctuary under law despite the word 'National Park'; core breeding sanctuary of the Great Indian Bustard (Godawan); Akal Wood Fossil Park (180 million-year-old Jurassic fossils); Peevna viper.
Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary Alwar 1955 Famed for Yellow-footed Green Pigeons; Kraska and Kankanwadi plateaus; Neelkanth Mahadev and Bhartrhari ashram.
Sita Mata Wildlife Sanctuary Pratapgarh, Chittorgarh, Udaipur 1979 Global refuge of the Large Brown Flying Squirrel (Petaurista philippensis) nesting in Mahua trees; dense Teak and Bamboo forests; Jakham Dam; perennial hot and cold springs; Four-horned Antelope (Bhendal).
Tal Chhapar Sanctuary Churu (Sujangarh) 1971 Dedicated sanctuary for the Blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra) and migratory Demoiselle Cranes (Kuranja); saline depressions covered by palatable Mothiya grass (Cyperus rotundus).
National Chambal Sanctuary Kota, Bundi, S.Madhopur, Karauli, Dholpur 1979 India's only tri-state riverine sanctuary (Rajasthan, MP, UP); critical habitat for Gharials (Gavialis gangeticus), Marsh Crocodiles, and Gangetic Dolphins.
Mount Abu Sanctuary Sirohi 1960 High-altitude sanctuary; renowned for Grey Junglefowl; endemic flora like Dicliptera abuensis; Guru Shikhar peak.
Kumbhalgarh Sanctuary Rajsamand, Udaipur, Pali 1971 Prime breeding refuge of the Indian Wolf (Canis lupus); Four-horned Antelope; surrounds Ranakpur Jain Temples.
Phulwari Ki Nal Sanctuary Udaipur 1983 Source of Som, Mansi, and Wakal rivers; tribal heartland; state's first human anatomy park.
Jaysamand Sanctuary Salumber (Udaipur) 1957 Known locally as the "Abode of Aquatic Fauna"; wraps around Dhebar Lake; Panthers and Chitals.
Ramgarh Vishdhari Sanctuary Bundi 1982 Historic buffer and nursery of tigers; now elevated to Tiger Reserve status; diverse venomous herpetofauna.
Kailadevi Sanctuary Karauli, Sawai Madhopur 1983 Northern buffer of Ranthambhore; extensive Dhok forests over rugged Dang terrain.
Bassi Sanctuary Chittorgarh 1988 Origin of Orai and Bamani rivers; Bassi Dam catchment.
Bhainsrodgarh Sanctuary Chittorgarh (Rawatbhata) 1983 Confluence of Chambal and Bamani rivers; Mugger crocodiles and migratory waterfowl.
Shergarh Sanctuary Baran 1983 Known as the "Sanctuary of Snakes"; located along the Parwan River near historic Shergarh Fort.
Todgarh Raoli Sanctuary Beawer, Rajsamand, Pali 1983 Tri-junction of Ajmer, Mewar, and Marwar; dense northern tropical dry deciduous forests; Goram Ghat.
Bandh Baretha Sanctuary Bharatpur 1985 Centered around the Kukund River reservoir; known as the "Haven of Birds".
Nahargarh Sanctuary Jaipur 1980 Houses the state's first Biological Park and Lion Safari.
Sajjangarh Sanctuary Udaipur 1987 Second-smallest sanctuary in Rajasthan (5.19 sq. km); hosts Sajjangarh Biological Park.
Sariska 'A' Sanctuary Alwar 2012 Smallest sanctuary in Rajasthan (3.01 sq. km); carved out of core-1 of Sariska.
Jawahar Sagar Sanctuary Kota, Bundi, Chittorgarh 1975 Flanks the Chambal River canyon; dedicated to gharial and crocodile protection.
Sawai Man Singh Sanctuary Sawai Madhopur 1984 Southern eco-fragile buffer of Ranthambhore.
Ramsagar, Van Vihar, Kesarbagh Dholpur 1955 Trio of historic princely duck and wildlife preserves.

6. Conservation Reserves of Rajasthan

Under Section 36A of the Wildlife Act, Rajasthan has designated over 36 Conservation Reserves to preserve wildlife corridors and fragile biodiversity pockets:

  1. Bisalpur Conservation Reserve (Tonk): Rajasthan's first conservation reserve (2008).
  2. Jodbeed Gadhwala Bikaner (Bikaner): Global carcass dumping refuge for Vultures and Desert Foxes.
  3. Sundhamata (Jalore & Sirohi): State's first Sloth Bear Conservation Reserve (2008) across Sundha Mountain.
  4. Guda Bishnoiyan (Jodhpur): Community-protected reserve for Chinkara and Blackbuck.
  5. Rotu and Gogelao (Nagaur): High density of Blackbucks. Rotu is the smallest Conservation Reserve in Rajasthan (0.72 sq. km).
  6. Ummedganj Bird Conservation Reserve (Kota): Hadoti's premier wetland bird reserve.
  7. Shakambhari (Sikar & Jhunjhunu): Aravalli hill ecosystem and herbal biodiversity.
  8. Beed Jhunjhunu (Jhunjhunu): Grassland biotope supporting Nilgai, Jackal, and migratory birds.
  9. Jawai Bandh Leopard Conservation Reserve I & II (Pali): World-renowned Leopard Safari terrain demonstrating peaceful human-leopard coexistence among granite inselbergs.
  10. Ramgarh / Shahbad Forests & Shahbad Talheti (Baran): Dense Hadoti deciduous forests.
  11. Rankhar (Sanchore / Jalore): State's 16th reserve (2022); designated for the protection of the Indian Wild Ass (Equus hemionus khur).
  12. Beed Ghas Phulia Khurd (Bhilwara): Grassland and wetland bird refuge (2022).
  13. Bagdarrah Crocodile (Udaipur): Dedicated Marsh Crocodile habitat (2022).
  14. Wadakheda (Sirohi): Contiguous wildlife corridor.
  15. Khichan Conservation Reserve (Phalodi): State's first Demoiselle Crane (Kuranja) Conservation Reserve (2023).
  16. Sorsan Conservation Reserve (Baran): Core grassland for Great Indian Bustards, Blackbucks, and raptors.
  17. Hamirgarh (Bhilwara): Protected forest pocket.

7. Species Conservation Projects & State Symbols

7.1 Key Species Conservation Missions

1. **Project Tiger:** Initiated nationally on 1 April 1973; covers 5 Tiger Reserves in Rajasthan. 2. **Project Great Indian Bustard (Godawan):** - Godawan (*Ardeotis nigriceps*) was declared the **State Bird of Rajasthan on 21 May 1981**. - IUCN Red List status: **Critically Endangered (CR)**. - On 5 June 2013, Rajasthan became the first state in India to launch an indigenous **Project Great Indian Bustard** at Desert National Park. - Dedicated Captive Breeding Centers are operating at **Sam (Jaisalmer)** and **Ramdevra (Jaisalmer)** in collaboration with the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), successfully raising incubator-hatched chicks. 3. **Project Leopard:** Rajasthan became the first state in India to implement a state-sponsored Project Leopard in 2017 (Jhalana, Jawai, Amagarh). 4. **Crocodile & Gharial Breeding:** Intensive captive rearing and release programs along the Chambal.

7.2 State Symbols of Rajasthan

- **State Animal (Wild Category):** **Chinkara / Indian Gazelle (Gazella bennettii)** - Declared 22 May 1981. - **State Animal (Livestock Category):** **Dromedary Camel (Camelus dromedarius)** - Declared 30 June 2014; notified 19 September 2014. - **State Bird:** **Great Indian Bustard (Ardeotis nigriceps)** - Declared 21 May 1981. - **State Tree:** **Khejri (Prosopis cineraria)** - Declared 31 October 1983. - **State Flower:** **Rohida (Tecomella undulata)** - Declared 31 October 1983.

8. Biological Parks, Zoos and Deer Parks

8.1 Biological Parks

1. **Sajjangarh Biological Park (Udaipur):** First inaugurated biological park in Rajasthan (12 April 2015). 2. **Nahargarh Biological Park (Jaipur):** Largest biological park in the state (opened 4 June 2016); includes Lion Safari. 3. **Machia Safari Biological Park (Jodhpur):** Opened 20 January 2016 near Kaylana Lake. 4. **Abheda Biological Park (Kota):** Opened 18 December 2021 along the Chambal. 5. **Marudhara Biological Park (Bikaner):** Established at Beechwal.

8.2 Historical Zoos

- **Jaipur Zoo (1876):** Established by Maharaja Ram Singh II inside Ram Niwas Bagh; Rajasthan's oldest zoo; pioneer in Gharial breeding. - **Udaipur Zoo (1878):** Founded inside Gulab Bagh. - **Bikaner Zoo (1922):** Founded by Maharaja Ganga Singh. - **Jodhpur Zoo (1936):** Located in Umaid Public Garden; achieved early success in captive breeding of the Great Indian Bustard. - **Kota Zoo (1954):** Youngest public zoological park in Rajasthan.

9. Official Wildlife Mascots of All 33 Original Districts

In 2016, the Rajasthan Forest Department notified dedicated Wildlife Mascots for all 33 districts to foster civic conservation awareness:

No. District Wildlife Mascot No. District Wildlife Mascot
1 Ajmer Lesser Florican (खड़मोर) 18 Jhalawar Alexandrine Parakeet (गागरोनी तोता)
2 Alwar Sambar Deer (सांभर) 19 Jhunjhunu Black Francolin (काला तीतर)
3 Banswara Bronze-winged Jacana (जल पीपी) 20 Jodhpur Demoiselle Crane (कुरंजां)
4 Baran Marsh Crocodile (मगरमच्छ) 21 Karauli Gharial (घड़ियाल)
5 Barmer Desert Fox (मरु लोमड़ी) 22 Kota Smooth-coated Otter (ऊदबिलाव)
6 Bharatpur Sarus Crane (सारस क्रेन) 23 Nagaur Greater Flamingo (राजहंस)
7 Bhilwara Indian Peafowl (मोर) 24 Pali Leopard (तेंदुआ)
8 Bikaner Sandgrouse (भट तीतर) 25 Pratapgarh Flying Squirrel (उड़न गिलहरी)
9 Bundi Ruddy Shelduck (सुर्खाब) 26 Rajsamand Indian Wolf (भेड़िया)
10 Chittorgarh Four-horned Antelope (चौसिंगा) 27 Sawai Madhopur Royal Bengal Tiger (बाघ)
11 Churu Blackbuck (कृष्णमृग) 28 Sikar Shaheen Falcon (शाहीन)
12 Dausa Hare (खरगोश) 29 Sirohi Grey Junglefowl (जंगली मुर्गा)
13 Dholpur Indian Skimmer (पंछीरा) 30 Sri Ganganagar Chinkara (चिंकारा)
14 Dungarpur Painted Stork (जांघिल) 31 Tonk Swan (हंस)
15 Hanumangarh Common Kingfisher (छोटा किलकिला) 32 Udaipur Honey Badger / Ratel (कब्र बिज्जू)
16 Jaisalmer Great Indian Bustard (गोडावण) 33 Jalore Sloth Bear (भालू)
17 Jaipur Spotted Deer (चीतल) - - -