About Desert National Park

The Desert National Park is located in the west Indian state of Rajasthan near the town of Jaisalmer. The size of the Desert National Park is, in terms of area: 3,162 km2 (1,221 sq mi) with 1,900 square kilometres in Jaisalmer and the remaining 1,260 square kilometres in Barmer, one of the largest districts in Rajasthan. The region is extremely hot and dry, and receives less than 10 cm of precipitation every year. The Desert National Park is a part of the Thar Desert ecology, and was given the status of a national park in 1980. In the northwestern tracts of the national park, there are sand dunes and a few barren hills. The Desert National Park is made up of a large, sandy, and undulating terrain and the sand dunes comprise around 20% of the park.

Geography of the Desert National Park

The altitude of the Desert National Park ranges from 210m to 300m above mean sea level across the Jaisalmer and Barmer terrain. Thus the park is made up of a large sandy, tough and undulating terrain with a number of extended ridges and dissected hills. This is the result of fast blowing winds over the plains of sand.

The Thar Desert, sometimes known as the ‘ocean of sand’ encompasses a considerable portion of western Rajasthan. The Desert National Park is located within this enormous area of sand. This national park serves as a remarkable representation of the Thar Desert environment and unique wildlife, as the desert’s delicate environment supports a diverse range of species.

A lesser-known fact about the Desert National Park is that it is geographically situated near a rich fossil park. This fossil park is known as Wood Fossil Park. It is a protected area in Jaisalmer and has valuable Jurassic-era fossils. The fossil deposits, particularly the wood fossils, are from over 200 million years ago.

Fauna of Desert National Park

The Desert National Park’s most popular attraction is a bird called the great Indian bustard, which is a critically endangered species listed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. The great Indian bustard is found only in India, and the Desert National Park is one of the last places on the planet where this species can be seen in large numbers. The great Indian bustard is considered among the heaviest flying birds in the world, and it is worshipped by natives. 

For migratory and resident desert birds, this habitat is a haven. There are many migratory raptors in the park, especially during the winter, including Eastern Imperial Eagles, as well as Saker Falcons. The residents of the park include eagles, vultures, buzzards and falcons. Gadsisar Lake, which is located in the Jaisalmer district of Rajasthan, is a favoured destination for birds. Chinkara (Gazella bennettii), also called the Indian Gazelle, is a commonly found antelope in the area. Thousands of migratory birds come to this place every year. Desert foxes, wolves, and desert cats are among the park’s other prominent inhabitants. 

Flora of Desert National Park

Most of the Thar Desert vegetation is of the thorn woodland type. The Desert National Park’s main flora features include scanty vegetation, scattered grassland, and bushes with thorns and dwarf plantations. The Desert National Park has a wholesome 170 plant species belonging to 48 families. Patches of sewan grass and aak bush can be observed throughout the scanty vegetation.

The topography of the Desert National Park includes rugged rocks, a compact salt lake over the surface, and the infamously static and shifting dunes, particularly the sand dunes. Two of the famous flora species are Ber and Dhok. Local communities, particularly the Bishnois, protect the tree species Khejri Prosopis cineraria, which is found in the area. 

Communities near Desert National Park

The Thar desert is the world’s most densely populated desert, with an average population density of 83 people per square kilometre (compared to 7 square kilometres in other deserts). However, the Desert National Park has a low human population (only 4-5 people per square kilometre). Within the park, there are a total of 73 villages and communities. These people, especially the Bishnoi community, have lived in this area for centuries and have become an important and indispensable element of the ecosystem, due to their rich heritage and tradition. 

Conclusion

The Desert National Park is one of India’s largest parks in terms of area: 3,162 km2 (1,221 sq mi). The park is located in the west Indian state of Rajasthan near the town of Jaisalmer. The Desert National Park is situated within the Thar Desert which is found in the western area of Rajasthan. The Desert National Park extends from Jaisalmer in India to Pakistan with a spatial area of around 3,160 square kilometres. Despite the harsh and fragile environment of the national park, this desert ecosystem has a large variety of flora and fauna. The Desert National Park features around a 180 million-year-old collection of animal and plant fossils. Even dinosaur fossils, dating back 60 million years, have been discovered in the area. The Desert National Park was also nominated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.