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Wildlife Sanctuaries and Nature Parks Udaipur

Udaipur is a green city which is a home to a lot of flora and fauna. Neighboring areas of Udaipur too are lush green have a lot of sanctuaries preserving an indigenous species of animals, birds, and plants. These sanctuaries are open for public and can be visited for exploring and learning about wildlife. Have a look at these strikingly beautiful and magnificent abodes of nature.

Sajjangarh Wildlife Sanctuary

Monsoon Palace or better known as Sajjangarh, perched on a hillock, is encompassed by thick forest. It is gifted with rich indigenous flora and fauna. In the year 1987, the Government converted the area into a Wildlife Sanctuary. The sanctuary has many wild animals like Panther, Sambhar, Chital, Jackal, Blue Bull etc. The sanctuary is also a habitat for a wide variety of birds and other terrestrial animals.

Wildlife Sanctuaries and Nature Parks Udaipur
Source: Pinterest

How to reach: It is located not far from the city center Tourists can book a taxi or take a private cab to reach there.

Timings: 10 AM – 6 PM

Location:

Mount Abu Sanctuary

The Mount Abu Sanctuary is located across the Aravali range and covers a huge area. It is a habitat for a huge variety of wildlife- flora, fauna, and avian species. The sanctuary has a rich vegetation and is a home to a number of rare and endangered species of animals, like leopards, jungle cats, sambhar, wolves, Indian civets, hyenas, Indian foxes, jackals, bears, wild boars, common langurs, pangolins, Indian hares, mongoose, hedgehogs, porcupines and so many more. With the over 250 species of birds, the sanctuary is also a preferred destination for bird watchers.

Wildlife Sanctuaries and Nature Parks Udaipur
Source: Tripadvisor

How to reach: Take cabs or bus from Morthala railway station which is 18 km from Mt. Abu

Timings:  9 am to 5:30 pm

Location:

 

Kumbhalgarh National Park

Lying in the Rajsamand district, Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary is 100 kilometers from Udaipur. It spreads over a sprawling area of 578 square kilometers and covers the partial parts of Udaipur, Rajsamand and Pali districts. Kumbhalgarh Wildlife sanctuary is home to animals like Leopards, Hyena, Jackal, Jungle Cat, Sambhar, Chinkara, Chausinga, Hare and other Antelopes. Avian species such as Peacock, Doves, Kingfishers can also be seen. Further, birds like Red Spur Owls, Parakeet, White Breasted Kingfisher could also be spotted.

Wildlife Sanctuaries and Nature Parks Udaipur
Source: Wildlife of India

How to reach:

By Air: Udaipur Airport is the nearest airport which is about 85 km from the Wildlife Sanctuary.

By Rail: Falna Railway Station is the nearest Railway Station.

Timings: 7 am – 6 pm

Location:

 

Jaisamand Wildlife Sanctuary

Built in 1957, the sanctuary spreads over an area of 62 square kilometers and is a home to a variety of migratory birds. Crocodiles are also found in this sanctuary. Animals like Panther, Wild Boar, Deer and other Antelopes, Leopard, Jungle Cat, Hyena, and Fox etc. are also there. The lake has various reptiles and amphibians like Crocodiles, Turtles and a wide variety of fish. It is one of the best and the nearest sanctuaries in Udaipur.

Wildlife Sanctuaries and Nature Parks Udaipur
Source: Rajasthantrip

How to reach: Best to go by your personal vehicle or a taxi

Timings: 9 am to 5:30 pm

Location:

 

Bagdarah Nature Park

Bagdarah Nature Park is situated 15 kilometers from Udaipur and is the nearest place to enjoy the beauty of nature. The nature park is famous for being a for a great number of crocodiles. It is sometimes also known as Baghdara Crocodile Reserve and is quite famous for the Crocodile Breeding Project of Rajasthan. The word ‘Bagh’ is the Hindi word means Tiger and as per the legends Tigers were also found in this area and thus it got the name Bhaghdara.

Wildlife Sanctuaries and Nature Parks Udaipur
Source: patrika

How to reach: Best to go by your personal vehicle or a taxi

Timings: 10 am to 5:30 pm

Location:

 

Bassi Wildlife Sanctuary

situated near Bassi Village, the Bassi Wildlife Sanctuary is surrounded by the Vindhyachal Ranges in the west. Due to an abundance of wild animals like panthers, wild boars, mongoose, and antelopes the place is a great destination for nature lovers. The place also attracts various migratory birds and a lot of avid bird watchers. Apart from the sanctuary, Orai Dam and Bassi Dam located within the sanctuary are also renowned attractions of the place.

Wildlife Sanctuaries and Nature Parks Udaipur
Antelope in Bassi Wildlife Sanctuary

How to reach: Best to go by your personal vehicle or a taxi

Timings: 6:30 am – 5:00 pm

Location:

 

Sita Mata Wildlife Sanctuary

The farthest, Sita Mata Wildlife Sanctuary is located 165 km from Udaipur. Situated in Pratapgarh district the sanctuary spreads over an area of 423 square kilometers. It was declared as protected forest by the Rajasthan Government in the year 1979. Having more than 100 varieties of medicinal herbal plants it has a wide variety of trees like peepal, bad, neem, kachnar, babool, amaltas, ashok, khejdi, semal, bamboo etc.

Wildlife Sanctuaries and Nature Parks Udaipur
Source: UdaipurTimes

The sanctuary is famous for the Flying Squirrel and nearly 130 varieties of migratory and resident birds can be seen here. Herons, egrets, storks, spoonbills, partridge, quail, crane, peafowls, kingfishers, woodpeckers, sparrows, robins are some of the species found here.

How to reach: One can take a cab or go by bus

Timings: 9 am to 5:30 pm

Location:

 

Out of these wildlife sanctuaries, how many have you visited? 

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Places to Visit

Places to visit at Todgarh

Todgarh is a beautiful village located in the Aravalis, one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world. It is 3281 feet above the sea level and is famous for colonial buildings, serpentine roads, alluring waterfalls of the British era.

History of Todgarh:

During his period as a Political Agent for some areas of Rajputana, he performed every task with utmost dedication and efficiency resolving mutual disputes between people and earned a lot of respect through his work in the Merwara region, so much so that the then Maharana of Udaipur renamed Barsawada as ‘Todgarh’, which is still in use and known to most of the people by this name.

Here are some of the places you must visit for a memorable trip:

1. Todgarh-Raoli Wildlife Sanctuary:

Places to visit at Todgarh
Source – Wikipedia

It is one of the most underrated yet pristine wildlife sanctuaries of Rajasthan. It holds great potential for eco-tourism as well as nature lovers. The sanctuary is spread over Rajsamand, Pali, and Ajmer districts with an area of 495 km sq. filled with deciduous trees and grasslands. Some of the major wildlife includes leopard, sloth bear, Indian gazelle, blue bull, Indian wolf, etc. with a wide variety of birds too.

2. Dudhaleshwar Temple:

Places to visit at Todgarh
A bird’s eye view of Todgarh Source – Rajasthani Dharohar

This ancient temple named after Lord Shiva is located right in the middle of the Todgarh-Raoli Wildlife Sanctuary and houses a perennial source of spring water. The place is surrounded by banyan and tamarind trees and caretakers of the temple say that the place is frequented by leopards and bears at night. This is a must visit whenever you are exploring the sanctuary.

3. Katar Ghati:

Places to visit at Todgarh
Source – Todgarh

There’s a road on the way to Dudhaleshwar Temple from Todgarh, made by British engineers in the form of a serpent. This stretch of the road is 4 km long and is an ancient engineering marvel.

4. Ghoram Ghat Railway Track:

Places to visit at Todgarh
Source – YouTube

On the railway track between Kamlighat and Fulad Station is a beautiful region comprising of U-turns with a scenic view of waterfalls, tunnels, and bridges. The train passing through this area is a sight to witness. This is approximately 12 km from Todgarh and 25 km from the National Highway.

5. Bheelberi:

Places to visit at Todgarh
Source – YouTube

Bheelberi waterfall is 55 meter in height and can be seen in full flow during the rainy season. Long-billed vultures and several migratory birds can be sighted here during this time. This is probably the highest waterfall of Rajasthan. This waterfall is accessible through a 4 km car journey.

6. Pragya Shikhar:

Places to visit at Todgarh
Source – Tripmondo

Pragya Shikhar is a temple built by the Jain community and it was built in 2005. It was constructed using black granite in the memory of Jain Acharya Tulsi and was inaugurated by the then President Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam.

7. Victorian era Church and School:

Places to visit at Todgarh
Source – Sabbatical 2012

This Church is almost 150 years old and is one of the oldest Churches of Rajasthan. It was made during the British era and later allotted with funds for renovation by the Congress. There is also a jail that has now been converted to a school where children of the hamlet come to study. Quite an ironic place to study isn’t it!?

How to reach Todgarh?

Todgarh is a 3-hour journey via a bus or car on NH-8 crossing Nathdwara, Rajsamand, and Devigarh further taking a left turn at Puthiya Kheda, approximately 20 km from Kamlighat. It is 6 km inside from the main NH-8.

This small town has one or two small resorts but makes sure you have a confirmed booking before you leave.

 

Have you been to Todgarh yet?

Tell us about your journey with your comments below.

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Know About the Wetlands in Udaipur- These Save Water, Wildlife and Plants!

Nature has been especially generous for Mewar and given it a number of water bodies such as Picchola, Fatehsagar, Badi, Udaisagar, Rajsamand, and Jaisamand. Now, it depends on us how we preserve them. We have wetlands that are, regions that are filled with water permanently or seasonally and gradually develop an independent environmental system of their own.

At present 169 countries of the world have accepted the concept of wetlands and there are 2384 such places all over the world. In 1971 in Iran, was held International Ramsar Conference when the importance of wetlands and need for preserving them was realized. Since then Wetland Day is being celebrated all over the world.

In Udaipur district, we have at least nine big and small water bodies that are waiting to be declared as wetlands. One is Sahi Dam, Kotra that is spread over 356 hectares and another is Bharmela Talab in Menar, Vallabhnagar tehsil covering 217.01 hectares. In Menar, Vaalabhnagar tehsil is Dand Talab that has an area of 304.6 hectares. Covering an area of 552.39 hectares is Bagolia Talab in Mavli tehsil. Then we have Lake Udaisagar in Girwa tehsil with an area 680 hectare while Lake Jaisamand in Sarada tehsil covers about 5873.53 hectares. Vallabhnagar Dam in Vallabhnagar tehsil spreads 869.16 hectares whereas the Badgaon Dam, Morjai Talabin Mandi tehsil, covers an area of 1091.56. Bhatewar Talab in Vallabhnagar tehsil covers 869.83 hectares. A technical report of these water bodies was sent to the govt. in accordance with wetlands management and conservation rules 2010 of section 3.

UdaiSagar

For making Udaisagar, near Udaipur, a wetland, the land of 11 villages was included so that the whole area could be legally safeguarded. However, due to changing rules, it has not yet been declared a wetland.

Preserving wetland is important for us and the birds due to several reasons. During rains, they check the water from flowing away, so the water seeps down and the level of the underground does not go down. This, in turn, recharges wells and tube wells. Wetlands also help in conserving biodiversity as it is on them that animals and birds survive. The welfare of Udaipur depends on wetlands that provide water for irrigation and drinking. Lake strengthens the economy of the city with the help of tourism. Even small lakes like Roopsagar, Nela, Mandopi, Titardi and Phuta Jugi contribute to the development in their own way.

Wetlands are in danger as they are being encroached. Other activities are increasing there. That is being used as agriculture land. Those located near cities are in greater danger.

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Places to Visit Travel

Udaipur: Bird Lover’s Paradise!

Who doesn’t love birds with their multi-hued feathers and different forms of the body flying high in the azure sky, perched on branches of trees, swimming effortlessly on the still water of the lakes or driving into the water in search of their prey? The sight of these beautiful avians, one of God’s most attractive gifts to man, always gladdens one’s mind and soul.

Well-known all over the world is the glorious cultural and historic past of Mewar. The intricate sculpture and fascinating folk traditions of the region are unique. In addition to all this, 24 important bird areas in the states, there are six in Udaipur viz Jaisamand lake and sanctuary Phulwari Ki Naal and Sajjangarh sanctuary Sei Dam, Udaipur lakes and Baghdara crocodile park. There are four more such regions in the neighboring districts namely Kumbhalgarh sanctuary, Sita Mata sanctuary, Mount Abu sanctuary and Serari Dam. Thus, South Rajasthan can boast of ten important bird areas. To all these, two more Todgarh-Raoli and Bassi can be added that is home to a huge variety of water and other kinds of bird. No less than 242 bird species have been sighted in Udaipur region.

Udaipur: Bird Lover's Paradise!
flamingos near menar

Out of them, about 102 species are water birds and the remaining ones belong to the categories that live on earth and trees. About 150 species of migratory birds visit the lakes of Udaipur and neighboring area during the winter season. The district has its own identity as the sight of a large number birds of different species and wild animals can be seen easily. When in the months of October November as winter sets in, the number suddenly goes up.

Udaipurites who are lucky enough to be able to watch a good number of migratory birds in the winter season are often curious to know why the birds leave their country and come all the way to distant India. From the European countries and North Asian that become extremely cold during winter, they fly thousands of km away. At home, on the surface of winter bodies, there is snow, as also on the ground. The result is that the insects and the fishes that the birds feed on, either die or hibernate till the end of the winter season. In the absence of easy availability of food the birds fly long distance and migrate to countries that are warm, where lakes do not freeze and there is ample supply of food. In countries like India at that time summer season is just over and monsoon sets in. The lakes are almost full and there is greenery all around. So, food is available in plenty. Migratory birds live and lay eggs in Europe and Russia during summer, experts tell us. As the days are long they get enough time to hatch their eggs. Food is also available in good quantity, so the chicks grow faster.

Udaipur: Bird Lover's Paradise!
Source: Udaipur Kiran

How these migratory birds passing through narrow passages make their way without being hindered by obstacles?

In the case of animals, when they move forward, they feel that objects that are near them seem to come close to them faster than those which are far. Similarly, birds ensure that the pictures of objects on their both sides are in keeping with their speed and then they feel secure.

To save energy for long flights, migratory birds start accumulating fats in their body months in advance in the summer season. Another interesting thing about such birds is that they fly only during the night and rest in the day as to avoid human disturbances and for safety. They fly continuously without any break. During long journeys, they fly in a V-formation or line. When one feels tired it takes a position at the back and is replaced by one who is fresh. Bar-headed goose is a migratory bird that can fly at the highest level that is 10-12 km from the ground. Flying at such a height where there is little oxygen and temperature is minus fifty degree Celsius it reaches Udaipur and other places in Mewar region and Rajasthan. The amazing thing is that they sleep in the air while flying overseas and oceans. Their brain sleeps while their muscles keep functioning covering a distance about 5000 km at the rate of 500-600 km per day, they reach Udaipur to add to the beauty of the water bodies. The longest journey of 11,000 km from North pole to South pole from the Arctic to Antarctica is undertaken by the bird named Arctic Turn. Out of the about 150 species migrating birds that come to Udaipur every year 170 were spotted in the Bird Fair held in December last year.

Udaipur: Bird Lover's Paradise!
Source: Udaipur Kiran • Bird Watchers gathered to see birds

One can easily sight some common residents birds of Udaipur region like Common Coot (Tikadi), Little Grebe (Chhoti Dubdubi), Painted Stork (Jhanghil), Black-necked Stork (Luharjang, Asian Openbrill (Ghonghil), Woolly-necked Stork (Haji Laglag), Great White Pelican (Safed Hawasil), Black-headed Ibis (Kala Bujja)., Black Ibis (Kala Bujja), Greater Flamingo (Bada Hansawar), Red –wattled Lapwing (Titcahri), Little Cormant (Choota Pawan Kauva), Common Hoopoe (Hudhudid), Short-eared Owl (Chhot Kanna Ullu), Egyptian Vulture (Safed Giddh) and White-browed Fantail (Safed Nachni) in summer can be seen Indian Pitta (Desi Naurang), Rosy Starling (Gulab Mainn) etc. Winter visitors include Bar- headed Gouse (Seenkhpar), Pintail (Neessar), Red-chested Pochard (Chhoti Murgbi) etc.

Udaipur: Bird Lover's Paradise!
Source: Udaipur Kiran

It is perhaps worthwhile for bird lovers to know where bird watching can be done. Built by Picchu Banjara, Pichola the biggest and the most famous lake of the town is one of the places where a large number of birds of various species can be sighted. Babool and other bushes are suitable for resident birds to build nests for breeding after monsoon season. It is fascinating to watch nests of Open Bill Stork during the breeding season. Nest colonies of Egret and Heron species in areas close to the lakes are also a sight worth watching. Fatehsagar built by Maharana Jaisingh and renovated by Maharana Fatehsingh is another huge lake good for bird watching, especially near Rani Road where winter is not very deep and there are trees where birds can build nests. However, the noise of motor boats that disturbs the peace is a negative factor. Connected with Picchola lake is Rangsagar lake built by the erstwhile Maharanas and Swarup Sagar built by Maharana Swami Singh are other spots suitable for watching birds of various species. So also Jal Burz and Kalka Mota Nursery near Doodh Talai. This year early in November about 600 birds of different species such as Schoveller, Common Pochard, Pintail Common Teal Ibis, Common Coot, and Spotted Dove were spotted in Roop Sagar and Badi Lake near Udaipur. Rajsamand that overflowed this time after 8 years also had a good number of birds.

In lakes near Udaipur such as Ghasa, Mavli, Kadla Losing, Nandeshwar, Bhatewar can also be seen birds in large numbers. The lakes near Menar also attract a huge number of birds of several species. Dhand Talab has been a home to over 600 Grey-leg geese that have come from a distance of 6000 km. The special feature of lakes near Menar is that the villagers do not use the lake water for irrigation and do not allow people to pollute it. Groups of young men not only guide the tourists but also provide horses to them. They have put up tents for the tourists to stay in very intelligently they have found a new way of caring morning and at the same time promoting tourism.

Udaipur: Bird Lover's Paradise!
Source: on the high road

Udaipurities can now drive some 25 to 50 km away from the city, have an exciting close view of beautiful birds and spend an enjoyable day.