Rajasthan, the state which magnificently rests on
the Northern part of India is full of colours. From
the sand dunes, wooden hills, amazing lake palaces guarded
by rugged forts, men and women in turbans and skirts
of vivid colors, quite villages with camels and elephants
and the bustling towns with the palace hotels, the harsh
sunlight, the cool evening breeze are all to be found
in abundance. There is always a spectacular happening
in the much talked about state, Tourists and visitor
may hit upon a local, cattle fair or discover a breath
taking view of the land scape.
For all one's
inclination to believe that Rajasthan is a desert,
it is difficult to ignore the fact that the region,
in fact, has a varied topography, and includes from
semi-arid, desert-like conditions to among the
oldest mountains in the world, and lush,
water-filled valleys. No wonder too that its
wildlife is so rich in variety, including from the
tiger and leopard to endless varieties of deer,
rhesus monkeys, reptiles including the python, and a
profusion
of bird-life that includes water-birds. The Thar
desert, also referred to as the Great Indian Desert,
falls for most part within the state, though parts
of it do stretch into other states such as Gujarat,
Punjab and Haryana, and this is what gives Rajasthan
its unique topographical character. Unlike the
typical desert, it does not have oasis, palms or
cactii, and is densely populated. Sand dunes
characterise it, just as much as saline depressions
and lakes.
Interestingly, since legends refer to this area
as under water aeons ago, scientists have now proved
that some 25 million years ago, this was indeed the
case. Fossils unearthed in the Akal area point to
the remains of ferns and forests of cycades that
existed some 180 million years ago, pointing to a
possibly hot, humid climate. In fact, the area has a
geological history that places it under the sea on
four different occasions, and evidence is profuse in
the wood fossil park of Akal, and in other areas
around Jaisalmer that together constitutes the
Desert National Park.
nother distingushing natural feature in Rajasthan
is the Aravalli mountain chain, often referred to as
hills because the height
is rarely beyond a thousand metres. The folds of the
Aravallis were used successfully by the Rajput
princes to establish their citadels, but the
mountains are among the oldest in the world, the
result of early volcanic activities also responsible
for their mineral wealth of copper, zinc, cobalt
manganese, asbestos, soapstone, garnet, and marble.
Since the Aravallis tended to be heavily forested,
they became a natural refuge for birds and animals.
Even though human degradation of the environment has
led to deforestation, in areas where the forests are
still thick, the reserves continue to offer
sanctuary to their original, resident and migrant
species.
n and women in turbans and skirts
of vivid colors, quite villages with camels and elephants
and the bustling towns with the palace hotels, the harsh
sunlight, the cool evening breeze are all to be found
in abundance. There is always a spectacular happening
in the much talked about state, Tourists and visitor
may hit upon a local, cattle fair or discover a breath
taking view of the land scape.
usion
of bird-life that includes water-birds. The Thar
desert, also referred to as the Great Indian Desert,
falls for most part within the state, though parts
of it do stretch into other states such as Gujarat,
Punjab and Haryana, and this is what gives Rajasthan
its unique topographical character. Unlike the
typical desert, it does not have oasis, palms or
cactii, and is densely populated. Sand dunes
characterise it, just as much as saline depressions
and lakes.
ight
is rarely beyond a thousand metres. The folds of the
Aravallis were used successfully by the Rajput
princes to establish their citadels, but the
mountains are among the oldest in the world, the
result of early volcanic activities also responsible
for their mineral wealth of copper, zinc, cobalt
manganese, asbestos, soapstone, garnet, and marble.
Since the Aravallis tended to be heavily forested,
they became a natural refuge for birds and animals.
Even though human degradation of the environment has
led to deforestation, in areas where the forests are
still thick, the reserves continue to offer
sanctuary to their original, resident and migrant
species.