Flora and fauna of Rajasthan
Wildlife of Rajasthan comprises the flora and fauna of the state of Rajasthan, India. The region ranges from the arid Thar Desert to the ancient Aravalli Range, and important wetlands such as the Keoladeo Ghana National Park. Continuous human habitation since the Indus Valley Civilisation at sites like Kalibangan and Balathal has influenced local ecosystems over millennia.
Geography
Rajasthan is India’s largest state by area. It borders Pakistan to the west and covers:Thar Desert: sand dunes, rocky outcrops, saline depressions; annual rainfall 100–500 mm.Aravalli Range: SW–NE fold mountains rising to ~1 700 m at Mount Abu.Eastern plains and wetlands: alluvial areas in Bharatpur and Dausa districts.Mount Abu: the state’s only hill station with subtropical evergreen forests.Ecosystems and vegetation types
Thar Desert
- Xerophytic shrubs and trees: Prosopis cineraria, Tecomella undulata, Acacia spp.
- Grasses: Lasiurus sindicus
- “Greening” trends since late 20th century due to monsoon variability and the Indira Gandhi Canal.
Aravalli Hills
- Lower slopes: tropical thorn and dry deciduous forests.
- Mount Abu: subtropical evergreen forests with endemic orchids, bryophytes and freshwater algae.
- Acts as corridor for wildlife movement and barrier between desert and plains.
Wetlands
Keoladeo Ghana National Park : wintering ground for >350 waterfowl species.Sambhar Lake: India’s largest salt lake, important for flamingos and halophytes.Other forest types
Tropical thorn forests: western Rajasthan.Dry deciduous forests: eastern and southern districts.Subtropical evergreen forests: Mount Abu highlands.Bamboo and riverine forests: in moist southeastern Aravallis.Flora
Regional representative species include:;Thar Desert
;Aravalli Range
;Wetlands
;Other forests
Fauna
Birds
Over 500 species have been recorded in Rajasthan.| Common name | Scientific name | IUCN status |
| Great Indian Bustard | Ardeotis nigriceps | Critically Endangered |
| Demoiselle Crane | Anthropoides virgo | Least Concern |
| Sarus Crane | Antigone antigone | Vulnerable |
| Red-naped Ibis | Pseudibis papillosa | Least Concern |
| Indian Roller | Coracias benghalensis | Least Concern |
| Laggar Falcon | Falco jugger | Near Threatened |
| Red-wattled Lapwing | Vanellus indicus | Least Concern |
| Green Avadavat | Amandava formosa | Vulnerable |
| Grey Junglefowl | Gallus sonneratii | Least Concern |
| Painted Spurfowl | Galloperdix lunulata | Least Concern |
| Aravalli Red Spurfowl | Galloperdix sp. | Data Deficient |
| White-naped Tit | Parus nuchalis | Vulnerable |
| Indian eagle-owl | Bubo bengalensis | Least Concern |
| Eurasian Spoonbill | Platalea leucorodia | Least Concern |
| Black-necked Stork | Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus | Near Threatened |
| Lesser Flamingo | Phoeniconaias minor | Near Threatened |
| Greater Flamingo | Phoenicopterus roseus | Least Concern |
| Bar-headed Goose | Anser indicus | Least Concern |
| Northern Pintail | Anas acuta | Least Concern |
| Common Teal | Anas crecca | Least Concern |
Insects and other invertebrates
Insects from >14 orders, including desert locusts, butterflies, beetles, bees and ants. Arachnids include scorpions and spiders.Protected areas
National parks
- Ranthambore National Park
- Sariska Tiger Reserve
- Desert National Park
- Keoladeo Ghana National Park
- Mukundra Hills National Park
- Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve
Wildlife sanctuaries
- Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary
- Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary
- Sita Mata Wildlife Sanctuary
- Todgarh-Raoli Wildlife Sanctuary
- Tal Chhapar Sanctuary
- Phulwari ki Nal Wildlife Sanctuary
- Jaisamand Wildlife Sanctuary
- Bhensrodgarh Wildlife Sanctuary
- Bassi Wildlife Sanctuary
- Gajner Wildlife Sanctuary
- Jamwa Ramgarh Wildlife Sanctuary
- Nahargarh Wildlife Sanctuary
- Sawai Man Singh Wildlife Sanctuary
- Sawai Madhopur Wildlife Sanctuary
Conservation reserves and wetlands
- Sundha Mata Conservation Reserve
- Umedganj Bird Conservation Reserve
- Gudha Bisnoiyan Conservation Reserve
- Shakambhari Conservation Reserve
- Jodbeed Gadhwala Conservation Reserve
- Jhalana Amagarh Leopard Conservation Reserve
- Jawai Bandh Leopard Conservation Reserve
Conservation efforts
Government initiatives
Project Tiger: tiger reserves at Ranthambore and Sariska under NTCA.Project Great Indian Bustard: launched 5 June 2013 for captive breeding and habitat protection.Research and institutions
- Wildlife Institute of India – research, training
- Arid Forest Research Institute, Jodhpur – dryland forestry research
Challenges
- Habitat fragmentation: agriculture, urbanization, mining, infrastructure
- Poaching and illegal wildlife trade
- Human–wildlife conflict: crop raiding, livestock predation
- Climate change: altered monsoons, temperature rise, habitat shifts
- Ecological shifts: Thar “greening” favouring generalists over specialists