JAIPUR – A WALK ON THE WILD SIDE!!!

Before I continue, if you think this blog is  about Jaipur City’s disco’s and pub’s or night life in general than you should stop right here. But if you are interested in knowing the real wild side of Jaipur, its jungles, its wild animals or birds, its nature trails and want to explore them, then please read ahead.

Jaipur, for ages has been popular with tourists because of its rich culture, its heritage and its art and craft.  Many tourists throng the city each year to enjoy its forts and places and also to shop for art and handicraft which is very typical to Jaipur. But did you know that Jaipur is also a place where one can get very close to nature?

Jaipur is surrounded by Aravali mountain range on its North and East Side. Being one of oldest mountain range in India, these mountains have developed its own eco system. These undulating hills of Aravalis that surround Jaipur are home to dry deciduous forests, many wild animals and also resident and migratory birds.

The Aravali Range that surrounds Jaipur

There are quite a few nature trails in these hills that one can go and explore. Being close to the city one can easily access them. Yet, not being within the city one also has the opportunity to get away from the hustle bustle of the city life for a few hours of peace and tranquility.

These forest lands belong to the forest department of the government. Though the forest department has laid restrictions for movement within their area to prevent attacks from wild animals and also to prevent poaching and unauthorized grazing by domestic cattle but still within these areas there are roads and tracks where movement is allowed. 

Here are some of these areas and a few tracks where you can easily go and enjoy the wild side of Jaipur.

JHALANA FOREST

Jhalana Forest is home to many wild animals like leopards, striped hyenas, blue bulls, spotted deer’s, sambhar deer, foxes, porcupines, Indian Civet, monkeys and so on. So going deep inside the forest is not considered safe. But still there is a track where one can go for walks. This track starts from the end of Malviya Industrial Area and ends at a Temple inside the forest. The track is only open between 0630 hrs till 0930 hrs in the morning and from 1730hrs till 1830hrs in the evening. Spotting deer’s, monkeys and antelopes is quite common here, but many a times, Leopards and Hyenas have also been spotted around these tracks.

“Jhalana is a very beautifull Urban Forest located within the Jaipur city. It’s a boon to have so much of green space that is home to wide variety of plants, birds  and animals amongst us” Says, tiger expert and a noted wild life conservationist, Mr. Dhirendra Godha.  Telling us more about Jhalana he says “32 sq km of Jhalana is very dense and very beautifull. Apart from many other animals it is home to at least 14-17 leopards as well. These leopards, which are on a near threatened status, have adjusted very well within the jungle hence they hardly venture out into human settlements.” Mr Godha, who works tirelessly for the cause of saving wildlife, adds “We have to get together and spread awareness amongst people to save Jhalana and its wildlife.”

 

Jhalana is a birders paradise too. Many migratory birds come here each year to nest. The Pitta and The Asian Fly Catcher being some of the celebrated ones. There are a lot of other beautifull and colourfull birds that attract a lot of bird watchers to Jhalana.

Mr. Sudhir Garg who is an avid birder and a keen photographer has seen Jhalana grow into a birding heaven over the years. He Says “Jhalana has at least 70 native bird species and at least 50 migratory bird species that come here every year to breed”. Some of them that he has seen over the years like Jungle Nightjar, Eurasian Sparrow Hawk, Jacobin Cuckoo and Painted Sandgrouse are the ones that are not so common. He proudly adds “The Indian Pitta, that migrates from the South of India only breeds at Jhalana at Jaipur. The eco-system at Jhalana is so conducive for this bird that it does not breed anywhere else except here." 

Photo Courtesy : Sudhir Garg

Photo Caption : Sudhir Garg

Mr. Sudhir Garg who owns a 16000 member strong page on facebook known as Birding Friends feels that birding as a hobby is growing rapidly in Jaipur. He says we are lucky to have so many birds at our doorsteps and feels that the government should work towards controlled & safe tourism so that a lot of hobby’ist can enjoy these gifts of nature.

SMRITI VAN

Situated in the Jhalana Range of the Aravalis, this forest has been developed as a biodiversity park by the Jaipur Development Authority and the Forest department.  The tracks meander thru thick canopy of trees that house many resident birds and some Antelopes. The authorities have kept a separate section to showcase the richness of fauna and the variety of trees that the Aravali region boasts off.  This part of the forest has no wild animals like leopards hence it is very safe to walk on tracks here. Though there have been instances when a leopard has strayed in this forest but the forest authorities close the park then. This park is also an ideal place for bird watchers.

CHULGIRI

Chulgiri is a famous Jain Temple perched on top of the Noth end of the Jhalana Range. Though it has a motorable road but a walk on the road is also pretty exciting. The walk up to the temple can be tiring but the views of the surrounding forests from the top can be worth the effort. Especially in rains when the trees turn completely green the views are breathtaking

GALTA

Galta ji is again a temple nestled in the Aravali Range. Galta Temple itself is made famous because of the numbers of monkey gangs that occupy the hills surrounding the temple. Galta also has many forests tracks in the surrounding but I won’t suggest those for walks as the forest department does not appreciate people walking on their land. A walk that I would suggest is from the base of Galta to a place called Jagga ki Baori. This is a motorable stretch but the fresh air and the cool breeze that hits you while you walk makes it an awesome experience. Again you might see some deer’s and antelopes and plenty of birds as you walk.

Also if you are interested in listening to stories, do spend time with the priests at the base of the temple and enjoy the tales about Leopards which live in the mountains surrounding the temple.

MAN SAGAR LAKE

Man sagar is home to one of the most incredible places in Jaipur and that is the Jal mahal or the Palace in Water. Over a period of years the Government has taken stringent steps to clean the water of the lake and bring back the lake to its original glory. As a result the water is visibly clean, fishes are plenty and the birds are back and the water does not stink anymore.

The east banks of Man Sagar towards the hill side; especially where the Dam is made is also an interesting place for a walk. With the lake on one side and hill on the other the walk is quite exciting. Cool breeze, vast open spaces, lots of greenery and birds chirping makes it a very relaxing walk.

Photo Courtesy : Surendra Chouhan

Plenty of food, clean waters and natural habitat make Man Sagar a perfect place for bird watchers as well. Each year plenty of migratory birds visit the marshlands surrounding the lake. An annual bird fare is also held in the month of February and this makes Man Sagar a fascinating place for bird watchers & wild life lovers. About 180 different kind of bird species have been recorded at the fair.

Photo Courtesy : Surendra Chouhan

“These days I do not have to go very far from Jaipur in search of different birds. The wetlands of Mansagar, Chandali, Kanota and Sambhar host a great deal of bird species” Says Mr. Surendra Chouhan from Jaipur. Mr. Chouhan is an avid wild life lover and one of the best bird photographers in India.

“With the habitat conditions within Jaipur and on the peripheries improving for birds, lots of birds that were only seen at Keolado Bird sanctuary at Bharatpur can be now seen at wetlands around Jaipur. Also some raptors only seen at Tal Chappar till some years back can now be seen as close as Sambhar Lake. The birding scene in Jaipur is definitely on an upward trend.” he adds excitedly.

The above by no means is an exhaustive list of places one can enjoy being with nature within Jaipur. I am sure that are many more but I am not aware of those. So if you feel I have missed some you can mentioned those in the comment section.

Nature is enjoyed at its best when you also become a part of it. When all your five senses are at play then the thrill of nature is unparallel. A leading philosopher george Santayana once said  "The earth has music for those who listen."

So go out, be with nature, listen to the music of the earth and ENJOY THE WALK ON THE WILD SIDE .