Jaipur is a city of 4 million human beings, and growing! Somehow, in the middle of the din of a youthful, busy town there still remain protected pockets of surprisingly rich natural life and diversity.
The hills around the city of Jaipur are green, wooded and surprisingly rich in flora and fauna. A lot of effort, of a lot of unsung heroes from the forest department and local population and timely government intervention have made Jaipur the proud owner of small but significant mini forest that are connected or are being connected to each other and hold great potential.
Two such forests are:
I remember going on treks to Jhalana, and then on birding treks. I remember wishing that such lovely forests may somehow be saved from the rapid growth. And luckily for Jaipur they were!
Today these forests are well managed and protected. Have year around water and camera coverage. AND this protection has magically transformed Jaipur to the Leopard capital of the world!
Prey base is increasing, land management means these forests have more and more endemic plants and shrubs, exotics are being removed, grasslands developed, species like chital deer being reintroduced…
And as a result, Jaipur is now the home to more than 40 leopards! And counting!!
Hyenas are coming back, jackal numbers are going up, Nilgai is becoming a pest rather, peacocks strut around in their hundreds and langur monkeys jump about in their thousands.
These forests have becoming important and valuable birding destinations, especially when the raptors come and return from Indian subcontinent back to their cold steppe homes.
If you visit Jaipur, visit these parks. They are maybe an hour or less from your hotel. They are promising examples of how man and nature can co-exist. And flourish.
And when you visit these gems, don’t just go for the leopards, go for the fantastic views, for the fresh air, the greenery, the other animals and the amazing bird life too.
Arya Niwas Hospitality and their travel division can help you arrange a comfortable safari to the parks, including pickup from your hotel / home and drop back. Their guides and drivers are reliable and will be happy to share their knowledge on the parks, its flora and its residents with you.
For details you can visit www.jaipur-diaries.com or call on +91 9829040549