| Desert National Park | |
|---|---|
   | |
| Nearest city | Jaisalmer, Barmer |
| Coordinates | 26°00′N 70°30′E / 26°N 70.5°E |
| Area | 3,162 km2 (1,221 sq mi) |
| Established | 1981 |
Desert National Park is a national park in the Indian state of Rajasthan, near the towns of Jaisalmer and Barmer. It is one of the largest national parks, covering an area of 3,162 km2 (1,221 sq mi) in the Thar Desert. Sand dunes form around 44% of the park. The major landform consists of craggy rocks and compact salt lake bottoms, intermedial areas and fixed dunes. It was gazetted in 1980.
Despite a fragile ecosystem, it harbours an abundance of birdlife, both migratory and resident birds, including short-toed eagle, tawny eagle, spotted eagle, laggar falcon, kestrel, sand grouse and great Indian bustard. Desert National Park has a collection of fossils of animals and plants which are 180 million years old. Some fossils of dinosaurs which are 60 million years old were found in the area.[1]
- ^ Gupta, M.L. (2008). Rajasthan Jyankosh, Rajasthani Granthagar. Jodhpur. p. 216. ISBN 81-86103-05-8.
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