Tal Chapar
Blackbuck Sanctuary , Chappar Village, Churu, Rajasthan
The Blackbuck sanctuary ( Krishna Mrug) in the small village of Chappar in Churu district of Rajasthan is the home to unbelievable range of Raptors & grass land birds
History:
Tal Chappar Sanctuary, one of the natural habitats of flora and fauna, is located in Churu district in the India state of Rajasthan. Sprawling over an area of around 719 hectares, the sanctuary is the home to endangered black-bucks. The region served as a game reservoir for the King of Bikaner and was announced as a forest reserved during 1962.
About the Park:
The park is about 8 Sq. Kms Dotted with sewan, doob, dhaman lampla, lana and moth grasses, the sanctuary has very limited plantation of khejri, salvadora, ber, ker and neem trees , essentially a grass land which is fenced and the Black bucks securely stay in the park.
The park was started as a project for conservation of Black bucks , but as the grass grew and the climate of the area attracted a large variety of Raptors like Harriers , Buzzards, Falcons , Pipits, Larks, Shrikes, doves and other birds.
While the park is best place to shoot harriers like Montagu’s Harrier Marsh Harrier & Pallid Harrier, the adjoiningarea to the park where the cows are grazed ( Goshala) is the most happening area for Eagles , Buzzards and Falcons.
The goshala is home to Millions of Spiny tail Lizards popularly known as “Sanda” in Hindi. These Lizards live and breed here. This is the area where one can find maximum lizards per sq. Meter and this attracts the big raptors.
The Big birds of Prey hunt these lizards and this gives ample opportunity for the photographers to click action shots.
The Goshala is also the dumping ground for dead cattle and this attracts the Egyptian Vultures and Steppe eagles.
The park has many water holes, essentially ponds where water is pumped regularly, like Bhains talab, Salim Ali talab etc. These water holes attract variety of Birds and one gets ample opportunity to observe them here.
The Sunrise and Sunset are special in the grasslands from the photographers perspective. Excellent images are possible here
The park also has a lot of Mammals like the Blackbuck , Jackals ,Foxs, hares, jungle cat etc.
How to reach Taal Chappar
Air: Nearest Airport is Jaipur
Railway Station: Chappar, Sujangarh, Ratangarh
Road: From Jaipur via Salasar about 205 Km, From Bikaner about 140 Km
Park Timing:
Open on all days of the year
Summer: 6:00 am to 6:00 Pm
Winter: 6:30 am to 6:00 pm
Recommended Season:
The park offers various opportunities to observe the behaviour of the wildlife here
The Migrant birds arrive in October and are usually present till March hence it is called the Season for Taal Chappar
The Spiny tail Lizards come out from Hibernation in March- April. This attracts a lot of Birds of Prey in this time
The best time to do Photography here is EVERYDAY
Where to stay :
Laggar Nest (Bajrang Guest House),
Bikaner Road,
Chadwas Village
Rajasthan -331503
https://maps.app.goo.gl/jm8qXz89E8iZo9va9
The other options are available in Ratangarh & Sujangarh.
Guide:
The Park is traversed in motorised vehicle. Car rentals are available in Chappar, Sujangarh and Ratangarh.
Car Rentals : Ramu Ram Godhra : +91 7891639956
There are no guides available at the park.
Park Fees: (they are subject to revision by authorities, kindly check them before planning a trip)
Entry fee
- For Indians : Rs. 50
- Per vehicle ( Car , Innova, Jeep, Trax etc) : Rs 200
Camera Fee:
- No fee for Still camera ( DSLRS, point and Shoot)
- For Video Cameras Rs. 200
Other Area Recommended :
Jodbeet Vulture Sanctuary is 140 km from Chappar. for more about Jodbeet please refer http://ogaclicks.com/wordpress/jorbeer-where-vultures-dare/
Tour Operators
Saravanan Janakarajan: +91 9840119078, ogaclicks@gmail.com