Nestled in the heart of Pink City Jaipur, the lush green Jhalana safari park is spread over an area of 24-square kilometers in the eastern part of the city. The forest accommodates a family of 15 ferocious big cats (leopards) that freely prance around the forests. Two years back, leopard sightings went down by 75%. Last year, Raje-led-BJP government gifted wildlife lovers with a lucrative treat. Raje government deployed 3500 private vehicles to inaugurate Jhalana jungle safari.
In case you missed it, here’s how you can spend your summers in Jhalana Nature Park.
Park Timings: 10 am to 5 pm
Best Season to Visit: October to March.
- Bird and Animal Watching
Jhalana Nature Park, a part of Nahargarh Biological Park has 200 varieties of birds and animals including grey francolin, yellow-throated sparrow, white-breasted kingfisher, grey-backed shrike, Indian rock python, monitor lizard, hyena, blue bull, monkeys, peacocks, spotted deer, many different reptiles, panthers and leopards. In short, it’s a treat for animal lovers!
- Plant Sampling
The dense forests of Jhalana accommodate over 450 plant species that provide botanists with plenty of opportunities to collect rare plant samples.
- Jeep/Cycle Safari
Rajasthan forest department leases jeeps, mini buses, cars and cycles for tourists who wish to explore the uncharted territories of Jhalana. Students can rent out vehicles at Rs 20 per person whereas other Indian citizens can rent four-wheelers at a price of Rs 50 per person.
You can book four-wheelers at Rs 300/vehicle. Students can rent cycles at just Rs 5/trip and Rs 1000/month. Other than vehicles, the park is open for trekking, as well. Don’t miss it for the world!
- Nature Photography
If you’re talented with camera, you can click beautiful snapshots of forest at its best. You can see 15-18 leopards frolicking in their natural habitat, freely without any interference from human population.
- Shop at World Trade Park
The Jhalana forest area is located approximately 3.5 km from World Trade Park—Rajasthan’s biggest shopping mall. You’ll find everything there, from affordable, local Rajasthani stuff to high-end, classy goods.
The government has introduced ticket kiosk with electronic system, a fixed route signage and online ticket booking services for visitors.
Ever since Jhalana wildlife safari started in December 2016, the park received 21,747 tourists and contributed total revenue worth Rs 15, 10,535 to Rajasthan’s economy. Initially, Jhalana forest didn’t contribute a single penny to the forest economy. Nevertheless, things have changed for good with government’s intervention. Following this initiative by Rajasthan government, around 390 students living around the forest were unaware of Jhalana’s biodiversity.
Today, the wonderful green Jhalana forest welcomes bird viewers, nature photographers, wildlife enthusiasts and tourists around the country.
Photo Credits:
Featured Picture: Alankar Chandra
