The Gajner Wildlife Sanctuary,
Rajasthan, is one of the premier natural reserves in the state and is a major tourist attraction. At a distance of about 32 km from the rich and festive city of Bikaner, is located the Gajner Wildlife Sanctuary. Enroute to
Jaisalmer, another desert town, lie the thickly forested hillocks of the Gajner reserve. A number of wild creatures such as the foxes wildfowls, boars, hares, antelopes and deer including the blackbucks, chinkaras and bluebulls or the Neelgai inhabit these jungles. Besides providing the tourists with a spectacular view, the clear, blue lake at
Gajner attracts avian visitors by the hundreds. The elusive Imperial Sandgrouse is spotted here at dawn or at dusk. Other migratory birds nest here during the winter months. Besides, the wild animals are easily spotted on the shores of the lake, quenching their thirst during the sweltering
Rajasthan summers.
The sanctuary grounds were once the hunting arena for the Rajputs and for the British aristocracy. The Maharajas of
Bikaner used these wooded regions to indulge in their favorite leisure, hunting. Luminaries such as Lord Elgin, Lord Montbatten and Prince of Wales have been known to hunt here. The
Gajner Wildlife Sanctuary however does not provide any accommodation or other facilities for the guests except the Gajner Palace Hotel (01534-255065). The Palace Hotel jeeps which accommodate about 6 people in all are the only means of entering the Sanctuary and the entrance fee is Rs 1000 per jeep. Daily buses and taxis ply between Bikaner and
Gajner village allowing easy access to the
Gajner Wildlife Sanctuary.
