Tal Chhapar Sanctuary - Refuge of the Blackbuck

 

Tal Chhapar Sanctuary is a sanctuary located in the Churu district of Northwestern Rajasthan, in the Shekhawati region of India. It is known for blackbucks and is also home to a variety of birds. Tal Chhaper Sanctuary is with almost flat tract and interspersed shallow low-lying areas. It has open grassland with scattered Acacia and Prosopis trees which give it an appearance of a typical savanna. The word "tal" means plane land. The rain water flows through shallow low-lying areas and collect in the small seasonal water ponds.

 

 

The sanctuary area is mostly covered by grasses with a very few trees. The Sanctuary comes alive with the chirping of various migratory birds such as harriers. These birds pass through this area during September. Birds commonly seen in the sanctuary are harriers, eastern imperial eagle, tawny eagle, short-toed eagle, sparrow, and little green bee-eaters, black ibis and demoiselle cranes, which stay till March. Skylarks, crested larks, ring doves, and brown doves are seen throughout the year. Desert fox and Wildcat can also be spotted along with typical avifauna such as partridge and sand grouse.

 

 

In the Tal Chhapar Sanctuary, a special type of grass is found. This grass is called Mothiya locally. The shape of the seed of this grass is like very fine round shaped pearls. Mothiya has a very sweet taste. People enjoy eating it, but it is found in very small quantities. Production is only a few kilograms every season. Mothiya is also food for blackbucks and birds which dig it from the earth with their starks.

 

The sanctuary become an important destination for the birds lover, who visit during winters. The best time to plan a trip to this sanctuary is from November to February.

 

 

The sanctuary is 210 km from Jaipur on the fringe of the Great Indian Desert. and lies on the Nokha-Sujangarh state highway and is situated at a distance of 85 km from Churu and about 132 km from Bikaner. The nearest railway station is Chappar which lies on Degana-Churu-Rewari line of North Western Railways. The nearest airport is Jaipur which is 215 km from Chappar.