RAS question
Desert National Park, established for conservation of desert wildlife, is located in which districts of Rajasthan?
Correct answer: (C) Jaisalmer and Barmer.
Desert National Park, established for the conservation of desert wildlife in Rajasthan, extends across Jaisalmer and Barmer districts.
Explanation
Desert National Park is located in the western desert belt of Rajasthan and is spread across Jaisalmer and Barmer districts. The official Rajasthan Forest Department page for Desert National Park supports this district spread through separate official records for the Jaisalmer part and the Barmer part. Its exam-relevant scale is about 3,162 sq km, making it one of Rajasthan's largest wildlife sanctuaries. Its conservation importance comes from the desert wildlife it protects, including the Great Indian Bustard, Desert Fox, chinkara and many reptile species. Therefore, the location pair to remember is Jaisalmer-Barmer, not merely any two Thar Desert districts.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) Bikaner and Churu are desert districts, but the official Desert National Park record points to Jaisalmer and Barmer parts, not to these districts.
- (B) Jodhpur and Pali do not house Desert National Park; the park's stated spread is across Jaisalmer and Barmer.
- (D) Nagaur and Sikar lie away from the Jaisalmer-Barmer spread identified for Desert National Park, so they do not match the park's location.
Concept
This tests Rajasthan protected-area geography: matching a named national park or sanctuary with its district spread and conservation purpose. RAS repeatedly asks such questions because wildlife areas connect physical geography, biodiversity and Rajasthan-specific administrative mapping.