Finding Better Tomorrows

When 26-year old Monal Singh quit her corporate job as a biotechnologist, all her family members except her father were unhappy and unconvinced by her arguments. However, she was adamant about pursuing her career as a naturalist and wanted to join the Kishan Bagh project in Jaipur. For her, joining this restoration project was the best chance to learn of all the nuances of the desert ecosystem and strategies for its conservation.

Ticket area and main entrance of the park. The metal gate is built with the interwinding of wires resembling Saccharum, a tall perennial plant of immense importance in the life of desert tribes

Indranil Bhoumik

The key emphasis of the Park is the natural shrubland known as ‘Roee’ in local parlance. Kishan Bagh has a raised walkway 600 meters in length, followed by a 1.2-kilometre-long sand dune walk through several natural history exhibits where visitors can learn about sand, various rocks and plants.

Dhok gallery – the Anogeissus pendula or dhok survives harsh dry weather, feeds livestock and is a source of timber for locals

Indranil Bhoumik

Bui Aerva javanica, kapok bush or desert cotton, a deep-rooted herb, a soil-binder in the desert reclamation process. Valuable in local life for use as fuel, animal fodder and in traditional medicine

Indranil Bhoumik

View of dusk from the long house, through Kheemp roof. Kheemp Seenio is local grass that grows 7-10 feet in and around the sand dunes, a preferred food of Chinkara deer

Indranil Bhoumik

In the monsoon of 2016, the rejuvenation of Kishan Bagh was taken up by the Jaipur Development Authority. The restoration team consisted of experienced ecological restoration practitioners and architects led by Pradip Krishen – an acclaimed naturalist and environmentalist who spent 16 years creating a desert park in the difficult volcanic rock of Jodhpur.

Granite slabs on rhyolite chips – an extrusive igneous rock, formed by the cooling of magma-rich silica during eruption

Indranil Bhoumik

Grasses growing in the cracks of granite boulders with visible grains of feldspar, quartz, mica, and amphibole minerals

Indranil Bhoumik

Exhibit of sandstones of distinct colors due to the presence of different minerals

Indranil Bhoumik

Migmatites – double-cooked stones, consisting of two or more constituents often layered repetitively

Indranil Bhoumik

Fossiliferous limestone – marine invertebrate fossils consisting of limestone

Indranil Bhoumik

During the Kishan Bagh restoration program, native plants, shrubs and trees were reintroduced to the area along with soil brought in from richer habitats. This unique method was used to introduce microorganisms as well as seeds of a large number of associated species. The strategy behind the entire exercise was to bring back everything that can be found in the natural sand dunes of Rajasthan – the plant, insects, birds or animals. Although the restoration work was completed in early 2020, the pandemic stalled everything and Kishan Bagh was inaugurated in December 2021 by the Chief Minister of Rajasthan. The great success of the project certainly keeps young professionals like Monal inspired to chase new dreams.

The Red-Vented Bulbul

Indranil Bhoumik

Calotes basking on an acacia tree

Indranil Bhoumik

Info box:

Dos and don’ts

• Wear walking shoes, comfortable cotton clothes and a hat.
• Avoid bright colours. Green, khaki or camouflage clothes are best if you want to go birding.
• Carry water and some food.
• Ask naturalists at the ticket counter for help if you’d like a free guided tour.

Best Time

Monsoon is best, winter is good too.

April- Ocotber: 6.30am-7pm

November-March: 8am-5.30pm

Stairway towards area with pools of water for birds and animals

Ticket

₹50 for adults. ₹25 for students. Free for children below eight years.