Jaisamand Wildlife Sanctuary

Jaisamand Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected area covering approximately 52 square kilometers on the shores of Jaisamand Lake (Dhebar Lake), located 50 km south of Udaipur in Rajasthan. Established in 1955 and declared a sanctuary under the Wildlife Protection Act 1972, it features dry-deciduous forests dominated by teak and other native species. The sanctuary serves as a habitat for diverse wildlife including leopards, sambar deer, chital, hyenas, and numerous bird species, while also preserving historical palaces built by the Maharanas of Mewar.

Visitors can explore the sanctuary through jeep safaris along designated routes, observe wildlife such as leopards, deer, and various birds, and enjoy boating on Jaisamand Lake. The sanctuary contains historical monuments including Hawa Mahal and Roothi Rani Palace, former summer resorts of Mewar rulers. The terrain is hilly with dense forest cover, offering opportunities for nature observation, birdwatching, and photography in a relatively tranquil setting compared to larger national parks.

The forest area was historically the Shikargah (hunting ground) of the erstwhile Maharanas of Mewar. The sanctuary was declared a reserved area under the Rajasthan Wild Animals & Birds Act 1951 in 1955, covering 52.342 sq km. It was later declared a sanctuary under Section 66(3) of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972. Jaisamand Lake was constructed by Maharana Jai Singh in 1685 by damming the Gomti River, and was named after him.

The sanctuary contains two significant historical palaces: Hawa Mahal, used as a summer resort by Mewar rulers, and Roothi Rani Palace, built for admiring the scenic beauty of Jaisamand Lake. Four shooting boxes known as Ohdis were constructed around the sanctuary for royal hunting expeditions and now serve as wildlife viewing points. The area represents habitat revival and restoration efforts in the Aravalli region.