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GAJNER WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
The lake and forested hills of this reserve, 32 km from Bikaner on the Jaisalmer road, are inhabited by wildfowl, hares , wild boar, desert foxes and a number of deer and antelopes including black bucks and blue bulls. The lake at Gajner attracts water birds in thousands. Imperial sand house migrate here in winter. Gajner Wildlife Sanctuary, houses the former Hunting lodge of Bikaner and has a beautiful lake surrounded by a dense forest.
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.
The Gajner Wildlife Sanctuary is home to a number of wild animals and some of the resident species include wildfowls, deer, antelope, nilgai, chinkara, black buck, desert foxes and wild boars to name just a few.
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