Regional Centres

(DRC), Jodhpur
(DRC), Jodhpur

(DRC), Jodhpur

(DRC), Jodhpur

The Desert Regional Centre, Jodhpur was established on 14th June 1960 under Second Five-year plan to survey the faunal diversity of Desert Biome. The Jurisdiction of the Centre is spread over 3,42,239 Sq. km. area of Rajasthan and 1,96,024 Sq. km. of Gujarat, covering 33 districts for each state which includes nine National Parks, 48 Wildlife Sanctuaries, 2 Tiger Reserves, 1 Biosphere Reserve and 6 Ramsar Sites. The area under jurisdiction comprises of ecologically important diverse areas such as the Great Indian Desert or the Thar Desert, the Great Rann of Kachchh and the oldest mountain range Aravallis. The scientists and staff of the Centre have conducted about 335 faunistic surveys and expeditions in Rajasthan and Gujarat with documentation of 3,346 species of animals from desert biogeographic zone of India. The Centre is enriched with 86,589 named collections including both invertebrates and vertebrates. The scientists of the Center have described 68 animal species as new to science, published 37 books on taxonomy, ecology biology, behaviour and population studies, and over 850 scientific papers in the Journal of National and International repute on the faunal resources of Rajasthan and Gujarat. Over 90 research programmes (including EIA) including externally funded projects covering various aspects of faunal diversity in the Rajasthan and Gujarat states have been completed by the Centre. Exhibit models and posters on the fauna of Rajasthan and Gujarat are in display at the Natural History Museum of the Centre for generating public awareness toward biodiversity conservation.

Termite Fauna of Gujarat and Rajasthan
Status Survey of Chinkara and Desert Cat in Rajasthan
Studies on Plant and Soil Nematodes associated with crops of economic importance in Gujarat
Fauna of Desert National Park, Rajasthan
Fauna of Sambhar Lake, Rajasthan
Fauna of Pichhola Lake, Rajasthan
Assessement of Faunal Diversity of Nalsarovar Wetland, Gujarat
Faunal Exploration of Tal Chhapar Wildlife Sanctuary, Rajasthan
Fauna of Ranthambore National Park, Rajasthan
Studies on Ants (Formicidae) of Gujarat
Ants (Formicidae) of Rajasthan
Scarabaeidae Beetles of Rajasthan
Scarabaeidae Beetles of Thar Desert of Gujarat
Faunal Exploration of Sariska Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan
Qualitative and Quantitative studies of Plant and Soil Nematodes Associated with Crops of Economic Importance in Rajasthan
Faunal Exploration of Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary, Rajasthan
Faunal Survey of Important Congregative Bird Areas (Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary and Marine National Park and Sanctuary) in Gujarat
Diversity of Helminth Fauna of Rajasthan
Vertebrate Faunal Diversity with special reference to Avian and Mammalian Fauna of the Sardar- samand Reservoir, Rajasthan
Studies on Odonata and Lepidoptera Fauna of foothills of Aravalli Range, Rajasthan
Faunal Exploration of Sitamata Wildlife Sanctuary, Rajasthan
Taxonomical study of aquatic nematodes of lakes of Udaipur
Studies on Vertebrate Faunal Diversity of Kachchh Biosphere Reserve (KBR), Gujarat
Exploration of Vertebrate Diversity of Chambal River in Rajasthan State
Studies on Faunal Diversity of Rajasthan - Gaps in Research
Status Survey of Ardeotis nigriceps (Vigors, 1831) (Great Indian Bustard) in Grasslands of Rajasthan
Exploration of Ichthyofaunal Diversity in the Escape Reservoirs of Indira Gandhi Nahar Pariyojna (IGNP) Canal in the Bikaner and Jaisalmer districts of the Thar Desert, Rajasthan
Studies on Faunal Diversity of Dry Grasslands of the Thar Desert

Since its inception, the DRC has been surveying various districts of Rajasthan and Gujarat. The Faunal exploration which includes both extensive and intensive surveys has produced lot of study material representing all the Classes of Vertebrates and most of the orders of Invertebrate phyla.

The NZCs maintained at the Centre contain 12,358 identified lots of specimens, including both invertebrates and vertebrates.

New Discoveries
So far 68 species (Acarina, Isoptera, Coleoptera, Hemiptera, Hymenoptera, Thysanoptera, Nematodes and Reptilia) were describes as new to science by the scientists of the Centre.

Identification and advisory services are offered to students, researchers and scientists of other institutes. The facilities are also availed by Rajasthan and Gujarat State Forest Department for identification of confiscated specimens of insects, reptiles, birds, and mammals. Talks/lectures on various subjects related to faunal diversity and biodiversity conservation are delivered on request to the students as well as school/college teachers.

Dr. Sanjeev Kumar, Scientist-D & Officer-in-charge
Dr. Harinder Singh Banyal, Scientist-C

The Centre is equipped with Stereo Zoom Microscope, Compact Insect Storage system for housing insect collections, LED motion display and Computer local area networking through lane.

Indian Elephants

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