Author(s):

Keshar Dev and Partap Singh

Abstract: Shekhawati region located in north-eastern of Rajasthan and cover only 8% area of the state. Climatic condition of the area is both extreme – very hot summer and very cool winters. The region lies in semi-arid zone with low floral diversity due to scantly and irregular rainfall. Wind velocity in the region is quite high during the summer and sand storms are common feature of the area. Sand dunes are dominant in the entire region especially in north-western part. The region is part of Indian Thar Desert exhibit little mammalian diversity. During last three decades numbers of large mammals has been drastically decreased in the Shekhawati region due to inference of people in natural habitats of mammals for their beneficiary activities. The mammalian diversity of Shekhawati region is represented by 40 species of mammals belonging to 20 families and 31 genera. The region covers 9% mammalian diversity of India and 58.8.% of Thar. During survey of mammalian species both direct methods like line transect method and indirect methods by identification of sign were used. The conversion of desert land into irrigated agriculture is also affecting the biodiversity scenario in the region. Mammals that are adapted to desert environment is rapidly vanishing due to interference and destructive activities of man.

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