jaipur-offbeat-unexplored-places-kishanbagh-park-pradip-krishen
Flora & Fauna In Jaipur, Jaipur Offbeat

Kishan Bagh | The Most Scenic Point In Jaipur?

Kishan Bagh in Jaipur? Most people have never heard about this place. I initially heard about Kishan Bagh with the story of Prince Jagat Singh Of Amer and Mariam Mahal. Jagat Singh was the son of Mirza Raja Man Singh of Amer. He married Mariam, a foreigner. She resided in a palace built amidst scenic surroundings called Kishan Bagh.

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Here is a picture of the ruins of Mariam Mahal in Jaipur.

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Kishan Bagh is at the foothills of the Nahargarh Fort hill. I have traversed through Kishan Bagh dunes while hiking a few times. Here is a picture from one such hike.

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A couple of years later, I heard of the Kishan Bagh being developed by Pradip Krishen and JDA. Pradip Krishen remains a familiar name in India when it comes to trees and the local ecology. He was instrumental in the building of Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park in Jodhpur, and he is the author of the acclaimed book, Trees of Delhi. 

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The Story so far-History

In January 2016 Jaipur Development Authority(JDA) showed Pradip Krishen a vast barren land at the base of Nahargarh Hills. They sought his opinion on reshaping it into a public park. JDA had already worked on this landscape, and their park project was a disaster. They had created a cactus garden in Kishan Bagh a few years before but it did not survive. Having worked on Rao Jodha Rock Park in Jodhpur, Pradip Krishen thought of restoring Kishan Bagh dunes into a natural desert landscape.

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The inspiration for this idea came from his explorations into the desert landscape of western Rajasthan which is called Roee by the locals. Roee landscape is dominated by small shrubs like Seenio (सींणीओ ), Bui (बुई), and Kheemp (खीम्प).

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Seenio is a preferred food for Chinkara deer. This becomes dry during the dry months and when the moisture returns to the air, it becomes green again. This is very similar to the monsoon forests of Aravali hills. Kheemp grows in and around the sand dunes and grows 7-10 feet. But, on the other hand, has white cotton-like growth and is from the Amaranthus family. One can find all this information on boards installed on either side of the walkway.

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Amidst all this, one can’t ignore the Munj grass found in the semi-arid landscape. Since my ancestors hail from Western Rajasthan, I have seen locals using dried shrubs in villages for lighting a fire stove – Seenio/सींणीओ. There is more to the flora of western Rajasthan than the ones listed above. There are trees like Khejri, Rohida, Kumatiyo, Akada, and Dhatura to name a few. Some of these have made it here; each contributes in their own way to the ecosystem in the desert

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What makes Kishan Bagh Sand Dunes Unique?

From the outset, Kishan Bagh is impressive. It is fascinating to note how unutilized barren sand dunes can be transformed into such a magnificent place. The park has used natural materials & resources found here in Rajasthan. 

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We have many parks in our cities like Central Park with decorative trees and plants devoid of indigenous ones. Pradip Krishen has invariably been an advocator of local trees and plants. Indigenous trees support local fauna. They are much more hardy as they are best suited for local climatic conditions. Each and every part of indigenous trees finds use in one or another way.

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The experience has proved that imported tree variants have caused havoc to the local ecology. We have an example of Vilayati Babool which provides no perceivable benefits and remains an invasive species. Prosopis Juliflora, its scientific name is also called Vilayati Keekar in Hindi. It is hard to uproot this tree because it regenerates from the slightest trace of roots. Initially from South America, it has caused immense problems because there is no natural way to check its growth. It was introduced in India by the Britishers during the late 19th century under colonial rule. Then between the 1920s and 40s, it was planted in huge numbers in many areas, especially in Rajasthan. Here is a picture of Vilayati Keekar planted by the forest department in Aravali hills in Jaipur.

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Similarly, the Eucalyptus plantation promoted by the Forest department in the 1970s & 80s was a disaster. Originally, from Australia, its ill effects were visible within a few years. The farmers & environmentalists protested for this tree made soil infertile and required an enormous quantity of water. Kishan Bagh is a step in the right direction. It celebrates the gift of nature -the local ecology.

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Kishan Bagh provides a breath of fresh air because it still preserves its native form, unlike most parks that change the topography entirely with landscaping. Instead of Gulmohars, one will only see Dhok trees and Sarkanda or Munj grass in its natural glory.

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Jaipur is technically not a desert, and it is considered a semi-arid region. In the past, it was effortless to spot sandy areas near the city. Owing to the growing urbanization, all that has changed. Many travel accounts from the mid-1800s to early 1900s of travelers mention huge sandy areas at the foothills of Galta hills and Nahargarh Fort Hills. One can still see a bit of the latter but not the former. Here is a picture of the sand dunes at the base of Nahargarh Fort.

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Kishan Bagh sand dunes from one of my previous hikes in this area at the base of Nahargarh Hills.

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The Kishan Bagh sand dunes slowly turned into ravine-like structures resembling the ones found in the Chambal river. Chambal region in the Dholpur & Morena has a similar ravine landscape. The wind and water created channels & ravines. The current project aims at preserving ravines and avoiding any further damage.

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The Layout of Kishan Bagh Sand Dunes Jaipur

Kishan Bagh has recreated micro-habitats of desert land. Among the numerous things, one can spot fossil rocks, sandstones, quartz rock, Munj grass, and Kheemp thatched roof. Recreating this space is a laborious process & taken a few years.

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During my first visit during its making, Pradip Krishen explained there has been a long learning curve behind the current landscape. At times, the solutions were improvised to suit the requirements.

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Some island zones explain the habitats of desert topography. Here are some of those:

1. Granite Habitat

The granite landscape is part of the Aravali hills. Granite is a rock formed due to the cooling of magma from a volcanic eruption. In that respect, this rock is millions of years old. Aravali Hill range is much older than the Himalayas and runs South to North from Gujarat to Delhi.

 

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Many plants like Chasmophytes grow in the crevices of these rocks. These are strong plants that have learned to grow with little resources – tight space and very little soil. Here is a picture of one such Chasmophyte from my hikes in Nahargarh Hills.

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2. Dhok Habitat

Dhok trees also known as Anogeissus Pendula Tree is a resident tree of the Aravali Hill around Jaipur. These hardy trees are one of the few that survive in the harsh conditions of the Aravali Hills. They can adapt well to the steep slopes and lack of water. Dhok is part of the monsoon forest. Dhok trees are usually interconnected through underground roots.

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Anogeissus Pendula tree or Button tree fruit and leaves

Here is a picture of the Dhok tree that one finds in abundance on the hills of Nahargarh Fort.

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I’m happy to see the Dhok tree in Kishan Bagh because this is the most common tree I see in the hills near Jaipur. It is like an instant connection. 

If you haven’t read this in-depth post on the Dhok tree, check it out – Anogeissus Pendula tree The resident tree of Aravali Hills

3. Desert Rocks

This habitat is spread around the start of the boardwalk that takes visitors to the farthest end of the Kishan Bagh eco-park. It contains a variety of rocks from the Aravali hills. Out of these sandstones are one of the most prominent stones.

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Sandstones from Rajasthan are popular all across the world. The most popular sandstones from Rajasthan can be found in Dholpur and Karauli. One of the most sought-after sandstone is the newly founded Bidaser. An installation replicating the high-rise buildings celebrates the sandstones of Rajasthan. Other notable stones are Quartzite and Rhyolite. The Aravali hills near Jaipur have rocks containing quartz.

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One of the least known stones from Rajasthan is Stromatolite from Udaipur which is a fossil-bearing rock.  Here is a picture of a fossil-bearing rock sample from Kishan Bagh.

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4. Roee & other micro-Habitats

This habitat recreates the ideal conditions for various shrubs and plants to grow. One of the most important of which is the soil. To recreate this zone, the top layer of soil from western Rajasthan was sourced.

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Kishan Bagh also has some special habitats found in the desert landscape. Here are a few pictures of the same.

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5. Viewing Deck

The boardwalk made from Jaisalmer stone snakes through the park and leads one to the viewing deck – The Longhouse or Machaan. There is another viewpoint called Maidan Lookout. Here is a picture of the path that leads to Maidan Lookout.

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 The viewing deck of this ecological park is where every nature lover would love to be. It gives a panoramic view of the entire area including the western slopes of Nahargarh Hills. Here are a few pictures of the Machaan.

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It reminds me of the African Safari resorts and this deck seems to be a fusion with the rural huts of Rajasthan. An elongated structure like this is hard to find in Rajasthan as most huts using Kheemp are tiny. One can then choose to descend to a small pond and get lost in the wilderness around.

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It was a naturally occurring water body but has been reshaped during the making of the park. It is an oasis for nature lovers.

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Kishan Bagh’s ecology supports many birds, insects, and animals. Some of which are Grey Frankolin (Teetar), Indian Roller, Myna, Indian Robin, Bee Eater, Peacock, Desert Fox, Neelgai to name a few. Here are a few pictures.

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Visiting Kishan Bagh is like reconnecting with nature and taking time off to unwind. Not many places in Jaipur are so peaceful. I definitely recommend a visit to Kishan Bagh in Jaipur, at least once.

Kishan Bagh entry charges are Rs 50 per person

Kishan Bagh Entry Charges

The entry charge for a student in Kishan Bagh is Rs 25. However, a valid student id card is necessary.

For everyone else, the Kishan Bagh entry charge is Rs 50 per person.

Kishan Bagh Timing

The timing of Kishan bagh is as below:

winter timings: 8.30 AM to 5.30 PM

summer timings: 6.30 AM to 6.30 PM

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Pre-wedding photoshoot in Kishan Bagh & Charges

Rs 5000 is charged for a pre-wedding photoshoot in Kishan Bagh. It is no surprise why so many young couples prefer to get photoshoots in Kishan Bagh.

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Kishan Bagh
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82 thoughts on “Kishan Bagh | The Most Scenic Point In Jaipur?”

  5. This is a very interesting report on the remarkable works of your authorities to restore the semidesert around Jaipur to its natural habitat. It is my hope that people may be inspired to follow ecological principles in dealing with our planet.

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  8. What a great park! I love that you described the different vegetation. I know we were told some of the names and uses, such as seeno and munj grass, but I forgot most of it. It was great to take my time with your descriptions and images. Maggie

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    1. I’m glad this post brought back old names. I know people like you, who love nature will appreciate Kishan Bagh. It is one of its kind. Have you seen something similar anywhere else during your travels?

      Liked by 1 person

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      1. The one place that comes to mind is El Cajas park in Ecuador. It’s completely different than Kishan Bagh because it’s very wet and at high elevation, but it has a wide variety of unique vegetation.

        Liked by 1 person

  9. Kishan Bagh sounds like a haven of peace, far from the crowds of Jaipur. It’s amazing how local trees and plants have been at the center of its development. Thank you for an exhaustive post arv and lovely shots, as usual. How long is that path? Does it go all through the bagh?

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    1. Well said, it is far from a crowded scene. Local trees are imporant for ecology. The path only allows you to travel to a certain distance. The management has built a combination of boardwalk like pathways and natural mud path. They are still developing more. I’m yet to explore the entire park because it requires a lot of time, but someday, for sure.

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      1. I’ve not been very active for a while, Arv. For a month or two I’ve not felt like engaging with social media more than I can possibly help. I’m slowly clawing my way back now, though. otherwise, well enough. I hope you are, too.

        Liked by 1 person

  13. Pingback: Best Places For Pre-Wedding Photo shoots in Jaipur – JaipurThruMyLens

  15. Superb! My kinda place 🙂 I so look forward to its opening in December!

    Brilliant landscaping by Pradip and yes using native/local trees is the correct way to create a conducive biosphere. Your photographs makes it look so dreamy and I am sure it is.

    Thanks for sharing this and also for painstakingly penning down a detailed post on it.

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    1. I was sure you will love Kishan Bagh, Monika. You can trust Mr. Pradip on things like this. Have you heard about Rao Jodha park in Jodhpur? I don’t edit pictures, so it depicts whatever you see. I’m glad youe enjoyed reading this post, Monica. This definitely made it worth all the efforts. 🙂

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      1. Yes. During my visit to Jodhpur I had seen the signboard. It was still under development so we did not go there. Have you been there?

        I do look forward to spending some time in Kishan Bagh 🤞🏻😊

        Nature is so beautiful that it’s clicks do not need to be edited. I so agree on this. I am an ardent admirer of your photographs, you know that 😍

        Liked by 1 person

      2. I last visited Jodhpur almost a decade ago. I don’t think it existed back, then. Well, there isn’t much to see and do in Jodhpur unlike Udaipur, Pushkar, and Jaipur. This explains why I’m not very excited to visit Jodhpur, again. I hope you get to visit Kishan Bagh soon. You are too kind, Monika. I’m not a professional, just an enthusiast. 🙂 I’m glad you enjoy these pictures. So planning to visit Jaipur, any time soon?

        Liked by 1 person

      3. I love Udaipur …… so much so that I was pretty keen in settling there 🤣🤣 Jaipur is my all time favorite and I have shared this bit often with you 😍

        I hope Corona loses its effect soon. Would love to visit Jaipur. As of now no plans. 😔😔

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      4. Udaipur is one of its kind. Charming city devoid of the huge crowd one witnesses in other cities of Rajasthan. The weather is awesome too. Hoping to see you in Jaipur, whenever that happens!

        Liked by 1 person

      6. In the current circumstances, exploration within the city is not riskier than traveling to a remote place for a short break. The spread in the urban areas seems to be rising exponentially. Take care, Monika.

        Liked by 1 person

  16. This is a wonderful and informative post, Arv. You explained different habitats very well and it seems the park is a unique and one of a kind promoting natural species and maintaining the ecological balance. Looking forward to visiting this park sometime.

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    1. I agree this park makes a departure from western concept of beautifying landscape. This proves that we can create a stunning landscape with indigenous plants and trees. Dhok is more beautiful than the imported trees in parks of our city. I’m sure nature lovers like you will enjoy visiting Kishan Bagh. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Sarmistha. 🙂

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    1. I’m glad you enjoyed your Jaipur trip. The Pink City is incredibly popular among travelers for all it offers. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Rethy.

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  18. After a very long time heard those familiar names of a few shrubs and trees. I remember my father used to tell all about them when he used to take us to play in the sand dunes some where near Shastri Nagar.
    I had heard this name Kishan Bagh from my tauji years ago but look at this place now….. wonderfully renovated!!
    But still I guess that once this place is open for public how many visitors will be able to understand the importance of all those points you have mentioned here…. we definitely need to educate tourists to understand the hard work, efforts and logics behind the whole process.

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