Jorbeer Vulture Sanctuary Bikaner
Jorbeer Vulture Sanctuary Bikaner: How to Visit, Best Time, and Photography Tips
[Last Updated: October 2025]
Jorbeer Bikaner surprised me with its breed of vultures! During my stay in Bikaner, one early morning accompanied by couple of friends, I ventured into the feeding grounds of vultures! Vulture Sanctuary is situated in Jorbeer village of Bikaner, Rajasthan India.
It was easy to locate the sanctuary; a big board with a picture of vulture confirmed the location. Leaving the vehicle here we walked towards the sighting tower. But the sight of vultures feeding on carcass was nowhere around.
Jorbeer Vulture Conservation Reserve Sign Board
Disappointed we returned to the entry point when we were told we have to walk further inside beyond the watch tower. So we set back again… we walked and walked may be for half an hour… actually not for so long but in the deserted desert area every minute seemed so long.
Jorbeer carcass dumping site is another 10 minutes walk from the watch tower.
Jorbeer Vulture Sanctuary Bikaner
And then we spotted hundreds of birds, hovering around a small area. As we reached closer, the sight stunned us. There were all kinds of birds; vultures, eagles, egrets and even dogs feeding on carcasses dumped there.
Jorbeer Vulture Conservation Reserve Bikaner
Jorbeer Sanctuary is a dumping ground for the carcass of cattle and camels. The Camel Research Center of Bikaner is close to this. Migratory birds like vultures, eagles and kites from colder regions in north find this an ideal feeding ground during winters. They start arriving from October onward and remain here till they fly away after February. There is sufficient food for the scavengers.
The place seems well protected from land sharks with good strong fencing. I am sure there are other approach roads to this place, though I couldn’t trace out any.
Vultures, Kites, Eagles
Vegetation in Jorbeer
Jorbeer Vulture Park is about 20 sqkm. It is almost a barren land with sparsely growing trees of Khejri, Salvadora, Ber, Ker and Neem trees. All animal carcasses from Bikaner district is dumped in the centre of the park. It is estimated approximately 10 to 30 carcasses are dumped from around 40 villages around Jorbeer.
Vultures and Birds in Jorbeer Conservation Reserve
Some of the frequently spotted birds here are: Migratory birds like: Eurasian Griffon from Spain and Turkey, Cinereous from Mongolia and Tibet, Himalayan Griffons from Central Asia.
Other species are: Egyptian Vulture, King Vulture, Black Kite, Steppe Eagle, Greater Spotted Eagle, Indian Spotted Eagle, Imperial eagle, White tailed Eagle etc.
Smaller birds like Black Drongo, Wheatears, and Shrikes too feed on these dead animals here. They must have adapted to this eating habit, I thought.
Eurasian Griffon Vulture feeding at Jorbeer Conservation Reserve in Bikaner
Other Animals…
While approaching the place we sighted several holes on the ground big enough for a snake or a rodent. Small rodent called the Desert Jerd thrive here. You have to walk carefully lest you slip your foot in to one of them and return with a sprain in your leg.
So what happens during summers when these migratory birds are not there to feed on the carcasses? Local dogs feed on these carcasses.
This is one of the reasons why stray dogs flourish here. They can get ferocious over sharing of food and often attack the migratory birds.
Holes in ground
Strange World of Coexistence
What a sight! It was neither beautiful nor mesmerizing, yet stunning! Birds of different species were going about their feeding activity totally unmindful of humans around. Few men were engrossed in extracting skin from the dead animals. It was a strange world of coexistence!
By now my stomach had started grumbling, in my hurry to get here I had skipped my own energy boosters. But the sight had such a revolting effect I couldn’t think of having even a bite of any food there and for a long time afterwards.
Man extracting leather from carcass in Jorbeer Carcass Dump Location
Fall and Rise in Vulture Population
The Diclofenac Ban and Its Conservation Impact
A few years ago, the Jorbeer Conservation Reserve in Bikaner witnessed an alarming decline in its vulture population. The culprit was identified as Diclofenac, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) widely used by veterinarians to treat livestock. When these treated animals died, their carcasses—often left in open dumping grounds—became a fatal food source for scavenging vultures. Even trace amounts of Diclofenac in carcasses caused kidney failure in vultures, leading to near-extinction levels for several species across India.
Once this connection was scientifically established, a nationwide conservation movement gained momentum. Organizations like the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) and the Rajasthan Forest Department, led extensive campaigns to raise awareness and push for policy change. Their combined efforts resulted in the Government of India banning veterinary use of Diclofenac in 2006—a landmark decision in India’s wildlife conservation history.
The aftermath of this decisive step was visible at Jorbeer. The vultures—particularly species like the Eurasian Griffon, Egyptian Vulture, and Himalayan Vulture—slowly began returning to the skies of Bikaner. Complemented by stricter carcass management, continuous monitoring by the Forest Department, and awareness programs supported by BNHS and local NGOs, the population started to recover steadily.
Today, Jorbeer stands not just as a vulture feeding ground but also as a powerful reminder of how science-led conservation and community awareness can reverse the damage caused by human actions. The reserve continues to attract bird enthusiasts, researchers, and photographers who come to witness this remarkable story of ecological resilience.
Alert Vulture in Jorbeer Bikaner
Add To Your Bikaner Itinerary: Nearby Points of Interest
Jorbeer Vulture Conservation Reserve sits on the outskirts, but it is a perfect starting point for a day of exploring Bikaner’s other unique and historical treasures. Don’t leave Bikaner without ticking off these essential nearby stops:
National Research Centre on Camel (ICAR-NRCC)
- Significance: Jorbeer is actually located in the same Jorbeer area as the Camel Research Centre. It is a premier institution focused on camel breeding and health.
- The Experience: Visitors can observe different camel breeds (Bikaneri, Jaisalmeri), see camel calves, and the on-site museum provides deep insights into the camel’s role in the desert ecosystem. The highlight is the Camel Milk Parlour, where you can sample unique products like camel milk ice-cream, kulfi, and tea.
- Visitor Note: The timings are typically in the afternoon (2 PM to 6 PM) and it is usually closed on Sundays and Public Holidays. This makes it a great spot to visit after your early morning birding session at Jorbeer.
Junagarh Fort
- Significance: An impregnable 16th-century fortress that was never conquered, built on the plains, unlike most other major forts in Rajasthan. It’s the heart of Bikaner’s history.
- The Experience: Explore stunning palaces like the Chandra Mahal and Phool Mahal, intricate red sandstone architecture, and a museum boasting a large collection of weaponry and royal artifacts, including a WWI-era DH9 De Havilland warplane.
- Proximity: Located right in the city center, roughly 10 to 12 km from Jorbeer.
Karni Mata Temple (The Rat Temple)
- Significance: Located in Deshnoke, about 30 km south of Bikaner, this 600-year-old temple is internationally famous.
- The Experience: Dedicated to Karni Mata, an incarnation of Goddess Durga, the temple is home to over 25,000 black rats (kābā), which are revered as holy and believed to be her reincarnated devotees. Spotting a rare white rat is considered especially auspicious.
- Visitor Tip: The temple is open from early morning (around 4 AM) to late evening (10 PM). Ensure you carry socks, as you must walk barefoot inside.
Nearby Sightseeing places in Bikaner
Location and How to Reach Jorbeer (Updated Transport Details)
The Jorbeer Vulture Conservation Reserve is located approximately 10 to 12 km southeast of the Bikaner city center and about 8 km from the Bikaner Junction Railway Station (BKN).
| Transport Mode | Detail and Cost Estimate (Recent Update) | Travel Time (Approx.) |
| Auto-Rickshaw | This is the most practical and direct option. Negotiate a return fare, as finding a return auto directly at the reserve can be difficult. A round-trip, non-AC fare with a 2 to 3 hour waiting time should cost between ₹350 to ₹550. | 20 to 30 minutes from Bikaner city/railway station. |
| Taxi/Cab | Easily booked via local operators or your hotel. This is the most comfortable and reliable option, especially for early morning trips. Rates start from around ₹10 to ₹11 per km for a sedan, with a minimum charged distance. | 15 to 25 minutes. |
| Local Bus | State-run or private buses ply the main highway towards the Jorbeer side, but you will need to get off at a specific drop-off point and then walk or hire a local transport (like a motorcycle rickshaw) for the final 2 to 3 km into the reserve’s core area. | 40 to 60 minutes (Total) |
Key Landmark for Directions
If your driver is unfamiliar with the “Conservation Reserve” name, instruct them to head towards Shiv Bari Jorbeer or simply the National Research Centre on Camel (ICAR-NRCC), as the carcass dumping site is located in the same general vicinity as the Centre’s large farm area.
Bikaner Rly Stn to Jorbeer Vulture Conservation Reserve – Google Map
Tips to visit Jorbeer Vulture Conservation Reserve
- Don’t take you vehicle till the site of carcass dump. There is loose sand around and good chances of your vehicle getting stuck there.
- Stay away from the dogs especially if you see a pack of them, they are very territory conscious.
- Watch where you step, because there are so many holes around. One, you can injure your foot and watch out for slithering slimy snakes.
- Take zoom lens if you have. It is a good opportunity for bird photography.
- No restaurant or washrooms nearby.
- Carry your own water.
Open Timings: Morning 6 to Evening 6
Tickets: No tickets were needed when I visited in Oct 2018. Please check if rules have changed.
Best time to visit: Mornings and Evenings during winters for the migratory birds.
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Indrani Ghose is a freelance travel writer and photographer who explores cultural heritage and mindful travel experiences across the world. Her debut book, Miniaturised Travel Stories, celebrates souvenirs and stories collected during her global journeys. She has written for numerous publications across the globe. You can follow her on her social media handles Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest and Facebook to see the wonderful destinations, beautiful offbeat places and get instant updates about them.
Thanks for this info..
I’m a student from Bikaner itself but never visited it..
Through your rich experience I got to know many things and will visit it soon..
I had visited this place this Feb. I observed that the Feral Dogs out there are quite disciplined. in one sense. It was noticed that when the carcass skinniin was in process the dogs kept a distance of abour 15-20 ft in a circular formation patiently from the team busy in skinning. Once they finished the skinning skinning rolled_up the skins, loaded into the minitruck and moved away from the carcasses THE DOGS SWOOPED ON TO THE CARCASSES snapping on the meat chunks and moving under the whatever little available shade under the local vegetation.
The Raptors & Scavengers waiting for their share perched on the trees around then swooped down to shred out & nbble on the leftover raw meat still stuck on the bones
That is a great observation by you. Thank you so much for adding this info here in my blog.
Oh my gosh! What an incredible sight! I would have never thought of it but it makes perfect sense for the carcasses of deceased animals to serve a purpose such as feeding the vultures in winter. I bet it also stops the vultures from going after local livestock and other animals.
Vultures have a bad reputation as scavengers and that’s a little unfair. They are part of the natural cycle, someone needs to do something with those carcasses! I remember visiting a bird park years ago and the trainer asked a vulture to step across people legs as they were sitting on the ground. That was designed the debunk the myth that vultures steal sheep out of the sky… This is an enduring myth in Europe but the reality is that the vulture’s claws are too soft to be able to lift a whole sheep. And indeed, the vulture stepping on my ankle was nothing to worry about and I got to look at it close…
Oh my, this certainly is something I’ve never seen. I would have never guessed this type of place would be open to the public for viewing. You have some great tips about the dogs and that there are no public facilities.
Our daughter is an ornithologist. And I am sure she would love to visit Bikaner and see the Vulture Santuary. And she would be enthralled to see the sky filled with all kinds of different birds. Good to know that they found the cause of the decline in vulture populations. And have made changes that have led to them re-populating.
What an interesting thing! Never knew this place existed, definitely putting it up on my list. Thanks for this article!