General
Information |
| State |
Rajasthan |
| Location |
Near
Sawai Madhopur, Rajasthan |
| Area |
392-sq-kms |
| Main
Wildlife Found |
Tigers,
Leopards, Boars |
| Best
Time To Visit |
October
to March and April to June |
Ranthambore National Park is situated in India.As northwestern
state of Rajasthan, near the town of Sawai Madhopur, midway between
Bharatpur and Kota townships. It is surrounded by the Vindhya
and Aravali hill ranges and is very near to the outer fringes
of the Thar Desert. The entire area has sprawling tracts of the
desert and semi-desert vegetation. Originally a hunting ground
of the Maharaja of Jaipur, Ranthambore was declared a game sanctuary
in 1955. In 1980, it became a national park and listed among the
reserves protected under Project Tiger (1973). Presently the Kaila
Devi Sanctuary, also famous for its tigers, and Mansingh Sanctuary
also form part of Ranthambore Reserve.
Wildlife Attraction
Tiger
The tiger reigns supreme in Ranthambore. Ranthambore
is among the few places in the world where this super-predator,
symbol of power, strength and magnificence, can be observed at
close quarters. There are about 25 tigers and 40 leopards in the
reserve. These are supported by a large population of healthy
herbivores. On can never have enough of tigers. One may have seen
a tiger a hundred times, yet each sighting is greeted with the
same high-pitched intensity.
Tigers can be spotted quite often in their natural habitat even
during daytime. They have been frequently seen at the edges of
three lakes—Padam Talab, Raj Bagh Talab and Milak Talab. The park
also has panthers in sizable numbers, though they have been spotted
generally at the outskirts of the park perhaps due to
the inevitable
conflict with the tiger population, which command the ‘superior’
position amidst the predatory cats. For spotting panthers, Kachida
Valley is regarded as the ideal place. read more about Tiger
Water Bodies and Birds
Jacanas, painted stork, black stork, and white necked
stork are seen along the water bodies. Peafowl are found in abundance
and other birds include Bonelli's eagle, crested serpent eagle,
the great Indian horned owl, quail, partridge, spur fowl and the
paradise flycatcher.
Other Attractions
Ranthambore has large numbers of sambar, chital and nilgai.
Sounders of boar and an occasional gazelle the chinkara can be
seen, as also the Indian hare, mongoose and monitor lizards. The
lakes and pools at the park are where the deer congregate and
where it is easiest to see the animals. Among the other local
fauna are the leopard, hyena. jackal, jungle cats, slothe bear
and marsh crocodile.