Ranthambore
National Park: The park, which is one of the finest tiger reserves
in the country Park's abandoned fortress,lakes and above all it's
`friendly' tigers have made it one of the most filmed wildlife
reserves in the world. Ranthambore was decalred a wildlife sanctuary
in 1955 and became part of Project Tiger in 1973.
Ranthambore
National park is famous for its tigers and is one of the best places
in the country to see these majestic predators in the wild. The
tigers can be easily spotted even during the day. A good time to
visit between November and May when the nature of the dry deciduous
forests makes sightings common. The Park which covers an area of
nearly 400 sq. km. and is set between the Aravali and Vindhya
ranges. Its deciduous forests were once a part of the magnificent
jungles of Central India.
The varied topography of the
national park is home to animals like the jackal,mongoose, sloth
bear, leopard, and of course, the tiger. Ranthambore has much more
to offer you in sightseeing and excursions. Surrounded by the
Vindhya and Aravali hill ranges and located very near to the outer
fringes of the Thar Desert, this place offers you the best of the
desert land as well as plain area near the hills.
Flora
& Fauna
- Flora
Ranthambhore forest is dry deciduous with
dhok (Anogeissus pendula) trees as the main vegetation which is
an important fodder tree for animals. Kulu (Sterculia urens),
ronj (Acacia leucophloea), ber (Zizyphus maudrentiana), khimi
(Manilkara hexandra), tendu (Diospyrous melanoxylon), polas
(Butea monosperma), peepal, mango and banyan are prevalent in
Ranthambhore. But perhaps the most spectacular is the flame of
the forest which blooms in April, enveloping the forest in a
spectacular fiery red aura. The four lakes in Ranthambhore are
surrounded by a numerous species of trees like salar (Boswellia
serrata), gurjan (Lannea coromandelica) and gum (Sterculia
urens).
Among the more fascinating features of
Ranthambhore are the banyan trees, some of which are known to be
at least a 800 years old and are mentioned in ancient texts.
Ranthambhore can also boasts of the superb specimen of the
banyan tree that casts its magnificent canopy behind Jogi Mahal,
the old hunting lodge by the lake built in the latter part on
the last century by the Maharaja of Jaipur.
- Fauna
Ranthambhore National Park spans an area of
about 400 sq km with a tiger population of about 32. The tiger
is relatively easier to spot in Ranthambhore than in many other
National Parks, thanks to the tourist friendly nature of the
tigers and the openness of its surroundings. The Park also
supports a large number of other wild species including
leopards, the highly endangered caracal, jungle cat, hyena,
jackal, sloth bear, wild boar, marsh crocodile, porcupine,
common langur, spotted deer, Indian gazelle, sambar (Asiatic
stag) and nilgai (bluebull).
Some
of these species (especially the nocturnal ones like the leopard
and the caracal) are difficult to spot and sightings are rare,
but then that is bound to happen when every eye in the Park is
looking for what Ranthambhore is best known for – the
tiger.
The langur is the only primate found in
Ranthambhore and is abundant in these forests. It is not the
tiger's best friend. Actually it is a source of great annoyance
to the tiger, since it has a remarkable eyesight and from its
high perch it can spot the slightest movement; its shrill alarm
call effectively warns all the other animals of danger. But if
you are looking for tigers you should be listening carefully, a
langur’s alarm call or for that matter a chital’s
(spotted deer) call might be a good indication of the presence
of a tiger in the area.
Tourist information
- Best Time
Open from October to July. Visits are
regulated by the reserve management. Private vehicles not
permitted.
- Where to Stay
- The Sawai Madhopur Lodge
- Tiger Moon Resort
- Tiger Den
- Vanya Vilas
