RANTHAMBHORE
NATIONAL PARK
Situated at the junction of the Aravalli and the Vindhya ranges. Ranthambore
is one of India's conservation success stories. Since becoming one of the original
11 areas under Project Tiger in 1973, the park has recovered much f its previous
natural glory, proving that, with careful management, a once wooded area which
has been reduced to arid scrub can be restored. In 1973, the then sanctuary of 60 square miles (156 square km) was expanded
to 158 square miles (411 square km) with a core area of 65 square miles (169
square km) and later became a national park.
In 1984 and adjoining area of 40 square miles (104 square km) to the south
became the Sawai Man Singh Sanctuary (named after the last ruling Maharaja
of Jaipur.
The blend between nature and history is strong in this park, and like Bandhavgarh
National Park in Madhya Pradesh the fort, the temples the tanks and other
relies are a constant reminder of man's involvement in the area. The fort
commanded a large area and up to the late - 13th century was the center of
a Hindu Kingdom. During the 18th century, the area was protected as a hunting
area for and by the Maharaja of Jaipur and It is thanks to an extension on
this protection that the park exists today.
The fort is the natural focal point of the park with a series of well - established
artificial lakes stretching to the north.
Most of the area is covered by typical dry, mixed deciduous forest. The undulating
hills have a few bare rock faces and barren ridges. The area supports a mixed
range of birds, mammals and insects. On the gentler hillsides and in the valleys,
dhok is the main tree. The few areas of luch vegetation are around the lakes
and have peepul, mango, palas and banyan, creating a thick forest. The huge
banyan near Jogi Mahal at the base of the fort is reputedly the second largest
known.
The
major predator here is the tiger but leopard territories overlap: leopards
are occasionally seen in areas on the park periphery. Jackal hyena caracal
and jungle cat are also found. In recent years, the tiger population has become
increasingly diurnal and there have been many sightings of tigers hunting
sambar on the banks of the lakes. The greater visibility of this magnificent
animal, directly due to careful management, has made the park well - known
as one of the easier parks for tiger photography.
Sambar and chital are common throughout the park and are found in large concentrations
near the lakes along with small groups of nilgai. In the scrub and thorn,
chinkara are often seen. Other animals seen include the marsh crocodile, wile
boar, ratel, monitor lizard and sloth bear.
The rich birdlife reflects the range of flora on which it feeds. During the
winter months the lakes attract a variety of migrant water birds.
The park entrance is only eight miles from Sawai Madhopur station on the
main Bombay - Delhi line. A meerguage line connects Sawai Madhopur with Jaipur
(10miles / 162 km).
