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 Ranthambhore
Tiger Reserve, before a princely game conserve is the scene
where the celebrated Indian Tiger is best seen.
Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve lies on the junction of
Aravali and Vindhyas just 14 Kms from Sawai Madhopur in
Eastern Rajasthan. It sprawls over a varying and
undulating landscape. The scenery changes dramatically from
gentle and steep slopes of the Vindhyas and sharp and
conical hills of the Aravali. A tenth century fort also
blends amicably with the background. Pure sands of Dhok (Anogeissus
pendula) interspersed with grasslands at the plateaus,
meadows in valleys and luxuriant foliage around the canals
make the jungle. Three big lakes – Padam Talab
(meaning Lake), Malik Talab and Raj Bagh – are
similar turquoises studded in the vast forest that abounds
with aquatic vegetation including duckweeds, lilies and
lotus.
A significant geological feature within the park is the 'Great
Boundary Fault' where the Vindhaya plateau meets the
Aravali range. The Rivers Chambal in the South and the Banas
in the North bound the National Park. The park is dotted
with steep rocky hills and the dominating architecture of
Ranthambhor Fort (built in the 10th century),
adds to its landscape. The rugged park terrain alternates
between dry deciduous forest, open grassy meadow, dotted by
several lakes and rivers that are only made passable by
rough roads built and maintained by the Forest Service.The
tiger is not the only attraction at Ranthambhore although it
is the one park resident that people come to see. A variety
of birds including Owlets, the ubiquitous Langur (monkey),
Leopard, Caracal, Hyena, Jackal,
Jungle Cat, marsh Crocodiles, Wild Boar,
Bears and various species of Deer are the
other attractions.
 Ranthambhor
is plagued by the typical problems encountered by all game
reserves in India - people living in and around the parks
and grazing by livestock! Between 1976-1979, 12 villages
within Ranthambhore National Park were resettled outside
the designated park area with only a few people now residing
in scattered hamlets within the park. Of course poachers
continue their activities with increasing demand from China
for Tiger parts. There are no accurate figures on how many
tigers and poachers kill other species, but on occasion
evidence appears in the form of large numbers of skins and
other body parts found on couriers.
The park is well staffed and the folk who man the centres
and the mandatory guides - one for every vehicle, are
knowledgeable of the terrain and some even know the Latin
names of most species.The tiger is not the only attraction
at Ranthambhore; although it is the one park resident people
come to see. We were lucky to see several varieties of birds
including these owlets peering through their burrow pictured
here on the right and of course the ubiquitous langur
monkey. Other animals in the reserve include leopard,
caracal, hyena, jackal, jungle cat, marsh crocodiles, wild
boar, bears and various species of deer.
 The
main food source for the tiger is the swamp deer like
Barasinsga and on occasion the wild buffalo and also
wild boar etc. If you wish to stay near the park, the
facilities on offer are superb. The park gates open a half
hour before sunrise and close half hour after sunset. The
timings are vigorously imposed and no exceptions are made to
this rule. |
