Ranthambhor National Park, before a princely game conserve is the scene where the celebrated Indian Tiger is best seen.
Ranthambhor 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.
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 Ranthambhor; 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 Ranthambhor
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 Ranthambhor; 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.
Contact us for Prior Booking at our 24 Hours desk on the following mobile Nos: +91-99428 99555 , 98424 30308 , 99425 87000 . Email Id : info@Pearlstourism.com, Fax No: 0422 - 2331605
Ranthambore National Park Tours Reservation Form
