Ranthambhore: Rajasthan’s Tiger Land
Ranthambhore National Park is where the celebrated Indian tigers are best seen. Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve lies on the junction of Aravali and Vindhyas just 14 km from Sawai Madhopur in Eastern Rajasthan. It sprawls over a varying landscape. The scenery changes from gentle and steep slopes of the Vindhyas to the sharp and conical hills of the Aravali. A 10th century fort also blends with the background. Pure sands of Dhok (Anogeissus pendula) interspersed with grasslands at the plateaus, meadows in valleys and foliage around the canals make the jungle. Three big lakes – Padam Talab, 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 Ranthambhore Fort 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; a variety of birds including owlets, the ubiquitous langur, leopard, caracal, hyena, jackal, jungle cat, marsh crocodiles, wild boar, bears and various species of deer are the other attractions.
Ranthambhore 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. Poachers continue their activities with increasing demand from China for tiger parts. The park is well staffed and the people who man the centres and the mandatory guides.
Climate of at the park is ranges from 23 to 37 degre celsius during summer, whereas winter temperature ranges from 9 to 29 degree celsius. The nearest airport is at Jaipur, which is 180 km away.