Ranthambor National Park

Ranthambor encompasses nearly 152 square miles of dry deciduous forest in south western Rajasthan and, in the heart of this forest, the Aravali and Vindhya ranges meet. The park derives its name from the fort of Ranthambor which sits on a rocky outcrop in the forest. The fort dates back to the 11th century when it was a vital citadel for the control of central India. In 1981 Ranthambor was awarded National Park status and though overrun by vegetation, remnants of the summer palaces, temples and guard stones within the fort still remain.

Ranthambor is famous for its tigers and is a favorite with photographers. With strict tiger preservation measures, tigers have become more active during the day and can be encountered by visitors in broad daylight. Sighting a tiger can never be a sure shot, but here one comes as close to it as is possible.

The landscape is dotted with ancient banyan trees, dhok & pipal trees, clusters of mango trees and crisscrossed with evergreen belts. The terrain is made up of massive rock formations, steep scarps, perennial lakes and streams and forest suddenly opening up into large areas of savannah. For a relatively small area, the park has a rich diversity of fauna and flora - species list includes 300 trees, 50 aquatic plants, 272 birds, 12 reptiles (including the marsh crocodile) & amphibians and 30 mammals.

Other than the tiger, other predators found in Ranthambor are leopard, striped hyena, jackal, caracal and jungle cat. Also seen are sloth bear, sambar deer, chital (spotted) deer, nilgai (blue bull) antelope, wild boar, chinkara (Indian) gazelle, Indian hare, mongoose, common langur, palm civet, palm squirrel, porcupine and monitor lizard.

Sawai Mansingh Sanctuary
The terrain is flat and rocky and some hills with gentle slopes. Devpura irrigation dam, in the Sanctuary is a useful source of water for wildlife and good habitat for aquatic flora and fauna.

Keladevi Sanctuary
The Keladevi Sanctuary is northern extension of the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve in Karauli and Sawai Madhopur districts. There are hills in the south, north and eastern parts. At many places, it has a curious feature of two separate ridges running parallel to each other. The forest between such ridges dense. The Sanctuary is bounded in the west by the river Banas and in the south by the river Chambal. The Banas finally flows into the Chambal.

Some gorges due to high moisture retention and cooler temperature are nature's treasure houses. They are locally known as "Khoh". The slopes of the Khohs are covered with dense forest. These Khohs are the most suitable habitat for wildlife. The main Khohs in Keladevi are Nibhera, Kudka, Chiarmul, Ghanteshwar, Jail and Chidi. The forest cover is fairly sparse and spread out in the other parts.

Location of The Park :The Ranthambore park and reserve lies in the desert state of Rajasthan on the main DelhiMumbai railway line and is readily accessible from Jaipur (145km; 90 miles). Sawai Madhopur, the nearest railhead and gateway to the park, lies 11 km (7 miles) away..

Ranthambore National Park Climate: Summer.(April-June) temperatures rise to 40°C (104°F). Winter nights are cold (8°C; 46°F).

When to go? : The best time to go is in winter (December to February) and March/April. The park is closed during the monsoon period; it reopens on 1 October.

How to Reach: The nearest town is Sawai Madhopur, which has a good bus service with many connections.

Facilities at Ranthambore National Park : Madhopur has excellent resorts and eco-Iodges: Taj group-owned Sawai Madhopur Lodge (old hunting lodge of Maharaja of Jaipur); new Vanyavilas, super luxury tented resort owned by Oberoi Hotels. Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation (RTDC) manages more basic and functional Hotel Kamadhenu and Castle Jhoomar Baori Forest Lodge.

Wildlife in Ranthambore National Park : Interesting array of fauna includes Tiger, Panther (Leopard), Hyena, deer, Sloth Bear, Wild Boar, and Jungle Cat. Prolific bird species. Ranger-led safaris in open-sided jeeps and Canters (20-seater, openroofed trucks); drives around picturesque reservoirs (good for photography).

Permits and Reservations for Ranthambore National Park : For information and accommodation, contact: Field Director, Rantharnbhore National Park and Tiger Reserve, Sawai Madhopur, Raiasthan-322001.

Conservation History
Ranthambore Tiger Reserve was among the first nine Tiger Reserve declared in 1973 at the launch of Project Tiger in India. It comprised the former Sawai Madhopur Wildlife Sanctuary of 392.5 sq. km. Reserved Forest (constituted in 1955).

Ranthambore National Park with an area of 274.5 sq. km. was constituted within the Tiger Reserve in 1980. In the then Tiger Reserve, the National Park area was being managed as the core and the rest as buffer until in 1992, Keladevi Sanctuary having area of 674 sq. km. of Protected Forest (constituted in 1983), Sawai Mansingh Sanctuary with an area of 127 sq. km. (constituted in 1984). Kualji Close Area of 7.58 sq. km. and some other forest areas were added to the Reserve.

Archeology
Ranthambore fort and temples of medieval period.

Forest Type
Northern Tropical Dry Deciduous Forests

Main Species(Flora )
Dhok mixed with Khair, Raunj, Goya, Chhela, Pipal, Vad, Amaltas, Gurjan, Siris Saintha, Gular, Tendu

Main Species( Fauna)
Tiger, Leopard, Caracal, Ratel, Jungle Cat, Chital, Sambar, Blue Bull, Chinkara, Sloth Bear, Wild Boar, Jackal, Hyena, Common Langur, Common fox