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Jaipur | Jodhpur | Alwar | Pali | Kota | Nagaur | Kuchaman | Bambora | Bikaner | Mount Abu | Baggar | Ajmer | Udaipur | Pushkar | Jaisalmer | Bikaner | Shekavati | Bharatpur | Kumbhalgarh | Chittorgarh | Ranthambhore
Ranthambhore
in the state of Rajasthan is one finest places in the
world to see wild tigers. Its name comes from the vast fort, a
citadel in the middle of the forest. The fort was in existence
in the 8th century and the area around is littered with ruins:
lake palaces, ancient step wells, cupolas, guard posts, temples
and memorial stones, all bear witness to Ranthambhore's varied
and fascinating history. Emperor Akbar fought a battle here for
the control of the fort in the 16th century. An 18th century traveller
described the fort as being famous throughout India, well protected,
completely inaccessible, concealed in mountainous regions where
the ridges were high and surrounded the entire fort, leaving only
the thick forest gorges below as entrances and exists which could
be defended. Today this tract of land has another ruler: the tiger
haunts the narrow gorges of the fort and has even been known to
venture atop it. By the turn of the century the Ranthambhore forests
had become the private hunting reserves of the Maharajas of Jaipur.
Hunting was banned in 1971 and a few years later, Project Tiger
was launched. Few knew then that Ranthambhore would become the
finest tiger habitat in the world
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Near the
township of Sawai Madhopur, in the state of Rajasthan, Ranthambore National
Park is an outstanding example of Project Tiger's efforts at conservation in
the country. The forests around the Ranthambore Fort were once, the private
hunting grounds of the Maharajas of Jaipur. The desire to preserve the game
in these forests for sport, was responsible for their conservation, and
subsequent rescue by Project Tiger. In 1972, it was estimated, that there
were around 1927 tigers in India, of which Rajasthan had 74, and the number
of big cats in Ranthambore Sanctuary was 14. 1972 was also the year that
Project Tiger was launched, and this sanctuary was taken into its wings,
along with seven other sanctuaries and national parks.
The Park
sprawls over an estimated area of 400 sq kms. Steep crags embracea network
of lakes and rivers, and a top one of these hills, is the impressive
Ranthambore Fort, built in the 10th century. Strategically built on the
border of Rajasthan and Malwa, the fort houses some splendid monuments,
within its precincts. The terrain fluctuates between impregnable forests and
open bushland. The forest is the typically dry deciduous type, with dhok,
being the most prominent tree. The entry point to the Park, goes straight to
the foot of the fort and the forest rest house, Jogi Mahal. The latter
boasts of the second-largest banyan tree in India. The Padam Talab, the Raj
Bagh Talab and the Milak Talab are some of the lakes in the area, that
attract the tiger population . They have been spotted at the edges of these
lakes, and Jogi Mahal itself. Old crumbling walls, ruined pavilions, wells,
and other ancient structures stand witness to the region's glorious past.
The entire forest is peppered with the battlements and spillovers of the
Ranthambore Fort - tigers are said to frequent these ruins, too.
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As a result
of stringent efforts in conservation, tigers, the prime assets of the Park,
have become more and more active during the day. More than in any other park
or sanctuary in India, tigers are easily spotted here in daylight. They can
be seen lolling around lazily in the sun, or feverishly hunting down sambar
around the lakes. Therefore, Ranthambore is probably the ideal park for
wildlife photography, and it does attract professional wildlife
photographers, from all over the globe. Apart from tigers, the park has its
share of panthers too. They are to be found on the outskirts of the park,
due to the inevitable conflicts with the tiger population. Kachida Valley,
is believed to be the place to sight these rather elusive cats. The other
permanent residents of the park include, marsh crocodiles, hyenas,
jungle
cats and sloth bears. Sambar are found in abundance all over the area, the
prime target of all the predators. Chital, Nilgai, and Chinkara, are the
other inhabitants of the region. The avian population comprises of Black
storks, Quails, Bonelli's eagles, Spur fowls, Crested serpent eagles and
Painted storks. During the winter months, the Park attracts a lot of
migratory birds, primarily a variety of ducks.The park is
best explored through jeeps, which are available on hire.When To
Visit
The best
time to visit the park is between October and April. The parkis closed
during the monsoon, from June 1 to October 1.
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