Ranthambore National Park
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.
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 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.
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