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Wildlife in Ranthambhore National Park
Ranthambhore National Park, before a princely game conserve is the
scene where the celebrated Indian Tiger is best seen. Ranthambhore
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 Ranthambhore 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 Ranthambhore; 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.
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. 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 Ranthambhore; 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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