|
Area
: 400 sq km approx./ 39,200 hectares.
Established
: 1955 as a sanctuary, 1973 as a tiger reserve, 1981 as
a national park.
Description:
Ranthambore
National Park is situated in India. s northwestern state of
Rajasthan, near the town of Sawai Madhopur, midway between Bharatpur and
Kota townships. It is surrounded by the Vindhya and Aravali hill ranges
and is very near to the outer fringes of the Thar Desert. The entire
area has sprawling tracts of the desert and semi-desert vegetation.
Originally a hunting ground of the Maharaja of Jaipur, Ranthambore was
declared a game sanctuary in 1955. In 1980, it became a national park
and listed among the reserves protected under Project Tiger (1973).
Presently the Kaila Devi Sanctuary, also famous for its tigers, and
Mansingh Sanctuary also form part of Ranthambore Reserve.
Ranthambore
National Park sprawls over an estimated area of 400 sq kms.
Steep crags embrace a network of lakes and rivers, and a top one of
these hills, is the impressive Ranthambore Fort, built in the 10th
century. 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 Ranthambore
National 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 Malik 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. 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.
Seasons
:
October-June, the best period being December-April.
Access
:
Fly to Jaipur (the closest airport) and drive to Ranthambore (165 kms)
By train : Ranthambore National Park is approx. 12 km from the Sawaimadhopur
Railway station, that lies on the Delhi to Mumbai trunk route.
Temperature
:
Months Morning Afternoon
October-March 10-15 º celcius 20-25 º celcius
April 20-25 º celcius 30-35º celcius
May-June 30-35 º celcius 40-45 º celcius
Rainfall
: 68 cms
Clothing Summer : light tropical
Winter : Light wollen
Languages : Hindi, Rajasthani and English
Park
Safari Timings:
Months Morning Afternoon
October-March 0600-0900 21500-1800 hrs
April-June 0630-0930 hrs 1530-1800 hrs
Travel
Tips
Light cotton garments are recommended for the hot summer months and
woolens are suitable for the winters. Entry charges for hired vehicle,
guide and photo equipment are separate. These can be reserved at the
Project Tiger office in Sawai Madhopur.
|