ATTRACTIONS IN RANTHAMBORE

Ranthambore is famous for its tigers, whose population it seeks to increase and sustain.

Ranthambore reserve 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.

Tigers can be spotted quite often in their natural habitat even during daytime. They have been frequently seen at the edges of three lakes—Padam Talab, Raj Bagh Talab and Milak Talab. The park also has panthers in sizable numbers, though they have been spotted generally at the outskirts of the park perhaps due to the inevitable conflict with the tiger population, which command the ‘superior’ position amidst the predatory cats. For spotting panthers, Kachida Valley is regarded as the ideal place.

Other mammalian species that have made Ranthambore their home are antelopes, nilgai, sambhar, chital, sloth bear, wild boar, chinkara, porcupines, jackals, leopards, jungle cats, fox, caracals, hyena, gazelle, Indian hare, mongoose and jacanas. Sambhars are in abundance at the park and form the prime target of all the predatory mammals.

The park’s topography varies from secure forests to open scrublands. Vegetation is of the dry deciduous type, with dhok being the most prominent tree. Ranthambore’s water bodies are known to have lovely lotus flowers and water liis situated. Among the park’s other oddities is the forest rest house, Jogi Mahal, the premises of which sports the second largest banyan tree in India.

Ranthambore is one of the most suitable places for wildlife photography in the world. The park may be toured in a jeep or lorry-van. A guide and a park ranger generally accompany tourists. There is a network of four gravel tracks inside the park for Safari. Ruins within and around Ranthambore bear a testimony to its royal past. There are lake palaces, old fortifications and the majestic Ranthambore fort on a height overlooking the park. The forest rest house is situated at the foot of the fort within Jogi Mahal. It overlooks the Padam Talab, which is afloat with water liis situated and lotuses.

There are about 264 species of birds found within the park including painted storks, white-necked storks, black storks, peafowl, crested serpent eagles, Bonelli's eagle, Indian horned owl, quail, partridge, spur fowl, paradise flycatcher and jacanas. During winters migratory birds like graylag goose, ruddy sheiduck and pintails may also be spotted. Monitor lizards and marsh crocodiles are also found here.