Ranthambore National Park is one of the most popular National
Parks in India. It was conferred the status of a National
Park in the year 1957 and came under the ambit of "Project
Tiger" in the year 1974. The park is strategically located
in the midst of the imposing Aravalli and Vindhya mountain
ranges covering an area of 400 sq. kms.
Of all the National Parks of India, Ranthambore is one of
the most picturesque with the backdrop of an invincible fort
located on a hill top while the park is spread in the foothills.
The foliage is primarily of the dry deciduous kind interspersed
with shimmering wetland areas which offer the resident wildlife
species of the park with welcome relief especially during
the sweltering summer months when the temperature hovers around
40° celsius.
Ranthambore came into prominence because of its burgeoning
tiger population and in the mid 80's the tiger count stood
at a healthy 40 plus which unfortunately is not the case anymore
due to a number of reasons and poaching is one of them.
One distinct advantage that tourists enjoy when they decide
upon a safari holiday at Ranthambore is that the chances of
sighting tigers at Ranthambore is very high in comparison
to other National Parks because the quintessential Ranthambore
tiger doesn't fear human beings which is not the case with
tigers elsewhere.
Apart from tigers, Ranthambore National Park is home to a
bewildering variety of animal species like Leopards, Striped
Hyenas, Sambar, Chinkara, Black Bucks, Macaques, Langurs,
Squirrels, Rufoustailed Hare, Small Indian Civets, Wild Cats
to name just a few of the resident species that have made
Ranthambore their home. The reptile species is no less varied
with Indian Chameleon, Indian Python, King Cobra, Desert Monitor
Lizard, Vipers to name just a few.
Apart from game viewing, Ranthambore with its plethora of
reservoirs and wetland areas offers excellent breeding ground
for a large variety of avian species. In fact both resident
and migratory birds are known to flock in Ranthambore's wetlands
and according to the latest bird count of WWF, a staggering
272 species of birds have been identified.
As far as water bodies are concerned, Ranthambore has three
principal lakes - Padam, Rajbag and Malik Talao of which the
Rajbagh Talao is the most scenic. The charm of Malik Talao
is largely due to the ruins along its boundaries.
A bit of record and you have India's third largest banyan
tree inside the park premises. It is indeed gigantic and wow!
there are monkeys galore. So you better be aware.
Ranthambore is not only about wildlife. There is a fair bit
of history and legend too that somehow makes a heady cocktail
of a safari viz-a-viz the impregnable Chauhan Fort which is
strategically located at a height of 215 meter. One has to
climb a flight of stairs to reach the fort.
This magnificent fort has seen the rise and fall of many dynasties.
Some of the erstwhile rulers who had the opportunity to seize
this invincible fort are Aurangzeb, Vir Hamir, Allaudin Khilji
and Akbar.
One has to enter the fort through a big door (darwaja). It
is really big. Even though the fort is now wrecked and derelict,
the towers and domes along with the exquisite Rani Mahal which
is inside the fort all evokes with the grandeur of a rich
past.
India Rajasthan Tours offers online booking
for Rajasthan Wildlife Tours. For more information or to book
a tour, please enter your query in the form below.
|
