Ranthambore National Park, History, Feature, Biodiversity and Wildlife

Ranthambore National Park

A national forest can be found in Rajasthan called the Ranthambore National forest. The Ranthambore fort, which is situated nearby, is where the park derives its moniker. Tigers and other animals can be found in great numbers in Ranthambore National Park. In the Indian state of Rajasthan, the Ranthambore National Park is both a national park and a tiger reserve. A wide array of flora, fauna, and wildlife can be found there, and it was founded on 1 November 1980. Thus, the Ranthambore National Park is one of the most important topics of UPSC Syllabus.

Ranthambore National Park History

The Indian government subsequently established Ranthambore National Park, which was formerly known as Sawai Madhopur Game Sanctuary. In 1973, it was chosen as one of India’s Project Tiger sanctuaries. On November 1st, 1980, Ranthambore was declared a national park, and the forests close by were granted the names Sawai Man Singh Sanctuary and Keladevi Sanctuary.

The Padam Talab (Lake), Malik Talab (Lake), and Raj Bagh (Lake) are three important waterways, all of which are blue in color. Aquatic vegetation like duckweed, lilies, and lotuses abound in these lakes. Padam Talao is the name of the largest lake in the area. A massive banyan tree, reputed to be the second biggest in India and the red sandstone Jogi Mahal are both located by the lake. A major geological feature in the park is the “Great Boundary Fault,” which divides the Vindhaya plateau from the Aravali Mountain.

Ranthambore National Park Feature

The area around Ranthambore Park, which is home to 86 tigers, is where tigers are most well-known. In contrast to the national parks in India that see the most visitors, Ranthambore has a unique ecosystem and a diversity of animals. A wildlife safari offers the chance to journey by land through a thick forest while viewing and photographing the park’s most iconic sights.

If you want something less taxing than strolling or moving, it also has some of India’s magnificent birds on the grassland. The uncontrolled forest’s animal and bird life is also influenced by the flora. The dry grasslands of this National Park are home to more than 300 different kinds of flora and fauna. Ranthambore is considered as a heritage site because of the elaborate fort ruins that can be seen inside the park. The fourth regional natural history museum in the country can be found close to Ramsinghpura, nine kilometers from Sawai Madhopur.

Also Read: Kaziranga National Park

Ranthambore National Park Biodiversity

With more than 300 different plant species, 500 different wild animal species, and more than 300 different bird species, Ranthambore National Park attracts nature enthusiasts and photographers from all over the globe. Big cats, boars, deers, leopards, jackals, hyenas, civets, and desert foxes are just a few of the many species of the local fauna, which also includes tigers. Due to the abundance of water resources in the form of Talaos/lakes, which offer respite from the stifling heat, the animals and vegetation that can be found here can be fed and cared for.

Ranthambore National Park Flora

A well-known national park called Ranthambore alternates between vast, open grassy fields and dry deciduous woods. There are 539 distinct varieties of flowering plants in the Ranthambore National Park. The national park also harbors sizable populations of the mango, tamarind, and banyan tree species in addition to the Dhok tree species, which is the most common type of tree there. The Anogeissus pendula, also known as the “Dhok,” is the most common plant variety in Ranthambore National Park. The Dhok tree can also grow in shallow soil, albeit more slowly and to a lesser height.

Jogi Mahal, a building near to Ranthambore, is home to one of India’s largest banyan trees. The difference between the dense nearby vegetation and the sparse desert vegetation makes this location noteworthy for nature lovers. It is estimated that there are close to 300 different plant species present in the Ranthambore reserve woodland. Due to the area’s minimal rainfall, dry deciduous plants are the most common type of vegetation.

This tropical tree makes up more than three-fourths of the vegetation in this national park. The primary consumers of the bushes and fruits of this tree, which can reach a height of 15 meters, are nilgai, antelope, and deer. This forest also has Neem, Banyan (Ficus bengalensis), and Pipal (Ficus religiosa) (Azadirachta indiaca), in addition to the Dhok tree.

These herbs have healing and enlightening properties. The fruit plants that are most prevalent in Ranthambore are Mango (Magnifera indica), Tamarind (Tamarindicus indica), also known as Imli, Jamun (Syzygium cumini), also known as the Indian blackberry, and Berries. The Chhila (Butea monosperma), also known as the flame of the forest, enhances the beauty of the surrounding landscape and offers a wonderful setting for nature enthusiasts with its stunning orange tint.

Ranthambore National Park Fauna

The magnificent Tiger is the most important and sought-after mammal in this reserve park because it is the top predator in this ecosystem and the top predator in the food chain of the Ranthambore forest. The Ranthambore reserve area is home to tigers as well as leopards, leopard cats, desert cats, caracals, fishing cats, and jungle cats. Bluebull, gazelle, chinkara, smbhardeer, and deer are the four species that are most commonly seen.

In this forest, there are many large predators to be found, such as sloth bears, jackals, striped hyenas, desert foxes, palm civets, crocodiles, common mongooses, and pythons. Two antelope species, the Indian Gazelle (Chinkara) and the Bluebull (Nilgai), as well as the spotted deer (chital) and Sambhar deer, each of which has a different type of antler, are other prevalent creatures in these areas.

This area is a bird watcher’s paradise because of the large number of uncommon avian species that can be spotted here. Birdwatchers will be amazed by the colorful ducks around the lake, the magnificent Indian eagle flying above, or the vulture perched high in the tree.

Ranthambore National Park Wildlife

Numerous animal, reptile, and bird species can be found in Ranthambore. The Royal Bengal Tigers reside in the national park in Rajasthan, which is its most well-known feature. In addition, there are numerous leopards, sloth bears, chitals (spotted deer), marsh alligators, palm civets, jackals, desert foxes, serpent eagles, and waterfowl living in the national park. These creatures make up the 320 avian species, 35 reptile species, and 40 mammal species found in the national park.

Some of the well-known wildlife species in the Ranthambore National Park include Sambar deer, Chital, Nilgai, Common or Hanuman langurs, Macaques, Jackals, Jungle cats, Caracals, Sloth bears, Rufoustailed Hare, Indian Wild Boar, Chinkara, Common Palm Civets or Toddy Cat, Coomon Yellow Bats, Desert Cat, and Striped Hyenas. Snub-nosed swamp crocodiles, desert monitor lizards, tortoises, banded kraits, cobras, common kraits, ganga soft shelled turtles, indian pythons, north Indian flap shelled turtles, rat snakes, russell’s vipers, and saw-toothed vipers are some of the other animals that live there.

Ranthambore National Park UPSC

One of the biggest and most well-known national forests in Northern India is Ranthambore. In the Sawai Madhopur district of southeast Rajasthan, the forest is located about 130 kilometers from Jaipur.  At the intersection of the Aravali and Vindhya hill ranges, in the districts of Karauli and Sawai Madhopur, in eastern Rajasthan, is where you’ll find the Ranthambore National Park. Read all about UPSC Exam preparation by visiting official website of StudyIQ UPSC online Coaching. To enhance preparation of UPSC Students can go for UPSC Mock test of StudyIQ.

Sharing is caring!