Ranthambore National Park, Rajasthan
Syllabus: Geography, National Park (UPSC Prelims)
Source: NDTV
Context:
During a tiger safari in Ranthambore National Park, 20 tourists were stranded after their canter broke down and the guide left them.
Location
- Situated in Sawai Madhopur district, Rajasthan, at the meeting point of the Aravalli and Vindhya ranges.
- Total area: 1,334 sq. km (core area ~275 sq. km).
Historical Background
- Declared Sawai Madhopur Game Sanctuary in 1955.
- Included under Project Tiger in 1973.
- Upgraded to National Park in 1980.
- Nearby forests declared as Sawai Mansingh and Kailadevi Sanctuaries.
Key Features
- Landscape: Dry deciduous forests, rocky hills, grasslands, and natural lakes.
- Cultural Heritage: The 10th-century Ranthambore Fort (UNESCO tentative list), with temples of Ganesh, Shiva, and Jain shrines.
- Water Bodies: Padam Talao (largest lake), with Jogi Mahal on its banks.
- Flora: 300+ plant species, including medicinal plants.
- Fauna: Famous for Royal Bengal Tigers (daytime sightings common). Also home to leopards, hyenas, jackals, nilgai, sambar, chital, langurs, sloth bears, and 270+ bird species.
