| Ranthambhor National
Park, before a princely game conserve is the scene where
the celebrated Indian Tiger is best seen. Ranthambhor
Tiger Reserve lies on the junction of Aravali and Vindhyas
just 14 Kms from Sawai Madhopur in Eastern Rajasthan.
It sprawls over a varying and undulating landscape.
The scenery changes dramatically from gentle and steep
slopes of the Vindhyas and sharp and conical hills of
the Aravali. A tenth century fort also blends amicably
with the background. Pure sands of Dhok (Anogeissus
pendula) interspersed with grasslands at the plateaus,
meadows in valleys and luxuriant foliage around the
canals make the jungle. Three big lakes - Padam Talab
(meaning Lake), Malik Talab and Raj Bagh - are similar
turquoises studded in the vast forest that abounds with
aquatic vegetation including duckweeds, lilies and lotus.
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significant geological feature within the park
is the 'Great Boundary Fault' where the Vindhaya
plateau meets the Aravali range. The Rivers Chambal
in the South and the Banas in the North bound
the National Park. The park is dotted with steep
rocky hills and the dominating architecture of
Ranthambhor Fort (built in the 10th century),
adds to its landscape. The rugged park terrain
alternates between dry deciduous forest, open
grassy meadow, dotted by several lakes and rivers
that are only made passable by rough roads built
and maintained by the Forest Service.
The tiger is not the only attraction at Ranthambhor;
although it is the one park resident that people
come to see. A variety of birds including Owlets,
the ubiquitous Langur (monkey), Leopard, Caracal,
Hyena, Jackal, Jungle Cat, marsh Crocodiles, Wild
Boar, Bears and various species of Deer are the
other attractions.
Ranthambhor
is plagued by the typical problems encountered
by all game reserves in India - people living
in and around the parks and grazing by livestock!
Between 1976-1979, 12 villages within Ranthambhor
National Park were resettled outside the designated
park area with only a few people now residing
in scattered hamlets within the park. Of course
poachers continue their activities with increasing
demand from China for Tiger parts. There are
no accurate figures on how many tigers and
poachers kill other species, but on occasion
evidence appears in the form of large numbers
of skins and other body parts found on couriers.
The park is well staffed and the folk who
man the centres and the mandatory guides -
one for every vehicle, are knowledgeable of
the terrain and some even know the Latin names
of most species.
The
tiger is not the only attraction at Ranthambhor;
although it is the one park resident people
come to see. We were lucky to see several
varieties of birds including these owlets
peering through their burrow pictured here
on the right and of course the ubiquitous
langur monkey. Other animals in the reserve
include leopard, caracal, hyena, jackal, jungle
cat, marsh crocodiles, wild boar, bears and
various species of deer.
The main food source for the tiger is the
swamp deer like Barasinsga and on occasion
the wild buffalo and also wild boar etc. If
you wish to stay near the park, the facilities
on offer are superb. The park gates open a
half hour before sunrise and close half hour
after sunset. The timings are vigorously imposed
and no exceptions are made to this rule.
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Save
Tiger
Like
oil lamps flickering in the wind, the
world's tiger population is unhurriedly
being snuffed out. Several books and
literature have been produced to describe
the most intriguing, the most powerful
and the most majestic of all animals.
The Hindu tradition and culture have
a place of honor and worship for tiger.
In India people had added Singh, Sher
and Nahar on their names to upgrade
their class. Yet people have been incredibly
scant to the cause of the tiger. This
web site aims in graphics, pictures
and prose to advance the level of wakefulness
and concern for this mythical and secretive
striped beauty that placidly roams the
jungles.
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| There
is enormous pressure on the habitat
of the tigers, the Ranthambhore Foundations
hopes to strike an ecological balance
and complete harmony between man and
the beast. |
Tiger Moments
Tiger Burning
Bright in rare and relaxed moments exhibits
it lovable beauty. It is in these moments
that the sheer beauty and power of this
animal comes out so mesmerizing. It
is an experience that no one should
fail to spot. If your grand mother has
told you that cat the maternal aunt
of the tiger did not teach a tiger to
climb trees so he can't climb trees
then she was probably not wholly right.
A commendable photographs shows that
tigers can scale trees like other cats
but only upto 16 months of age of after
which they too heavy to do so.
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