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The
Ranthambore National Park encompasses nearly 400 sq. kms. of dry
deciduous forest in south western Rajasthan. The Park derives
its name form the fortress of Ranthambore which sits on a rocky
outcrop in the forest. Vast in si ze
, it encompasses an area of nearly 7 kms. in circumference. Its
history dates back to the 11th century when Rana Hamir ruled
from its ramparts. Its massive battlements enclose one of
India's most ancient forts. The was a vital citadel for the
control of central India and over the centuries many wars were
fought for its possession.
Nature overflows here with her bounty and variety. The area has
preponderance of dhok trees but there is an abundance of ancient
banyan and peepal trees with their spreading roots adding to the
general luxuriance of the area. Very now and again one stumbles
upon massive rock formation, steep scarps, perennial lakes and
streams. Ranthambore has a remarkable rich and diverse flora and
fauna. The species lists for the area include nearly 300 trees,
50 aquatic plants and more than 100 species of herbs, grasses,
climbers and seasonal plants. The bird list for the National
Park contains 272 species and the mammal list has 30. There are
at least a dozen species of reptiles and amphibians, perhaps a
dozen fishes and profusion of insect life that has still to be
catalogued. No wonder that the U.S. president Bill Clinton
visited this place in early 2000, and was fortunate to see two
wild tigers on the same day.
The
Ranthambore park is open only during the day time and
accommodations are available only outside the park. There are
many site seeing spots adjoining the park. The Mansarover lake
lies just on the outskirts of the National Park approx. 20 kms
from from the park and is known for its scenic beauty and
various
 kinds
of migratory bird. Surwal lake which is just 8 kms is another
heaven for bird lovers, since it attracts many kinds of
migratory birds also a beautiful site for camping. Devpura which
is 15 kms is a unique place where black bucks and antelopes are
found. Pali ghat on the banks of river chambal is an excellent
spot for boating and camping. Indergarh a 15th century fort
which is located in the middle of a forested valley infested
with wildlife is again a place to camp.
Today man is sowing the seeds of his own destruction. Numerous
forms of life are slowly disappearing from this planet of which
they are an integral part. Man and every living organism that
makes up this world are interlocked in a complex and delicate
matrix of life. If one strand breaks, the matrix is weakened and
man draws closer to the disintegration of his habitat and
therefore himself. Man must therefore find his own balance with
nature so that wilderness areas like Ranthambore can survive
into the future.
The forests are very colorful, with the passage of each season
the forest changes color. During the monsoons everything turns a
vibrant and lush green and the prevailing sound is that of
gurgling streams and waterfalls. AT the onset of the summer the
contrast is sharp and the forest seems to shrivel under the
scorching sun. The wide grasslands burn with the heat, the rocks
reflect back t you and you feel the forest is melting. Two river
systems, the Chambal and the Banas, cut around the forest on the
border of Madhya Pradesh, nature has showered its treasures on
this tiny paradise. In the dry and semi dry areas wildlife is
invariably concentrated near water which is why sighting animals
is so easy in Ranthambore.
Every evening a large population of sambar, chital and wild boar frequent
rajbagh and often tigers walk through the grass at the edge of
this lake in anticipation of a kill.
The best and the only way to see the natures exuberance is
through a two hundred kilometers of jeep able, fair weather road
which provide excellent access to remote areas. Several sanctums
have been left untouched and isolated with no roads and thus no
human intrusion. This allows the animals the peace and privacy
so necessary to their well being, for if they were constantly
disturbed they would find it difficult to to procreate and rear
their young.
In the last 10 years the tiger population has increases here
considerably, there has been no human encroachments since 1979.
The mother was no longer teaching them to avoid man, hence tiger
sighting is easy. Today Ranthambore is not only the finest
paradise for the tiger, but also the sambhar and it is only
place in India where sambhar are seen so easily and in such
large numbers.
Leopards, the Indian sloth bear and the innumerable crocodiles
make it a vital pulsating ecological system. Dotted with lakes
and streams it is a bird watchers dream.
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.
Tiger Moments
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
Th e
Fort: Steep crags embrace a network of lakes and rivers, and
atop one of these hills, is the impressive Ranthambhore Fort.
Built in the 10th century, the fort is considered to be one of
the oldest forts in the state. Strategically built on the border
of Rajasthan and Malwa, the fort houses some splendid monuments,
within its precincts. The terrain fluctuates between impregnable
forests and open bush land. The forest is the typically dry
deciduous type, with Dhok, being the most prominent tree.
The Jogi Mahal: The entry point to the park, goes
straight to the foot of the fort and the forest rest house, Jogi
Mahal. The latter boasts of the second-largest Banyan tree in
India.
The Badal Mahal: The “palace of the clouds”, situated in
the fort has a very interesting location and seems as if hanging
out in space. The famous 84-column 'chhatri' of King Hammir
stands out magnificently where he used to hold an audience. The
Padam Talab, the Raj Bagh Talab and the Milak Talab are some of
the lakes in the area worth seeing |
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Rajasthan is one of the 26 states that, along, with
seven union territories forms the republic of India. Rajasthan
is one of the 26 states that, along, with seven union
territories forms the republic of India. Located in the
north-west, it shares its borders with Punjab, Hariyana, Uttar
Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and and Gujarat, The Complete Rajasthan
-- Take a desert- burning sand in the long summers, large tracts
of dune-decked plains, with scarce water and even scarcer
vegetation and create a habitation with the mind's eye, if you
can. And the come to Rajasthan to see if you imagination can
begin to match where reality takes over.
History
Archaeological and historical evidence shows a continuous human
habitation of the area dating back 100,000 years. Between the
7th and the 11th century AD, several dynasties arose, with
Rajput strength reaching its peak at the beginning of the 16th
century. Emperor Akbar brought the Rajput states into the Mughal
Empire; by early 19th century, they allied with the Marathas.
Later, the British established supremacy in the region.
Rajasthan soon emerged as a centre of Indian nationalism. When
the new constitution went into effect in 1950, Rajput princes
surrendered their powers to the Indian Union.`
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