Ranthambore National Park Tiger Population and Other Major Attractions
By: David H.
Submitted: 2010-05-15 06:19:51 | Word Count: 522
Ranthambore National Park is regarded as one amongst the largest and the most famous of Northern India s national parks.It is located in Southeastern Rajasthan s Sawai Madhopur district.It is only 130 kilometers from Jaipur which houses the nearest airport.Sawai Madhoupur is the nearest town and it has the nearest railway station.
The new name of the park is Sawai Madhopur Game Sanctuary.It was also declared as a Project Tiger reserve.The facility became a national park Iin the year 1980.Adjacent forests became known as the Keladevi Sanctuary and the Sawai Man Singh Sanctuary in the year 1984.In 1991, this tiger reserve grew and now has both mentioned sanctuaries.
[ advertisement ]
The park is a popular wildlife sanctuary because of its tiger population.It has become one of India s best tourist attractions with its deciduous forests belonging to Central India s once magnificent jungles.Even during the day time, you ll be able to spot tigers.The best time to visit the park is through the months of November to May.
Set by a plateau s edge, the park is bounded to the south by the river Chambal and to the north by the river Banas.Aside from the two, there are many lakes within the park.Its name was derived from the Ranthambhore forest that still stands inside the park premises.
Ranthambore National Park spans through 392 square kilometers.Aside from its large tiger population, many other wild animals roam freely through the park.This includes leopards, tigers, wild boars, hyenas, sloth bears and the chital among others.There are also various reptiles, birds, plants and trees throughout the city.
As the park becomes very popular to tourists, the population of neighbor villages also increased.This led to the increasing incidence of poaching and fatal human tiger interactions.Back in 1982, 44 tigers were recorded in the park.As of 2005, only 26 tigers were seen.However, in 2008, the number seemed to increase to 34.There were even 14 reported tiger cubs, all due to efforts made by locals and forest officials to control poaching.Just to stay off the park, villagers were given incentives.Aside from that, surveillance cameras were also fitted throughout the reserve.
Ranthambore National Park Major Attractions
The popularity of the Ranthambore National Park isn t only confined in the animals and plants you ll find here.There area various other major attractions tourists adore inside the park.Here are some of them:
Ranthambore Fort – This is a 10th century majestic fort.It towers over the whole park area.Its height is 700 ft.over the surrounding plain.Within the fort are 3 red Karauli “stone temples” built during the 12th to the 13th centuries which are devoted to Ramlalaji and Ganesh Shiva.
Tigers – This Park has one amongst the country s best national parks in spotting a tiger.These majestic predators are often spotted basking or ambling under the sun.
Padam Talao – This is regarded as the largest among all the lakes situated within the park.It features the magnificent red sandstone Jogi Mahal along its very edge.Close to it is an enormous Banyan tree which ranks as the 2nd largest in India.
