Ranthambore Tiger Reserve | 21 Aug 2024
Why in News?
Recently, The forest department imposed a penalty of Rs 1 lakh each on 14 SUV owners who illegally entered Ranthambore Tiger Reserve (RTR) during an adventure rally.
Key Points
- The fine was imposed in accordance with Section 27/51 of the Wildlife Act of, 1972.
- About:
- Ranthambore Tiger Reserve lies in the eastern part of Rajasthan state in Karauli and Sawai Madhopur districts, at the junction of the Aravali and Vindhya hill ranges.
- It comprises the Ranthambore National Park as well as Sawai Mansingh and Kailadevi Sanctuaries.
- The Ranthambore fort, from which the forests derive their name, is said to have a rich history of over 1000 years. It is strategically located atop a 700 feet tall hill within the park and is believed to have been built in 944 AD by a Chauhan ruler.
- This isolated area with tigers in it represents the north-western limit of the Bengal tiger’s distribution range and is an outstanding example of Project Tiger’s efforts for conservation in the country.
- Features:
- The reserve consists of highly fragmented forest patches, ravines, river streams and agricultural land.
- It is connected to Kuno-Palpur Landscape in Madhya Pradesh, through parts of Kailadevi Wildlife Sanctuary, the ravine habitats of Chambal and the forest patches of Sheopur.
- Tributaries of River Chambal provide easy passage for tigers to move towards the Kuno National Park.
- Vegetation and Wildlife:
- The vegetation includes grasslands on plateaus and dense forests along the seasonal streams.
- The forest type is mainly tropical dry deciduous with ‘dhak’ (Butea monosperma), a species of tree capable of withstanding long periods of drought, being the commonest.
- This tree is also called 'Flame of forest' and is one of the many flowering plants that add colour to the dry summers here.
- The park is rich in wildlife with tigers at the apex of the food chain in mammals.
- Other animals found here are leopards, striped hyenas, common or hanuman langurs, rhesus macaques, jackals, jungle cats, caracals, blackbuck, Blacknaped hare and chinkara, etc.
- The vegetation includes grasslands on plateaus and dense forests along the seasonal streams.
- Other Protected Areas in Rajasthan:
- Sariska National Park, Alwar
- Desert National Park, Jaisalmer
- Keoladeo National Park, Bharatpur
- Sajjangarh wildlife sanctuary, Udaipur
- National Chambal Sanctuary (on tri-junction of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh)