Introduction :
Ranthambhore
National Park located at the junction of the Aravalis and the Vindhyas, is a
unique example of natural and historical legacy, standing out wondrously in
the vast, arid and denuded tract of eastern Rajasthan, barely 14 kilometers
from Sawai Madhopur.
It spreads over a highly undulating topography varying from gentle to steep
slopes; from flat topped hills of the Vindhyas to the conical hillocks and
sharp ridges of the Aravalis, from wide and flat valleys to narrow rocky
gorges. An important geological feature the 'Great Boundary Fault' where the
Vindhya plateaus meet the Aravali hill ranges, meanders through the Reserve.
The National Park is bound by the rivers Chambal in the south and Banas in
the north.
The name Ranthambore is derived from two hills in the area, Ran and
Thanbhor. Another version says that Ranthambhore was once called Rana
Stambhapura or City of the Pillars of War.
In the wild zone !!!
With over 300 types of trees, 272 species of birds and approximately 30
different types of mammals, Ranthambhore is packed full with life. The park
is a home to India's smallest and largest antelopes, Chinkara and Nilgai
('blue bull'). We can also take you outside of the park for the chance to
see Black Buck Antelope in nearby tribal villages and vast numbers of
migratory birds around tranquil lakes. The other kinds of cats found in
Ranthambhore are Leopard (Panthera pardus), Caracal (Felis caracal), Leopard
Cat (Felis bengalensis), Fishing Cat ( Felis viverrina) and the Jungle Cat
(Felis chaus). Besides the big cats, the other large predators found in
Ranthambhore include Sloth Bear, Striped Hyena, Wolf, Wild dog (or Dhole),
Jackal, Indian Fox, Palm Civet, Small Indian Civet, Common Indian Mongoose,
small Indian Mongoose, Ratel (or Honey Badger), Crocodile and the Indian
Python. There are two species of Antlers, namely the Spotted Deer (or
Chital) and the Sambhar Deer, and, two kinds of Antelopes, namely the Indian
Gazelle (or Chinkara) and the Bluebull (or Neelgai). Black Buck (another
kind of antelope), which is rarely found in the National Park is common in
Devpura area, in the outskirts of the park.
