Why in news?
An unfortunate incident in August 2025 left twenty tourists stranded during a tiger safari in Rajasthan’s Ranthambore National Park after their vehicle broke down and the guide abandoned them. The episode highlighted the park’s importance and the need for better management.
Location
- Ranthambore National Park lies in Sawai Madhopur district of Rajasthan, where the Aravalli and Vindhya ranges meet.
- The reserve covers around 1,334 square kilometres, with a core area of about 275 square kilometres.
History
- Declared the Sawai Madhopur Game Sanctuary in 1955.
- Became one of the earliest Project Tiger reserves in 1973.
- Upgraded to a national park in 1980. The adjoining forests were later designated as the Sawai Mansingh and Kailadevi sanctuaries.
Features
- Terrain: A mix of dry deciduous forest, rocky ridges, open grasslands and lakes.
- Fort heritage: The park contains the tenth‑century Ranthambore Fort, part of a UNESCO tentative list, with temples dedicated to Ganesh, Shiva and Jain deities.
- Water bodies: Important lakes include Padam Talao, on whose bank stands the historic Jogi Mahal.
- Flora: More than 300 plant species, many of them medicinal.
- Fauna: Famous for its Royal Bengal tigers that are often seen in daylight. Other wildlife includes leopards, hyenas, jackals, nilgai, sambar and chital deer, langurs and sloth bears. The park is also home to over 270 bird species.
Ranthambore’s popularity as a tiger reserve underscores the need for trained guides, reliable vehicles and visitor safety protocols to preserve its wildlife while providing memorable experiences.