Ranthambore Tiger Reserve

Source: This post on Ranthambore Tiger Reserve has been created based on the article “Forest department halts construction of illegal complex in Ranthambore” published in Hindustan Times on 18th October 2024.

Why in news?

Recently, Rajasthan Forest Department has halted the construction of a large complex, consisting of over a dozen rooms, within the buffer zone of the crucial tiger habitat in the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve (RTR) in Sawai Madhopur district.

About Ranthambore Tiger Reserve

1. Location: Ranthambore Tiger Reserve is located in the Sawai Madhopur district of Rajasthan.

2. Establishment: It was established as the Sawai Madhopur Game Sanctuary in 1955 by the Government of India.

3. It was declared one of the Project Tiger reserves in 1973 and became a national park in 1980. It is now a part of the larger Ranthambore Tiger Reserve, which includes the nearby Kailadevi Sanctuary and Sawai Mansingh Sanctuary.

4. Ranthambore spans an area of around 1,334 square kilometers, with the core zone comprising about 392 square kilometers.

5. The park is situated at the junction of the Aravalli and Vindhya hill ranges. The park landscape is combination of rugged hills and plateaus, with open grasslands, dense forests, lakes, and rivers.

6. Its rich topography, including the famous Ranthambore Fort (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) enhances its appeal to visitors.

7. Flora: The park is known for its diverse ecosystem, which includes dry deciduous forests, grasslands, and scrublands. Some of the dominant tree species in Ranthambore include the dhok (Anogeissus pendula), banyan, pipal, and various species of acacia.

8. Fauna: Bengal tiger is the primary attractio. Ranthambore is home to a variety of other wildlife including Mammals such as Leopards, sloth bears, striped hyenas, sambar deer, chital, nilgai, wild boar, and Indian foxes.

UPSC Syllabus: Environment