Aspect

Details

Location

Sawai Madhopur district, Rajasthan

Establishment

Established as Sawai Madhopur Game Sanctuary in 1955 by the Government of India

Project Tiger Reserve

Declared as one of the Project Tiger reserves in 1973

National Park Status

Became a national park in 1980, part of the larger Ranthambore Tiger Reserve

Area

Approximately 1,334 square kilometers, with the core zone covering 392 square kilometers

Geographical Features

Located at the junction of the Aravalli and Vindhya ranges; consists of rugged hills, plateaus, open grasslands, dense forests, lakes, and rivers

Notable Landmark

Ranthambore Fort (a UNESCO World Heritage Site)

Flora

Dry deciduous forests, grasslands, and scrub; dominant tree species include dhok (Anogeissus pendula), banyan, pipal, and various species of acacia

Fauna

Home to Bengal tigers and a variety of other wildlife including leopards, sloth bears, striped hyenas, sambar deer, chital, nilgai, wild boar, and Indian foxes.

Name

Location

Key Features

Ranthambore National Park

Sawai Madhopur

Famous for its tiger population, ruins of Ranthambore Fort, and diverse flora and fauna.

Sariska Tiger Reserve

Alwar

Known for Bengal tigers, dry deciduous forests, and historical structures within the sanctuary.

Keoladeo National Park

Bharatpur

UNESCO World Heritage Site, renowned bird sanctuary, especially for migratory birds like cranes.

Desert National Park

Jaisalmer & Barmer

Unique desert ecosystem, great Indian bustard, and sand dunes.

Mukundra Hills National Park

Kota

Known for its hilly terrain and efforts in tiger reintroduction.

Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary

Mount Abu

Rich in biodiversity, rare species like Indian leopard, and endemic flora.

Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary

Rajsamand

Encircles the Kumbhalgarh Fort, habitat for leopards, wolves, and sloth bears.

Darrah Wildlife Sanctuary

Kota

Now part of Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve, known for leopards, deer, and bird species.

Jaisamand Wildlife Sanctuary

Udaipur

Surrounds Jaisamand Lake, home to crocodiles, turtles, and migratory birds.

Sitamata Wildlife Sanctuary

Pratapgarh

Rich deciduous forests, flying squirrel, and other rare species.

Tal Chhapar Sanctuary

Churu

Famous for blackbucks and migratory birds like demoiselle cranes.

Bassi Wildlife Sanctuary

Chittorgarh

Habitat for panthers, wild boars, and chinkaras, located near Bassi Dam.

Ramgarh Vishdhari Sanctuary

Bundi

Declared as a tiger reserve, habitat for tigers, leopards, and sloth bears.

Phulwari ki Nal Sanctuary

Udaipur

Known for its tribal communities and biodiversity, including various bird species.

Sundha Mata Conservation Reserve

Jalore

Conservation area for Indian gazelles and leopards.

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q.Consider the following statements regarding the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve:

1. It was established as the Sawai Madhopur Game Sanctuary in 1955 and later became a national park in 1980.
2. The reserve is located at the junction of the Aravalli and Vindhya ranges and is known for its dry deciduous forests and grasslands.
3. The Ranthambore Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is located within the reserve.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

A) 1 and 2 only

B) 2 and 3 only

C) 1 and 3 only

D) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: D

Explanation

All statements are correct:

The Ranthambore Tiger Reserve was established as the Sawai Madhopur Game Sanctuary in 1955 and became a national park in 1980.

The reserve is located at the junction of the Aravalli and Vindhya ranges, featuring dry deciduous forests and grasslands.

The Ranthambore Fort, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is located within the reserve.

The reserve is part of the larger Project Tiger initiative and covers an area of approximately 1,334 square kilometers.