National Parks in India

132 kms. from Jaipur lies a small junction of Swai Madhopur and 10 kms. east from this place is Ranthambore National park which is last and virgin forest of Central India and what is left is very small stretches of verdant bush. Ranthambore is rated as one of the most famous tiger reserves in the world.

The hilltop fort of Ranthambore dates back to 10th century AD. Once it was the centre of Hindu Kingdom. Ranthambore was made the hunting ground of Maharaja of Jaipur. Soon after independence, the area was declared a sanctuary. It was in 1972, that Ranthambore became National park under Project Tiger with core area of 410 sq. kms.

Again 104 sq. kms. were added to the area and called it as Sawai Man Singh Sanctuary in the year 1986.

Ranthambore is a land where there were 14 tigers in the year 1972 which rise up to 44 in the year 1989 and again dropped to 32 in the year 1997.

Ranthambore National park is offered by several perennial rivers and a number of lakes. Apart from Tiger, Ranthambore National Park has large population of Panthers, other predators like Hyenas, Jackals, Jungle Cats, Caracals and lakes of National Park are hunted by Marsh Crocodiles. National Park also has Sambar, Sloth Bears, Nilgai, Cheetal, Wild Boars, Chinkara, Monitor Lizard, Mangoose, Indian Hare. It was in early 50s in which last sighting of wild dogs was recorded. Ranthambore National Park has a number of lakes which attract hundreds of water birds. Apart from them, this National park has rich bird life as well, such as Phaesant Tailed Jacana, Spur Fowl, Crested Serpent Eagle, Tree Pie, Black Stork, Green Pigeon, White Necked Stork , Painted Stork, Spoon Bill, Bonelli's Eagle, Great Indian Horned Owl, Grey Partridge, Painted Partridge, Sand Grouse, Quail, Paradise Fly Catcher and many other species of birds