Ranthambore National Park is a highly celebrated gem in Rajasthan’s Sawai Madhopur district. The national park is predominantly famous for the significant population of the majestic Royal Bengal Tigers. Apart from the tigers, wildlife and travel enthusiasts from all over the country and abroad visit Ranthambore to witness the wide range of flora and fauna. Ranthambore National Park is home to innumerable species of plants, trees, animals, reptiles, birds and so on. The prime attraction of the jeep and canter safaris in Ranthambore is to spot wildlife, as well as the rich vegetation.
Fauna in Ranthambore Reserve Forest
The Bengal tigers are undoubtedly the centre of attraction of any wildlife safari in Ranthambore National Park, and they can be sighted quite frequently here, especially from Zones 1-5. Tigers are the top predators in the Ranthambore forest, occupying the highest position in its food chain. While tigers are typically known for being solitary hunters that prefer to hunt at night, those in Ranthambore National Park are active during the day. This makes them more visible to visitors, which contributes to the park being one of the most popular destinations for tiger enthusiasts.
Apart from the tiger, other highly spotted animals of the Ranthambore National Park are - • Leopard • Leopard cat • Desert cat • Caracal • Fishing cat • Jungle cat
However, the park is home to so many big cats, but the tigers are the lords of this land and rule the region with pride. This forest also provides food and shelter to large predators like • Sloth Bear • Jackal • Striped Hyena • Desert fox • Palm civet • Crocodile • Common mongoose • Python and many others
There are a few other animals that are found in abundance in these areas and they are - spotted deer (chital) and Sambhar deer - the two species of antlers, along with the Indian Gazelle (Chinkara ) and the Bluebull (Nilgai ) - the two species of antelopes.
In addition to the majestic tiger, which is the most famous resident of this region, observing the charm and energy of other animals can be equally pleasurable. The grace and liveliness of deer, the sight of a large crocodile basking by the lake, or a striking blue bull wandering through the grassy fields - all of these experiences are sure to bring joy to both your mind and heart.
Birds in Ranthambore
The wide variety of remarkable bird species present in this area creates an ideal setting for bird watchers. The colourful waterfowl near the lake, the impressive Indian eagle gliding overhead, and the vulture perched on a high branch offer captivating sights for bird enthusiasts. Ranthambore forest is home to nearly 300 species of both resident and migratory birds. Among these are the Kingfisher, Painted Spurfowl, Sarus Crane, large Cormorant, Bronzed-winged Jacana, Sandpiper, Nightjar, Great Horned Owl, Painted Sandgrouse, and many others.
Flora in the Ranthambore Reserve Forest
The captivating natural surroundings of the forest of Ranthambore and the tranquillity here are profoundly relaxing and a delight for the mind. The blend of the dense green region and the sparse shrubbery in the desert region makes this land a unique site for nature lovers. It is estimated that there are nearly 300 species of vegetation found in and around the Ranthambore reserve forest. The area in the proximity of the Thar Desert gets very scant rainfall, so the plant life here consists mainly of dry deciduous type.
Dominant Flora Species
The most dominant plant species of the Ranthambore National Park are - • Dhok • Babul • Neem • Ber • Peepal
The Dhok tree, scientifically known as Anogeissus pendula, is the most dominant plant species in this national forest. It forms over three-fourths of the park’s vegetation. This tropical tree can grow up to 15 metres tall. Its leaves, shrubs, and fruits are an important food source for animals such as deer, antelope, and nilgai. The Dhok tree is well adapted to shallow soil conditions, though in such areas its growth remains limited and the tree stays shorter in height.
Other significant trees found in the park include - Banyan (Ficus bengalensis), Pipal (Ficus religiosa), and Neem (Azadirachta indica). These trees are valued for both their religious importance and medicinal uses.
The forest is also home to several fruit-bearing trees - Mango (Mangifera indica), Tamarind (Tamarindus indica), locally known as Imli, Jamun (Syzygium cumini), commonly called Indian blackberry, and Ber (Zizyphus mauritiana).
Other notable species - Chhila (Butea monosperma), widely known as the Flame of the Forest. Its striking bright orange flowers add vibrant colour to the landscape and create a captivating view for nature enthusiasts.
Apart from these prominent trees, a few other flora that are found in the park are the - • Gum (Sterculia urens) • Gurjan (Lannea coromandelica) • Kadam (Authocephalus cadamba) • Khair (Accacia catechu) • Khajur (Phoenix sylvestris) • Kakera (Flacourtia indica) • Karel (Capparis decidua) • Khimi (Manilkara hexandra) • Kikar (Acacia nilotica) • Mahua (Madhuca indica) • Salar (Boswellia serrata) • Kulu (Sterculia urens) • Ronj (Acacia leucophloea) • Tendu (Diospyros melanoxylon) and others.
The primary aquatic flowers present in the lakes of Ranthambore National Park are lotuses and water lilies, while the lake borders are adorned with Khus grass.
A tour to Ranthambore National Park will offer you an unmatched experience in totality with the rich variety of flora and fauna found here. With its diurnal tigers, the Ranthambore Park is the most famous tiger reserve in India among tiger lovers.