Tiger Reserves in Rajasthan

Rajasthan Tiger Reserves UPSC

Rajasthan is home to 4 tiger reserve that contribute to the conservation of  the Bengal tiger. 

Table of Contents Sariska Tiger Reserve Ranthambore Tiger Reserve Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve Mukundara Hills Tiger Reserve

1. Sariska Tiger Reserve

1. The Sariska Tiger Reserve is located in the Alwar district of the state of Rajasthan, India.
2. Sariska Tiger Reserve is famous for ancient temples, ruins, and forts, including the Kankwari Fort.
3. It was originally a hunting ground for the royal family of Alwar.
4. In 1955, the area was declared a wildlife sanctuary.
5. In 1978, Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary was designated as a tiger reserve.
6. In 1979, Sariska wildlife sanctuary became a National Park.
7. Area: The Sariska Tiger Reserve has a total area of 1,203.34 square kilometers (464.70 square miles).
1. Core/critical tiger habitat : 881.11 sq.km.
2. Buffer/peripheral area : 322.23 sq.km.
3. Total : 1203.34 sq.km.
8. Hills: The reserve is situated in the Aravalli Range.
9. River: Ruparel River flow through the tiger reserve.
10. Flora: Northern Tropical Dry Deciduous Forests (Dhok, Khair, Tendu etc.), Northern Tropical Thorn Forests (Babul, Khejri etc.)
11. Dhok (Anogeissus pendula) covers over 40 percent of the forested area of Sariska Tiger Reserve.
12. Fauna: Royal Bengal Tiger, Leopards, Hyenas, Caracal, Sambar Deer, Spotted Deer, Rufous Tailed Hare, Grey Francolin, White rumped Vulture, Indian Python, Monitor Lizard, Indian Star Tortoise etc.

2. Ranthambore Tiger Reserve

1. Ranthambore Tiger Reserve is located in Karauli and Sawai Madhopur districts of Rajasthan, India.
2. In 1955, Ranthambore Tiger Reserve was established as Sawai Madhopur Game Sanctuary.
3. In 1973, Ranthambore was designated as a tiger reserve under Project Tiger.
4. In 1980, Ranthambore was declared a national park.
5. In 1991, the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve was expanded to include the adjacent Keladevi Sanctuary in the north and Sawai Mansingh Sanctuary in the south, as well as other forests.
6. Area: Ranthambore Tiger Reserve area of land. The reserve comprises both the core/critical tiger habitat and the buffer/peripheral area. Here is the approximate area breakdown of Ranthambore Tiger Reserv:
1. Core/critical tiger habitat : 1113.36 sq.km.
2. Buffer/peripheral area : 297.92 sq.km.
3. Total : 1411.28 sq. km
7. Hills: Ranthambore Tiger Reserve is situated at the junction (great boundary fault) of the Aravali and Vindhya hill ranges.
8. River: Ranthambore Tiger Reserve is bounded by rivers on its northern and southern sides.
1. Chambal River (southern side)
2. Banas River (northern side)
9. Lake: Some notable lakes within Ranthambore Tiger Reserve include:
1. Padam Talao Lake
2. Malik Talao
3. Rajbagh Talao Lake
10. Flora: Northern Tropical Dry Deciduous Forests (dhok, khair, and kulu), Dry Deciduous Scrub, Dry Grasslands etc.
11. Fauna: Bengal Tiger, Leopard, Caracal, Sambar, Chital, Chinkara, Sloth Bear, Blacknaped Hare, Crested Serpent Eagle, Indian Grey Hornbill, Desert Monitor Lizard, Gangetic Soft Shelled Turtle, Fresh Water Crocodile, North Indian flap-shelled Turtle etc.
12. Ranthambore tigers are world famous with their local pet names, including Machali (T-16), Dollar (T-25), Sitara (T-28), Bina One, Bina Two, Sundari, Dollor.

3. Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve

1. Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve is located in Bundi district of Rajasthan, India.
2. It lies in the southeastern part of Rajasthan with representation of both Vindhyan and Aaravalli elements.
3. In 1982, Ramgarh Vishdhari Wildlife Sanctuary was established as a protected area under the Rajasthan Wildlife and Bird Protection Act, 1951.
4. In 2022, Ramgarh Vishdhari Wildlife Sanctuary declared tiger reserve.
5. It is the 52nd Tiger Reserve in India and 4th tiger reserve of Rajasthan.
6. Area: The Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve covers an approximate area of 1501.88 sq.kmn.
1. Core : 481.9 sq.km.
2. Buffer : 1019.98 sq.km.
3. Total : 1501.88 sq.km.
7. River: The Mez River flows through the tiger reserve.
8. Flora: Dhok, Khair, Ronj, Amaltas, Gurjan, Saler, India Ghost Tree, Tendu etc.
9. Fauna: Tigers, Leopards, Sloth Bears, Hyaena, Crested Porcupine, Caracal, Chital, Sambar, Indian Vulture, Indian Eagle-owl, Indian Rock Python, Indian Star Tortoise, Crocodiles etc.

4. Mukundara Hills Tiger Reserve

1. Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve is located in Kota district of Rajasthan in India.
2. It is situated in a valley formed by two parallel mountains viz. Mukundra and Gargola.
3. Mukundra Hills was originally a hunting preserve belonging to the Maharaja of Kota.
4. In 1955, the area was declared a Wildlife Sanctuary.
5. In 2004, Mukundra Hills was declared a national park known as Mukundra Hills (Darrah) National Park.
6. In 2013, Mukundra Hills was notified as a Tiger Reserve under Project Tiger. The Tiger Reserve encompasses Mukandra National Park, Dara Sanctuary, Jawahar Sagar Sanctuary, and a part of Chambal Sanctuary (from Garadia Mahadev to Jawahar Sagar Dam).
7. Area: The Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve covers a total area of 759.99462 square kilometers.
1. Core : 417.17188 sq. km.
2. Buffer : 342.82274 sq. km.
3. Total : 759.99462 sq. km.
8. Hills: The tiger reserve is named after the prominent Mukundra Hills that surround the region.
9. River: Ramzan River flows through the Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve.
10. Flora: Khair, Ber, Kakan, Raunj, Tendu, Gurjan, Karaya, Jhinjha, Kalam, Gutha bor, Bel, Salar, Uum, Shisham etc.
11. Fauna: Tiger, Leopards, Sloth Bear, Chinkara, Spotted Deer, Small Indian Civet, Toddy Cat, Hyena, Painted Partridge, Grey Hornbill, Blackbird, Red Sandboa, Russell’s Sandboa, Gharial, Turtles etc.