The park spreads over
an area of approximately 400 sq km in a highly undulating and rugged
terrain with numerous rocky ridges, hills and open valleys with lakes
and pools. Two rivers, the Chambal and the Banas flowing in the South
and the North of the park respectively, and six artificial lakes
namely the Gilai Sagar, Mansarovar, Malik Talao, Raj Bagh and Padam
Talao within the park, add to the beauty of the Ranthambore National
Park.
The lush green vegetation along with plenty of water
availability makes it an ideal place for survival and growth of varied
wildlife. The park offers perfect conditions for tigers and their
prey. The greatest attractions of the Ranthambore National Park are
the world-famous Royal Bengal Tigers.
Once the favorite hunting ground
of the Maharaja of Jaipur, the Ranthambore National Park was declared
a game sanctuary in 1955, a tiger reserve in 1973 under India's
famous Project Tiger Plan and finally attained the status of a
national park in 1980.
