Ratapani Tiger Reserve is situated in Raisen District of the state of Madhya Pradesh and is said to be amongst the most beautiful teak forests and is based at a little distance away from the state capital, Bhopal. Due to its proximity of this tiger reserve to Bhopal, it is an ideal tourist destination for numerous travellers and wildlife lovers. Since the year 1976, the national park has been declared as a tiger reserve and was established under the Project Tiger. During March 2013, the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) had approved the proposal to grant it the official status of a tiger reserve. The Ratapani Tiger Reserve possesses a large number of reptiles, mammals and birds and is spread over an area measuring about 688 square kilometres. This tiger reserve is enriched with a variety of flora including Bijasal, Shisham, Teak, Khair, Tendu, Saj and others. Located within the premises of the Ratapani Tiger Reserve is the Bhimbhetka rock shelter.
Fauna of Ratapani Tiger Reserve
Ratapani Tiger Reserve is reputed for containing various species of wildlife like Tiger, Indian Deer, Indian Rock Python, Spotted Deer, Striped Hyena, Sloth Bear, Rhesus Macaque, Jackal, Bluebull, Chinkara, Wild Boar, Sambhar or Barasingha, Nilgai, etc. One will also come across 150 species of birds like Paradise Flycatcher, which is the State Bird of Madhya Pradesh. Several years ago, Sambhar used to be observed in large quantities in Ratapani till they reached the blink of extinction when they were hunted in great numbers by the hunters of Bhopal.
This article is a stub. You can enrich by adding more information to it. Send your Write Up to content@indianetzone.com