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| Conservation
History |
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Ranthambhore
Tiger Reserve was among the first nine Tiger Reserve declared
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1973 at the launch of Project Tiger in India. It comprised
the former Sawai Madhopur Wildlife Sanctuary of 392.5 sq.
km. Reserved Forest (constituted in 1955).
Ranthambhore National Park with an area of 274.5 sq. km. was
constituted within the Tiger Reserve in 1980. In the then
Tiger Reserve, the National Park area was being managed as
the core and the rest as buffer until in 1992, Keladevi Sanctuary
having area of 674 sq. km. of Protected Forest (constituted
in 1983), Sawai Mansingh Sanctuary with an area of 127 sq.
km. (constituted in 1984). Kualji Close Area of 7.58 sq. km.
and some other forest areas were added to the Reserve.
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| Census |
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Animal
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1990
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1991
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1993
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1995
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1997
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Offence cases
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Nature
of Offence
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No.
of Offence
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1997-98
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1998-99
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Archeology |
Ranthambhore fort and temples of medieval period.
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Forest Types |
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| Northern
Tropical Dry Deciduous Forests |
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Major
Flora
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Main
Species
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Dhok mixed with Khair, Raunj, Goya, Chhela, Pipal, Vad,
Amaltas, Gurjan, Siris Saintha, Gular, Tendu
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Major
Fauna
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Main
Species
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Tiger,
Leopard, Caracal, Ratel, Jungle Cat, Chital, Sambar, Blue
Bull, Chinkara, Sloth Bear, Wild Boar, Jackal, Hyena, Common
Langur, Common fox
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Management |
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Practices,
Achievements and Shortfalls
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The
Protection of the flora and fauna is the main concern
of the management
of the Reserve.
When the tiger reserve was created, there were 12 villages
inside and the whole area was allowed for grazing, and rights
and concessions of the local people existed. After creation
of tiger reserve the villages were shifted, grazing was
restricted and rights and concessions of fuel wood and timber
are allowed in a limited area (i.e. buffer zone) only.
For availability of water in summer 15 anicuts, 14 talai
(ponds) were constructed.
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Special Projects |
New Initiatives |
Eco-development
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India Eco-development Project (GEF-World Bank) is being
implemented in Ranthambhore. Important components of Eco-development
Project are
1. Improved Protected Area Management
2. Village Eco-development Programme
3. Environmental education and programme campaigns
4. Impact monitoring and Research
5. Information Technology Equipment
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| Village Forest Protection Committees |
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Ecodevelopment committees are being formed
which shall help in forest protection as well.
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Education and Awareness
Nature
Interpretation Centre has been constructed and is being furnished.
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Protection Squads / Patrolling
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Special patrolling is done in the core area during monsoon
against grazing.
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Constraints
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| Human population |
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There were 1210 people in 4 villages in the
core and 3055 people in 19 villages in the buffer as per 1991
census. There were around one lakh people in 332 villages
within 5 km. radius of the Reserve. The growth rate has been
approx. 2.8 per cent.
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| Livestock population |
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There were 3177 cattle units in 4 villages
in the core and around 25000 cattle units in 19 villages in
the buffer as per 1991 census. There were around 1.43 lakh
cattle units in 332 villages within 5 km. radius of the Reserve.
The growth rate has been approx. 2 per cent.
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| Encroachment |
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cases of encroachment over approx. 60 Bighas of forest area
were registered in 1998-99. |
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Grazing
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There
are 332 villages in and around Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve
(within 5 km. radius). The cattle pressure on the Reserve
is as follows.
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Portions
of the Reserve
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Number
of Villages inside
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No.
of villages within 5 km.
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Cattle
population
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| Ranthambore National Park
(core) |
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| Sawai Mansingh Sanctuary
(Buffer) |
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| Kwaji close Area (Buffer)
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| Kela Devi Sanctuary (Buffer)
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| Total |
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There
is very large grazing pressure on the Reserve. July to October
is the  most
problematic period since most of the cattle of nearby villages
move into to forest of the Reserve. The villagers persistently
attempt to invade into the core area, i.e. Ranthambore National
Park.During 1998-99, 95 cases of illegal grazing were registered
in the core. The grazing by cattle has adversely affected
regeneration. The quality of grasses has deteriorated in
the buffer zone. The deteriorated buffer zone is not conducive
to the growth of ungulate population.
Due
to heavy grazing pressure it has not been possible to constitute
core areas for Sawai Mansingh Sanctuary and Keladevi Sanctuary.
The recurrent conflict with the villagers on the matter
of grazing in the Ranthambore National Park has alienated
the villagers from the management.
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Fire
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Poaching of fauna and flora
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Traditionally
Mogya, Kanjar, Banjara and Nat are associated with poaching.
Some Rajput and Muslim are also involved in poaching. A well-organized
effort to control poaching is lacking. Several poaching cases
go unreported because of poor communication with the villagers.
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| Criminals and Extremists |
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criminal gangs are suspected to be operating in Kela Devi Sanctuary.
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Diseases
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Gal Ghotu (H.S.), Khur Pacca (F.M.D.), Fad Sujan (B.Q.)
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Others
Spread of Prosopis juliflora
Prosopis
juliflora had been a favourite species in the past in Rajasthan
in afforestation activities. This was more so because of dire
shortage of fuel wood for the consumption in villages and
cities. The Prosopis juliflora  plantations
raised around the Reserve in the past has started posing serious
problem to the eco-systems of Sawai Mansingh Sanctuary and
Keladevi Sanctuary. It is encroaching upon the natural flora.
The spread of Prosopis juliflora is being facilitated by goat
and sheep. An estimated 100 sq. km. of the Reserve is infested
with P. Juliflora. The Prosopis juliflora unfortunately was
not tended in the past. It has gained bushy growth devoid
of thick stem, therefore, it has not helped in reducing the
pressure on forest where the demand is for good fuel wood
or small timber for agricultural implements. The area covered
by Prosopis juliflora is likely to double in the next 10 years.
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Control of the Buffer
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Buffer is under the unified control of the management.
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Conflicts
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Man-Animal
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Stray cases of man-animal conflicts in the
nearby human habitation area occur.
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Man-Forest
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Cases of illegal cutting of trees and illegal grazing are
there.
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Action
Points
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- The
grazing practices should be regulated. A system of rotational
and deferred grazing should be adopted. Cattle from far-flung
villages should not be permitted to enter the Reserve.
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The protection network of the Reserve should be strengthened
to counter the menace of illicit felling.
- Cattle
drinking water facilities should be developed in the villages.
- Cooking
gas connections should be provided to villages surrounding
the Reserve at nominal costs. On a priority basis, a cooking
gas supply network should be established so as to ensure
timely supply in the villages. The Indian Oil Company
(I.O.C.) having a bottling Plant at Sawai Madhopur, may
be asked to adopt Ranthambhore National Park for Environment
Conservation.
- Schemes
such as biogas, fuel efficient crematoria, solar cookers,
fuel efficient chullas etc should be promoted with active
participation of Reserve staff.
- Integrated
Dairy Development Project should be initiated around the
Reserve.
- Soil
Conservation measures including cost effective methods
to promote natural and artificial regeneration (mostly
sowing) should be adopted and executed on priority basis.
- The
participation of villagers should be solicited in improving
ecosystem and wild plants of commercial value.
- Cultivation
of medicinal plants should be undertaken in peripheries
(which are already deteriorated).
- The
income from tourism should be handed over to village committees
so that they have stakes in the management of Reserve
and do not feel alienated.
- Staff
should be regularly trained with carefully designed courses
on wildlife.
- A
regular system of physical fitness and weapon training
should be established as is done in police.
- The
communication skills of the staff should be improved through
regular training conducted by experts.
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staffing pattern should be designed to meet the special
needs of the Reserve and regularly reviewed every five
years. Bureaucratic hurdles and funding should not come
in the way.
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over
a highly undulating topography varying from gentle to steep
slopes; from flat topped hills (Indala, Doodh-Bhat and Chiroli)
of the Vindhyas to the conical hillocks and sharp ridges
of the Aravalis; from wide and flat valleys (Lahpur, Nalghati,
Khachida, Anantpur etc.) to narrow rocky gorges. An important
geological feature, the "Great Boundary fault' where
the Vindhyas were brought against the much ancient Aravalis,
passes from here.