Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary

 About Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary:

• Location: 
  • It stretches across 823 sq. km in the Raisen and Sehore districts of Madhya Pradesh.
  • This rocky forest with aquatic environment is spread on Vindhya hills.
  • It runs parallel on the northern side of Narmada River. Kolar River forms the western boundary of the Sanctuary. 
  • The sanctuary was first notified in 1976 and then extended in 1983. In the year 2008, it was declared as a Tiger Reserve. 
  • The Sanctuary has Bhimbetika "a group of rock shelters and rock paintings" which is one of the '' World Heritage Site '' declared by UNESCO.
  • Landscape: It is rugged with hills, valleys, plateaus, and plains.
• Flora: 
  • The forest of this Sanctuary is of dry deciduous and moist deciduous types. 
  • About 55% of the area is covered by teak.The remaining mixed forests consist of various dry deciduous species.
• Fauna: 
  • The regal striped cat is the apex predator and estimates suggest that 40 tigers roam these forests. 
  • Chinkara' an endangered species, is also found in the Sanctuary. 
  • It is also home to animals like Panther, Hyena, Jackal, Indian Fox, Wild Dog, Jungle Cat, Small Indian Civet, Blue Bull, Chinkara, Black Buck, Chausingha, Spotted Deer, Barking Deer etc.

 

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Q1) What is a Wildlife Sanctuary?

Wildlife sanctuaries are those areas where animals and plants are well-protected from external disturbances. These sanctuaries call for the complete prohibition of capturing or poaching animal habitats. Their goal is to establish a comfortable environment for the animals inhabiting the area.

Source: Tiger found dead in Madhya Pradesh's Ratapani sanctuary