Ranthambore Tiger Reserve (RTR)

About Ranthambore Tiger Reserve (RTR):

• It lies on the junction of Aravalis and Vindhyan ranges just 14 Kilometers from Sawai Madhopur district in Eastern Rajasthan.
• It is one of the largest tiger reserves in northern India and spreads over an area of 1411 sq. km.
• It was once a royal hunting ground for the Maharajas of Jaipur. 
• The scenery changes significantly from the gentle and steep slopes of the Vindhyas to the sharp and conical hills of the Aravali valley. 
• The Rivers Chambal in the south and the Banas River in the north bound the tiger reserve.
• The reserve is dotted with steep rocky hills, and the dominant architecture of Ranthambor Fort (built in the 10th era and a UNESCO World Heritage Site) adds to its landscape.
• A major environmental feature is the 'Great Boundary Fault’where the Vindhyas plateau meets the Aravali range. 
• There are several lakes in the reserve known as Padam Talab, Raj Bagh Talab, and MalikTalab. 
• Vegetation: Tropical dry deciduous and tropical thorn type.
• Flora: Pure sands of Dhok tree (Anogeissus pendula) interspersed with grasslands at the plateaus; meadows in valleys and luxuriant foliage around the canals make the jungle.
• Fauna:
  • The tiger is the main predator, along with Leopard.
  • It is also home to wild boar, sloth bear, striped hyena, rhesus macaque, southern plains grey langur, 250 avifaunal species, and many more. 

Q1: What is the Aravalli Range?

Aravalli Range is a mountain range located in northwestern India. It is one of the oldest fold mountains in the world. It runs approximately 670 km (430 mi) in a south-west direction, starting near Delhi, passing through southern Haryana and Rajasthan, and ending in Gujarat. The range contains a series of ridges and peaks, which have widths between 6 miles and 60 miles, and elevations that vary between 1,000 and 3,000 feet. The highest point of the Aravalli range is Guru Shikhar, which stands at an elevation of 5,650 feet on Mount Arbuda.

Source: Adventure rally: 14 owners fined Rs 1L per SUV for entering Ranthambore Tiger Reserve illegally