|
Madhya Pradesh Renames Ratapani Tiger Reserve After Archaeologist V.S. Wakankar
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister announces that the newly designated Ratapani Tiger Reserve is named after archaeologist and Padma Shri awardee Dr Vishnu Shridhar Wakankar. The announcement is relevant now due to the formal naming of the newly designated tiger reserve.
Ratapani Tiger Reserve (Madhya Pradesh):
| Dimension | Key Details |
|---|---|
| Location (districts) | Situated in Raisen and Sehore districts of Madhya Pradesh. |
| Physiography | The Vindhya ranges; landscape is undulating with hills, plateaus, valleys, and plains. |
| Area | Spread over 1,271 sq. km. |
| Rivers | Northern side of the Narmada River; Kolar River forms the western boundary of the reserve. |
| Major water bodies | Major water bodies including Barna Reservoir and Ratapani Dam (Barrusot Lake). |
| UNESCO site within the reserve | Bhimbetka (group of rock shelters and rock paintings) is a UNESCO “World Heritage Site”. |
| Other historical/religious destinations | Encompasses Ginnourgarh Fort, POW camp, Keri Mahadeo, Ratapani Dam, Jholiyapur Dam. |
| Forest type | Dry deciduous and moist deciduous forest type. |
| Dominant flora | Teak (Tectona grandis) is the main tree species; about 55% of the area is covered by teak. |
| Apex predator and tiger estimate | The regal striped cat is the apex predator; estimates suggest 40 tigers roam these forests. |
| Other fauna | Panther, Hyena, Jackal, Indian Fox, Wild Dog, Jungle Cat, Small Indian Civet, Blue Bull, Chinkara, Black Buck, Chausingha, Spotted Deer, Barking Deer. |
| Species status | Chinkara is an endangered species found in the reserve. |