Image source: Tehzoon J K
Madhya Pradesh is home to many wildlife sanctuaries and national parks. Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary, located in a sprawling area of 823 acres, is a beautiful outing place if you’re planning to explore the places to visit in Madhya Pradesh. It was declared a protected area in 1976 under the Project Tiger initiative by the Indian government.
The century consists of hills, plateaus, plains, and valleys, with several streams flowing at full capacity when monsoon season arrives.
Two large reservoirs Ratapani Dam (Barrusot Lake) and Barna Reservoir are two major water bodies that are inside the park.
Diverse flora and fauna
Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary is dominated by tree species of dry deciduous and moist deciduous forests. Oak trees dominate the forest cover, accounting for 45% of the total. The main predator of the sanctuary is the tiger, which has a total of 40. There are many other animals like the civet, Indian fox, wild dog, Chinkara, black buck, spotted deer, barking deer, sambar deer, Hanuman langur, Indian mongoose, and several reptiles like the Indian python.
Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary is a perfect spot for birdwatchers. Some of the birds that can be sighted here are the paradise flycatcher, ringed dove, white wagtail, crested bunting, white-breasted kingfisher, small blue kingfisher, red-vented bulbul, and many more.
Rich cultural and historical significance of Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary
Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary is rich in biodiversity. It has many rich and historical places, like Bhimbetka, that were inhabited by humans hundreds of thousands of years ago. The site is more than 30,000 years old. The site has a rock shelter that has the oldest rock painting in the world. Another place that you can add to your itinerary is Ginnaur Fort. It’s located at a height of 1775 feet on the Vindhya mountain range. The complex of the fort contains 25 walls and four ponds inside. If we talk about the length and breadth, then it’s 3,996 feet long and 874 feet wide.
How to reach Ratanpari Wildlife Sanctuary
The main gate to enter Ratanpari Wildlife Sanctuary is through the gate of Kherichouka. Private vehicles are not allowed inside the sanctuary. Private sanctuaries are organized that can be booked according to your needs. Both day and evening safaris are available.
By Car:
The sanctuary is located around 50 km from the city of Bhopal, which is well-connected to other major cities in India. You can hire a taxi or take a private car to reach Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary. The sanctuary is located around 2-3 hours’ drive from Bhopal.
By Train:
The nearest railway station to Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary is Hoshangabad, which is located around 30 km away. Hoshangabad is well-connected to major cities in India. You can take a train to Hoshangabad and then hire a taxi or take a local bus to reach the sanctuary.
By Air:
The nearest airport to Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary is Raja Bhoj Airport, Bhopal, which is located around 60 km away. The airport is well-connected to major cities in India. From the airport, you can hire a taxi or take a local bus to reach the sanctuary.