About Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary:
- Location:
- It stretches across 823 sq. km in the Raisen and Sehore districts of Madhya Pradesh.
- This rocky forest with an aquatic environment is spread on Vindhya hills.
- It runs parallel to the northern side of the 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 Sites'' 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.
