Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary

About Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary:

• It stretches across 823 sq. km in the Raisen and Sehore districts of Madhya Pradesh.
• This rocky forest with aquatic environment is spread on the Vindhya Hills.
• It runs parallel on the northern side of the Narmada River. The Kolar River forms the western boundaryof the Sanctuary. 
• The sanctuary was first notified in 1976 and then extended in 1983. In 2008, it was declared as a Tiger Reserve. 
• The Sanctuary has Bhimbetka, "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 the Panther, Hyena, Jackal, Indian Fox, Wild Dog, Jungle Cat, Small Indian Civet, Blue Bull, Chinkara, Black Buck, Chausingha, Spotted Deer, Barking Deer, etc.