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.