It
is a matter of pride for the State that among the five sanctuaries
of the country which have got tiger reserve status, one of
them is Ratapani in Raisen district. This decision would go
a long way in proper security of the cat family. It may be
noted that MP has a good area under green belt which extends
up the borders of UP, Maharashtra, Chhatisgarh, Orissa. There
are dense forests. A lot of herbivorous and carnivorous animals
are in these forests including tigers, lions, bears, deer,
spoted deer, elephants, monkeys, hares, blue bulls etc. Every
year crores of rupees are spent by the forest department on
the maintenance and security of these jungles. Intention of
government and forest department is to check poaching, illegal
cutting of trees, illegal mining and encroachments. In return
the Forest department increases the revenue of the government
treasury. With the award of tiger reserve to Ratapani sanctuary
this sanctuary would be included in those sanctuaries where
tigers are conserved and protected. Even Ratapani would be
included in the list of tourist map. Ratapani sanctuary is
18 km away from Obaidullahganj on Hoshangabad road. Dehlabadi,
Dahaud, Berkheda and Bineka ranges are included under this
sanctuary. Enriched with natural beauty this sanctuary has
a beautiful reservoir. This reservoir is situated in Dahaud
and Ratapani. There is a beautiful rest house in Dehlabadi
which was established in 1954. Tigers, bear, leopards, elephants,
boars and other wild animals are in large numbers in this
sanctuary. Last year three tigress were found in this forest,
which were brought to Van Vihar, Bhopal. These tigress had
halted in a nearby village after giving birth to kids. Hunting
was common in this sanctuary. Hyderabad Nawab used to come
here by a special train for hunting. Bhopal Nawab also used
to hunt here after halting at Goharganj. Even after enactment
of Wildlife Protection Act, illegal hunting goes on here.
The first Vice Chancellor of America had visited this place
along with the then Chief Minister and former President, Shankar
Dayal Sharma, and expressed awe over the natural beauty of
the place.. World famous archaeological spot, Bheem Baithaka
also comes under this sanctuary.
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