Nestled in the district of Raisen in Madhya Pradesh, Ratapani Tiger Reserve is one of the magnificent teak forests in the country. Towards the north, the reserve runs parallel to river Narmada. In the west it is bound by river Kolar.

Notifications: Wildlife Sanctuary: 1976; Tiger Reserve: 2008

Flora
Vegetation cover: Teak forest.
Trees: Teak, Bija, Sheesham, Tendu, Saja, Khair, etc.

Fauna
Tiger, Cheetal, Leopard, Wild Boar, Bear, Sambhar, Wild Dog, Blue Bull, Black-faced Monkey, Hanuman Langur, Chowsingha, Striped Hyenas, Cloth Bears, etc.
The initial tiger population in Ratapani Tiger Reserve was about 10 to 11 tigers. As per the latest unofficial report there are about 45 tigers here.

Avian Fauna
Duck, Storks, Teals, Cranes, Geese, etc.
The reserve is also an important habitat of the Paradise Flycatcher, which happens to be the state bird of Madhya Pradesh.

Getting there
The closest railway station and airport are at Bhopal. The nearest bus terminals are at Bhopal, Obaidullaganj and Mandideep. One can also hire a taxi from Bhopal to reach the reserve.

Tourist information
Forest Rest house at Delabadi offers quality lodging facilities. There are other quality hotels and resorts in the vicinity of the reserve for accommodating the incoming tourists.
The tourists can travel inside the reserve in four wheeler diesel or petrol vehicles which are not more than five years old.
Rock Painting, Bheem Baithika, Shiv Temple, Bhojpur, Ginnourgarh Fort, etc. are some of the interest tourist spots located close to the tiger reserve.

Additional information
Ratapani Tiger Reserve, Raisen, Madhya Pradesh-464993
Area: approximately 688 sq km
Ideal time to visit: October to March (subject to change)
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