Mukundara Hills National Park

Mukundara Hills National Park In Rajasthan, India

Mukundara Hills National Park, located in the Kota, Bundi, Chittorgarh, and Jhalawar districts of Rajasthan, is one of the lesser-known but ecologically significant national parks in India. Covering an area of approximately 759 square km, this park was officially notified in 2012 to serve as a crucial tiger habitat and an extension of the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve.

The park is named after the Mukundara Hills, a picturesque range that runs through the region, providing a unique landscape of rugged cliffs, dense forests, and winding rivers, including the Chambal, Kali Sindh, and Parvati rivers that flow through its terrain.

Historically, the region was a royal hunting ground for the rulers of Kota, and today, it plays an essential role in wildlife conservation efforts in Rajasthan. Mukundara Hills National Park is home to a variety of wildlife, including the Bengal tiger, leopards, sloth bears, striped hyenas, wild boars, nilgai (blue bull), sambar deer, and chinkara (Indian gazelle).

The park is particularly significant for tiger conservation, as it was chosen as an additional habitat to reduce population pressure on Ranthambore National Park. In 2018, a male tiger from Ranthambore was relocated to Mukundara Hills to establish a breeding population, marking a new chapter in Rajasthan’s tiger conservation efforts.

Apart from mammals, the park boasts a rich diversity of birds, reptiles, and amphibians, making it an excellent destination for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts. The dense dry deciduous forests, dominated by teak and other native trees, provide an ideal ecosystem for the survival of these species. Mukundara Hills National Park is still relatively unexplored by tourists, making it a serene and pristine destination for wildlife lovers.

Though tourism is not yet fully developed like in Ranthambore or Sariska, the park holds immense potential for eco-tourism, with plans for controlled safaris and conservation-focused visits in the future. With its scenic landscapes, rich biodiversity, and growing importance in tiger conservation, Mukundara Hills is an emerging wildlife sanctuary that promises to be a key destination for nature and wildlife enthusiasts in the years to come.