Ranipur Wildlife Sanctuary

Ranipur Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected forest area located near Manikpur in Chitrakoot district, Uttar Pradesh, on the Vindhya Range. Established in 1977 and notified as Ranipur Tiger Reserve in 2022, it covers about 230 sq km core area (529.89 sq km with buffer). It is notable for its dry deciduous forest, diverse wildlife including tigers, leopards, sloth bears, sambar and chital, and its landscape of hills, plateaus and streams.

Visitors can expect a dry deciduous forest landscape on the Vindhyan hills and plateaus with open grasslands, rocky terrain and seasonal streams. The sanctuary offers jeep safari routes through forested areas where tigers, leopards, sloth bears, spotted deer, sambar, nilgai and diverse bird species may be sighted. Facilities are basic with forest rest houses, watch points and designated safari tracks. The environment is natural and relatively undisturbed, suitable for wildlife viewing and nature photography.

Established as Ranipur Wildlife Sanctuary in 1977 under the Wildlife Protection Act. Covering 230.31 sq km core area, it was declared as Ranipur Tiger Reserve in October 2022, becoming the 53rd tiger reserve in India and the fourth in Uttar Pradesh, with a total area of 529.89 sq km including buffer.