A low wooded hill on the edge of Indore, Ralamandal is the oldest protected patch of forest near the city and the easiest place to see deer and birds without leaving town.
Ralamandal is counted among the oldest places of interest around Indore and is the nearest protected forest to the city. It occupies a low hill with mixed woodland, and it functions less as a big-game reserve than as a green lung with walking tracks and a viewpoint over the surrounding country.
What you are likely to see here is deer, wild hare and a wide range of birds. The birdlife is the real reason for naturalists to make the trip, and the variety is noticeably better than in the city parks and other green spaces around Indore. Because the sanctuary is small and close to town, it suits a short morning outing rather than a full day of wildlife watching.
Deer are the mammals you are most likely to encounter, usually in the early morning or the last hour of light. Wild hare are present too. Move quietly and keep to the tracks, which is also where sightings are most frequent.
The range of birds here is the sanctuary's strongest feature and better than anything in the city's parks. Bring binoculars if you have them, and plan on walking slowly rather than covering distance.
The hill gives views out over the country around Indore, and the tracks through the woodland are easy going. A circuit of a couple of hours covers most of what is accessible on foot.
The sanctuary is a short drive from Indore city, which makes an early start practical. Facilities inside are minimal, so come prepared.
The cool months from October to February are the best for walking and for birds, with the first and last hours of daylight giving the most activity. The weeks just after the monsoon are the greenest. Avoid the hot afternoons of April to June, when there is little movement in the forest.
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