Royal Hunting Grounds

A number of natural sites have only survived in a relatively unspoiled state because their use was once reserved to local Royalty for the purpose of hunting. WHS inscribed on Natural Criteria which were once "Royal Hunting Grounds".

Human Activity

Connected Sites

Site Rationale Link
Białowieża Forest ..King Sigismund also built a new wooden hunting manor in Bialowieza.... The forest was declared a hunting reserve in 1541 for the protection of wisent (European Bison).
Chitwan National Park "The habitat had been well protected as a royal hunting reserve from 1846 to 1951 during the Rana regime" (AB)
Donana National Park Coto Donana was once commissioned and preserved as a hunting park for over 500 years. ... It was the favorite hunting reserve of Alfonso X, Ferdinand II, Charles V, Phillips II and V and also Alfonso XIII
Hill Forts of Rajasthan Ranthambore Fort - the Jaipur Rajput Maharaja's former hunting grounds (AB ev)
Keoladeo National Park The park was a hunting ground for the Maharajas of Bharatpur, a tradition dating back to 1850, and duck shoots were organised yearly in honor of the British viceroys. In one shoot alone in 1938, over 4,273 birds ....were killed
Mafra The Tapada
Manas Wildlife Sanctuary The area was initially the hunting grounds of the Maharaja of Cooch Behar and the Raja of Gauripur. It was declared a protected area - Manas Sanctuary, as early as 1928, but the hunting rights of the royal families were not revoked. The sanctuary finally turned fully protected when it became a Tiger Reserve in 1973, and a national park in 1990.
Primeval Beech Forests "The grand dukes of Mecklenburg-Strelitz were passionate about hunting and for this reason the forests around Serrahn are virtually untouched. Forestry use played a minor role. From a modern point of view a valuable and unique natural area was able to be created. " (Muritz NP)
Southern Öland royal hunting park until 1801 (nom file)
Western Ghats Part of Western Ghat WHS is Periyar National Park which was a private game sanctuary by the maharaja of Travancore to stop the encroachment of tea plantations. Founded as Nellikkampatty Game Sanctuary in 1934, it was consolidated as a wildlife sanctuary in 1950 after the political integration of India, and designated as a national park in 1982.

Suggestions?

Do you know of another WHS we could connect to Royal Hunting Grounds?

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A connection should:

  1. Not be "self evident"
  2. Link at least 3 different sites
  3. Not duplicate or merely subdivide the "Category" assignment already identified on this site.
  4. Add some knowledge or insight (whether significant or trivial!) about WHS for the users of this site
  5. Be explained, with reference to a source