Sariska Tiger Reserve
Sariska is probably one of the most visited parks in India. Unfortunately though, the main reason for this is not wildlife enthusiasm but only it~s excellent proximity to some large towns like Delhi and Jaipur. The park was, as with many other parks, the hunting reserve of the royal family in the area. In this case, it was the Royal family of Alwar Rajasthan . The reserve was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1958 and came under the "Project Tiger" as a Sariska tiger reserve in 1979. The park covers quite a large area of 800 square kilometers, 480 square kilometers of which form the core area of the national park. It is located among the Aravalli hill ranges in the Alwar district of Rajasthan. Due to the presence of monuments of religious importance located within the park boundaries, the park authorities are compelled to keep the park open throughout the year. The summer months are better for animal viewing but are extremely hot with temperatures going up to as high as 49 degrees centigrade. In the winter months, the temperature touches a low of 4 degrees.
Although larger than Ranthambor, it is less commercialised and has less tigers but a similar topography. It covers an area of 800 sq km in total, with a core area of approximately 500 sq km. The Northern Aravali Hills dominate the skyline with their mixture of sharp cliffs and long narrow valleys. The landscape of Sariska comprises of hills and narrow valleys of the Aravali hill range. The topography of Sariska supports scrub-thorn arid forests, dry deciduous forests, rocks and grasses. The broad range of wildlife here is a wonderful example of ecological adoption and tolerance, for the climate here is variable as well as erratic.
Sariska National Park is home to numerous carnivores including Leopard, Wild Dog, Jungle Cat, Hyena, Jackal, and Tiger. These feed on an abundance of prey species such as Sambar, Chitel, Nilgai, Chausingha, Wild Boar and Langur. Sariska is also well known for its large population of Rhesus Monkeys, which are found in large numbers around Talvriksh.
The avian world is also well represented with a rich and varied birdlife. These include Peafowl, Grey Partridge, Bush Quail, Sand Grouse, Tree Pie, Golden backed Wood Pecker, Crested Serpent Eagle and the Great Indian Horned Owl.
KEY SPECIES
MAMMALS Tiger, Leopard, jungle Cat, Striped Hyena, Wild Dog (Dhole),jackal, Patel, Sambar, Spotted Deer (Chital), Nilgai (Blue Bull), Chinkara (Indian Gazelle), Chowsingha (Four-horned Antelope), Common Langu
BIRDS RAPTORS Oriental Honey-buzzard, Lesser Spotted Eagle, Imperial Eagle, Short-toed Eagle, Common Kestrel, Shikra, Dusky Eagle Owl, Eurasian Eagle Owl (above
WOODLAND/SCRUB Grey Francolin, Indian Peafowl, Jungle Bush Quail (below), White-cared Bulbul, Rufous Treepie, Lesser Flameback, Blue-tailed Bee-eater, Sirkeer Malkoha, Alexandrine Parakeet, Oriental Turtle Dove, Yellow-footed Green Pigeon, Painted Sandgrouse, Southern Grey Shrike, Rufous-fronted Prinia, Marshall~s Iora, Large Grey Babbler, Purple Sunbird, Eurasian Thick-knee, Yellow-wattled Lapwing
WATERSIDE Stork-billed Kingfisher
Best Time to Visit: November to May
How to Reach
By Air:– The nearest Airport is at Jaipur (180 km).
By Rail:- The nearest Rail Junction is at Alwar, about 35 km from Sariska. Buses and taxi are available from here to reach Sariska.
By Road:– Direct buses are available from Delhi and Jaipur to reach Sariska via Alwar.
The nearest main town to Sariska is Alwar (36km)
The nearest Railway Station to the park is also located at Alwar.
The nearest Airport to the park is located at Jaipur (110km)