General Information
Location: 21 km From
Alwar, Rajasthan.
Area: 765.80 sq.km.
Specialty: Tiger, Spotted Deer And Wild Boar
Notified In: 1955
Area: 765.80 sq.km
Nearest town: Alwar
Main species found: Tiger, Panther, Hyena, Jungle Cat, Civet, Sambar,
Nilgai, Chowsingha, Dhole(Wild Dog), Wild Boar, Partridge, Green Pigeon,
Red Spurfowl, etc
Located 107 kms from
Jaipur, the Sariska National Park is in a wooden valley, surrounded by
barren mountains. The dry deciduous forests of the ancient Aravalli
range cover the area of the Sariska National Park and Tiger Reserve.
The main fauna in the park includes the Tiger, Panther, Hyena, Jungle
Cat, Civet, Sambhar, Chinkara, Nilgai and Four-Horned Antelope. Declared
a Sanctuary in 1955, it became a Tiger Reserve under Project Tiger in
1979.
The
Sariska National Park is situated near the Aravalli range in the Alwar
district of Rajasthan. The park is at a distance of 200 km away
from Delhi and covers an area of around 800 sq km. Craggy cliffs and
narrow valleys mostly dominate the entire landscape of Sariska, which
was declared a sanctuary in 1955 and finally made a national park in
1979. Mainly covered by dry deciduous vegetation, Sariska is home to
animals like the tiger, hyena, sambhar, wildcat, langur, wild boar,
nilgai, leopard and the chital. On travel to Sariska you will be able to
view these animals in their full jungle glory. However the tiger
population in Sariska is fast decreasing and it is feared that the tiger
is an extinct species in Sariska. The peafowl, partridge, great Indian
horned owl, eagle and the white-breasted kingfisher represent the avian
species. If you travel to Sariska don't forget to visit the ancient
monuments scattered around the place, which are excellent places for
exploration.
Sariska is one of the very few wildlife sanctuaries in India that offers
visitors the chance to view wildlife from very close quarters. It is
well known that during the morning and evening hours in Sariska, its
wildlife population heads towards many of the water holes scattered
around the park. So you can just book a hide near one of these water
holes, grab a camera and get your fill of wildlife viewing. Even though
the park is open throughout the Year, the best time to travel to Sariska
is from the month of October to June.
Fauna : Home to the tigers, Sariska
National Park is known for
its
tigers. According to the latest available data, there are about 35
tigers at Sariska. Other residents of the Sariska National Park includes
the panther, jungle cat, jackal, hyena, and fox. Sambhar, chital, wild
boar, hare, nilgai, civet, four-horned antelope, gaur (Indian bison) and
porcupine also inhabit the sanctuary. Birds found here include peafowl,
gray partridges, quails, sand grouses, tree pies, white-breasted
kingfishers, golden-backed woodpeckers, crested serpent eagles, vultures
and horned owls.
Flora : Dry & deciduous terrains is
the feature of the Sariska National Park. The park is predominated by
dhok (Anogeissus pendula), khair (Acacia catechu), tendu (Diospyros
melanoxylon) and ber (Zizyphus maudrentiana) trees. Sariska is one of
the few remaining forest in the Aravali range that has survived the
assault of the modern time. The forest remains lush green during the
monsoon period and dry in summer.
Remarkable for their lack of timidity are the Rhesus and Langur, which,
at Sariska tolerate human closeness with astonishing equanimity.
The birdlife comprises of the Pea Fowl, Gray Partridge, Quail,
Sandgrouse, Tree Pie, White-Breasted Kingfisher, Golden-Backed
Woodpecker, Crested Serpent, Eagle and Great Indian Horned Owl.
VIEWING THE WILD
The best way to visit the Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary is by jeep and
these can be arranged at the Forest Reception Office on Jaipur Road.
Booking a `hide', overlooking one of the waterholes, can provide an
excellent opportunity for viewing and photographing wildlife. So, pick
up your sleeping bag and some food and settle down to watch.
PRIME SITES:
Within the park are the ruins of many temples.
The KANKWARI FORT
The Sariska
Park has historic overtones. Here, Emperor Aurangzeb once imprisoned his
brother, Dara Shikoh.
THE ANCIENT SHIVA TEMPLES in the precincts of the park, Neelkanth
temples (6th-13th century AD), which are now in ruins, afford a
wonderful sight to the visitors.
THE PALACE,
Sariska was once the royal reserve of the rulers of Alwar. This palace
built by the Maharajas of Alwar, has now been converted into a hotel.
HOW TO GET
THERE
ROAD:
Sariska is situated off the Delhi-Alwar-Jaipur Road. The nearest town is
Alwar (21 km). Jaipur is located at a distance of 110 km and Delhi at
200Kms. There are direct buses to Alwar from Delhi and Jaipur. Frequent
buses travel between Alwar and Sariska.
RAIL: The nearest raiway station is Alwar (21 km).
AIR: Jaipur is the nearest airport |