Sariska Tiger Reserve
Sariska Tiger Reserve in Alwar district of Rajasthan is famous for its wildlife sanctuary and reserve since its inception in 1958 and much later in 1979 it was announced as a Tiger Reserve as part of the ‘Project Tiger’ program. Sariska Tiger Reserve is nestled in the Northern Aravalli Mountain range thus spread across an expanse of 800 square kilometers with its nerve center spanning 500 square kilometers. Situated at a distance of 107 kilometers from Jaipur and 200 kilometers from Delhi, the reserve is accessible from both cities and hordes of tourists visit this place every year and on weekends even. It is situated at an elevation of 300-700 meters.
Sariska scores bonus points for its arid surroundings with rocky cliffs and narrow valleys with dry deciduous forests, thorn desiccated forests, wild grasses and loose rocks. The bounty of wildlife and fauna in this reserve is commendable for sustaining in this arid region amidst heat and extreme climate. Bearing the legacy of the Maharajas of Alwar, Sariska Tiger Reserve was the first of its kind in India for displacing tigers from their original habitat.
The forest surface is covered in wavy plateaus, broad valleys with scrub thorn bushes, Dhok (a type of flora), Acacia Catechu (Khair), (Salar) Boswellia Serreta, Bamboo, Kattha, Lannea Coromandelica, Arjun, Kadaya and different types of flora. Shrubs and bushes like (Adusta) Adhatoda vesica, (Jhar Ber) Ziziphus Nummularia and Capparis Decidua (Kair) are found in the forest reserve. There were 16 Tigers in the reserve but off late the total population of Tigers in Sariska Sanctuary are 13 with 7 females, 2 males and 4 Tiger cubs.
Besides the Royal Bengal Tiger which is the main attraction of Sariska, other forms of fauna found in the reserve is Wild Boar, Hyena, Jackal, Four Horned Antelope, Jungle Cat, Leopard, Sambar, Blue Bull, Spotted Deer, Caracal , Rhesus Monkeys popular in Talvriksh area, Chital, Civets, Rusty Spotted Cat and many more. Avian Fauna variety is also notable in Sariska Tiger Reserve like Tree Pie, Golden Backed Woodpecker, Sand Grouse, Bush Quail, Great Indian Horned Owl, Crested Serpent Eagle, Peafowl and Grey Patridge to mention a few.
Dawn and dusk are perfect timings for visitors to spot and catch a glimpse from close cantons of the Royal Bengal Tigers that visit the water holes in Sariska. Kankwadi Fort, Pandupol Hanuman Temple (believed to be a refuge of the Pandavas), Pavilions and Temples within Sariska are also important tourist places visitors shouldn’t miss.
Best Time to Visit- Ideal time to visit the Tiger Reserve is between months of October and April although the reserve and sanctuary is open for visitors throughout the year.
How to Reach- Jaipur is the nearest airport to Sariska and the Alwar is the closest Railway Station situated at a distance of 35 kilometers from Sariska. Buses and private taxis are available from Delhi and Jaipur to Sariska.
Tiger Safari- Sariska Tiger Reserve offers open gypsy safaris for 3 hours at INR 2410 per person and do note private vehicles are not allowed inside the main sanctuary for they are allowed inside the reserve only on Saturdays and Tuesdays.
Sariska scores bonus points for its arid surroundings with rocky cliffs and narrow valleys with dry deciduous forests, thorn desiccated forests, wild grasses and loose rocks. The bounty of wildlife and fauna in this reserve is commendable for sustaining in this arid region amidst heat and extreme climate. Bearing the legacy of the Maharajas of Alwar, Sariska Tiger Reserve was the first of its kind in India for displacing tigers from their original habitat.
The forest surface is covered in wavy plateaus, broad valleys with scrub thorn bushes, Dhok (a type of flora), Acacia Catechu (Khair), (Salar) Boswellia Serreta, Bamboo, Kattha, Lannea Coromandelica, Arjun, Kadaya and different types of flora. Shrubs and bushes like (Adusta) Adhatoda vesica, (Jhar Ber) Ziziphus Nummularia and Capparis Decidua (Kair) are found in the forest reserve. There were 16 Tigers in the reserve but off late the total population of Tigers in Sariska Sanctuary are 13 with 7 females, 2 males and 4 Tiger cubs.
Besides the Royal Bengal Tiger which is the main attraction of Sariska, other forms of fauna found in the reserve is Wild Boar, Hyena, Jackal, Four Horned Antelope, Jungle Cat, Leopard, Sambar, Blue Bull, Spotted Deer, Caracal , Rhesus Monkeys popular in Talvriksh area, Chital, Civets, Rusty Spotted Cat and many more. Avian Fauna variety is also notable in Sariska Tiger Reserve like Tree Pie, Golden Backed Woodpecker, Sand Grouse, Bush Quail, Great Indian Horned Owl, Crested Serpent Eagle, Peafowl and Grey Patridge to mention a few.
Dawn and dusk are perfect timings for visitors to spot and catch a glimpse from close cantons of the Royal Bengal Tigers that visit the water holes in Sariska. Kankwadi Fort, Pandupol Hanuman Temple (believed to be a refuge of the Pandavas), Pavilions and Temples within Sariska are also important tourist places visitors shouldn’t miss.
Best Time to Visit- Ideal time to visit the Tiger Reserve is between months of October and April although the reserve and sanctuary is open for visitors throughout the year.
How to Reach- Jaipur is the nearest airport to Sariska and the Alwar is the closest Railway Station situated at a distance of 35 kilometers from Sariska. Buses and private taxis are available from Delhi and Jaipur to Sariska.
Tiger Safari- Sariska Tiger Reserve offers open gypsy safaris for 3 hours at INR 2410 per person and do note private vehicles are not allowed inside the main sanctuary for they are allowed inside the reserve only on Saturdays and Tuesdays.