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Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary
Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary
About Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary
Home of
the majestic Tiger, Sariska is one of the protected sanctuaries in India where
Project Tiger was a success. Set amidst the scrubby Aravali Hills, the sanctuary
sprawls with dry thorny deciduous forests, covered almost ninety per cent by the
Dhok tree. Sariska was declared a Sanctuary in 1955 and became a Tiger Reserve
in 1979.
Within the Sanctuary, there are also historical ruins of monuments
symbolic of its past. The Kankwari Fort, the ancient Shiva Neelkanth Temples that
date back to the 6th-13th century A.D. and the Palace built by the Maharajahs
of Alwar, now converted into a hotel, are all great sights.
Sariska is
open to visitors throughout the year, although certain jungle tracks are closed
during the monsoon and the breeding season. The best time to visit the park is
late in the winter around January or February. If you don’t mind the heat, April
to June is a great time to see animals at the waterholes.
Wildlife
Attractions in Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary
Sariska National Park is known
for its tigers, its most popular resident. According to the latest available data,
there are about 35 tigers at Sariska. Rajasthan is a pristine platform for viewing
wildlife in the country because of its two national parks and over a dozen sanctuaries.
Other wildlife in the park includes sambhar, chital, wild boar, hare, nilgai,
civet, four-horned antelope, gaur (Indian bison) and porcupine.
Flora
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, especially in terms of rainfall, which is an important source to replenish
the region.
Avian Population
The bird life comprises
of the pea fowl, gray partridge, quail, sand grouse, tree pie, white breasted
kingfisher, golden - backed woodpecker, crested serpent eagle and great Indian
horned owl
Safaris
The best way to explore the
Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary is in a Jeep. Vehicles can be arranged at the Forest
Reception Office on the Jaipur Road. Booking an inconspicuous 'hide', overlooking
one of the waterholes, can provide an excellent opportunity for wildlife viewing
and wildlife photography.
Other Attractions
Kankwari Fort
The historic Kankwari Fort, located inside
the park is the place where Emperor Aurangzeb kept his brother Dara Shikoh, in
captivity. The place is a major attraction for tourists visiting the park and
a trip will take you back in time to the Mughal era.
Shiva Temple
The Shiva temples, also known as the Neelkanth
temples, is an important religious sight for the Hindus. The ancient temples,
mostly in ruins, date back to as early as the 6th century.
Sariska Palace
The park was a former hunting reserve for the
rulers of Alwar. The palace built by the maharajahs to act as a retreat during
their hunting expeditions has now been converted into a luxury hotel.
How to get there
By Air: Jaipur is the nearest airport from Sariska at a distance
107-kms. The place is well connected by Indian Airlines flights from Delhi (6:05,
daily), Mumbai (15:30, daily) and Kolkata (15:45, daily). Jet Airways also connects
Mumbai and Delhi to Jaipur through daily flights.
By Rail: The nearest railway station is at Alwar (37-kms). The place
is connected to Delhi through the Jammu JP Exp. (4:40, daily), Mandor Exp. (20:50,
daily), Ashram Exp. (156:05, daily), DLI JSM Exp. (18:00, daily) and HW ADI Mail
(22:50, daily).
By Road: Sariska wildlife sanctuary
is situated off the Delhi-Alwar-Jaipur Road. Sariska is well connected with Alwar,
which is further directly connected with bus services from Delhi and Jaipur. The
road route from Delhi is through the NH8 to Shahpura via Gurgaon and Behror. From
there state road leads to Sariska via Bairat and Thana Ghazi. To travel by road
from Jaipur, take the NH8 to Shahpura via Amer and Chandwaji, and state road to
Sariska.
Distances from Major Cities
Delhi
: 240 km (SW)
Jaipur : 110 km (NE)
Kolkata
: 1307 km
Bangalore : 1636 km
Agra :189
km
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