Sariska National Park at a Glance.
Name : Sariska National Park
Location : Alwar (Rajasthan)
Area : 765.80 sq kms. (Approx.)
Altitude : Between 300 m and 722 m above Sea level
Avg. Annual Rainfall : 650 mm (approx.)
Forest Type : Tropical Dry Deciduous and Tropical Thorn
Establishment Year of Sariska National Park : 1955
About Sariska National Park :
One of the most popular tiger reserves of India, Sariska is one of the many protected sanctuaries in India where Project Tiger met with success. Sariska was declared a Sanctuary in 1955 and became a Tiger Reserve under in 1979. With the beautiful Aravalli Hills in the background, the Sanctuary is home to other wildlife including the Leopard, Panther, Jungle Cat, Jackal, Hyena, Gaur, Four-horned Antelope and Porcupine and Fox among animals. Among birds, you will find Peafowl, Grey Partridge, Bush Quail, Sand Grouse, Tree Pie, Golden-backed Woodpecker, Crested Serpent Eagle and the Great Indian Horned Owl etc.
A tour of the sanctuary also reveals the fascinating past of the area through historical ruins of monuments. The Kankwari Fort, where Emperor Aurangzeb once imprisoned his brother Dara Shikoh, the ancient Shiva Neelkanth Temples that date back to the 6th-13th century A.D. and the Palace built by the Maharajas of Alwar, now converted into a hotel, provide great viewing.
The Fauna at Sariska National Park :
The Sariska National Park is known for its tigers. According to the latest available data, there are about 35 tigers in the park here. Other predators of the forest include the panther, jungle cat, jackal, hyena, and fox. Also found are sambhar, chital, wild boar, hare, nilgai, civet, four-horned antelope, gaur (Indian bison) and porcupine. Birds found here include peafowl, grey partridges, quails, sand grouses, tree pies, white-breasted kingfishers, golden-backed woodpeckers, crested serpent eagles, vultures and horned owls. Since the last decade, caracals have also been spotted here.
Woodland/ Scrub at Sariska National Park :
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.
Birds at Sariska National Park :
The avian population in the park is also very healthy. During late summer and in the monsoon months, it is possible to see large numbers of peacocks with their tail feathers fanned out and doing their famous shimmering "dance". Some of the bird species visible in the park are Peafowl, Red Jungle Fowl, Spur Fowls, White Breasted Kingfishers, Golden Backed Woodpeckers, Great Indian Horned Owls, Quails, Partridges, Sangrouse, Tree Pies, Crested Serpent Eagles, Parakeets, Drongos, Sunbirds and Vultures.
Topography at Sariska National Park :
Sariska's topography is generally hilly. As one goes deeper inside the forest, the hills keep growing on you. As far as water bodies and wetland areas are concerned, they are few and far between. To mitigate these lacunae of water bodies, the park authorities have built artificial reservoirs at strategic places which provide welcome relief to the resident animals of Sariska during the scorching summer months.
Tourists places near Sariska National Park :
The Kankwari Fort : Among the historic landmarks located within the Sariska national park, includes the Kankwari For, where, Emperor Aurangzeb once imprisoned his brother, Dara Shikoh.
The Ancient Shiva Temples : Within the area of the Sariska tiger sanctuary, Neelkanth temples, that dates back to the 6th-13th century AD, now in ruins, afford a wonderful sight to the visitors.
Places to Stay at Sariska National Park :
- Sariska Tiger Heaven, Sariska
- Sariska Palace, Sariska
- Tiger Den, Sariska
How to Reach at Sariska National Park :
By Air : Jaipur is the nearest airport from Sariska at a distance 107-kms.
By Rail : The nearest railway station is at Alwar (37-kms).
By Road : Sariska wildlife sanctuary is situated off the Delhi-Alwar-Jaipur Road. Jaipur is located at a distance of 107-kms and Delhi at 200-kms from Sariska. Sariska is well connected with Alwar, which is further directly connected with bus services from Delhi and Jaipur.
