Sariska Tiger Reserve is a tiger reserve in Alwar, Rajasthan, India; spread over an area of 881 sq.kms. Â The tiger reserve is full of scrub-thorn arid forests, dry deciduous forests, grasslands, and rocky hills. Surrounded by the hills and valleys of Aravalli Mountain range and Khathiar-Gir dry deciduous forests ecoregion. Once the hunting preserve of the royal family of Alwar state; it was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1958; a tiger reserve in 1978.
As part of India’s Project Tiger, meant to boost the numbers of Tigers in the wild, it is the first tiger reserve in the world to have successfully relocated tigers. Sariska, besides being an important biodiversity area in the Northern Aravalli ranges; is an important leopard and wildlife corridor.
The Tiger Reserve
Sariska Tiger Reserve is situated at a distance of 107 kms from Jaipur. It is located on the important Jaipur-Agra-Delhi tourist corridor, making it an important destination for tourists. The tiger reserve is divided into 4 zones, and is full of variety of trees including dhok, kadaya, khair, arjun, bamboo and more. Apart from the Royal Bengal Tiger, the reserve is home to wide variety of wild carnivorous animals including Indian Leopard, Striped Hyena, Golden Jackal, Jungle Cat, Caracal, and Small Indian Civet, Javan Mongoose, Ruddy Mongoose.
It is also home to herbivorous animals such as Chital, Sambar Deer, Rhesus Macaque, Northern Plains Gray Langur, Nilgai, Wild Boar, Honey Badger, and Indian Hare. The tiger reserve is home to more than 220 species of birds including migratory birds from Europe, Central Asia, and other regions.
A birdwatchers’ paradise, the tiger reserve is home to variety of bird species including Grey Partridge, White-Throated Kingfisher, Sandgrouse, India’s largest population of Peafowl, Bush Quail, Golden-Backed Woodpecker, as well as birds of prey including Crested Serpent Eagle and Indian Eagle-Owl.
Tiger Relocation Efforts
The tiger reserve which had over a dozen tigers in 2004, suddenly had no tigers within a year. It was reported by Rajasthan Forest Department that the tigers might have either migrated to other areas or have killed by poachers. The Government of Rajasthan, in association with Government of India and Wildlife Institute of India, decided to relocate some tigers from Ranthambore National Park to Sariska Tiger Reserve.
In July 2008, two male tigers from Ranthambhore National Park were relocated as part of tiger reintroduction project to Sariska Tiger Reserve; another female tiger was relocated in February 2009. Slowly the number of tigers has increased in the tiger reserve.
By 2022, the tiger population in the reserve has risen to 27. The plan also included relocation of villages, from the buffer zone to outside the tiger reserve. Wildlife Institute of India with Government of Rajasthan started tracking the relocated tigers with help of tracking collars directly with help of ISRO’s reconnaissance satellites.
Tourism Inside Tiger Reserve
In order to boost tourism, Kankwari Fort, a 16th-century fort, originally built by Jai Singh II, located inside the park has been renovated by the state tourism department. Also, other places worth visiting in and around the tiger reserve; that attract a lot of tourists, are Sariska Palace, a former royal hunting lodge of the Alwar royal family; 6th century Neelkanth Temple; Bharthari Temple; Pandupol Hanumanji Temple; and Viratnagar Buddhist monastery ruins on a hillock called Bijak ki Pahadi.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Sariska is in winters, due to cooler weather. However, the best time to watch tigers, is in summer as due to shortage of water, tigers are seen frequently in and around the lakes. Tourists can enter the park with jeep/canter safari. The tiger reserve is open to tourists during winters from 7:00 AM to 10:30 AM in the morning, and 2:00 PM to 5:30 PM; and during summers from 6:00 AM to 9:30 AM in morning and 3:00 PM to 6:30 PM in evening.
Like other protected forests in India; the tiger reserve is closed during rainy season from July to September; which is also a mating season for tigers. Entry Fee for the tiger reserve for Indians is INR 75 and for foreign nationals is INR 500. Entry fee for safari vehicles entering the tiger reserve is INR 250 (jeep) and INR 5000 (canter). Guides are also available at a charge. Well connected by road, the nearest airport is Jaipur, and Alwar is the nearest railway station. There are several hotels, resorts and restaurants in and around the park.
