Alwar : When we talk about tiger reserves, the name of India comes first. So in today’s video, let’s take an exciting trip to Sariska Tiger Reserve located in Alwar district of Rajasthan
Sariska Tiger Reserve, formed in 1955, was included in Project Tiger in 1978. It is an initiative of the Government of India, which aims to stop the declining number of tigers and preserve their natural habitat. Sariska Tiger Reserve, located 240 km from Delhi, is located in the dry forest area of Aravalli, this sanctuary is spread over an area of 866 square kilometers and is mainly divided into three zones – core zone, buffer zone and tourism zone. Tourist entry is restricted in the core zone, while safari and tourism are allowed in the buffer and tourism zones. The natural beauty, dense forests, hills and water sources here attract tourists.
Sariska is home to a great variety of flora and fauna. It is home to many plant species like Dhok, Khair, Ber, Terminalia and many more. The area is mainly covered in dry deciduous forests, which provide a suitable habitat for the wildlife here. The wildlife found in Sariska includes tiger, leopard, deer, wild boar, nilgai and a variety of birds. The reserve is also a paradise for bird lovers, as it is home to the Painted Stork, Gular, Green Bee-eater and many other rare species of birds.
Sariska Tiger Reserve is famous for its majestic Royal Bengal Tigers, it is the first tiger reserve in the world to successfully relocate tigers from Ranthambore. Currently, there are about 33 tigers here, including 11 adult tigers, 14 adult tigresses and 8 cubs. However, the situation of tigers in Sariska was not always like this, the year 2004 is considered to be the worst time for Sariska. In that year, all the tigers of the reserve were either hunted or killed and sold. After which in the year 2005, the Rajasthan government declared a red alert against poaching and wildlife emergency.
Then under Project Tiger, after 4 years, i.e. in 2008, tiger rehabilitation program was started once again in Sariska, under which one tiger and two tigresses were transferred here from Ranthambore National Park. Leaving behind all the uncertainties, these tiger pairs started their baby boom in the year 2012. Due to which 2-2 cubs were born here in the years 2012 and 2013, their number kept increasing year after year and now it has reached about 33. In every tiger reserve, every tiger is identified by a special name. The famous tiger in Sariska is also known by names like Krishna, Sundari, Riddhi, Sita, Nalla, Veeru and Sultana. At the same time, all the tigers of Sariska are known mainly on the basis of ST and number according to the record.
Apart from tigers, various animals like leopard, cheetah, wild boar, chital, sambhar, nilgai, four-horned antelope, and hyena are found in Sariska. Apart from this, bears, wild cats, and jackals are also found here. In the vegetation of Sariska, you will find various types of trees, shrubs, and grasslands. The major vegetation here includes dhok, khair, ber, terminalia, palash, and salar. Various types of herbs and medicinal plants are also found in the forests here, which make the biodiversity here even richer.
The best time to visit Sariska Tiger Reserve is between October and March, when the weather is pleasant and there is a greater chance of seeing wildlife. The temperature remains moderate during this time, which is ideal for safaris. You can also come here in summer, as it is easy to see tigers near water sources at this time. The park remains closed during monsoon, so that the wildlife gets time to breed. So, keep these things in mind while planning your trip.
Alwar Sariska Sanctuary is open for tourists from 6.00 am to 10.00 am and 02.30 to 6.30 in the afternoon during the summer season and from 6.30 to 10.30 in the morning and 02.30 to 05.30 in the afternoon during the winter season. This park remains closed every year during the monsoon season i.e. July, August and September. However, the routes of Alwar Buffer Zone apart from some zones of Tiger Reserve Sariska remain open for tourists during monsoon. The entry fee is Rs 80 for Indian tourists and Rs 470 for foreign tourists. Apart from this, a separate fee is charged for safari. Here you can enjoy jeep safari or canter safari. The fee for jeep safari is Rs 4,200, which can include 6 people, while the fee for canter safari is Rs 12,000, which can include 20 people.
Rest houses, lodges and resorts are available for stay near Sariska Tiger Reserve. You may have to spend 3 to 6 thousand for staying here and 2 to 4 thousand for staying in the city area.
Sariska National Park is located at a distance of 165 km from Delhi and 110 km from Jaipur, where you can travel by flight, train and road to reach Sariska National Park. If you are planning to visit Sariska National Park by flight, then let us tell you that the nearest airport to Sariska National Park is Jaipur Airport, which is about 110 km from Sariska National Park. You can reach Jaipur by flying from any major city, and then from there you can hire a bus or a taxi to reach Sariska National Park. Regular bus services are available to Alwar from various cities of the state. Regular buses are available on this route whether it is day or night. The nearest railway station to Sariska National Park is Alwar Junction, which is the main railway station of the city, where regular trains operate from many major cities of India and the state. You can reach Alwar by traveling by train and from there you can reach Sariska National Park by bus or by hiring a taxi.
