Sariska National Park – complete detail – updated

Sariska National Park – complete detail – updated. Dominant flora and fauna of Sariska. Geography of Sariska Sariska National Park. How to reach Sariska National Park. is a beautiful place, located in the Alwar district of the state of Rajasthan.

The reserve was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1958 and came under the “Project Tiger” as a Sariska tiger reserve in 1979. Total area of the National park is about 273.8 km². Sariska was a hunting reserve for royal families in past. The wildlife include Dhok, Salar, Juliflora, Kadaya, Dhak, Gol, Ber, Khair, Bargad, Arjun, Gugal, Bogambilya, Adulsa, Dhok, Danda Thor, Kakera, Kheep, Khejari, Neem, Babul, Tendu, Bamboo etc.

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. Visitors can visit Sariska national Park throughout the year, but the best time to visit is between October to June.

National park is an area which is strictly reserved for the betterment of the wildlife & biodiversity, and where activities like developmental, forestry, poaching, hunting and grazing on cultivation are not permitted. Their boundaries are well marked and circumscribed.

Sariska National Park

Sariska is a beautiful place, located in the Alwar district of the state of Rajasthan. The area of Sariska, being a part of the Aravalli Range. Sariska was declared a wildlife reserve in 1955. The reserve was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1958 and came under the “Project Tiger” as a Sariska tiger reserve in 1979. The total area of the sanctuary is about 800 km².

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The Sariska tiger reserve was declared as a National park in 1982. Total area of the National park is about 273.8 km².

The landscape of Sariska comprises of hills and narrow valleys of the Aravalli hill range. The topography of Sariska supports scrub-thorn arid forests, rocky landscapes, tropical forest, grasslands, dry deciduous forests, rocks and hilly cliffs. The area of Sariska is rich in mineral resources, such as copper.

Supreme Court of India ban on mining in the area of Sariska National park, in 1991. Sariska is the first tiger reserve in the world to have successfully relocated tigers.

Sariska was a hunting reserve for royal families in past. Its plentiful tiger population supported by large herds of Sambhar and Nilgai was the ideal place for the royals of the state as well as their visiting guests to go on shikaars. 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.

There are about 20 to 25 tigers at this national park.

Climate

Summers months are from April to June. The monsoon season (July to September) does not receive very heavy rainfall. Winters are from October to March.

Maximum Temperature – 49⁰ C

Minimum Temperature – 4⁰ C

Attractions

The reserve is also the location of several sites of historical importance such as –

The Kankwari Fort – Built by Jai Singh II in 16th-century, located near the center of the park.  In 17th-century fortress was used by Aurangzeb, the Mughal emperor for imprisoning his brother- Dara Shikon.

The Ancient Shiva Temple or ‘Neelkanth Temple’.

The Palace – Built by the princes of Alwar.

Pandupol – Pandupol in the hills in the center of the reserve is believed to be one of the retreats of Pandava. The Hanuman temple in Pandupol is a pilgrimage site which causes problems for the wildlife, due to the heavy traffic.

Dominant Flora

Dhok, Salar, Juliflora, Kadaya, Dhak, Gol, Ber, Khair, Bargad, Arjun, Gugal, Bogambilya, Adulsa, Dhok, Danda Thor, Kakera, Kheep, Khejari, Neem, Babul, Tendu, Bamboo etc.

Dominant Fauna

Mammals – Bengal tiger, Hyena, Jackal, Wild Dog, Sambar, Chital, Nilgai, Chausingha, Wild Boar, Langur, Monkey, Cat, Mouse etc.

Birds – Peafowl, Parakeets, Storks, Pheasant, Oriels, Eagles, Grey Partridge, Sand Grouse, Bush Quail, Tree Pie, Crested Serpent Eagle, Golden Backed Wood Pecker, Owl etc.

Various types of Snakes, lizards, Crocodile etc.

Best Time to Visit Sariska National Park

Visitors can visit Sariska national Park throughout the year, but the best time to visit is between October to June. The sanctuary is open all through the year except between 1st July to 30th September.

Entry Fee – For Indians: 80 Rs

                    For Foreigners: 470 Rs

Fee Jeep Safari – Entry Free for jeep for 6 Passengers: 2650 Rs.

Video Camera Fee – 400 Rs.

How to Reach Sariska National Park

By Air

The Jaipur Sanganer Airport is the nearest airport from Sariska and is located in Sanganer, approximately 110 kilometers from the National Park. Sanganer airport is well connected by road and rail network to Sariska National Park.

By Train

The nearest railway station is Alwar, which is about 35 km from Sariska. Alwar railway station is well connected by road to Sariska National Park.

By Road

Sariska National Park is well connected to Major Cities and Places by road network. There are a number of government and privately operated vehicles that go to Sariska National Park at frequent intervals.

Sariska National Park is located off the Delhi-Alwar-Jaipur Road. Bus service available from all major Cities.

Distance from Major Cities

Hyderabad – about 1510 km
Chandigarh – about 501 km
Bengaluru – about 2100 km
New Delhi –about 200 km

Indore – about 640 km
Jaipur – about 110 km
Chennai – about 2140 km
Mumbai – about 1295 km
Kolkata – about 1485 km
Ahmedabad – about 780 km

Other National Parks in Rajasthan. Name of National Parks, Year of Notification and Total Area is as follows……….

S. No.

Name of National Park

Year of Notification

Total Area(km²)

1	Keoladeo Ghana National Park	Rajasthan	1981	28.73
2	Ranthambore National Park	Rajasthan	1980	282
3	Mukundra Hills (Darrah) National Park	Rajasthan	2006	200.54
4	Desert National Park	Rajasthan	1992	3162