The Sariska Tiger Reserve, nestled in the oldest mountain ranges-“Aravallis” is a repository of serene dense forests, wide valleys and sprawling plateaus. Sariska Tiger Reserve is situated amidst the Golden Triangle of India , between the national capital of New Delhi and Rajasthan’s state capital Jaipur in the Alwar district of Rajasthan. The park is spread over an area of 1213 sq kms. (881 sq km core/332 sq kms buffer) of Aravalli hills in Alwar.
Sariska is a natural grandeur housing over 401 plant species, 250 bird species in total area of 1213 sq kms.As per the forest survey of India report 14 sq. km of very dense forest in Rajasthan has been ascertained only in Sariska. The Reserve has a beautiful blending of tropical dry deciduous and tropical thorn forest and is dotted with numerous narrow valleys. Dhok (Anogeissus pendula) is the dominant tree species covering over 90% area of the forest. Boswellia serreta and Lannea coromandelica grow in rocky patches. Kathaa (Acacia catechu) and Bamboo are common in the valleys. Some valleys support Palas (Butea monosperma) and Ber (Zizyphus species). Besides these, some noteworthy tree species are Arjun (Terminalia arjuna), Gugal (Commiphora wightii), Kadaya (sterculia urens), Amla (Emblica officinalis), Bahera (Terminalia bellerica).
Unique Riparian Zone is an area that has vegetation that requires free or unbound water or conditions that are moist than normal could also be found here. This Habitat is possessing trees of Date Palm (Phoenix sylvestris), Jamun (Syzygium cumini), Rohini (Mollotus philiphinenis), Bamboo (Dendrocalamus strictus). These areas have a structural diversity due to change in microclimate (the temp. is lower than other areas of the Reserve), possess more edges (habitat where two different communities meet) and are crucial habitats for feeding, resting & breeding of the wildlife..
Sariska Tiger Reserve Situated in the heart of the Aravallis this beautiful Reserve is on the Delhi- Jaipur State Highway, and falls in Alwar district of Rajasthan. It is 200 km from Delhi, 36 km from Alwar and 110 km from Jaipur. Historically, these forests were a part of the princely state of Alwar and were managed as hunting reserves. After independence the forests came under the control of the Government of Rajasthan. The area is mostly surrounded by revenue land and villages. The adjoining forest of Alwar and Jamua Ramgarh Sanctuary, forms an important corridor for animal movements. Sariska hosted 10-16 tigers in core zone till 2004, when the Tigers got extirpated, subsequently in between the years 2008- 20011 six Tigers have been relocated. The villagers in the periphery of STR are directly or indirectly dependent on the forest products for their livelihood. This has affected STR and posed serious concerns for its wildlife biodiversity. The Aravalli Range Aravalli literally means “line of peaks”. These are ancient folded mountains and known for their craggy landscape. The Aravalli Range is known for its minerals and mining operations. Sariska Tiger Reserve occupies one of the richest biodiversity belts in India.
Core and Buffer Zone Important for Managing Wildlife in Sariska The “core” area of a tiger reserve is an inviolate area. The “buffer” is the peripheral area to foster co-existence with local people and safeguard the integrity of the core. The buffer zone of a tiger reserve does not have the status of a National Park or Sanctuary. Under the Wildlife Protection Act 1972 the core area was declared as Sariska National Park in 1982. Within a radius of 0.5km to 2km inside the periphery there used to be 155 villages (revenue/private lands). Another 187 villages are on the border adjoining boundaries of the buffer area. Population pressure and the activity of the villagers has led to many issues in wildlife management. Villagers are dependent on the forest for food, fodder and timber. Valuable species of trees have disappeared in the Core area. Excessive agricultural activities, livestock grazing, illegal logging and encroachment have resulted in man-wildlife conflict. The presence of a number of large and small temples inside the core area means a continuous flow of pilgrims in the park. Litter generated by them damage the health of the wild animals and destroy the biotic serenity of the park. Mining of marble, limestone and masonary stone in the buffer area has adversely impacted the biotic process. Forest cover as been destroyed, flora and fauna disturbed leading to loss of habitat and wildlife. To improve Park-People Interface, there is a proposal to include revenue lands and villages in the buffer area for Eco-Development measures.
Royal Hunting Reserve Sariska was once a hunting reserve of the Maharaja of Alwar. British Royalty, Viceroys and Maharajas were entertained here. Scenic landscapes and the abundance of wild animals attracted the royal shikaris. Hunting was prohibited after 1955 and in 1978 STR was declared the 11th Tiger Reserve by Government of India. Sariska Palace was built in 1892 by Maharaja Jai Singh of Alwar to commemorate the visit of Queen Victoria’s son Duke of Connaught to India. The palace situated near the Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary in now a heritage hotel. Cultural and Historical Sites Areas in and around STR abound in archaeological, mythological and scenic sites. Pandupol within the Reserve boasts of a 35ft waterfall. The Pandavas of the Mahabharata were said to have spent a part of their banishment here. The old Hanuman temple at its base is visited by thousands, especially at the annual Pandupol mela. Pilgrims worship at the temple of Bhartrihari, king-turned-saint from Ujain. Narayani Mata temple is known for its kund fed by a perennial spring. Mahadev temple at Naldeshwar requires a 2km walk through dense forests to reach it. The ruins of Neelkanth (Shiva) temple within the buffer zone probably built between the 6th and 13th centuries AD attract many devotees. There are ruins of Hindu and Jain temples from this period in Rajoregarh. Forts and palaces are scattered everywhere- Ajabgarh, Pratapgarh, Bhangarh, Bala Qila, Kankwari Fort (where Aurangzeb imprisoned his brother Dara Shikoh). Mangalsar bandh, Jaisamandh bandh, Siliserh Lake attract many birds and hence very popular with tourists. Heavy traffic of pilgrims visiting the Hanuman temple in the Reserve on Tuesdays and Saturdays, and lately commercial vehicles carrying milk from villages inside the Reserves to towns outside is posing a huge threat to the well-being of the animals.
Deciduously Wild Sariska Tiger Reserve has dry tropical deciduous forests and tropical thorn forest vegetation. 90% of the forest area is dominated by Dhok and by Salar in the buffer zone. Where water is abundant there is bamboo and ‘khajur’. ‘Dhok’ is dominant on the lower slopes, forming 90% of the tree canopy in the park. The best example of this forest is to be found near the Bala Qila Fort in Alwar where, in the absence of grazing, the trees have formed an impenetrable cover. The ‘dhok’ tree typically grows to a height of 8-10m. Bamboo also grows on steep slopes. The valleys are dominated by ‘dhak’, whose crimson blossoms in March/April are spectacular. Grasslands are dominated by ‘ber’ and ‘khair’. On the sides of nullahs semi-evergreen vegetation grow in narrow strips. Here grow the larger trees at Sariska, mango, jamun, gular, imli date, lasoda, arjun, and bahera. In the dry months, the deciduous canopy provides shade to the herbivores. The animals depend on the heens for survival in summer. With water provided by the park management, these plants allow Sariska to sustain a dense prey population almost comparable to parks with higher rainfall. Water: A scarce resource Water in Sariska is not uniformly available throughout the year and droughts are common limiting fodder and food available inside and outside the core and buffer areas. Ruparail, one of the major river flows close to the forest. Few live springs or nallahs are the life-savers of Sariska. The wetland areas of STR- Mangalsar, Silished lake, Ajabgarh Talab and Mansarovar support a variety of aquatic flora and fauna and attract many wild visitors during the monsoon and winter seasons.