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THE WILD IN THE WOODEN VALLEY
Located
107 kms from Jaipur, the Sariska National Park is in a wooden valley,
surrounded by barren mountains. The dry deciduous forests of the ancient
Aravalli range cover the area of the Sariska National Park and Tiger
Reserve.
The main fauna in the park includes the Tiger, Panther, Hyena, Jungle
Cat, Civet, Sambhar, Chinkara, Nilgai and Four-Horned Antelope. Declared a
Sanctuary in 1955, it became a Tiger Reserve under Project Tiger in 1979.
The other great predator of Sariska's forests is the leopard besides the
ferocious tiger. Sariska has a healthy porcupine population, and this tiny
creature often pits itself against the tiger, which is particularly fond
of porcupine flesh.
The 'Chowsingha' (four horned antelope) is commonly found at Sariska;
exclusively Indian, it is the world's only wild creature, which has two
pairs of horns. The Park's terrain is also congenial to the Chinkara
(Indian Gazelle) and Nilgai.
Remarkable for their lack of timidity are the Rhesus and Langur, which,
at Sariska tolerate human closeness with astonishing equanimity.
The birdlife comprises of the Pea Fowl, Gray Partridge, Quail,
Sandgrouse, Tree Pie, White-Breasted Kingfisher, Golden-Backed Woodpecker,
Crested Serpent, Eagle and Great Indian Horned Owl.
VIEWING THE WILD
The best way to visit the Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary is by jeep and these
can be arranged at the Forest Reception Office on Jaipur Road.
Booking a `hide', overlooking one of the waterholes, can provide an
excellent opportunity for viewing and photographing wildlife. So, pick up
your sleeping bag and some food and settle down to watch.
PRIME SITES:
Within the park are the ruins of many temples.
The KANKWARI FORT The Sariska Park has historic overtones. Here,
Emperor Aurangzeb once imprisoned his brother, Dara Shikoh.
THE ANCIENT SHIVA TEMPLES, in the precincts of the park, Neelkanth
temples (6th-13th century AD), which are now in ruins, afford a wonderful
sight to the visitors.
THE PALACE, at Sariska was once the royal reserve of the rulers of
Alwar. This palace built by the Maharajas of Alwar, has now been converted
into a hotel.
ROAD: Sariska is situated off the
Delhi-Alwar-Jaipur Road. The nearest town is Alwar (21 km). Jaipur is
located at a distance of 110 km and Delhi at 200Kms. There are direct
buses to Alwar from Delhi and Jaipur. Frequent buses travel between Alwar
and Sariska.
RAIL: The nearest raiway station is Alwar (21 km).
AIR: Jaipur is the nearest airport.
Aravali
Hotel
RTDC Hotel Tiger Den
Hotel Lake Palace (RTDC), Siliserh
Hotel Sariska Palace (a Heritage Hotel)
Forest Rest House
Area: 765.80 sq.km
Nearest town: Alwar
Main species found: Tiger, Panther, Hyena, Jungle Cat, Civet,
Sambar, Nilgai, Chowsingha, Dhole(Wild Dog), Wild Boar, Partridge, Green
Pigeon, Red Spurfowl, etc.