» Establishment - 1958
» Area - 800 sq km
» When to Visit - October to June
Covering
an area of 800 sq km in total, with a core area of approximately 500 sq km,
Sariska Tiger Reserve is home to several rare and endangered wildlife
species. Although larger than Ranthambor, it is less commercialised and has
less tigers but a similar topography. Sariska, in Rajasthan, the erstwhile
royal preserve of the rulers of Alwar, became a sanctuary in the year 1958.
The sanctuary came under the Project Tiger in 1979 and became a national
park in 1982.
The landscape of Sariska comprises of hills and narrow valleys of the
Aravali hill range. The topography of Sariska supports scrub-thorn arid
forests, dry deciduous forests, rocks and grasses. 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.
Attractions :
At last count in 1985, 35 tigers were reported in Sariska. Other carnivores
of the area are the panther, jungle cat, jackal and hyena. Three caracals
were also reported during the last census in 1985. Other animals include the
sambar, chital, wild boar, hare, nilgai and umpteen porcupines.
The bird-life comprises of the pea fowl, gray partridge, quail, sand
grouse, tree pie, white breasted kingfisher, golden - backed woodpecker,
crested serpent eagle and great Indian horned owl.
Magnificent ruins peppered around the neighbourhood of Sariska add to the
region's fascination. The Neelkanth (Shiva) temples (6th-13th century AD)
and the ancient Kankwari Fort inside the Reserve, is where Emperor Aurangzeb
once held his brother Dara Shikoh captive. A beautiful palace complex built
here in 1902 has been converted into a hotel.
How to Reach :
The town closest to Sariska is Alwar, and the park itself lies off the
Delhi-Alwar-Jaipur highway, just over 100 km from Jaipur, and about 200 km
from Delhi. Alwar, a mere 21 km from Sariska, is the nearest railhead, and
has frequent trains from Deeg, Bharatpur, Jaipur and other towns.
» Establishment - 1980
» Area - 3162 sq. kms
» When to Visit -September to March.
The Desert National Park is situated in the west Indian state of Rajasthan
near Jaisalmer. This is one of the largest national parks, covering an area
of 3162 sq. km. The Desert National Park is an excellent example of the
ecosystem of the Thar desert and its diverse fauna.
Sand dunes form around 20% of the Park. The major landform consists of
craggy rocks and compact salt lake bottoms, intermedial areas and fixed
dunes which are quite suitable for the chinkara to move at high speed. The
blackbuck is another common antelope of this region. Its other notable
inhabitants are the desert fox, Bengal fox, wolf and desert cat.
Attractions :
Desert National Sanctuary holds a very important place in the state of
Rajasthan mainly because it houses many wildlife creatures like desert cat,
fox, hare, spiny tail, uromastix, imperial sand grouse, Indian bustards,
eagles, falcons and sand fish which are rare in other wildlife zoos. The
desert animals which would be difficult to trace in other areas are a plenty
in this region.
How to Reach :
Jaisalmer is the nearest town (40 kms). Nearest air, road and railhead is
Jaisalmer.
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