Sariska
Wildlife Sanctuary 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 forest type is
dry deciduous, represented by dhok (Anogeissus pendula),
khair (Acacia catechu), tendu (Diospyros melanoxylon)
and ber (Zizyphus maudrentiana). It remains lush green
during the monsoon period and dry in summer.
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Today
the tiger population in Sariska is around 25 (as per
government census of 1995). That's not much, but it's
also not bad considering the fact that tiger population
is shrinking everywhere. The best time to spot tigers
is in summer, when they move to waterholes and there's
not much foliage to camouflage their stripes. In Sariska,
these waterholes have been constructed by the Forest
Department quite near the roads on which tourist vehicles
ply. Animals have got so used to prying human eyes that
they sometimes completely ignore human presence (not
that their attention is desired!). Sometimes tigers
can be sighted even lounging around the roads.
The other cats living here are panthers, jungle cat,
caracals (a reddish-brown wildcat with black tipped
ears) and the rusty spotted cat. Nilgai (large Indian
antelope; blue bull), cheetal (spotted deer), sambar
(large Asiatic deer), wild boars, chinkara (Indian gazelle),
jackal, chowsingha (four-horned antelopes), ratel (honey
badgers) and porcupine are easily spotted. Hundreds
of peafowl congregate everyday by the waterhole called
the Kalighati. The other one is the Salupka waterhole,
which is the clubhouse of nilgai. Chowsinghas gather
around the Pandu Pol Nallah. But, of course, patience
is the keyword.
Another attraction within the park is the crocodile
inhabited Siliserh Lake on the edge of this tiger reserve
(see Siliserh for more). Sariska is also famous for
its population of langur (any of the genus Presbytis)
and rhesus monkeys. Talvriksh, a grove of Arjun trees,
is the hub of these monkeys and you can see hundreds
of them at a time. But don't irritate them, for then
you'll be inviting real trouble.
The Park has a rich and colourful birdlife too. This
includes the grey partridge, quail, sandgrouse (a pigeon-like
bird), golden-backed woodpecker, Great Indian horned
owl and white-breasted kingfisher. Come evening, and
they call out in unison, making a terrible bedlam. The
open dry deciduous forest of Sariska with its rich population
of wildlife is a marvel of ecological adaptation and
tolerance. The most favourable time to visit the park
is between November and March, but if you can take the
heat be here in April-May which is the best time to
sight wild animals (in search of water).
Other Attractions Magnificent
ruins peppered around the neighbourhood of Sariska add
to the region's fascination. The Neelkanth (Shiva) temples
(6th-13th century AD) are just 32-kms from the Park
and the ancient Kankwari Fort inside the Reserve, is
where Emperor Aurangzeb once held his brother Dara Shikoh
captive. A beautiful palace complex built in 1902 now
converted into a hotel is a major attraction as well
as a good option for luzurious stay among the wilds. |
