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| Sariska |
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Sariska |
| Cradled in the northern section of the rugged
Aravalli Hills of Alwar, Rajasthan, the emerald forests of Sariska
stand out amidst a dry and austere landscape. Justifiably called
the Jewel of the Aravallis, apart from its legendary wildlife,
Sariska is a water reserve of unparalleled importance to the
state.
This wilderness has been protected for many years now, thanks
to the farsightedness of Maharaja Jai Singh of Alwar. This
was originally his hunting preserve. Tiger hunts have been
recorded here in meticulous detail, but the area was better
known as a place of pilgrimage with Shiva temples dating back
to the 10th and 12th centuries.
Very little rain (650 mm) falls each year over the hills
of Sariska, yet it has several perennial water sources that
in turn, support an impressive number of herbivores including
wild boar, chital, sambar, nilgai and chinkara. The diversity
of birds here surprises most ornithologists and some suggest
that the deforestation of the surrounding habitats is one
possible reason for the higher densities of waterfowl, partridge
and peafowl. As one of the last surviving forested tracts
of its kind, Sariska is currently a bitter battleground between
environmentalists who wish to protect its biodiversity and
developers who wish to exploit its mineral wealth. Old timers
relate some astounding observations including one almost unbelievable
incident when a chital fawn was killed and eaten by a wild
boar!
To popularise wildlife viewing the authorities once used
to arrange `tiger-shows' which involved tying buffalo calves
as bait, but this was fortunately stopped, and today wildlife
viewing is more natural and rewarding. The management patrols
the forest and uses wireless communications to counter poaching
and other forest offences. Several waterholes have been constructed
and extensive work has been undertaken to conserve both soil
and moisture throughout the reserve. This, combined with nature's
ability to renew itself, has resulted in a remarkable regeneration
of natural flora and fauna over a span of two decades, but
lack of political support in recent times threatens Sariska's
biodiversity.
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Animals you will see |
| Besides the leopard and tiger, the hyaena, jungle
cat and wild dog are the other main predators. Wild dogs suddenly
entered the area in the late eighties. Caracals have been reportedly
seen but this is rare.
Chinkara, chital, sambar, nilgai, wild boar and hare are
the prey of the large carnivores and can be seen in increasing
numbers.
Some of the other mammals that have been sighted are the
Civet cat, Large Indian fruit bat, porcupine, sloth bear,
tiger, wild dog (rare).
Checkered keelback, Indian cobra, Marsh crocodile, Monitor
lizard, Python, Rat snake, Softshelled turtle and Whip snake
are the some of the reptilian inhabitants of Sariska.
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Birdwatching |
Crested Hawk Eagle and Crested Serpent Eagle are
the raptors of Sariska frequenting the tall trees nesting there,
surveying the terrain from a vantage point and then moving in
for the kill. They could be seen near waterbodies or forested
areas. Other species include the Goldenbacked Woodpecker, Great
Indian Horned Owl, Green Pigeon, Grey Partridge, Painted Stork,
Ibis, Pheasant-tailed Jacana, Pied Kingfisher, Whitebreasted
Kingfisher, Quail, Redwattled lapwing, Ring Dove, Sand Grouse,
Spoonbill, Spotted Dove, Paradise Flycatcher, Stone Curlew and
Tree Pie.
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Best Time for Viewing |
The morning and evening rounds for wildlife viewing
are the best although you could easily spot the tiger even at
noon.
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