Sariska Tiger Reserve

On the main highway to Jaipur 21 miles south of Alwar, lies the Sarisla National Park. Sariska is one of the few remaining pockets of forest in the Aravalli range of hills and the area now covers 308 square miles is the core area. Sariska is the tiger land in Rajasthan which was bought under Project tiger in 1979. It is prime tiger country. The forest is typical dry deciduous, dramatically changing with the change in season.   Famous Species in the Park   The terrain is undulating plateau lands and wide valleys. Besides tiger, herbivores, spotted deer, sambar, blue bull, nilgai, chinkara, leopard can be commonly seen and found in good density.   The avian world is also well represented with a rich and varied birdlife. These include Peafowl, Grey Partridge, Bush Quail, Sand Grouse, Tree Pie, Golden backed Wood Pecker, Crested Serpent Eagle and the Great Indian Horned Owl. Tiger Reserve Project   In the pre-independence period the forests within the Reserve were a part of the erstwhile Alwar State and maintained as hunting preserve for the royalty. After independence, these were first notified as a reserve wherein it was unlawful to hunt, shoot, net, trap, snare, capture or kill any kind of wild animals in 1955. The reserve was upgraded to a Sanctuary in 1958. Later on, in view of the preservation of wild animals in a better way few forest areas contiguous to the Sanctuary were also incorporated.   The primary notification to declare part of the core as National Park was issued in 1982. Final notification is pending in view of need of relocation of few villages from the Park.   Best Time to Visit Sariska Tiger Reserve   Although due to the presence of monuments of religious importance located within the park boundaries, the park authorities are compelled to keep the park open throughout the year, still the best period is during the months of October to June.

Tal Chhapar Sanctuary :   Located about 90 km from Churu, and 220 km from Jaipur, this sanctuary is famous for black-bucks. It is a flat saline depression, and has a unique Eco-system, which is congenial to many migratory birds. Best time to visit is September to March.

Darrah Sanctuary:   Once the hunting preserve for the royal family of Kota, this sanctuary, 50 km from Kota. Previously the hunting ground of the Kota Maharajas, this sanctuary established in 1955 covering an area of 266 sq.km., 60 sq.km. from Kota is hilly terrain with thick forests. The animals here include wolf, slothbear, chinkara & leopard.   Sajjangarh Wildlife Sanctuary :   Sajjangarh Wildlife Sanctuary is situated 5kms in the West of tourist city Udaipur, which surrounds the Sajjangarh Palace overlooking Udaipur City. From the palace, one can have a magnificent view of lakes of Udaipur and Aravalli hill ranges. The view of Sunrise and Sunset attracts every visitor atop of Bansdara hill. Safari Park was created and wild animals like Chital, Sambar, Wild Boar, and Blue Bull were reintroduced. Animals like Panther, Hyena, Hare and Jackal has reappeared apart from variety of reptiles and birds. The wall extended further and now the entire hillock has been fenced, improving the vegetal cover of the sanctuary area.   In the Hills, at a short distance on the North-West of Sajjangarh, there is an artificial lake named Jiyan Sagar, popularly known as "Bari Lake" or "Tiger Lake". The lake was constructed by Maharana Raj Singhji, the ex-ruler of Mewar, in 1664 AD and was named after Jana Devi, the mother of the Maharana. The lake has an area of 1.25 square miles with a storage capacity of 400 million cubic feet of water.   Kumbhalgarh Sanctuary :   Is located in the most rugged of the Aravali in Pali, Rajsamand and Udaipur districts of Rajasthan. It takes name after the impressive historic fort of Kumbhalgarh, which come into view over the Park. It is 578 sq Kms in area and at an altitude of 500 to 1,300m. It is home to a very large variety of wild life, some of which are highly endangered species. The wild life includes wolf, leopards, sloth bear, hyena, jackal, jungle cat, smabhar, nilgai, chaisingh (the four horned antelope), chinkara and hare.   The bird life at Kumbhalgarh is also gratifying. The normally shy and untrusted grey jungle fowl can be spotted here. Peacocks and Doves can be sighted regularly feeding on grains scattered by the jungle guards. Bird like the red spur owls, Parakeets, golden Oriole, grey Pigeons, Bulbul, Dove and white breasted kingfisher can also be seen near the water holes.   Kumbhalgarh’s natural beauty is attracting many tourists and especially for its accessibility from Udaipur, which is 100 Kms from here. Foot tracking and horse safari organised by local tour operators are proving to be very popular. A typical safari route enters the sanctuary from the Kumbhalgarh Fort and cutting across the sanctuary it reaches Ghanerao, and then borders an old abandoned road. On this road, one can sight Chinkaras, Neelgais, four horned Antelope and many birds.   Desert National Park :   Location : The Desert National Park is located around 40 km from the city of Jaisalmer.   About Desert National Park : Rajasthan is an abode of many wildlife sanctuaries and National Park, however none of them is similar to the Desert National Park. The park is widely different from a usual park and actually for a novice, the park has little importance. Nonetheless, the Desert National Park has an important role to play in maintaining the ecological balance of the region.   It is the largest park in the state of Rajasthan spreading over an area of 3162 sq km. Around one fifth of the park is covered with sand dunes. The rest of the landmass comprises craggy rocks, compact salt lakes bottoms, inter medial areas and fixed dunes.   Desert National Park Attractions   Flora - The vegetation is sparse with only few grasses and shrubs that provide food for the wildlife inhabitants of the park.   Animals - The animals of the park include Desert Fox, Bengal Fox, Desert Cat, Wolf, hedgehog, Black Buck and Chinkara. These animals have live in an extremely difficult terrain, still they have managed to survive.   Reptiles - There is a fair number of reptiles found in the park as well. These are Spiny Tail Lizard, Monitor Lizard, Russel's Viper, chameleons and Sind Krait.   Birds - The bird population of the park is responsible for making it hugely attractive. The Great Indian Bustard which is a protected species in India, finds a safe shelter in this park. These birds eat practically everything, from cereals and berries to grasshoppers and Locusts. Other birds found in this park are Sand Grouse, Partridges, Bee Eaters, Larks, Shrikes, Harriers, Falcons, Buzzards, Kestrel, Vultures, Short-toed Eagles, Tawny Eagles, Spotted Eagles and Lagger. Demoiselle Cranes and Houbaraflock to this park in the winter months.   Things to Do   Jeep Safari - This enables visitors to explore a wider area of the park in relatively short span of time. Also, it is highly interesting to see the wide range of flora and fauna from the jeep.   Camping - This is perhaps the best way to enjoy the wildlife of the park. However, visitors must take into consideration the fragile nature of the park and thus refrain from causing any sort of harm to it.   Sitamata Sanctuary :   In forest of bamboo and dry deciduous vegetation.108 km from Udaipur, the forested Sanctuary provides rich pastures for a variety of Deer that includes the Chousingha and for Caracal wild Boar, Pangolin and Leopards.   Just beyond Kota, along the banks of the river Chambal all the way to its confluence with the Jamuna, this is where the waters are rich with gharial crocodiles for which it is a breeding centre.   Just beyond Kota, along the banks of the river Chambal all the way to its confluence with the Jamuna, this is where the waters are rich with gharial crocodiles for which it is a breeding centre.   Keoladeo Ghana National Park :   Location :   The Bharatpur National Park is located in the Bharatpur city of Rajasthan, India.   About Bharatpur National Park :   Officially known as the Keoladeo Ghana National Park, the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary occupies an area of 29 sq km. The park was initially created by the Maharaja of Bharatpur in the 19th century as he desired to save his town from the calamitous flood water. The dam he built left back a depression which was later converted into Bharatpur Lake. The lake served as a hunting preserve for the Maharaja for quiet sometime before it was finally declared a National Park in the year 1982. It gained the status of the World Heritage Site in the year 1985.   The name Keoladeo Ghana National Park draws its name from an ancient Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva which is located in the park area itself, Keoladeo. The term Ghana indicates the thickness of the forest which earlier used to occupy the region.   Visitors require to get an entry permit from the warden at the entrance of the park. Separate payments have to be made for carrying cameras and other photographic equipments.