SARISKA TIGER RESERVE - ENVIRONMENT

News: SC halts all mining activities around Sariska Tiger reserve

 

What's in the news?

       Even after 46 years since its designation as a Tiger Reserve, Sariska, one of the initial 12 reserves in the country, still awaits proper land ownership acknowledgment in the state's revenue records.

 

Sariska Tiger Reserve:

       It is situated in the Alwar district of Rajasthan, Sariska Tiger Reserve spans across 800 square kilometers and is nestled within the Aravali Hills.

 

Historical Backdrop:

       Originally a hunting ground for the Maharaja of Alwar, Sariska was designated as a natural reserve in 1955 and later declared a national park in 1979.

 

Conservation Milestone:

       Renowned as the first reserve globally to successfully relocate tigers, Sariska has played a pivotal role in tiger conservation efforts.

 

Tourist Attractions:

       Besides its wildlife, Sariska is renowned for its historical and cultural landmarks, including Pandu Pol, Bhangarh Fort, Ajabgarh, Pratapgarh, Siliserh Lake, and Jai Samand Lake.

 

Topography:

       The reserve boasts a diverse terrain comprising rocky landscapes, scrub thorn arid forests, grasslands, hilly cliffs, and semi-deciduous woodlands.

 

Vegetation:

       Sariska's vegetation primarily consists of Northern Tropical Dry Deciduous Forests and Northern Tropical Thorn Forests, dominated by dhok trees covering approximately 90% of the sanctuary.

       Other species such as salar, kadaya, gol, ber, Banyan, gugal, bamboo, kair, and adusta are also found here.

 

Fauna Diversity:

       In addition to tigers, Sariska Tiger Reserve is home to a rich variety of wildlife, including leopards, sambhar, chital, nilgai, four-horned antelope, wild boar, rhesus macaque, langur, hyena, and jungle cats.