Understand
The Sariska Tiger Reserve is one of the most famous national parks in India located in the Alwar district of the state of Rajasthan. Originally a hunting preserve of the erstwhile Alwar state, the area was declared a wildlife reserve in 1955. In 1978, it was given the status of a tiger reserve making it a part of India's Project Tiger scheme. The present area of the park is 866 km². The park is situated 107 km from Jaipur and 200 km from Delhi.[1]
Climate
Best time to view the park is from November to March.
Flora and fauna
Some of the wildlife found in the Sariska Tiger Reserve include the Bengal tiger, leopard, jungle cat, hyena, jackal, chital, sambar, caracal, langur, wild boar, four-horned deer chowsingha and several species of birds. The reserve's tiger population nearly disappeared in 2005, however after sustained efforts by Wildlife Institute of India WII and state government of Rajasthan, the crisis was averted. There are no Tigers, currently 2008. However the forests do have Deer - Sambar, Monkeys and Nilgay.
Three tigers were relocated in Sariska from Ranthombor tiger reserve in 2008 & 2009. Two more will be shifted on 4th July 2010.
History
There is an ancient isolated fort in the forest reserve. This fort is said to be built by Aurangzeb to imprison his elder borther Dara Shekoh. The fort is called Kankarwari. The fort is not well maintained but the views are nice and provide breathtaking panaromic view of the valley. It is a steep climb to the top of a hill where the fort is built.
There are the ruins of a temple complex where excavations are still occuring and one of the prominent temples is the Pandupol temple and not the Neelkantha temple, as some people mistake it to be. The ruins date back to a period between 6th and 13th century. The broken yet noble statues lying littered on the grounds tantalisingly tease and will not yield their secrets easily. It is a fascinating place for those that have a passion for romance with the past.