Sariska Tiger Reserve

Context : Plan to redraw the boundaries of the Sariska Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan to revive over 50 mining operations

Sariska Tiger Reserve :

• Location: Alwar district, Rajasthan, India

• Total Area: 1203.34 km² (881 km² core + 322.23 km² buffer)

• Forest Types: Tropical dry deciduous, tropical thorn, grasslands, scrub-thorn forests

• Elevation: 300–722 m

• Rainfall: ~700 mm annually

• Part of: Aravalli Range, Khathiar-Gir dry deciduous ecoregion

• Declared:

  • Wildlife Sanctuary in 1958

  • Tiger Reserve under Project Tiger in 1978

  • National Park in 1982 (area: 273.8 km²)

• Ecological Importance: First reserve in the world with successfully relocated tigers; part of Northern Aravalli leopard and wildlife corridor

Flora

• Forest Type:

  • Northern Tropical Dry Deciduous Forests

  • Northern Tropical Thorn Forests

• Dominant Tree: Dhok (Anogeissus pendula) – covers 40% of forest area

• Other Important Species:

  • Boswellia serrata (Indian frankincense or Salar)

  • Lannea coromandelica (Garjan or Indian ash tree)

  • Acacia catechu (Black cutch)

  • Bamboo, Ber, Arjun, Khair, etc.

• Vegetation varies by terrain and soil type — rocky, plateau, and valley zones

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Fauna

Large Carnivores:

• Bengal tiger (flagship species)

• Indian leopard

• Striped hyena

• Caracal, Jungle cat, Ratel (honey badger)

Large Herbivores:

• Sambar deer, Spotted deer (Chital)

• Nilgai (blue bull) – commonly seen near villages

• Four-horned antelope, Wild boar

Small Mammals:

• Common langur, Rhesus macaque

• Ruddy mongoose, Indian civet, Porcupine, Pangolin, Indian hare

Birds:

• High peafowl density

• Grey francolin, Aravalli red spurfowl, painted spurfowl

• Great horned owl, white-rumped vulture, Indian cuckoo, sandgrouse, Indian pitta

• Also home to winter migrant species

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Ecological Threats

• Rich in minerals (esp. copper and marble)

• Despite a 1991 Supreme Court ban, illegal mining continues in and around the reserve

• Tourism pressure from religious sites like Pandupol Hanuman Temple

• Road diversion and human settlements inside the core zone remain unresolved

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Notable Places 

• Kankwari Fort – 16th-century structure in reserve center

• Sariska Palace – Former royal hunting lodge

• Neelkanth Temple, Pandupol Hanuman Temple

• Viratnagar – Ancient Buddhist monastery ruins (3rd century BCE)