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SARISKA TIGER RESERVE, ALWAR, RAJASTHAN

Sariska Tiger Reserve is a national park where you will find a perfect intermingling of nature. It contains mountains, grasslands, dry deciduous forests and cliffs which span over 800 square kilometres. Situated in Alwar, the Tiger Reserve is nestled in the lap of Aravali hills. Currently home to numerous animals apart from tigers, the reserve showcases nature in its best form. Animals like jungle cats, rhesus macaque, sambhar, chital, wild boar, etc., are found here. Not only animals, you get to see a number of bird species, such as sand grouse, harbor quails, crested serpent eagles, etc. here as well. If you are planning a visit, here’s what you can do when you are here

Sariska, now a tiger reserve and national park, was initially a hunting ground for the royal family of Alwar before becoming a wildlife sanctuary in 1958 and a tiger reserve in 1978.

Here’s a more detailed look at the history of Sariska:

Royal Hunting Grounds:
Before India’s independence, Sariska served as a hunting ground for the royal family of Alwar, who would invite high-ranking British officials for hunting.
Establishment as a Wildlife Reserve:
After independence, the Government of India declared Sariska a wildlife reserve in 1955.
Wildlife Sanctuary and Tiger Reserve:
In 1958, Sariska was declared a wildlife sanctuary, and later, in 1978, it was designated a tiger reserve as part of India’s Project Tiger initiative.
National Park Status:
In 1979, Sariska was granted the status of a national park.
Tiger Extinction and Relocation:
In 2005, tigers became extinct in Sariska due to poaching. To revive the tiger population, tigers were relocated from Ranthambore National Park in 2008 and 2009, and by 2012, tiger cubs were spotted in the reserve.
Historical Significance:
Sariska is also rich in history, with ancient temples and historical landmarks, including the 17th-century Kankwari Fort and the ruins of the ancient 11th-century Garh-Rajor temples.
Current Status:
Sariska Tiger Reserve is a protected area of 800 sq. km, cradled in the valley of the Aravalli Range, and is known for its diverse flora and fauna, including the Royal Bengal Tiger.
As of 1 June 2025, the number of tigers in Sariska Tiger Reserve has increased to 49 (including cubs).

How did Sariska get its name?
The Sariska reserve is named after the tree called ‘Shirish’ (Albizia Bach) which bears beautiful ‘powder-powder’ yellow flowers that develop into fruit pods. The trees have many medicinal properties as the leaves, seeds and flowers are used in anti-allergic medicines. The reserve has many valleys and during the safari, when the wind blows on the face, you can enjoy the panoramic views here, especially at sunrise and sunset. There are long grasslands between the cliffs and rocks, which offer a great hiding place for predators like tigers, where they hunt sambar deer, spotted deer and nilgai. The combined population of deer and antelopes is around 20,000, which can be seen frequently at any time of the day. Other animals you can spot include the grey langur, Indian boar, striped hyena, red and grey mongoose, golden jackal, wild cat and of course, the vultures which are in the volcano in Sariska and the prototype population is 220.