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SARISKA ATTRACTIONS Cradled in the northern section of the rugged Aravalli Hills of Alwar, Rajasthan, the emerald forests of Sariska stand out amidst a dry and austere landscape. Justifiably called the Jewel of the Aravallis, apart from its legendary wildlife, Sariska is a water reserve of unparalleled importance to the state. This wilderness has been protected for many years now, thanks to the farsightedness of Maharaja Jai Singh of Alwar. This was originally his hunting preserve. Tiger hunts have been recorded here in meticulous detail, but the area was better known as a place of pilgrimage with Shiva temples dating back to the 10th and 12th centuries. Very little rain (650 mm) falls each year over the hills of Sariska, yet it has several perennial water sources that in turn, support an impressive number of herbivores including wild boar, chital, sambar, nilgai and chinkara. The diversity of birds here surprises most ornithologists and some suggest that the deforestation of the surrounding habitats is one possible reason for the higher densities of waterfowl, partridge and peafowl. As one of the last surviving forested tracts of its kind, Sariska is currently a bitter battleground between environmentalists who wish to protect its biodiversity and developers who wish to exploit its mineral wealth. Old timers relate some astounding observations including one almost unbelievable incident when a chital fawn was killed and eaten by a wild boar! To popularise wildlife viewing the authorities once used to arrange `tiger-shows' which involved tying buffalo calves as bait, but this was fortunately stopped, and today wildlife viewing is more natural and rewarding. The management patrols the forest and uses wireless communications to counter poaching and other forest offences. Several waterholes have been constructed and extensive work has been undertaken to conserve both soil and moisture throughout the reserve. This, combined with nature's ability to renew itself, has resulted in a remarkable regeneration of natural flora and fauna over a span of two decades, but lack of political support in recent times threatens Sariska's biodiversity. Terrain Sariska appears like a wooded valley surrounded by barren mountains and sharp cliffs. Located around 107 km from Jaipur, this densely forested tiger reserve extends across an area of 866 sq km. It is covered by predominantly open, dry-deciduous vegetation that alternates with scrub and thorn. Just like Ranthambhore, this vegetation is ideal tiger habitat. Apart from Acacia and bamboo forests that grow along the dry, arid lower slopes and along its steeper valleys, Sariska is also clothed by dhok, salai, ber and tendu, jamun, arjun and bahera trees. Dhok is the principal tree species and covers about 90 per cent of the entire area. A variety of grasses and shrubs are also found. The beautiful Siliserh lake runs along the edge of the reserve History Crumbling forts and temples lie strewn about in the dry deciduous forests of the Sariska Tiger Reserve... inanimate reminders of an animated past. It was here in the 17th century, that Aurangzeb, the youngest of Emperor Shah Jahan's four sons, imprisoned their brother Dara Shikoh, in the famous Kankwadi Fort. An intolerant despot, Aurangzeb was fanatically devoted to Islam and took it upon himself to destroy several Hindu places of worship. Yet many temples still stand like sentinels of faith for a conquered people. The imposing temple at Pandupole, believed to have been built by the Pandava brothers during their exile, is still visited by thousands of pilgrims each year, as is the Bharati temple. Others such as Neelkanth (6th -13th century) are in ruins though one of them still attracts Shiva worshipers. Tigers and leopards are sometimes seen amidst the scores of deserted Hindu and Jain temples and outposts that dot the forest. These often serve as daytime refuge for owls, bats porcupines and civets. Nature has recolonised Sariska, thus ratifying Project Tiger's philosophy, that leaving nature strictly alone is the best way towards restoration of health of degraded habitats. The wildlife of Sariska has actually enjoyed a long tradition of protection. In the days of the Raj, when Maharajas still ruled, their abode was set aside as a shikargah, or private hunting preserve, of the house of Alwar. The late Maharaja Jai Singh who built his palace here in 1894, was an avid hunter and many tigers were cold-bloodedly hunted by him or his guests. But as a consequence the forest was mercifully saved from the plough and axe. When the privy purses were abolished, Sariska's worth was recognised by democratic India's new rulers. It was declared a sanctuary in 1955 and a Project Tiger Reserve in 1979. It was declared a National Park in 1982 and now stretches over 866 sq kms with a core area of 497 sq km. Legends In the 17th century Dara Shikoh, the brother of Aurangzeb, was imprisoned in the Kankwadi fort here. History and nature seem to blend well here, as a leopard is believed to haunt the ruins of Kankwadi. |
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