Sariska’s unbelievable tiger comeback, and what makes this tiger reserve special

Sariska Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan holds immense significance in India’s wildlife conservation efforts. Once a thriving habitat for tigers, it gained national and international attention when all its tigers vanished due to poaching. This crisis led to the first-ever tiger relocation programme in India, making Sariska an important case study in conservation history. Here’s why Sariska is crucial:

Sariska became the first wildlife reserve in India to witness an ambitious tiger relocation programme. In the early 2000s, it was discovered that not a single tiger remained in the park, primarily due to rampant poaching. This shocking revelation led to a pioneering initiative in 2008, where tigers from Ranthambore National Park were translocated to Sariska. This effort was a significant step in wildlife conservation. Today, Sariska has a small but growing population of tigers, proving that relocation can help revive lost ecosystems.

Sariska’s complete loss of its tiger population in the early 2000s was a stark reminder of the failures in wildlife protection. Despite being a designated tiger reserve under Project Tiger, weak law enforcement, lack of monitoring, and illegal poaching led to the extinction of tigers in the park. The crisis highlighted loopholes that were present in conservation policies. It pushed authorities to implement stricter anti-poaching measures.

Sariska was among the first reserves selected under Project Tiger in 1978, a national initiative aimed at protecting the endangered species. It was understood that Sariska was ecologically important, and the government did everything it could to conserve wildlife.

The reserve has fewer tigers as compared to other tiger reserves in the country so spotting them may be a bit difficult. However, the park is also home to leopards, striped hyenas, jackals, sambar deer, chinkaras (Indian gazelles), nilgai (blue bulls), wild boars, and langurs, and they make for incredible wildlife experience.

The Neelkanth Mahadev Temple, dating back to the 6th-10th centuries, is one of the most famous landmarks. The ruins of the Kankwari Fort, which once served as a Mughal-era prison for Emperor Aurangzeb’s brother, add to the historical appeal of the park.

Sariska is located within the Aravalli Hills, one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world, and surely the oldest in India. The reserve plays a crucial role in preserving the biodiversity of the Aravalli landscape, which is under threat due to deforestation and mining.

Sariska’s fascinating history, from losing its tigers to becoming the first site for a successful relocation, attracts wildlife enthusiasts, researchers, and tourists. The reserve plays an important role in promoting ecotourism and raising awareness about tiger conservation