Sariska Tiger Reserve

About Sariska Tiger Reserve:

• Location: It is located in the Aravalli hills in the Alwar district of Rajasthan state. 
• This area was a hunting preserve of the erstwhile Alwar state.
• It was declared as a wildlife reserve in 1955 and then a Tiger Reserve in 1978 under Project Tiger. 
• It is the first reserve in the world which successfully relocated tigers.
• Sariska is also famous for old temples, palaces and lakes such as Pandu Pol, Bhangarh Fort, Ajaibgarh, Pratapgarh, Siliserh Lake and Jai Samand Lake.
• Topography: Grasslands, dry deciduous forests, cliffs, and rocky landscapes.
• Flora:  salar, kadaya , dhak, gol , ber , Banyan, gugal , bamboo, kair , adusta etc
• Fauna: Bengal tigers, leopard, jungle cat, Indian jackal, chital, chinkara, four-horned antelope, Indian peafowl, grey partridge, Indian peafowl,  Indian eagle-owl etc.

Sloth Bear:

• Sloth bears are one of the eight bear species found across the world.
• Scientific name: Melursus ursinus
• Distribution: They mainly inhabit the region of India, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bhutan.
• Features: 
  • They have long, shaggy dark brown or black fur and curved claws, which are the longest out of any of the bear species. 
  • It feeds on fruits, ants and termites. 
• Conservation Status:
  • IUCN: “Vulnerable”
  • Indian Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule 1

 

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Q1) When was Project Tiger launched?

The Govt. of India had launched “Project Tiger” on 1st April 1973 to promote conservation of the tiger. Project Tiger has been the largest species conservation initiative of its kind in the world.

Source: Pair of sloth bears to be shifted to Sariska