Sariska Tiger Reserve

• 31 Mar 2022

Why in News?

• Recently, a massive fire broke out inside the Sariska Tiger Reserve (Rajasthan). The fire spread and destroyed around 10 sq km of forests despite timely satellite warnings and the availability of a real-time mobile application-based fire response system.
  
  • The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) warned in its annual Frontiers report released in February 2022 that wildfires — a natural phenomenon — have become more dangerous and now affect larger areas.
  • A total of 381 forest fires have been reported in India by 30th March, 2022, according to the Forest Survey of India. Madhya Pradesh has recorded the highest number of fires at 133.
  • The fire began because of dry grass, leaves and plants because of reasons unknown to the park authorities.

What are the Key Features of Sariska Tiger Reserve?

• About:
  
  • Sariska Tiger Reserve is located in Aravali hills and forms a part of the Alwar District of Rajasthan.
  • Sariska was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1955 and was declared the tiger reserve later in 1978, making it a part of India's Project Tiger.
  • The Reserve houses ruined temples, forts, pavilions and a palace.
    
    • Kankarwadi fort is located in the centre of the Reserve and it is said that Mughal emperor Aurangzeb had imprisoned his brother Dara Shikoh at this fort in struggle for succession to the throne.
    • The Reserve also houses a famous temple of lord Hanuman at Pandupole related to Pandavas.
• Flora and Fauna:
  
  • The Reserve is immensely rich in flora and fauna, and is famous for Royal Bengal Tiger.
  • The park has populations of leopards, Nilgai, Sambar, chital etc.

What are the other Protected Areas of Rajasthan?

• Desert National Park, Jaisalmer
• Keoladeo National Park, Bharatpur
• Ranthambore National Park
• Sajjangarh wildlife sanctuary, Udaipur
• National Chambal Sanctuary (on tri-junction of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh).
• Recently, the Ramgarh Vishdhari wildlife sanctuary received a nod from the National Tiger Conservation Authority’s (NTCA) technical committee to become the 4^th Tiger reserve of Rajasthan.

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)

Q. Consider the following pairs: (2014)

1. Dampa Tiger Reserve : Mizoram
2. Gumti Wildlife Sanctuary : Sikkim
3. Saramati Peak : Nagaland

Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: (c)

EXP:

• Dampa Tiger Reserve cum Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in Western Mizoram. Hence, pair 1 is correctly matched.
• Gumti Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in the southeast corner of Tripura. Hence, pair 2 is not correctly matched.
• Having an altitude of 3841 m, Saramati is the highest peak in the State of Nagaland. The peak is located on the Nagaland-Myanmar border. Hence, pair 3 is correctly matched.
• Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

Q. In which one of the following States is Pakhui Wildlife Sanctuary located? (2018)

(a) Arunachal Pradesh
(b) Manipur
(c) Meghalaya
(d) Nagaland

Ans: (a)

Exp:

• Pakhui Wildlife Sanctuary lies in the foothills of the Eastern Himalaya in the East Kameng District of Arunachal Pradesh.

Source: TH