SARISKA TIGER RESERVE (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Env and Eco)

Context: The Central Empowered Committee, mandated by the Supreme Court, has highlighted severe wildlife damage in Rajasthan's Sariska Tiger Reserve caused by unchecked tourism and traffic.

Sariska Tiger Reserve

• About: A prominent wildlife sanctuary and national park located in the Alwar district of Rajasthan, India. The park is a part of the Aravalli Range.
• Establishment:

o Sariska was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1955.

o Later, it was designated as a Tiger Reserve under Project Tiger in 1978.

o The wildlife sanctuary was declared a national park in 1982.

• Vegetation: Dry deciduous forests, thorn scrubs, and grasslands.
• Fauna: Apart from Bengal tigers, Sariska Tiger Reserve is known for its rich biodiversity, including Indian leopards, jungle cats, caracals, sambar deer, chital, nilgai, and a variety of bird species.
• Threat to reserve:

o Animal poaching.

o Marble mining continue to threaten environment.

o Habitat loss due to developmental activities.

Central Empowered Committee Suggestion

• The Central Empowered Committee (CEC) reported that heavy vehicular traffic within Sariska Tiger Reserve is impairing tiger breeding, causing tigers to avoid areas south of the roads leading to the temple.
• The CEC recommended establishing a specialized tiger force, addressing staff shortages, controlling cattle grazing, and relocating villages to enhance conservation efforts in Sariska Tiger Reserve.
• The CEC proposed that the state government explore options like a ropeway, elevated road, motorable twin tunnel, or electric tramway to balance wildlife protection with pilgrimage needs.