Sariska National Park is one of the most celebrated tiger reserves of India with its own specific flora and fauna which attracts wildlife tourists from all over the world. When it comes to the flora and fauna of a reserve forest, let’s start with the flora first and we will end with fauna as this is what makes people visit here often.

Flora in Sariska Forest Area

Sharp cliffs of hills and narrow valleys of the Aravallis dominate the landscape of Sariska. The captivating natural surroundings of the forest of Sariska and the tranquility here are profoundly relaxing and delightful for the mind. The combination of the lush green region and the scattered shrubbery in the desert region makes this land a different and unique site for nature enthusiasts. It is estimated that there are nearly 300 species of vegetation found in and around the Sariska reserve forest.

The most dominant plant of all the plant species of the Sariska National Park is the ‘Dhok’, also known as the biological name of Anogeissus pendula. Nearly 90 % of the area of the sanctuary is covered with dhok trees. This tree has a height of up to 10 to 15 meters and its leaves and fruits are a major part of foods for the animals such as Sambhar Deer, Spotted Deer, and Nilgai. The Dhok tree can also grow in the shallow soil as compared to other trees grow in the park but has limited growth and is small in height as equaled to other trees like Palm and Neem.

Other than the Dhok tree, the other primary trees of this park are Palm(Arecaceae), Pipal (Ficus religiosa),  Banyan (Ficus bengalensis), and Neem (Azadirachta Indica). These trees have religious and medical values as well. The fruit trees which are prominently found in the Sariska are the Mango(Magnifera indica), Tamarind (Tamarindicus indica) also known as Imli, Jamun (Syzygium cumini) also known as the Indian blackberry, and Ber (Zizyphus mauritania). “Sacred Tree” (Butea monosperma), is also known as “The flame of the forest” because of its bright orange-red color flame shaped flowers on it, which increases the beauty of the landscape and presents a phenomenal site.

Apart from these prominent trees, a few other flora which is found in the park are the Babul (Accasia nilotica), Gum (Sterculia urens), Gurjan (Lannea coromandelica), Kadam (Authocephalus cadamba), Khair (Accacia catechu), Khajur (Phoenix sylvestris), Kakera (Flacourtia indica), Karel (Capparis decidua), Khimi (Manilkara hexandra), Kikar (Acacia nilotica), Mahua (Madhuca indica), Salar (Boswellia serrata), Kulu (Sterculia urens), Ronj (Acacia leucophloea), Tendu (Diospyrous melanoxylon) and others. Lotus and water lilies are the prime aquatic flowers found in the lakes and water anicuts of Sariska  National Park and the edges of the lakes are draped with Khus grass.

Sharp cliffs of hills and narrow valleys of the Aravallis dominate the landscape of Sariska and its vegetation runs with the help of rivers like ruparel, natni ka bara and encompasses many perennial lakes like Siliserh Lake, slender river streams, and some waterfalls.

A tour to Sariska national park will offer you the unmatched experience in totality with the rich variety of flora and fauna found here. With its diurnal tigers, the Sariska National Park is the most famous tiger reserve in India among tiger lovers.

Fauna in Sariska Forest Area

Obviously, the majestic Tiger is the prime and most coveted mammal of this Sariska national park, which is also the apex predator of this region and comes first in the food chain of the Sariska forest. Though the tiger is known to be a nocturnal and solitary predator and a master of stealth hunting skills, tigers of the Sariska tiger reserve are diurnal in nature due to which they are easily visible in the daytime making it one of the most visited reserve forests by tiger lovers.

Apart from the tiger, other big cats of the Sariska National park are Leopard, Desert cat, Caracal, Fishing cat and Jungle cat, and rusty-spotted cat (smallest cat of the world). Although the park is the accommodation for many other big cats, still the land is ruled by the Royal Bengal Tiger. This forest also provides food and shelter to large predators like Jackal, Striped Hyena, Desert fox, Palm civet, crocodile, common mongoose, python, and many others. There are many other herbivorous animals that are found in a very large quantity in these areas, such as Sambhar deer, the spotted deer (chital), Four-horned Antelope(Chosinga), and the Bluebull (Nilgai ).

Therefore, other than the Royal Bengal Tiger (due to which Sariska National Park is mostly toured), watching the beauty and robustness of other animals also are equally enjoyable. Whether it’s the majestic Tiger on a kill or the sight of huge crocodiles basking around the lake or beautiful sported deer roaming around in the grass field, all these scenes will fill your mind and heart with delight. A lot of rare bird species are found in Sariska National Park which makes this place a paradise for bird watching. There are almost 300 species of resident and migrated birds found in the Sariska forest. Few of them are Peafowl (the largest population density in India) Grey partridge, Painted spurfowl, Bush Quail, Sand Grouse, Rufous Treepie, Golden-backed Woodpecker, Crested Serpent Eagle, Crested Serpent Eagle, Oriental honey buzzard, Shikra, Short-toed snake eagle, Indian eagle-owl, Dusky eagle owl, brown fish owl, Indian scops owl and Paradise flycatcher, Golden oriole, Indian pitta also migrate in large numbers.