Why in News
The number of big cats in Rajasthan’s Sariska Tiger Reserve has increased to 40 with the recent sighting of five new cubs
There were no tigers left in Sariska in 2005.
To revive the tiger population there, a tiger rehabilitation programme was started in 2008 by bringing two tigers and tigresses from the Ranthambore National Park in Sawai Madhopur district
After the rehabilitation of tigers in 2008, tigress ‘ST 12’ gave birth for the first time now
Sariska Tiger Reserve
Sariska Tiger Reserve is located in Aravali hills and forms a part of the Alwar District of Rajasthan.
It was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1955 and was declared a tiger reserve later in 1978, making it a part of India's Project Tiger.
It encompasses ruined temples, forts, pavilions and a palace.
Kankarwadi Fort is located in the centre of the reserve.
It is said that Mughal emperor Aurangzeb had imprisoned his brother Dara Shikoh at this fort in the struggle for succession to the throne.
It also houses a famous temple of lord Hanuman at Pandupole related to Pandavas.
Flora and Fauna:
It is characterised by rocky landscapes, arid scrub-thorn forests, grasslands, cliffs, and semi-deciduous forests.
It is dominated by dhok trees, salar, kadaya, gol, ber, banyan, gugal, bamboo, kair, etc.
It also supports a diverse array of other animals such as Royal Bengal Tiger, leopards, sambhar, chital, nilgai, four-horned antelope, wild boar, hyenas, and jungle cats.
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