Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary Expansion | 14 Nov 2025

Why in News?  

The Government of Rajasthan has expanded the Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary's buffer zone by more than 44,000 hectares, following regulatory review and approval. 

Key Points  

• About The Expansion: 
  • This expanded area is designated as the buffer zone, integrating forest land and revenue land surrounding the core area. 
  • The expansion follows a Supreme Court order that mandated a review of the sanctuary’s Critical Tiger Habitat (CTH) boundaries and connectivity. 
• About Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary: 
  • It is located in Alwar district of Rajasthan, forming part of the Aravalli ranges with dry deciduous forests and rocky terrain. 
  • It was notified as a Wildlife Sanctuary in 1955 and later declared a Tiger Reserve in 1978 under Project Tiger. 
  • It is known for the successful tiger reintroduction programme after local extinction in 2004, with tigers translocated from Ranthambore.It forms a crucial wildlife corridor linking the Sariska–Ranthambore landscape, aiding long-term tiger conservation. 
  • Key wildlife include Bengal tiger, leopard, striped hyena, caracal, sambar, chital, nilgai, wild boar, langur, and rich birdlife. 
  • It also contains ecological features such as valleys, plateaus, and seasonal streams (‘nalas’), along with Siliserh Lake and Mansarovar Lake supporting the habitat. 
  • It houses heritage structures like Kankwari Fort, adding cultural significance.