Interesting book on Sariska Tiger Reserve launched

Sariska: The Tiger Reserve Roars Again, a book authored on first-hand experience by Sunayan Sharma was recently released at the WWF India Auditorium, New Delhi. Published by Niyogi Books, the book was launched by VP Singh, member of parliament, Rajya Sabha and WWF India secretary general and CEO Ravi Singh.

One of the most famous national parks in India, especially for its tigers, Sariska, in Rajasthan, had lost every single one of its tiger population to poachers a decade ago. The revelation was devastating sending shock waves not only throughout India but also abroad. After much discussions, apprehensions, arguments, legal battles, and interference of the prime minister, a few tigers were shifted from Ranthambhore to Sariska.

This was the first such experiment anywhere in the world which turned out to be a grand success. Sariska has now more than a dozen tigers. This and several other such interesting experiments are discussed in this book by the one who was directly involved in these developments. The author, then field director of Sariska, describes these first-hand experiences in a most thrilling and revealing manner. The challenges faced by the author, fighting with the mining mafia on creating water holes for the wild animals, strengthening check posts to stop poaching, confrontations with villagers and local politicians, and so on are described in detail.

The book, with more than 150 photographs, portraying rich, natural, archaeological and cultural history of Sariska, will doubtlessly be a valuable addition to the existing thin wildlife literature. This will be a valuable possession for not only wildlife lovers and administrators, especially of national parks, but also for environmental and social organisations, NGOs as well as students.