15 stunning facts about Rajaji National Park in Uttarakhand

Rajaji National Park, named after C. Rajagopalachari (Rajaji), is situated in the state of Uttarakhand, India. It is spread across an area of about 820 square kilometers and spans three districts: Haridwar, Dehradun, and Pauri Garhwal.

Started

Established in 1983, Rajaji National Park is known for its rich biodiversity and is home to various flora and fauna. The park is a unique amalgamation of three wildlife sanctuaries, namely Rajaji, Motichur, and Chilla.

The park is known for its diverse range of wildlife, including Asian elephants, tigers, leopards, gharials, pythons, various species of deer, and numerous bird species. The forest cover is dominated by deciduous vegetation, with Sal trees being the prominent species.

Wildlife in Rajaji

Apart from wildlife, the National Park offers various recreational activities for visitors, such as wildlife safari, bird watching, nature trails, and camping. The park serves as an important ecological corridor, connecting the Shivalik and Himalayan ecosystems.

The National Park is not only significant for conservation but also has historical importance as it served as the refuge for Mahatma Gandhi during the Indian freedom struggle. His ashram, known as the Sabarmati Ashram, is located in the Motichur area of the park and is open to visitors.

Overall, the National Park is a must-visit destination for nature lovers, wildlife enthusiasts, and those seeking to explore the natural beauty and tranquility of Uttarakhand.

Facts

1. Rajaji National Park is located near the foothills of the Himalayas in Uttarakhand, India.

2. The National Park was established in the year 1983 by combining three wildlife sanctuaries named Chilla, Motichur and Rajaji.

3. The National Park is spread over 820 sq kms in three districts of Uttarakhand: (Haridwar, Dehradun and Pauri Garhwal).

4. The National Park has been named after C. Rajagopalachari (Rajaji), a freedom fighter and last Governor-General of independent India.

5. The National Park got final approval as a tiger reserve park on 15 April 2015.

6. The National Park is the second largest tiger national reserve park after the famous Jim Corbett National Park.

7. The park is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, including over 300 species of birds, 50 species of mammals, and numerous species of reptiles, amphibians, and fish.

8. The National Park boasts an enriched fossil trail from ancient history and is considered to be at least 10 million years old.

9. The Best time to visit Rajaji National Park is from November to June. The park is closed during the monsoon. So it is not a good idea to plan a trip here during the rainy season.

10. Activities to do in the National Park are enjoy the National Park Jungle Safari, tour the famous tiger park, explore the scenic Chilla Barrage, marvel at diverse flora and fauna at Jhilmil Jheel, witness rare bird species, enjoy rafting in the Ganges and many more.

11. Some of the more notable animals that can be found in the National Park include tigers, leopards, elephants, sloth bears, and Indian gaur (a type of bison).

12. The most prominent avian species include pea fowl, vultures, woodpeckers, pheasants, kingfishers and barbets in Rajaji National Park.

13. The famous Migratory Birds in Rajaji National Park are Larger Cormorant, Ruddy Shelduck, Red Crested Pochard, Common Pochard, Tufted Duck, Pintail, Gadwall, Mallard, etc.

14. Flora like “Rohini Mallotus Philippensis, Amaltas Cassia Fistula, Shisham Dalbergia Sissoo, Sal Shorea Robusta, Palash Butea Monosperma, Arjun Terminalia Arjuna, Khair Senegalia Catechu, Baans Dendrocalamus, Semul Bombax Ceiba, Sandan ect. are found in Rajaji National Park.

15. Rajaji National Park in the Shivalik hills is also famous for its Elephant population.