Location: Uttarakhand Map
Area: 820 km2
Rajaji National Park is a prominent protected area in northern India, renowned as a biodiversity hotspot and a critical refuge for endangered species in the Shivalik Himalayan foothills. Spanning approximately 820 square kilometers (with some sources noting an expanded area of 1,076 square kilometers including buffer zones), it lies across the districts of Haridwar, Dehradun, and Pauri Garhwal in Uttarakhand. Established in 1983 by merging three wildlife sanctuaries—Chilla, Motichur, and Rajaji—the park was named after C. Rajagopalachari, India's last Governor-General and a freedom fighter. It serves as the northwestern limit for Asian elephants and Bengal tigers in India, forming part of the Terai Arc Landscape and the larger Rajaji-Corbett Tiger Conservation Unit, which covers about 7,500 square kilometers. Designated as the Shivalik Elephant Reserve in 2002 and the 48th Tiger Reserve in India in 2015 (Uttarakhand's second), the park emphasizes conservation of flagship species amid a mosaic of habitats. As of 2025, it continues to attract eco-tourists, researchers, and conservationists for its role in protecting the Indo-Gangetic Plains' ecosystems, though it faces ongoing challenges from human pressures. The park is closed during the monsoon (July to September) and open from mid-November to mid-June, with peak visitation aligning with wildlife sightings.
Rajaji National Park is situated at the confluence of the Shivalik range and the Indo-Gangetic Plains, forming a transitional zone between the western and central Himalayas. Its coordinates center around 29°58′ to 30°31′N latitude and 77°52′ to 78°22′E longitude, with altitudes ranging from 300 to 1,350 meters above sea level. The terrain features diverse landscapes, including dense sal forests, open grasslands, riverine vegetation, rocky outcrops, and undulating hills. Perennial rivers such as the Ganga (flowing for about 24 kilometers through the park), Song, and Suswa traverse the area, creating riparian zones and supporting seasonal wetlands. The park falls under the tropical moist and dry deciduous forest biome in the upper Gangetic Plains biogeographical zone, with sandy soils and fossil riverbeds enhancing habitat variety. This geography facilitates wildlife corridors connecting to Corbett National Park to the east, crucial for species migration. The park's location near urban centers like Haridwar and Dehradun integrates it into broader conservation networks but also exposes it to fragmentation from infrastructure like highways and railways.
The park experiences a subtropical climate with three distinct seasons: hot summers (April to June), a wet monsoon (July to September), and mild winters (October to March). Summer temperatures often exceed 40°C during the day, with lows around 25°C, leading to dry conditions that concentrate wildlife around water sources. The monsoon brings heavy rainfall averaging 2,000–2,500 millimeters annually, causing lush vegetation growth but also park closures due to flooding and impassable roads. Winters are cooler, with daytime highs of 20–25°C and nights dropping to 5–10°C, ideal for birdwatching as migratory species arrive. Humidity varies from 30% in summer to over 80% during rains, and occasional fog or frost occurs in winter. As of 2025, climate change has intensified erratic rainfall patterns and heatwaves, potentially affecting migratory bird arrivals and increasing wildfire risks in drier periods.
The origins of Rajaji National Park trace back to colonial-era forest reserves, but its formal establishment occurred in 1983 under India's Wildlife Protection Act, amalgamating the Chilla (established 1977), Motichur (1964), and Rajaji (1948) sanctuaries to protect Asian elephants amid declining populations. Delays in settling local rights postponed final notification until 2013. In 2002, it was declared the Shivalik Elephant Reserve under Project Elephant, covering 5,405 square kilometers to enhance management. By 2015, it gained Tiger Reserve status under Project Tiger, reflecting growing tiger numbers and the need for integrated conservation. Historical human presence includes nomadic Gujjar pastoralists, whose relocation began in the 1980s to reduce grazing pressures. The park's evolution highlights India's shift toward community-inclusive wildlife protection, with milestones like the 2015 tiger census estimating a stable population. As of 2025, it remains a model for transboundary conservation, linking with Corbett via corridors despite infrastructure hurdles.
Rajaji National Park boasts exceptional biodiversity, serving as
a vital ecosystem in the Shivalik range with over 800 plant species
and a wide array of animals.
Flora
The vegetation is
dominated by tropical moist and dry deciduous forests, featuring sal
(Shorea robusta) as the primary species, alongside Mallotus
philippinensis (kamala), Dalbergia sissoo (Indian rosewood), Acacia
catechu, and Bombax ceiba. Riverine areas support grasslands with
species like Saccharum spontaneum and Vetiveria zizanioides, while
higher elevations host subtropical pine forests with Pinus
roxburghii. Rare flora includes orchids, ferns, and aquatic plants
from the Nymphaeaceae family, contributing to the park's role as a
carbon sink and habitat stabilizer.
Fauna
Mammals number
around 49 species, with the Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) as the
flagship, maintaining a population of about 300–470 individuals with
a healthy sex ratio. Other key mammals include Bengal tigers
(Panthera tigris tigris, estimated 15–37), leopards (Panthera
pardus), sloth bears (Melursus ursinus), Himalayan black bears
(Ursus thibetanus), striped hyenas (Hyaena hyaena), barking deer
(Muntiacus muntjak), goral (Naemorhedus goral), sambar (Rusa
unicolor), spotted deer (Axis axis), wild boars (Sus scrofa), and
smaller species like porcupines and Indian hares. Reptiles encompass
28 snake species, including king cobras (Ophiophagus hannah) and
Indian pythons (Python molurus), alongside 12 turtles/tortoises,
nine lizards, and 10 amphibians. Fish diversity stands at 49 species
in the rivers.
Avifauna
Over 300 bird species inhabit the
park, making it a prime birdwatching site. Residents include great
hornbills (Buceros bicornis), pied kingfishers (Ceryle rudis),
fire-tailed sunbirds (Aethopyga ignicauda), and Old World orioles.
Winter migrants from mid-October, such as Pallas's fish eagles
(Haliaeetus leucoryphus), bar-headed geese (Anser indicus), and
various waterfowl, add to the diversity. The park's wetlands and
forests support both resident and migratory populations, though
climate change poses risks to arrival patterns.
Conservation in Rajaji focuses on habitat protection and community involvement. Key initiatives include anti-poaching squads, GPS tracking of elephants and tigers, and equine patrols with local villagers for surveillance. The Gujjar rehabilitation program, ongoing since the 1980s, has relocated about 98% of pastoralist families to areas like Pathri and Gaindikhatta, reducing grazing and human settlements in seven of nine forest ranges. Wildlife corridors, such as Motichur-Kansrao and Motichur-Gohri, are secured with infrastructure like four flyovers (each 0.5 km) over highways to aid animal crossings. Eco-development committees promote green livelihoods and eco-tourism, while collaborations with NGOs and research institutions support habitat restoration and conflict mitigation. As a Tiger and Elephant Reserve, it benefits from national projects like Project Tiger and Project Elephant, emphasizing sustainable management. As of 2025, these efforts have stabilized elephant populations and improved tiger connectivity with Corbett.
Despite successes, the park faces significant threats. Habitat fragmentation from highways (e.g., Haridwar-Dehradun), railways, and canals disrupts wildlife movement, particularly for elephants and tigers in the southwestern Motichur region, leading to isolation and genetic bottlenecks. Poaching for ivory, skins, and bushmeat persists, though reduced by patrols. Human-wildlife conflicts, including crop raids by elephants and livestock attacks by leopards, result in retaliatory killings and economic losses for locals. Encroachment from expanding settlements, developmental projects, and climate change—altering rainfall and bird migrations—exacerbate issues. Invasive species, wildfires, and tourism pressures (e.g., litter and disturbance) add to vulnerabilities. In Motichur, proximity to Haridwar heightens conflicts and illegal activities. As of 2025, assessments highlight the need for better corridor connectivity to counter these challenges.
Tourism in Rajaji emphasizes eco-friendly experiences, with visitor numbers rising from 5,800 in 2000–2001 to over 45,000 in 2015–2016, generating substantial revenue. Key activities include jeep safaris (2.5–3 hours, dawn/dusk for optimal sightings) in zones like Chilla (elephants), Motichur (tigers), Gohri, Ranipur, and Jhilmil Jheel (wetlands). Nature walks, guided treks, birdwatching expeditions, and photography tours explore diverse terrains. River rafting on the Ganga and night safaris for nocturnal species like leopards add adventure. Forest rest houses and camps provide overnight stays, while educational programs for children focus on conservation. Entry gates include Chilla, Motichur, and Ranipur; permits are required, with fees around ₹1,000–2,000 for safaris. The park operates from mid-November to mid-June, with summer (April–June) best for mammal sightings and winter (November–February) for birds. As of 2025, sustainable practices like limited vehicle access and community-guided tours mitigate impacts, making it a must-visit for wildlife enthusiasts near Rishikesh and Haridwar.