Rajaji National Park in Dehradun, Uttarakhand

History of Rajaji National Park

There are other wildlife sanctuaries nearby like Chilla and Motichur. In the year 1983, these sanctuaries were merged with Rajaji National Park Dehradun. This place was so named after a famous freedom fighter Late Shri C. Rajgopalachari, also known as Rajaji. He was also the first Governor-General of India. Earlier, the park was restricted to just Saharanpur and Haridwar area. In the year 1983, the nearby Chilla and Motichur were merged with the existing area of the national park, thereby making it one of the largest national parks in India.

Rajaji National Park Location

This National Park is situated in the foothills of Shivalik ranges located in the Himalayan foothills. A beautiful representation of the Shivalik eco-system, the park is a place that has conserved the greenery and the wildlife species of the area effectively. The area covers three sanctuaries and Chilla, Motichur, and Rajaji and combines together to form Rajaji National Park. The Motichur and Rajaji sanctuaries share a common border and they are separated by Chilla Sanctuary on their south-east side by the Ganga and Chilla Rivers. Both Motichur and Rajaji sanctuaries lie on the northern side of Shiwalik Ridge. They are dissected by a plethora of ravines carrying water from the main ridge. From here on, the stream flows into the plains becoming broader. For the most part of the year, these streams remain dry. However, they become raging torrents once the monsoons hit Rajaji National Park in Dehradun, Uttarakhand.

The Forest Of Dehradun National Park

The National Park has a dense forest cover. The forest type here is diverse with different kinds of trees. There are trees ranging from semi-evergreen to deciduous and mixed broad-leaved to terai grassland. All of this has been classified as the Indus-Ganges Monsoon Forest type. In many parts of the national park, lofty strands of sal trees dominate the area.

Wildlife at Rajaji National Park Uttarakhand

Rajaji National Park Birds

The National Park is home to many avian species that are usually found in the forested foothills and on open grasslands. The species diversity here is varied because of it being a transition zone between temperate western Himalayas and the central Himalayas. There are about 315 bird species at the park. One can find here many birds including the likes of Greater Scaup, White-naped Woodpecker, Great Hornbill, Black-bellied Tern, Pallas's Fish Eagle, Northern Goshawk, Black-necked Stork, Yellow-billed Blue Magpie, Scaly Thrush, Snowy-browed Flycatcher, Rusty-flanked Treecreeper, Pale-footed Bush Warbler, Tytler's Leaf Warbler, Green Avadavat and Reed Bunting.

Rajaji National Park Animals

There are many animals, fish, and reptiles that roam about the area at Rajaji. There are animals like Cheetah, Barking deer, Sambar deer, Wild Boar, antelopes such as the Nilgai, Goral, and of course the Asian Elephant for which this park is known for. These elephants are protected at the park under the Project Elephant. There are also other animals like the Rhesus Macaque, Hanuman Langur, Indian Hare, and the Indian Porcupine.

There are many reptiles at Rajaji National Park like Pythons, King Cobra, Common Krait, Indian Cobra and the Monitor Lizard. One can find more animals here like Leopard, Jackal, Hyena, Jungle Cat, Leopard Cat, Civets, Himalayan Yellow-Throated Marten Himalayan Black, and Sloth Bears. The Royal Bengal Tigers here are protected under the Project Tiger.