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Rajaji National Park
Location: Uttaranchal, India
Area: 820 sq. km
Major Wildlife Attractions: Tiger, Elephant, Leopard
Best time to visit: December to March
Places to Stay: Forest Rest houses
About Rajaji National Park
Nestled in the lap of the mighty
Himalayas in the abode of God's - Uttaranchal, Rajaji National Park is
situated at the conflux of three districts i.e. Haridwar, Dehradun and
Pauri Garhwal. The park was formed in 1983 when three wildlife
sanctuaries of the area were combined into a single large area
consisting of a myriad variety of flora and fauna.
The flora found in the area is diverse with distinct vegetation zones
that include broadleaved deciduous forests, riverine vegetation and
grasslands along with picturesque forests of pine trees that lend a
unique charm to the environs. The fauna inhabiting the area is equally
diverse with an estimated number of more than 23 species of mammals
and 315 species of birds.
The place has been going through a rough patch lately with some
unwanted publicity in the form of problems like soil erosion and
poaching. Despite all the odds, Rajaji National Park continues to be
one of the prominent national parks in the country and an important
place to observe the flora and fauna of the region.
The park is open for visitors between November and June, while the
best time for a visit is during the cooler months of December to
March. From April onwards, the weather starts getting warm and it can
get a bit sticky and uncomfortable.
Wildlife Attractions in
Rajaji National Park
Rajaji National Park is known for its scenic beauty and rich
biodiversity. The park is blessed with a variety of flora and fauna,
which makes it a paradise for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts.
The place promises a vacation of a lifetime for the tourists where one
can watch a herd of elephants mightily trampling its way through the
thick vegetation and a hidden striped predator, quietly waiting for
its prey.
Prominent among other habitatants of the park are leopard, jungle
cat, Himalayan yellow throated marten, sambar, cheetal, barking deer,
wild boar, sloth bear, langoor, ghoral, monitor lizard, python, civet
and even king-cobra.
The winged residents of the area include pea fowl, jungle fowl,
kaleej pheasant, hornbil, woodpecker, thrushes, kingfishers,
parakeets, warbler, barbet, finch, Indian roller, oriola and a host of
other beautiful avians. The two rivers that criss cross the park are
home to a large number of fish such as Mahaseer, Kalabanse, Goonch,
Chilwa and Trout.
The most convenient way to travel inside the park is in your own four
wheeler, preferably a sturdy vehicle like a jeep. The other
interesting option is to take an Elephant safari. The safaris,
organised by the park authorities, are of two and a half hours
duration and cost between Rs. 50 and 100 per person. Feel the
excitement of watching the wild animals from an elevation as you hold
on to your elephant trampling its way through the uneven terrain.
Best Time to Visit Rajaji National Park
The ideal time to visit the Rajaji National Park is between the
months of December to March (The park remains closed from July to
October).
How to Get there
Air: The Jolly Grant airport at Dehradun is situated only a
few kilometres from the northern boundary of the park. Air Deccan
flies from Delhi daily at 10:55, 11:00, 13:20 and 14:00
Rail: Haridwar and Dehradun are the two most convenient
railheads situated near the park. Buses and taxis are easily available
to reach the park from both these places. Daily trains ply to Haridwar
from Delhi, Mussoorie Exp. (22:15), Dehradun Exp. (7:40), Haridwar
Mail (5:50) & Utkal Exp. (14:20) from Mumbai, Dehradun Exp.
(22:25) and Chennai, Dehradun Exp. (8:30, Thu)
Road: The park can be accessed from the Dehradun-Delhi highway
which runs along its northern boundary. Long distances buses ply from
a number of major Indian cities connecting with cities like Haridwar,
Rishikesh and Dehradun. To reach from Delhi by road, take the NH58 to
Haridwar via Meerut, Muzzaffarnagar and Roorkee. From here the
district road leads to Chilla (the main entrance of the park). |
