Rajaji National Park situated in uttaranchal is a paradise for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts, it is distinct for its pristine scenic beauty and rich biodiversity. The wildlife here includes elephants, tigers, leopards, deer and ghorals as its best known life forms.
In year 1983 Rajaji National Park was amalgamated from three sancturies in Dehradun Shivaliks - Rajaji, Motichur and Chilla and this name was kept on the name of the famous freedom fighter Late Sri.C.Rajgopalachari, people knew him with the name of Rajaji.
Total area covered by the park is 820.42 sq.km, is located in the Shivalik hills of Dehradun, Haridwar & Pauri Garhwal district of Uttranchal. 75% of area is hilly area and 25% is plains. The park is a magnificent ecosystem nestled in the Shivalik ranges and the beginning of the vast Indo–Gangetic plains. It represents the vegetation of several distinct zones and forest types like riverine, broad–leaf mixed forests, Chirpine forests, scrubland and grassy pasturelands. There are approximately 23 types of mammals and 315 avifauna species.
The place attracts large number of wildlife conservationists, nature lovers and eco-friendly visitors to visit this most beauthiful wildlife enriched and nature's beauty filled in and out of this park.
Visitors may enjoy their lifetime adventure filled vacation in the Rajaji National Park. While visiting the place one can see a herd of elephants roaming in the jungle or even a tiger looking its way through the tall grass. It can even excite people with a view of other wild animals like 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 and ofcourse a vast variety of winged delights; pea fowl, jungle fowl, kaleej pheasant, hornbil, woodpecker, thrushes, kingfishers, parakeets, warbler, barbet, finch, Indian roller, oriola and many more.
In winter a variety of attractive birds come and play in the water of River Ganga which flows through the park. Both the rivers of the area, Ganga and Song sheltered various species of fish like Mahaseer, Kalabanse, Goonch, Chilwa and Trout.
The best time to visit the place is from 15 th November to 15 th June. The nearest railway station is Haridwar and Dehradun. Nearest Airport is Jolly Grant (Dehradun). All facilities like hospital, Bank, Petrol pump, market, post & telegraph office, telephone are available at Haridwar, Dehradun and Rishikesh. Distance from Delhi is 231 kms. From Lucknow the place is 509 Kms.
