Rajaji National Park

Dehradun >> Attractions >> Rajaji National Park

Rajaji National Park is distinct for its pristine scenic beauty and rich biodiversity. A paradise for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts. The wildlife of the park is blessed with elephants, tigers, leopards, deer and ghorals as its best known life forms.

Lying in a 820 sq km swathe across the Shivaliks, at the foot of the Himalayas, the Rajaji National Park spreads across three districts of Uttaranchal- Haridwar, Dehradun and Pauri Garhwal. In 1983, the three wildlife sanctuaries of Rajaji, Motichur and Chilla were amalgamated into a single contiguous park consisting of several distinct vegetation zones. These include broadleaved deciduous forests, riverine vegetation, grasslands, and pine forests in the upper reaches. Inhabiting these dense green jungles are an impressive array of creatures- furred and feathered, docile and dangerous. 23 species of mammals- including tigers, leopards, elephants, deer, jungle cat, wild boar and sloth bear- and 315 species of birds are found in Rajaji. The most prominent avian species include pea fowl, woodpeckers, pheasants, kingfishers and barbets, supplemented by a number of migratory species during the winter months. Besides that, the rivers which flow through the park harbour fish such as trout and mahseer. Rajaji's history of conservation has been rather rocky in the recent past. The park's been besieged by a host of problems, ranging

Best time to visit
Rajaji National Park is open to visitors between November and June. The months from December to March are usually the best time to visit, as the weather's at its best. Beyond April, things start hotting up, though it never gets unbearably hot.

Trivia
Visit the Rajaji National Park during the months of November and June, still best time is in the cooler months of December and March to observe and experience the flora and fauna of the region.

Timing
The park is open to all visitors from 5.30 am to 5 pm in the summer months while in the winters the timings change to 6 am to 4.30 pm. All visitors to Rajaji National Park need entry permits in order to be allowed into the park. Permits are available at each of the gates to the park, and cost Rs 30 for Indians and Rs 350 for foreigners. These permits are valid for three days; if you wish to stay longer, you'll have to pay Rs 20 a day (if you're Indian), Rs 175 per day if you're not. Additional charges are levied for cameras and vehicles. Still cameras are free for Indians and Rs 50 for foreigners; vehicles are Rs 500 for both Indians and foreigners.