Distance: 25 kms from Dehradun
Entry fee: 150 (Indian), 600 (Foreigner)
Timings: 6.30 am to 9.30 am, 2.30 pm to 4 pm
Camera fee: Free
Rajaji National Park Three Wildlife Sanctuaries — Rajaji, Chilla and Motichur — were combined in 1983 to form Rajaji National Park. Named after C. Rajgopalachari, the only Governor General of independent India, this Park is known for its large population of elephants. Spread over an area of about 820 sq kms, it is collectively shared by Haridwar, Dehradun and Pauri districts.
The elephant corridor between Rajaji and Corbett National Park initially stretched for about 170 kms, but deforestation and human settlements have now cut it short. Elephants now move along specially created corridors in the Chilla-Rishikesh forests.
Rajaji's strategic position at the head of the Indo-Gangetic plains and the foothills of the Shivalik ranges, makes for a diverse ecology. The flora, as a result, is of three kinds - semi-evergreen trees, deciduous trees and some portion of the rassy Terai Arc Landscape.
Apart from the elephant, the Park houses the Bengal tiger, leopard, sloth bear, Himalayan black bear, jackal, sambar, langur, king cobra and python.
There are an amazing 315 species of birds here. There are bird watching trails in Chilla, 13 kms from Haridwar, and in Phanduwala-Kansrao-Motichur jungles, approximately 6 kms from Haridwar. These forests stretch on for about 40 kms along Suswa River and fall to the east of the Asarori forests. There is only one motorable road here, which connects Asarori to Motichur.
There are seven entrances to the Park. Of these Ranipur, Motichur, Chilla gates are 9 kms each from Haridwar; Ramgarh and Mohund gates are 14 and 25 kms respectively from Dehradun; Kunao is 6 kms from Rishikesh, and Laldhang is 25 kms from Kotdwar.
For more information about Rajaji National Park Uttarakhand and Uttarakhand holiday packages from Delhi contact Swan Tours.