Fauna in Rajaji National Park
Rajaji National Park is one of the lesser-known tranquil destinations in Uttarakhand, located between Haridwar and Rishikesh, with the Ganga River flowing alongside. The fabulous location of Rajaji spans across 820.42 sq. km. Although the expansion of the national park is not too vast, as compared to the other iconic wildlife destination, Jim Corbett National Park, the landscape of Rajaji is no less in providing a habitat to multiple animal and bird species.
The incorporation of three sanctuaries in 1983 - Rajaji, Motichur, and Chilla in Uttarakhand, led to the creation of the vast protected area now known as Rajaji National Park. This park was named in honour of C. Rajagopalachari, a prominent freedom fighter and the first Governor-General of India affectionately referred to as "Rajaji."
Located at the confluence of the lower Himalayan foothills and the extensive Indo-Gangetic plains, Rajaji National Park provides exceptional habitat for a wide array of wildlife, including a notable population of elephants and leopards. The national park marks the north western range limit for Bengal Tigers and Asian Elephants in India, covering the expansive area of 820 sq. km. It includes the Rajaji, Motichur, and Chilla wildlife sanctuaries, along with sections of the Dehradun, Shivalik, and Lansdowne Forest Divisions.
The frequently spotted fauna species of Rajaji National Park includes -
• Tigers
• Asian elephants
• Deer species (sambar, chital, barking deer, etc)
• Leopards
• Wild Boars
• Goral
• Wild Pig
• Sloth bear
• Asiatic black bear
• Wild Cat, and so on.
The reptile population in the park includes a variety of snake species, such as the Indian Python (Python molurus), King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah), Common Krait (Bungarus caeruleus), and Spectacled Cobra (Naja naja). The Indian Monitor Lizard (Varanus bengalensis) is also frequently observed. Additionally, the park is home to over 315 species of birds. Various species of waterfowl, including ducks, cormorants, egrets, plovers, and herons, can be found along the Ganges and its perennial tributaries.
