Rajaji National Park

Rajaji National Park covers an area of 820.42 sq kms and is actually three sanctuaries-in-one. In 1983, three parks in the Shivalik ranges - Rajaji, Motichur and Chilla were combined into one large protected reserve and renamed as Rajaji National Park after the famous freedom fighter, Late Sri C. Rajgopalchari who was popularly known as Rajaji. Being blessed with a naturally diverse ecosystem by virtue of it being nestled between the Shivalik ranges and the Indo-Gangetic plains, the Rajaji National Park represents vegetation of several distinct zones and forest types such as riverine, broad-leaf mixed forests, Chirpine forests, scrubland and grassy pasturelands. It is home to over 23 species of mammals including tiger, leopard, sambar, cheetal, barking deer, wild boar, sloth bear, langoor, ghoral, civet and elephant. There is also a wide variety of birds to be found here such as the pea fowl, kaleej pheasant, hornbill, kingfisher, barbet, finch and the warbler. The Ganga and Song river which run through the park are filled with various species of fish like mahaseer, kalabanse, goonch, chilwa and trout. During the winter season, a large variety of migratory birds come all the way from across the world to nest and breed along the banks of these two rivers.