Rajaji Tiger Reserve

Oct. 23, 2024

Wildlife panel of the Union Environment Ministry has deferred nod to the National Highway Authority of India’s (NHAI) four-lane project, which was proposed to pass through Rajaji Tiger Reserve and Shivalik Elephant Reserve in Uttarakhand.

About Rajaji Tiger Reserve:

It is spread over three districts of Uttarakhand: Haridwar, Dehradun, and Pauri Garhwal.
It is located in the Shivalik range of the Himalayas and spread over 820 kms.
It was named after the famous freedom fighter Rajgopalachari,popularly known as "Rajaji"
Its location in a transition zone between temperate western Himalayas and central Himalayasenhances the species diversity.
It forms an important part of the Terai-Arc landscape (7500 km) between the Yamuna River in the northwest and the Sharda River in the southeast.
Vegetation: The area is covered with diverse forest types ranging from semi-evergreen to deciduousand from mixed broad-leaved to Terai grassland and has been classified as Indus-Ganges Monsoon Forest
Flora: Some popular floras found in this park include: Rohini, Palash, Shisham, Sal, Sandan, Khair, Arjun, Baans, Semul, Chamaror, etc.
Fauna: It has a sizeable population of Tigers and Asian Elephants. It is home to a variety of wild animals like Leopard, Jungle cat, Himalayan Black Bear, Sloth Bear, Striped Hyena, Goral, Sambar, Wild Pig, Spotted Deer, Barking Deer, etc.