Rajaji Tiger Reserve: Official Declaration & Key Details
The Rajaji Tiger Reserve, located in the Shivalik ranges of Uttarakhand, is one of India’s most significant wildlife habitats. The Government of Uttarakhand officially declared this reserve to strengthen tiger conservation and preserve biodiversity in the region.
📜 Official Declaration
As per the Government Notification dated 18 April 2015, issued by the Forest and Environment Section-II, the Rajaji National Park and adjoining reserved forest areas were formally declared as a Tiger Reserve under the provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
This declaration was based on recommendations from the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) to ensure better protection of tigers and maintain ecological connectivity with the Corbett landscape.
🌿 Total Area & Zonation
The Rajaji Tiger Reserve covers a total area of:
- 1075.17 sq. km
It is divided into two main zones:
🔶 Core Area
- 819.54 sq. km
- Includes the entire Rajaji National Park
- Dedicated to strict wildlife protection and conservation
🔷 Buffer Area
- 255.63 sq. km
- Surrounding forest areas
- Supports eco-development and reduces human-wildlife conflict
🧭 Boundaries of the Reserve
The notification clearly defines the geographical boundaries of the reserve in all four directions:
- North: Extends along reserved forest boundaries and reaches the Ganga River region
- East: Covers forest blocks including Mala, Palegaon, and Rawasan regions
- South: Follows riverbanks, canals, and forest compartments like Shyampur and Chandi
- West: Extends along Shivalik ridges and forest divisions bordering Uttarakhand & Uttar Pradesh
(Detailed boundary descriptions available on Pages 1–2 of the document)
🌳 Forest Blocks Included
The reserve consists of multiple forest divisions and compartments such as:
- Haripurkalan
- Motichur
- Chilla
- Dhaulkhand
- Mohand
- Asarori
- Rawasan
- Luni, Hazara, and many more
These areas together form a continuous and rich habitat supporting diverse wildlife species
🐅 Importance of Rajaji Tiger Reserve
The declaration of Rajaji as a Tiger Reserve plays a crucial role in:
- Protecting the Royal Bengal Tiger population
- Conserving Asian elephants and other wildlife
- Maintaining ecological connectivity with Corbett Tiger Reserve
- Strengthening biodiversity conservation in the Terai Arc Landscape
⚖️ Legal Implementation
The notification came into effect from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette of the State Government, making it legally binding for conservation and management purposes.
Read complete
Official Declaration and its Photos
