Motichur Range

Motichur Range is a key safari zone within Rajaji Tiger Reserve in Uttarakhand, originally established as a wildlife sanctuary in 1936. Located near Haridwar along the Shivalik foothills, it features dense Sal forests and serves as an important elephant corridor. The zone offers jeep safaris for wildlife viewing including Asian elephants, tigers, leopards, and over 300 bird species.

Visitors can expect guided jeep safaris through dense Sal forests along the Shivalik foothills. The zone provides opportunities to spot Asian elephants, which are commonly seen here, as well as tigers, leopards, sloth bears, deer species, and diverse birdlife. Safaris operate in morning and evening slots with trained naturalists. The historic Forest Rest House built in 1934 is located within the zone.

Motichur was established as a wildlife sanctuary in 1936, making it one of the earliest protected areas in the region. It was merged with Rajaji and Chilla sanctuaries in 1983 to form Rajaji National Park. The Forest Rest House at Motichur was built in 1934 during the British era.

The reserve represents the Shivalik ecosystem and plays a vital role in conserving Asian elephants and maintaining genetic exchange through the Chilla-Motichur wildlife corridor.