PAURI GARHWAL: In a significant boost to forest tourism and wildlife experience, elephant safaries started on Monday for the season at the Rajaji Tiger Reserve (RTR) in its famed Chilla zone, pairing the majestic pachyderms “Radha” and “Rangili” with visitor rides through dense sal-and-Shisham forest and across riverine terrain. The programme opens for the winter season and marks a renewed thrust by the state forest department to combine conservation, visitor engagement and sustainable tourism.
Our correspondent reports that from the early morning, tourists began gathering at the Chilla booking counter after advance slots were released. Under the supervision of the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) and other senior officials, pachyderm rides are now available in two designated zones of Chilla range, making the forest walk experience more immersive, while also spotlighting RTR’s biodiversity and riverine landscapes.
According to forest authorities, the elephant safari will run until June 15 next year, covering approximately five to six kilometres of gently marked trails. The elephants Radha and Rangili, both trained and experienced, will carry visitors past vantage points where travellers can glimpse species such as chital deer, sambhar, golden jackal, sloth bear, tiger, leopard, hyena and myriad migratory birds that frequent the reserve.
Our correspondent adds that bookings for the safari can be made at the Chilla booking counter and phone numbers have been provided: 9411568917 and 8630823298. Safari timings are set from 06:30 to 07:30 in the morning, and an evening slot from 14:30 to 15:30. Visitors are requested to adhere to safety guidelines, remain on marked routes, and avoid disturbing wildlife.
About Rajaji Tiger Reserve
Rajaji Tiger Reserve spans roughly 1,165 square kilometres across three districts, Dehradun, Haridwar and Pauri Garhwal, and is one of India’s most accessible and vital tiger conservation zones. Nestled along the foothills of the outer Himalayas, the reserve lies at the confluence of the Shivalik-Churia range and the plains. It features mixed forests of sal, shisham and chir-pine, as well as riverine corridors carved by the Ganga tributaries.
Declared a tiger reserve in 2015, RTR is home not only to Bengal tigers, but also leopards, Himalayan black bears, Indian elephants, swamp deer, and the elusive Himalayan musk deer in upper reaches. The reserve is also a critical habitat for over 250 bird species including migratory cranes, eagles and owls. Seasonal changes, river fords and steep ridges make it a unique eco-tourism destination.
Beyond big cats, the reserve’s ecological vision emphasises the “Sal canopy wolf-elephant complex”, a rare ecosystem where Asian elephants roam in forested valleys and open meadows, co-existing with apex predators. Conservation initiatives include camera-trap networks, anti-poaching patrols, community forest committees and habitat restoration programmes.
Tourism + Conservation: A Balanced Strategy
Forest officials emphasise that the new elephant safari is designed with dual objectives: offering visitors a memorable forest experience while maintaining ecological sensitivity and safety. Elephants are fitted with special saddles enabling safe rides, and routes avoid core-tiger territories in high-risk hours. Each ride carries a maximum of six visitors, accompanied by forest guides and a mahout.
A senior wildlife officer explained, “Our focus is on awareness and low-impact tourism. By giving visitors a gentle ‘walk’ aboard Radha or Rangili, they can appreciate the forest’s rhythms; the whisper of bamboo, the call of the jungle fowl, the splash in the riverbed; without trampling sensitive habitats.”
Local community members in adjacent villages have welcomed the initiative, noting that regulated tourism provides supplementary income via eco-guiding, homestays, and value-added services such as handicrafts and bird-watching tours. “Because of careful planning the forest remains undisturbed,” said one local resident, “and our livelihood benefits.”
Visitor Experience and Safety Protocols
Visitors on the first day reported thrill and wonder. One couple commented, “Riding through forest with Radha felt like stepping into a storybook. We saw chital grazing and a river crossing. That was unforgettable.”
Safety measures are strictly enforced: helmets are mandatory, cameras must not disturb animals, and mobile communication is restricted in zones. Post-ride briefings ensure visitors leave minimal footprint.
Officials also noted that the safari is integrated with broader tourism links: the Chilla zone connects to river rafting sites on the Ganga, cycling trails, trekking routes and bird-watching zones. This positions RTR as a hub for multi-day nature experiences.
Looking Ahead
As the elephant safari begins, forest authorities plan to expand the experience with audio-visual storytelling kiosks, night-safari trials, and community-run nature lodges. The goal is to establish Rajaji Tiger Reserve as a model for combining wildlife protection with sustainable tourism.
Meanwhile, the forest department has urged all visitors to respect the fragile ecosystem, follow instructions, and support conservation efforts. The opening of rides aboard Radha and Rangili represents not just a tourism milestone but a reaffirmation of Rajaji Tiger Reserve’s commitment to wildlife, wilderness and wonder.
Dheeraj reports on governance, public services, jobs, and regional developments across Uttarakhand. He specialises in recruitment news, public-sector updates, and civic issues that impact everyday citizens. His reporting brings accuracy, context, and a grassroots perspective to local journalism.
