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Shivalik Elephant Reserve

Shivalik Elephant Reserve is an elephant conservation landscape in Uttarakhand, managed under Project Elephant. It brings together elephant habitat, forest corridors and adjoining land uses so that conservation can be planned at a landscape scale.

Location

The reserve lies in Dehradun, Haridwar, Garhwal, Nainital, Almora, Udham Singh Nagar, Tehri and Champawat districts of Uttarakhand.

Brief History

Shivalik Elephant Reserve was notified/recognised on 29 October 2002 under the Project Elephant framework. Its management focus is the protection of elephant habitat, movement routes and coexistence with neighbouring communities.

Description

  • State: Uttarakhand
  • Notification Year: 2002
  • Total Area: 5,405.07 sq km
  • Conservation Programme: Project Elephant

Protected Areas & Forest Divisions

The reserve includes or is associated with Rajaji National Park, Corbett National Park and the Kalsi, Narendranagar, Dehradun, Haridwar, Lansdowne, Ramnagar, Terai and Champawat forest divisions.

Landscape & Forest Types

Key habitats include moist Shivalik and Terai Sal forest, mixed deciduous forest, Khair–Sissoo forest, Chir pine, oak and deodar forest. These habitats provide forage, cover, water and seasonal movement routes for elephants and other wildlife.

Flora

Vegetation varies with altitude, rainfall and soils, and includes native trees, grasses, bamboo and riparian plant communities typical of the landscape.

Fauna

  • Asian Elephant
  • Leopard
  • Gaur and deer species where suitable habitat occurs
  • Wild boar, small carnivores and diverse birdlife

Elephant Conservation

The reserve supports landscape-level elephant conservation by protecting habitat mosaics and reducing fragmentation. It is ecologically connected with Uttar Pradesh Elephant Reserve to the south, making corridor protection and conflict mitigation central management priorities.

Weather

Weather varies by season and elevation. Visitors should check local forest department advisories, road conditions and access rules before planning a visit.

Best Time to Visit

The cooler, drier months are generally more comfortable for nature travel, subject to protected-area opening periods and permits.

How to Reach

Dehradun and Pantnagar airports, plus Haridwar, Dehradun and Ramnagar railheads, serve different parts of the reserve.

Where to Stay

Use authorised accommodation in nearby towns or forest department facilities where available and book any forest stay or safari only through official channels.

Nearby Attractions

Rajaji Tiger Reserve, Corbett Tiger Reserve, Haridwar and Rishikesh.

Did You Know?

Elephant Reserves are landscape-scale conservation units: they can include protected areas, reserve forests, corridors and other habitats used by elephants.

Image Placeholders

[Featured Image]

[Map showing Shivalik Elephant Reserve in India]

Last Updated: August 2026