1. Karvapani
(KP)
A magnificent stretch of dense and high sal forest
that has perennial sources of fresh water with swamps
and covers the entire northern aspect of Shiwalik
hills. In the west it adjoins the Rajaji National
Park while, eastwards it transgresses through a
35 km stretch of Asarori-Karvapani-Malhan-Timli
forest ranges. KP lies 20 km south-west of DD. To
approach KP take Saharanpur (SH) road from DD and
2 km after you have entered the sal forests on Shiwaliks
you reach Asarori forest check post. From here take
the right gate turn that goes straight to KP, which
is about 10 km, while this road goes further to
Timli and is not motor able during the monsoons
(July-October). Otherwise, on SH road take the right
diversion for Shimla road at Majra ( 5 kms from
DD). This road goes to Paonta Sahib and enroute
(after 10 km) is Buddi village. From Buddi market
crossing take a left turn towards the Shiwaliks
and this narrow road goes to KP Forest Rest House
(FRH) (2 km) via Manak Sidh temple through agriculture
fields and forest.
2. Rajaji National Park (RNP - Phanduwala
-Kansrao-Motichur)
A lush green, undisturbed 40 km stretch
of dense sal forest that covers a one-third the
area of the RNP, lies south-east of DD on the northern
aspect of Shiwalik hills, east of Asarori forest.
Suswa river runs parallel to these three connecting
ranges (Phanduwala-Kansrao-Motichur) and marks the
northern boundary of the park. A jungle road goes
connects these forest ranges from Asarori to Motichur
via Phanduwala and Kansrao and is the only motorable
road ( open from 15 November to 14 June). There
are 6 approaches to this road in its entire route.
First road is from Asarori gate opposite to Karvapani
gate on SH-DD highway. From here Phanduwala is ca.
10 km. An alternative route is from Ramgarh gate
near Clemet Town (7 km south of DD located on the
left side of SH road after (I km) Majra. This road
goes through ‘Mathurawala swamps’ along
Suswa river to reach Phanduwala (PH) after 6 kms.
Besides, another all weather road to reach PH is
through Lachhiwala (LH) range. From DD as you reach
LH overhead railway bridge [17 km east of DD on
way to Haridwar (HR)] take the right jungle road
that goes to Ahmed Satellite Earth Station, on this
forest road continue until you hit Dodiwala -Doodhli
road at the jungle edge. Then continue straight
again on this track, cross over Suswa river until
you reach ‘Cheering Crossing Barrier’
(Bullawala) located on the northern boundary of
RNP after another 2.5 kms. From this dead end, the
right road goes into RNP to PH FRH(4 kms) while
the left to Kansrao (15 kms). Birding at PH can
be done along this road and river Suswa that flows
500m north of the FRH. Kansrao (KS) can be reached
from Cheering Crossing via Jabbarwala check post
that lies 7 kms further ahead. If this road is not
motorable then Jabbarwala check post (JB) can be
reached alternatively from Doiwala (3 kms from LH
railway bridge crossing on the highway).From Doiwala
proceed towards Kurkawala village(2 km) –
Suswa river (1.5km)– Gullawala (1km) to reach
JB another 2km by road. From JB, KS is another 8
kms but this Jungle road goes through many river
beds and swamps motorable only during dry season.
KS has the best maintained old FRH ( without electricity)
in the valley and here bird watching can be done
along the Suswa-Jkahan river confluence near the
FRH and surrounding sal forest. Motichur (MT)is
another 15 kms east by jungle road from KS. MT FRH
lies very near to DD-HR Highway and KS can be reached
alternatively from here also. However, the best
option during monsoon to reach KS and return back
the same day is by taking an early morning train
from DD [DehraDun -Laksar- Saharanpur (DLS) local
train departs from DD at 8.05 a.m. and at 6:30pm
this train can be taken on the way back to DD from
KS railway station).
3. Thano (TH)
Thano forest lies 18 kms north-east of DD. The forest
here is open as well as dense- mixed sal which is
continuous with the mountain slopes of Garhwal in
the north. While it is connected to Lachhiwala -Phanduwala
ranges in the south, the only forest link between
Shiwaliks and Himalayan ranges in the valley. This
makes it a peculiar place for observing local altitudinal
migrants descending /climbing down the mountain
slopes enroute during passage and even a few mountain
residents during extreme winter. To reach TH village
take the road to Raipur township (6 km east) from
DD. From Raipur, TH is about 12 kms straight from
the right diversion on Raipur-Maldeota road. You
enter sal forests 4 kms before TH and birdwatching
can be done here. FRH at TH lies after 3 kms from
here on the way (left). A bush covered nullah with
a perennial water source leads to the mountains
(north), adjacent to the temple behind (50m) the
FRH, is a good trek to observe birds. A jungle road
also goes south from the FRH to join at Kalu Sidth
Temple (4 km) near the Song river (motorable from
November to June). Or else take a parallel road
which goes south from TH village to Jollygrant village(6
km) (located on DD- Rishikesh highway). Enroute
you will find open and mixed patches with dead sal
trees due to borer beetle infestation and good forest
is in the right (after 3 km) that can be trekked
by foot trails. On reaching Kaluwala check post
located at the jungle edge on tthis road (5 kms
from TH village ), turn right on a jungle road to
reach Kalu Sidh temple (2 km). Scan Song river marshes
and swamps and forest for birds.
4. Lachhiwala (LH)
Lachhiwala forest lies 10-17 kms east of DD on Haridwar
(HR) /Rishikesh Highway. Forest around Laxman Sidh
Temple and Lachhiwala Picnic Spot are places of
interest. Laxman Sidh Temple lies 10 km from DD
very close (1.5km) to the highway, on the right
turn as soon as you enter the sal forest after a
small bridge after Harawala. A jungle road (not
motorable) from the temple climbs uphill west and
then descends down to reach Suswa River near Mathurwala
swamp after 4kms passing through one of the best
patches of sal in the valley. From here one can
reach back to DD via Clement Town ( Turner road
which joins SH road near Majra). To reach LH picnic
spot from Laxman Sidh, continue on HR highway till
you cross the over head railway crossing. Turn left
towards where LH FRH is located and this jungle
road reaches picnic spot (river Song) after 3 kms.
The jungle here is mixed moist deciduous with and
with out sal and birding here can be done along
the marshes and grasses besides the song river.
5. Barkot (BK)
Barkot lies 40 km east of DD on the highway to Rishikesh
which is 10 kms further. The FRH here, located inside
the forest, can be reached by taking the right uphill
road as soon as the sal forest begins after (1 km)
crossing Ranipokhri village while coming from DD.
A jungle road from the FRH goes through BK range
and reaches Gola tappar area (dilapidated FRH )
after 7km and then turns left to join the DD -HR
highway ( 3km) before Nepali farm at Teenpani but
is not also motor able during the monsoons. The
vegetation along the route is dense undisturbed
sal and at Gola tappar -Teenpani is wet,different
from other places in the valley. Forest stretch
enroute the DD-Rishikesh highway from BK FRH also
offers the best habitat for birding.
6. New Forest (NF) and adjoining Tons valley
forests
The campus of the Forest Research Institute created
in 1927 also known as the ‘New Forest’
covers an area of 4.45 km2 and lies 5 km west of
DD Clock tower on Chakarata road. Entry through
Trevor Gate or Kaulagarh Gate should be done. NF
has a variety if habitats with diverse vegetation
(972 species of trees, bamboos, shrubs and climbers)
that attract more than 250 species of birds in a
year, which depict the point diversity of DD valley.
Ideal bird watching places here are: A big botanical
garden with a canal and adjoining pine forest with
old bamboo, cane, teak plantations (south-east),
big lawns, nurseries and the main building (central
to south) and an arboretum behind it (north), a
golf course with another adjoining pine and mixed
forest (west), tree road avenues, orchards, and
north-west facing slopes Tons river valleys forests
lying behind bunglows (no 8 –16) and Officers
rest house (ORH), that form the north-western boundary
of NF. Approach to Tons and Nun rivers is through
a small gate near House no.9 close to ORH and this
jungle road reaches the Tons and Nun rivers further
west via Bajawala and Masindawala villages (1 km
) where birdwatching can be done. Other approach
is a foot trail from the backyard of ORH into a
lush dense- undisturbed nullah which also descends
into to Tons river valley and slopes after 500 m.
Climbing up stream river Nun or Tons are also other
places of interest during winter.
7. Jhajra (JH) –Majaun
Jhajra forest lies 14 kms west of DD on Chakarata
road. On reaching JH here turn right near a small
temple to enter the jungle road. The FRH is located
500 m on the hillock inside the forest by turning
left after 200 m as you enter or else go straight
in the jungle which is continuous for another 4
km. Bird watching can be done all along the route
by entering into the jungle foot trails. A large
opening with a water pool/swamp lies on the right
side 1 km from Jhajra on this road . After this
jungle ends this road meets a dead end. From here
turn left to reach Bhauwala Chawk after another
1.5 km. From here turn right (north) towards Donga
village (3 kms). Mountain slopes north of Donga
village have sal forests merging with chirpine where
bird watching can be done. From Donga take the right
turn through the forest to reach Bidholi 2kms ahead.
In way after you cross over the sal forests and
then enter into meadows and get the most spectacular
view of landscapes in the valley. From Bidholi you
reach Paonda after 3 kms via Kandholi. From Paonda
you turn left to reach Majaun (2 km). Here, the
perennial stream below and sal forests rising into
the Himalayas further north, that are to be approached
by foot, also offer majestic views. Then return
back to Paonda and now turn left to reach Nanda-
ki -Chawki (5 km) located near the Tons river bridge
on Chakarata road. From here return back to DD which
is 10 km.
8. Langha (LG) -Bhadraj
Langha lies about 40 kms north-west of DD at the
base of the Bhadraj mountain. From DD drive west
on Chakarata road and after 2 km when you have crossed
Sahaspur township (23 km) you reach ‘Langha
turn’ on the right. From here LG FRH is about
17 km straight north. From LG crossing, FRH ( ca
1000 m) is located 400m on the left up hill inside
sal forest where one can halt. From LG crossing
take the road which climbs to reach Pastai village
4 kms ahead via Pipalsar village (1.5km). From Pastai,
Bhadraj peak/temple (peak 2400 m)lies overhead at
a distance of 6-7 kms up hill that has to be trekked
on foot and it takes up to 3.5-4 hrs to reach there.
On way you will find rocky slopes with planted chir
pine trees and grass and later a dense patch of
ban oak forest at the top. However, enroute their
are no villages or water sources. Best time to climb
Bhadraj is in early winter or early spring . Near
LG, climbing along the jungle streams eastwards
in sal forests or going down west to reach the Yamuna
bridge (10-12 km) are good jaunts for birding. [Alternatively,
Bhadraj can be approached from Mussoorrie by driving
west to George Everest house which is 8 kms. From
here trek to Bhadraj temple is 12 kms further up
south –west].
9. Asan Barrage (AB)
The reservoir at AB, is the largest wet land (ca
3.5 km2) in the valley and refuge for winter migratory
water birds, lies 38 km west of DD enroute to Poanta
Sahib. To reach AB take Chakarata road from DD and
from Herbertpur crossing (32 km) continue west to
reach Rampur Mandi 6 km ahead where AB is situated
on the left at the confluence of Yamuna canal and
Asan river, while river Yamuna flows besides it
in the right. One can trek all around the reservoir,
in the island marshes by a road from the in its
eastern side, adjoining swamps and woodland ( north-west)
, Yamuna river bed (north) and fields along the
river Asan (south- east)].
10. Santaladevi (SD)–Nun river
Santaladevi lies 12 kms mid-north of DD at the base
of Mussoorrie (MS) mountains. From DD take the road
going to Garhi Cantonment. From Garhi Market area
(Birpur Road) take Ghangora Road just after you
cross the bridge over Tons river and near the gate.
Continue for 2.5 km on this road to reach Jaintanwala
village lying besides the river Nun on its left
and at the base of Galjwari reserved sal forest
on right. This roads descends on river Nun after
about 1 km and then climbs to SD Temple by foot
another 2 kms. Park your vehicles besides the tea
stalls along Nun river. Bird watching can be done
here all along the Nun river by following its origin
for another 1 km north-west until you reach the
base of MS mountains and also in sal forest present
on both sides Nun river. Return is by the same route.
11. Rajpur Forest and Robber’s Cave
(RC)
‘Malsi deer park’ (MDP) lies 8 km north
of DD on the MS by pass road on the western slopes
of Rajpur Reserved Forest. The gate to MDP is on
the right side of this road just before the bridge
on rivulet (a tributary of Tons). Climb over to
the deer park and park the vehicle there. Bird watching
can be done by taking a foot trail that goes from
its left (north) end of the park towards the ridge
which is about 1.5 km until you reach cremation
ground. From here you can come back or else move
down further north to reach Rajpur road near Sahanshai
Ashram/Tandoori Night’s restaurant which lies
1 km ahead of Rajpur town.
For going to the Robber’s Cave also called
‘Guchhupani’, from MDP come back on
the MS bypass road towards DD for about 1 km and
then turn right on a road (near shops/lime stone
kiln)) that goes to Sinola village. After 1 km you
meet a dead end , turn left towards Anarwala until
you reach a small bridge over Tons. Descend down
on the river and follow the river for half a kilometer
until you reach the north side of RC. Otherwise,
from Sinola go towards Anarwala straight for about
1 km until you reach Johri village. From here take
a foot trail downwards south to the Tons river until
you reach the mouth (south) of RC after 500m. Here,
water flows between deep narrow gorges of high rocks
for a long stretch (100m) to give it a cave like
appearance. This can also be trekked along with
the adjoining vegetation for birds. |
Further Tips
To observe this magnificent bird life, permission
for entering and staying in Rajaji National Park
(FRH’s at Phanduwala, Kansrao, Moitchur) has
to be obtained from Director, Rajaji National Park
,5/1 ,Ansari Road ( Near Bindal Bridge), Dehra Dun
city –248001;Tel-: 0135-621669(O), 744225(R);
(see website: www.rajajinationalpark.com).
For Staying in forest rest houses in DehraDun Forest
Division [ i.e Asasrori, Karvapani, Sabbawala (Malhan),
Jhajra, Thano, Lachhiwala, Barkot ] permission has
to be obtained from DFO, Dehra Dun, 5-Tilak Road
(adjoining Director, RNP) , Dehra Dun –248
001; Tel-0135-627612 (Fax). While for staying at
FRH’s in Yamuna Circle [ Timli, Langha, Kalsi
and Van Chetna Kendra at Rampur Mandi (Asan Barrage)]
, permission has to be obtained from DFO Kalsi ,
Soil Conservation Division, Kalsi , Dehra Dun. Stay
at Asan Barrage can also be done in independent
log huts , situated at the AB it self (Tel :01360-24098,22133)
owned by Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam (a state government
enterprise -General Manager, GMVN, 74/1 Rajpur Road,
Dehra Dun; Tel-0135-746817, 749308; gmvn@sancharnet.in
This email address is being protected from spam
bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it This
email address is being protected from spam bots,
you need Javascript enabled to view it ). Permission
for staying in New Forest campus at ORH can be done
by through Publicity Liaison Officer, FRI, DehraDun,
248 006; Tel : 0135-752925(Fax) ;757021*4315 . However,
one can always halt in DD city where a good number
of hotels are available on Rajpur road.
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