Surai Forest Range

Covering over 21,000 hectares of pristine Terai Sal forests, grasslands, and wetlands in the Terai East Forest Division, Surai Forest Range (Surai Ecotourism Zone) is a premier wildlife reserve situated 8 kilometers from Khatima in Uttarakhand. Formally developed into an ecotourism hub by the Uttarakhand Forest Department in 2021, the reserve works as a critical wildlife corridor linking Corbett, Pilibhit Tiger Reserve, and Shukla Phanta National Park in Nepal.

The forest is celebrated for the Kakra Crocodile Trail, where elevated wooden watchtowers allow tourists to safely observe marsh crocodiles (muggers) in their natural freshwater habitat. Dense canopies of Sal, Sheesham, and Semal trees shelter royal Bengal tigers, leopards, swamp deer, spotted deer, wild boars, and over 150 species of resident and migratory birds.

Registered open top 4x4 Gypsy jungle safaris operate along well designated forest tracks, making Surai an exciting offbeat eco wilderness destination for nature photographers and wildlife enthusiasts.