Dudhwa Wildlife Sanctuary :India February 15, 2006
The Dudhwa Wildlife Sanctuary in the Lakhimpur-Kheri district of Uttar Pradesh is one of the finest examples of the exceedingly diverse and productive Terai eco-systems. The reserve has an area of 614 sq km. The northern edge of the reserve lies along the Indo-Nepal border while the southern boundary is marked by the river Suheli. It is home to a large number of rare and endangered species, which include tiger, leopard, swamp deer, hispid hare, Bengal floricans, etc.
The grasslands of the reserve are the habitat of the largest kind of Indian deer-the swamp deer or the Barasingha, called thus because of their magnificent antlers (bara-twelve; singha-antler). Decline in their habitats led to a drastic decline in numbers and a small area named Sonaripur Sanctuary was set aside in 1958 for the conservation of this rare species of deer. Later, it was upgraded to cover an area of 212 sq km and was renamed the Dudhwa Wildlife Sanctuary. In 1977, the area was further extended to include over 614 sq km and was declared a national park. Eleven years later, in 1988, when Dudhwa became a part of Project Tiger, the area of the Kishanpur Sanctuary was added to create the Dudhwa Dudhwa Wildlife Sanctuary. About 1,800 Barasingha live in the reserve now and their majestic herds are often seen, especially in the grassy wetlands of the Sathania and Kakraha blocks.
Dudhwa Tiger Reserve has two core areas- Dudhwa National Park and Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary. These are 15 km apart, with agricultural land in between. Dudhwa National Park is situated on the Indo-Nepal border in the Lakhimpur-Kheri district in Uttar Pradesh. The Mohana river flowing along the Indo-Nepal border constitutes the northern boundary of the Park whilst the southern boundary is formed by the river Suheli. The Kishanpur Sanctuary lies in the Lakhimpur-Kheri and Shahajahanpur districts in Uttar Pradesh.
Dudhwa’s birds, in particular, are a delight for any avid bird watcher- plenty of painted storks, sarus cranes, owls, barbets, woodpeckers, Swamp Partridge, Great Slaty Woodpecker, minivets and many more, including some rare species like the Bengal florican. Much of the park?s avian fauna is aquatic in nature, and is found around Dudhwa?s lakes- especially Banke Tal.
There are about 38 species of mammals, 16 species of reptiles and 400 species of avifauna in Dudhwa National Park. Dudhwa Wildlife Sanctuary and national park is home to 101 tigers and four leopards. Recently, the hispid hare has also been sighted from this area.
- Posted in : Wild Life in India, Wildlife Sanctuaries
- Author : seo4india
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