Dudhwa National Park

Dudhwa National Park

Location: Lahhimpur- Kheri District Map

Area: 490 km²

Tourist information: Field Director Dudua (05872) 252 106

Open: 15 Nov- 15 June

 

Dudhwa National Park, located in the Lakhimpur Kheri district of Uttar Pradesh, adjacent to the Nepal border, is one of the major projects for wildlife conservation in India.

The vast site of approximately 811 km², consisting of wetlands, grasslands, and dense forests, is home to more than 38 species of mammals, 16 species of reptiles, and numerous bird species. There are two core areas: Duduwa National Park and Kishanpur Wildlife Reserve. Duduwa National Park and Kishanpur Wildlife Reserve are 15 km apart, with farmland in between. Unlike other major national parks in India, such as Corbett and Kaziranga National Parks, the non-commercial setting makes them ideal for animal and bird lovers to spend a quiet day or two in the closest proximity to nature.

Although the vegetation makes it difficult to spot tigers and leopards, there are quite a few of them in the park. The area was once home to a large population of Indian one-horned rhinos, which eventually fell victim to indiscriminate poaching; brought from Kaziranga in Assam in 1984, they have flourished again in the park. One can spot rhinos on safaris on the backs of elephants. The park is home to swamp deer, also known locally as "barasingha," elephants, sambar, cheetahs, hog deer, monkeys, langurs, porcupines, and many other animals. The park is home to nearly 800 species of birds, including the greater hornbill, flycatcher, kingfisher, and drongo. The park's waters attract many migratory birds from September to March, and the rivers are home to an abundance of turtles, crocodiles, and fish. Gangetic dolphins can be seen in the Gerwa River. Duduwa National Park is home to 38 species of mammals, 16 species of reptiles, 400 species of birds, and 90 species of fish. The main attraction of Duduwa is the swamp deer. Half of the world's 4,000 swamp deer live here. The population of tigers in 1995 was 98, but according to conservationist Billy Arjan Singh, who died in 2010, there is not enough prey to feed more than 20 tigers. The rhino population has increased from 7 to 16 since 1984. There are also a few leopards, and a heron has been sighted. Wild boars, elephants, and bears have also been sighted occasionally.

Dudhwa National Park (680 km²), located on the Indo-Nepal border in the Lakhimpur-Kheri district of Uttar Pradesh, India, together with two adjacent parks, Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary (204 km²) and Katerniagat Wildlife Sanctuary ( Together with two adjacent parks, Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary (204 km²) and Katerniagat Wildlife Sanctuary (440 km²), it is now called the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve under Project Tiger. This reserve represents the best remaining natural forest and grassland in the Terai district of Uttar Pradesh, and today is the last remaining habitat of the Bengal tiger. It is a virtually unexplored paradise for nature lovers, wildlife enthusiasts, and birdwatchers, with its spectacular forests of "monkey" trees among other flora.

 

Description

At the time of the establishment of Dudhwa National Park, there are tigers, leopards, ganda, elephants, reindeer, chital, Padha, kankar, Krishna deer, chaussinga, sambar, nilgai, wild dog, wolf, hyena, jackal, fox, Hispan hair, rattail, black Naked stark, woolly nested stark, open billed stark, panted stark, bengal florican, parkupine, flying squirrel, besides birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish and a Rthopods was the millions of species habitat. Wild buffaloes also once lived here, which gradually disappeared due to interference of human population. Evidence of the existence of these buffaloes ever existed can be seen by seeing the petals and foreheads of the domesticated animals living in the forest area, that the DNA of their ancestors is showing the same symptoms. Crocodiles and crocodiles will also be visible to you, which is the lifeline of this forest and in the huge rivers like Sharda and Ghaghra. Gangetic dolphin also completes its life cycle in the streams passing through these forests. Their presence and the excitement of jumping up for water makes them excited.

 

Climate and geographical location

Dudhwa National Park, situated at an altitude of 150-182 meters above sea level - average rainfall - 1500 mm. Is recorded From November to February, the maximum temperature is 20 to 30 degrees Celsius, minimum is 4 to 8 degrees Celsius, fog and nights are cold in the morning. From March to May, the temperature is 30 to 35 degrees Celsius and the minimum is 20 to 25 degrees Celsius. In June to October, the maximum temperature is 35 to 40 degree Celsius and minimum is 20 to 25 degree Celsius.

 

History

On February 1, 1977, the forests of Dudhwa were made a national park. In the year 1987-88 AD, Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary was included in Dudhwa National Park and it was declared a tiger reserve. Later, a buffer zone of 66 square kilometers was included in the year 1997 AD, now the area of this protected area has become 884 square kilometers. The conservation of this forest and its wild wealth started with the arrival of Sir D.V. Brandis in 1860 AD and in 1861 AD, an area of 303 square kilometers of this forest was protected under the British India Government, later many of the Khairagarh States were protected. This forest was expanded by including forests also. In the year 1958, an area of 15.9 square kilometers was declared as Sonaripur Sanctuary, which was later expanded to 212 square kilometers in the year 1968 and got the status of Dudhwa Sanctuary. This was mainly done keeping in mind the conservation of the Barasingha species. Then this forest area was known as North-West Forest of Kheri District, but in the year 1937 it got the title of North Kheri Forest Division. This is a wonderful garden.

 

Wildlife and Biodiversity of Dudhwa

Dudhwa Park is considered quite rich in terms of biodiversity. From the environmental point of view, this biodiversity is considered as Indian wealth and invaluable ecological heritage. Mainly Sal and Shakhu trees are found in abundance in its forests.

wild animals
Five species of deer - Chital, Sambar, Kakad, Padha and Barasingha, Tiger, Leopard, Bear, Sehi, Flying Squirrel, Hispid Hare, Bengal Florican, Elephant, Gangetic Dolphin, Crocodile, about 400 bird species and reptiles, amphibians. Apart from butterflies, the forests of Dudhwa are home to many unknown and unseen species.

vegetation
Apart from Sal, Asna, Bahera, Jamun, Khair, many other types of trees are present in this forest. Various types of bushes, grasses, creepers, medicinal plants and plants with beautiful flowers are found in abundance.

Forest Projects of Dudhwa Park
Various projects have also been run in Dudhwa Park for wildlife conservation. In these projects, initiatives have been taken to save creatures like tigers and rhinos.

tiger project
Its importance has further increased with the inclusion of Dudhwa National Park and Kishanpur Animal Sanctuary in the Project Tiger Project of the Government of India in 1987-88. On 24 April 2010, the state government has decided to constitute a Tiger Conservation Force for the conservation of tigers.

rhinoceros project
"Rhinoceros Project Area" in Dudhwa Tiger Reserve is in South Sonaripur, which has 9 males, 13 females and 8 rhino calves. It is noteworthy that the last rhino in Kheri and Pilibhit districts in the Terai of Uttar Pradesh was captured by a British in 1878. He was shot by an officer and with this the species became extinct from the Terai. In 1979, the Asian Specialist Group considered the rehabilitation of rhinos and on this basis, the IUCN Rhino Specialist Group and the Indian Board for Wildlife started the program of rhino re-introduction (rhinoceros rehabilitation) in Dudhwa National Park. In 1984, five rhinos were brought to the forests of Dudhwa from the Wildlife Sanctuary of Assam on 30 March 1984. In 1985, in the second phase of rhino rehabilitation, four female rhinos were brought from Nepal in exchange of 16 Indian domesticated elephants. So that the biodiversity of the rhinoceros species remains intact. The rehabilitation initiative started with nine members of this species is now on the path to success despite all the setbacks. The 30 members of the Rhinoceros species indicate that the land of Dudhwa has completely accepted them, like their ancestors.

 

Tourism in Dudhwa Park

Dudhwa Park has been a center of attraction for tourists, environmentalists and wildlife lovers since its inception. Tharu hut and safari facilities are major centers of attraction and curiosity for tourists.

Tharu hut
Modern style Tharu huts are available in Dudhwa for tourists to stay. Rest House- Ancient Indo-British style buildings provide accommodation to the tourists in this dense forest, where the thrill of nature darshan doubles.

scaffolding
The wooden scaffoldings built in the forests of Dudhwa from the British Raj to independent India generate curiosity and thrill. Tharu culture - This community, which once migrated from Rajasthan and lived in the forests of Dudhwa, presents a glimpse of Rajasthani culture, their jewellery, dance, festivals and traditional knowledge are amazing. This community, who claims to be the descendants of Rana Pratap, settled on the Indo-Nepal border. Due to this, they came into contact with Nepali communities, as a result, they now have a mixed culture, language and physical structure of India and Nepal.

how to reach
The distance of Dudhwa National Park is about 430 km from Delhi to the east, and 230 km from Lucknow to the north-west. To reach Dudhwa from Delhi, one can reach Palia via Ghaziabad, Moradabad, Rampur, Bareilly, Shahjahanpur, Khutar, Mailani, Gola, from where Dudhwa is situated at a distance of only 10 km. To reach Dudhwa from Lucknow, one can reach Dudhwa National Park via Sidhauli, Sitapur, Hargaon, Lakhimpur, Bhira, Palia. The nearest railway stations to Dudhwa National Park are Dudhwa, Palia and Mailani. To reach here, one has to travel by train to Delhi, Moradabad, Bareilly, Shahjahanpur and then 107 km by road, while there is a train route from Lucknow also to Palia-Dudhwa. By road, Dudhwa can be reached via Delhi-Murabad-Bareilly-Pilibhit or Shahjahanpur, Khutar, Mailani, Bheera, Palia. Roadways buses are available to Palia from Lakhimpur, Shahjahanpur, Sitapur, Lucknow, Bareilly, Delhi etc. and private bus services are available from Palia to Dudhwa. Dudhwa can be reached from Lucknow, Sitapur, Lakhimpur, Gola, Mailani via Palia.

accommodation facility
Reservation of Dudhwa Van Vishram Bhawan is done from Chief Conservator of Forest-Wildlife- Lucknow, reservation of Tharuhat Dudhwa, Van Vishram Bhavan Bankati, Kishanpur, Sonaripur, Belrayan, Salukapur will be done from the local headquarters. Reservation from Sathiana Forest Rest House can be done from the Field Director Lakhimpur office.

tree house
PP Singh, Deputy Director of Dudhwa Tiger Reserve, had built this tree house for tourists in the forest of Dudhwa about six years ago. This tree house is built about fifty feet high with the support of giant Sakhu trees. This double bedroom tree house is equipped with all the necessary facilities. The magnificent tree house built at a cost of about four lakh rupees remains the center of attraction for tourists. After getting the information, tourists cannot rest without seeing it.