Welcome to Dudhwa National Park - India

Located on the Indo-Nepal border in the district Lakhimpur-Kheri in Uttar Pradesh, Dudhwa National Park, together with Kishanpur and Katerniaghat Wildlife Sanctuaries, represent the best natural forests and grasslands left in the Terai region of Uttar Pradesh. The three Protected Areas, being the last viable home of the Royal Bengal Tiger in the state, have been jointly constituted into Dudhwa Tiger Reserve under Project Tiger. Kishanpur (204 sq km), the oldest of the three PAs, was declared a Wildlife Sanctuary in 1972, followed by Katerniaghat (440 sq km) in 1975 and finally Dudhwa National Park (680 sq km) in 1977. Though the 3 PAs are physically separate, each consists of unbroken tracts of dense forests. These terai ecosystems are highly productive habitats of diverse flora and fauna and home to a considerable number of obligate species and species of restricted distribution. The vegetation is of the North Indian Moist Deciduous type, containing some of the finest examples of Sal forests (Shorea robusta) in India, as well the most extensive tracts of moist grasslands that remain in this region.

The fauna includes, apartfrom sizable populations of Tiger (Panthera tigris) and Leopard, a viable population of a nominate sub-species of the Swamp deer or Barasingha (Cervus duvauceli duvauceli), a population of Indian One-horned Rhinoceros successfully reintroduced in 1984, and certain critically endangered species like the Bengal Florican (Houbaropsis bengalensis) and the Hispid Hare (Caprolagus hispidus), adding to the marvel of Dudhwa.

There is an enviable bird life with over 450 resident as well as migratory species. Dotted with a number of shallow lakes or taals, there are diverse, perennial sources of freshwater in the reserve.

The Sharda River flows by the Kishanpur WL Sanctuary, the Geruwa River flows through the Katerniaghat WL Sanctuary and the Suheli and Mohana streams flow in the Dudhwa National Park, all of which are tributaries of the mighty Ghagra River. Some of the important taals are the Bankey, Kakraha, Amaha, Bhadi and Bhadraula. The taals, streams and rivers support a rich variety of turtle species, the Mugger crocodile, (Crocodylus palustris), the unique and endangered fish eating crocodile or Gharial (Gavialis gangeticus) as well as the Gangetic dolphin (Plantanista gangetica), which are found in the Geruwa. The Tiger Reserve, of immense importance to biodiversity, also plays a vital role in the maintenance of the water and climatic regime of the region, thereby sustaining its agricultural productivity and over all well being.

The existence of the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve undoubtedly influences in a host of ways, critical but not fully understood, the ecological balance of not only the region but also of our planet. With its varied topography, lush green landscape, extensive wetlands and remarkable biodiversity, the Reserve is an enviable paradise for nature loversand wildlife enthusiasts.

Wildlife

Tiger, Rhinoceros ,Elephant, Swamp deer, Sambar, Cheetal, Hog deer, Kakar, Wild pig, Blue bull, Rhesus monkey, Langur, Sloth bear, Porcupine, Otter, Monitor lizard, Turtles, Python, Mugger, Gharial etc.

Of the nearly 1300 birds found in the Indian subcontinent, over450 species can be seen in the Reserve. These include Hornbill, Red Jungle Fowl, Pea fowl, Bengal Florican, Fishing eagle, Serpent eagle, Osprey, Woodpeckers, Shama, Indian Pitta, Paradise flycatcher, Orioles, Emerald dove etc. During winter the vastand varied water bodies attract a large variety and number of migratory birds making the reserve a favourite haunt of bird watchers.

Dudhwa National Park comprises of sal forests, marshes and grasslands which harbour a wide variety of wildlife. The Park is famous for the reintroduced one horned rhino and swamp deer (barasingha). Dudhwa has the distinction of having the largest surviving population of this endangered species, their presence rendered more spectacular by the propensity for segregation of the antlered males. Bird life is prolific - being a marshland, it provides a natural habitat for the winter migratory birds. An ideal paradise for birders to see the Lesser Bengal Florican and Swamp Partridge - both these species are on the red alert list.

Covering an area of about 500 sq km, Dudhwa National Park, along the Indo-Nepal border in Kheri district of Uttar Pradesh, is best known for the Barasingha or Swamp Deer. The grasslands and woodlands of this park, consist mainly of sal forests. The barasingha is found in the southwest and southeast regions of the park. Among the big cats, tigers abound at Dudhwa. There are also a few leopards. The other animals found in large numbers, are the Indian one-horned rhinoceros and the wild elephant. Other animals found in Dudhwa are jungle cats, leopard cats, fishing cats, jackals, civets, sloth bears, sambar, otters, crocodiles and chital.

Among reptiles, pythons and monitor lizards are fairly common. Dudhwa is also a bird-watcher's paradise. Dudhwa, perhaps, houses the greatest number of owls and storks. Also, found in plenty, are the great Indian horned owl, the forest eagle owl, the brown fish owl, the tawny owl, the dusky horned owl, the scops owl, brown wood owl and the jungle owlet. The storks, which abound here, are the black-necked stork, white-necked stork, black stork, painted stork, white stork, open-billed stork and the adjutant stork. A variety of colourful birds like woodpeckers, orioles, pittas, kingfishers, minivets and sunbirds also inhabit this Park. In a bid to save the Indian one-horned rhinoceros, seven rhinos from Assam and Nepal were introduced into Dudhwa in 1984-85. Presently, 13 rhinos can be spotted in Dudhwa.