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Dhudhwa National Park
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 theLa
khimpur-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.The area of the Park is a vast alluvial plain, the doab of the Mohana and Suheli rivers, and interspersed with numerous rivulets, lakes and pools. The rich and extremely fertile Indo-Gangetic plains support a luxuriant growth of forests diversity of fauna.
Some of the grasslands are infested with the weed, Cymbopogon martinii. Dense mats of Tiliacora sq. another weed, has developed in a large portions of the Sal forests. These weeds are inedible and are spreading rapidly, making the affected areas inhospitable for herbivores.
Location of Dudhwa National Park : In the teral belt of Uttar Pradesh, close to the Neplese Himalayas, which are about 30km (20 miles) distant.
Climate of Dudhwa National Park : Winter is bitingly cold and can drop to 4°C (39°F) while the summer months are quite hot (35°C, 95°F) although humidity is relatively low. The rains occur June to September.
When to go ( Dudhwa National Park ): The period between February and June is probably the best time to visit the park. April through June is very hot and dry, but very good for viewing wildlife.
Getting to Dudhwa National Park : The nearest small town is Patiala; the nearest airport is at Lucknow. It is advisable to reach Dudwa by hired car or bus from Lucknow railway station, which is 260km (160 miles) from the park. Get Wildindiaguid.com help for your travel Needs.
Facilities at Dudhwa National Park : Forest rest houses and log huts in Dudhwa, located at Sathiana, Bankkatti and Sonaripur, have cooking and catering facilities; provisions need to be supplied by visitors. Dudhwa has a full canteen.
Wildlife in Dudhwa National Park : Dudhwa is a deer haven, sustaining the largest number of Softground Barasingha (Swamp Deer) in India. Birdlife is on eof the park's major attractions. Elephant rides on offer thorough the park at dawn and dusk.
Landscapes of Dudhwa National Park: Beautiful vistas across to the Himalayan foothills. Fine stands of Sal dominate the forest, and Jamun (Blackberry) lines the river banks.
Reservations for Dudhwa National Park: The Field Director, Dudhwa National Park, Lakhimpur, Kheri, Uttar Pradesh; Ask Wildindiaguid.com to help you to get the best accomodation.
The National park :
Wildlife species The prime mammal species of the park is the elephant Barasingha, or Swamp Deer. Yellowish-brown in colour, these deer feed on grasses and swamp vegeration, breeding in the summer. Stags carry long branched antlers. In Dudhwa the Swamp Deer is known as gond; this animal was pivotal to influencing conservationists to lay the foundations to protect the area and thus declare it a National Park.
The greatest attraction of the Dudhwa reserve is the majestic Tiger, which occurs throughout the park and is seen regularly by visitors. Dudhwa is presently on one of India's best-managed parks. Tiger and Leopard are the park's major predators, and there is constant competition between the tow cat species. Leopard numbers, though, are far less than those of the Tiger.
Among the park's carnivores are Sloth Bear (which prey on the kills of other predators to complement their diet of white ants, Mahua fruits, black berries and roots), Jackal, Red Fox, the Fishing, Jungle and Leopard Cat, and Honey Badger. In winter, visitors can spy on basking snub-nosed crocodiles known locally as Muggar(Marsh Corcodile) on the banks of the Suheli and Neora rivers. In terms of the herbivores, five species of deer co-exist in Dudhwa: Chital, Sambhar, Mantjac (Barking Deer), Barasingha and Hog Deer.
Another highly endangered animal whose numbers have reduced alarmingly is the elusive grassland dweller, the Hispid Hare. Predation and their dwindling habitat have been the main causes.
Rare birdlife: Dudhwa has 350 species of birds and enjoys the distinction of being the only region in Uttar Pradesh that contains such large numbers of bustards. Between 40 and 50 in number, they life in close proximity with the Swamp Deer in the grasslands. The bengal Florican, a sub-Himalayan species, is perhaps the rarest bustard in the world, with a global population of 600. Also rare are the Lesser Florican, or Leekh, which flock to the park's grassland areas. In the upper grasslands, Swamp Partridge are transitional, while Black and Grey Prtridge, Red Junglefowl and Peafowl are plentiful.A great number of migratory birds converge at Banketal ("tal" meaning "lake") in south Sonaripur and at Jhaditaal in Kishanpur. Among the species are white eyed, Red-chested and common Pochard, Pintail Duck, Common Tal and mallards. Particularly species in Dudhwa are the prolific owls and raptors, Great Indian Horned, Dusky Horned, Brown Fish, Forest Eagle and Scops Owl as well as the Spotted and Barred Owlet are just some of the owl species. Notable birds of prey are Sparrow Hawk, the Pale and Hen Harrier, the Crested Serpent and Sported Eagle, Honey Buzzard and Shikra.
Conservation History
The visit of Sir D.B. Brandis in 1860 to the area culminated in 303 sq. mile forest area of the present day Dudhwa National Park being brought under the control of Government in 1861 for preservation. In Kheri District all the Sal and miscellaneous forests and grasslands in Kharigarh Pargana, between the Mohana and Suheli rivers, were included in the then North Kheri Forest Division. More areas were reserved for protection between 1867 and 1879 and added to the Division. The area of the Division was legally constituted as Reserved Forests in 1937.
The Sonaripur Sanctuary comprising 15.7 sq. km. area was created in 1958 to specifically protect swamp deer (Cervus duvaceli duvaceli). The area was too small and was later enlarged to 212 sq. km. and renamed as Dudhwa Sanctuary in 1968. Later, more area was added to the Sanctuary and in 1977, it was declared Dudhwa National Park. The total area of the Pa
rk was 616 sq. km. of which 490 sq. km. was core zone and balance 124 sq. km. buffer zone.Dudhwa Tiger Reserve was created in the year 1987-88 comprising Dudhwa National Park and Kishanpur Sanctuary (203.41 sq. km.). With an addition of 66 sq. km. to the buffer zone in 1997, the present area of the Tiger Reserve is 884 sq. km.
Forest Types
Main Species( Flora)
Sal, Sal,Asna,Shisham,Bahera, Khair, Jamun .
Main Species(Fauna)
Mammals: Tiger, Leopard, Swamp deer, Rhinoceros, Cheetal , Hog deer, Barking deer, Sambar, Wild boar and Ratel. Around 400 species of birds and 90 species of fishes have been identified at Dudhwa.
Endangered Species
Tiger, Swamp deer, Leopard, Ratel, Hispid hare, Bengal florican, Black necked stork.
Management Protection and habitat management are the most important inputs
Special Projects
The Rhino was reintroduced in Dudhwa in 1984-85. The seed population of 7 has now increased to 16.
New Initiatives
Eco-development
Eco-development through village level micro planning has been initiated since 1998-99.
Village Forest Protection Committees
Few Village Forest Protection Committees have been created. Persons with exceptional initiative in conservation have been named tiger guardians.
Protection Squads/Patrolling
For increased mobility and communication, resources have been obtained from Tiger Conservation Programme (WWF).
Education and Awareness
Eco-awareness camps have been organized. An interpretation centre was established in 1997-98.
