Location : Indo -
Nepal Border, U.P.
Establishment : 1879 ( as a tiger reserve), 1977 (as a
national park)
Area covered : 490 Sq. Km.
Major wildlife Attractions : Bara singha or Swamp deer,
Chital, hog deer, barking deer, sambar, wild boar, jackal.
About Dudhwa National Park
The topography of Dudhwa National Park is as diverse as the wildlife
population it houses. The terrain is populated by mosaic grasslands and
dense sal forests to swampy marshes. The northern confines of the Dudhwa
National Park lies along the Indo-Nepal border and the River Suheli falls in
the southern boundary.
Tiger Reserve since 1879, Dudhwa became a National Park in 1977 and
declared the Project Tiger in 1988. In 1984 a major rhinoceros
rehabilitation project was started, since these forests had been the habitat
of the rhinoceros 150 years ago. To support the project, several female
rhinoceroses where brought in from Assam and Nepal. Even though the Tiger
population in the Park is respectable enough, sightings are rare due to the
dense forest cover of the region. Besides Tigers, Leopards, Hispid Hares and
the Swamp Deer (Barasingha) and Rhinos roam amidst the vegetation. The
marshlands are especially inviting for about 400 species of resident and
migratory birds including the Swamp Partridge, Great Slaty Woodpecker and
Bengal Florican.
Wildlife Attractions in Dudhwa
Vegetation Found
The
major vegetation types in this region are tropical semi-evergreen forest,
tropical moist deciduous forest, riparian and swamp forest and dry deciduous
forest. The dominant tree species are Shorea robusta, Terminalis tomentosa,
Adina cordifolia, Terminalia belerica, Eugenia jambolana, Dalbergia sissoo,
and Bombax malabaricum. The various types of forests throughout the park are
interrupted by wide stretches of mesophyllous grasslands locally called the
phantas.
Animals Found
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.
Birds Found
Dudhwa has a delightful number of birds - plenty of painted storks, sarus
cranes, owls, barbets, woodpeckers, 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.
Park Trip
Jeeps and mini buses can be hired from the Park. Elephant rides through the
Park are also available.
Getting There
Air : In India, Lucknow at 250 kms is the most convenient airport,
connected by flights from across the country. Outside India, Nepal at 35 kms
is the nearest airport.
Rail : The nearest railhead is Dudhwa (4 kms), Palia (10 kms) and
Mailani (37 kms).
Road : The State Roadways buses and private bus services link Palia
to Lakhimpur Kheri, Shahjahanpur, Bareilly and Delhi. Buses are frequent
between Palia and Dudhwa.
