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Dudwa
Tiger Reserve, Uttar Pradesh
| Location |
-Indo-Nepal
Border |
| Speciality |
-Tigers |
Dudwa
Tiger Reserve constitutes of mosaic of grasslands, marshes, lakes
and sal (Shorea robusta) forests. It is as wild as can be.
Duliwa
Tiger, situated on the Indo-Nepal border in District Lakhimpur-Kheri
of Uttar Pradesh, with an area of 614 sq. km. is one of the finest
of the few remaining examples of the excedingly diverse and productive
terai eco-systems. The northern edge of the Reserve lies along the
Indo-Nepal border and 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 flovican,
etc.
The
Kishanpur Sanctuary, located about 30 km. from Dudwa, is the other
constituent of the Reserve, spread over-about 200-sq. km., lies
on the banks of the River Sharda and is surrounded by sal forests
of the adjoining reserved forests.
The
grasslands of the Reserve are the habitat of the largest kind of
Indian deer - the swamp deer or the bavasingha, so called 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 Dudwa 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 Dudwa
became a part of Project Tiger, the area of the Kishanpur Sanctuary
was added to create the Dudwa Tiger Reserve. About 1800 barasingha
are to be found in the Reserve and majestic herds are especially
seen in the grassy wetlands of the Sathiana and Kakmha blocks.
Dudwa
has also the ideal kind of tervainfov the Indian vhino, once found
here in large numbers, hunted down and had completely disappeared
from this area by 1878. More lately, it was feared that epidemics
and disease would wipe out the existing populations of rhino in
Assam, West Bengal and Nepal and a decision was taken to distribute
some in other suitable areas. In an exciting experiment, one male
and five female rhinos were relocated here from Assam and Nepal,
in 1985. Now well settled in Dudwa, their numbers have increased.
At present, tourists are not allowed in the rhino area.
The
Reserve has also a fair density of tigers. Standing as it does at
the top of the food chain, the tiger can only be protected by the
total conservation of its natural environment and the Project Tiger
has reinforced this at Dudwa. Despite its numbers, sightings of
the tiger are rare, due to the dense nature of the forest cover.
Dudwa
did have a large herd of elephants during the 1960's and 70's a
herd of about 30 that migrated here after the destruction of their
habitat in Nepal. They have returned since to a little sanctuary
across the border in Nepal. The Reserve, however, does have range
of fascinating wildlife. Included in their number are sloth bear,
ratel, civet, jackal, the lesser cats like the leopard cat, fishing
cat and jungle cat; varieties of deer - the beautiful spotted deer
or chital, hog deer and barking deer The hispid hare, a dark brown
animal with bristly fur - last seen in the area in 1951 and believed
to have become extinct, was rediscovered in 1984 to the great interest
of conservationists. The short nosed crocodile - the mugger and
otters can be seen along the riverbanks as weII as pythons and monitor
lizards.
A
bird watchers' haven, Dudwa is noted for its avian variety - about
400 species. Its swamps and several lakes attract varieties of waterfowl.
Being close to the Himalayan foothills, Dudwa also gets its regular
winter visitors - the migratory water birds. The Banke Tal is perhaps
the most popular spot for bird watchers. There are egrets, cormorants,
herons and several species of duck, geese and teal.
Noted
for the variety of storks that make their home here, Dudwa has the
sarus crane - elegant in its grey and red livery, black necked storks,
white necked storks, painted storks, open billed storks and adjutant
storks. Raptors like the grey headed fishing eagle, PaIlas fishing
eagle and marsh harriers can be seen circling over the lakes in
search of prey - creating pandemonium among the waterfowl as they
swoop low.
An
extraordinary range of owls are also to be found a t the Reserve.
These include the great Indian horned owl, the brown Fish owl, the
dusky horned owl, scops owl, jungle ow2et, the brown wood owl, and
tawny fish owl. Colourful birds - varieties of woodpeckers, barbets,
minivets, bulbuls, kingfishers, bee-eaters, orioles, drongos and
hornbi2ls are all part of its rich bird life.
A
rather fragile paradise, Dudwa is a noteworthy attempt at preserving
a natural biosphere for the coming generations.
Wildlife
that can be sighted:
Tiger,
swamp deer, hog deer, barking deer, sambar, wild boar, sloth bear,
rhesus monkey, langur, crocodile, jackal, leopard etc. Resident
birds include hornbills, jungle fowl, peafowl, partridges, woodpeckers,
thrushes, orioles, bee-eaters, baya, minivets, roller, drongos,
bulbuls, etc. Rivers, nalas and ponds which comprise roughly 2%
of the Reserve area attract birds like clucks, geese, cormorants,
ibis, herons, storks, kites, fishing eagles, etc.
General Details
| Area |
614
sq. km. |
| Year
of Establishment |
1977 |
| Location |
Along
the Indo-Nepal border in the Lakhimpur-Kheri District of Uttar
Pradesh. |
| Headquarters |
Lakhimpur
(Kheri), UP, India |
| Altitude |
150-183
meters Nearest Town: Palia
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