|
Location: |
Indo - Nepal Border, U.P. |
|
Area covered: |
490 Sq. Km. |
|
Main Wildlife Found: |
Bara singha or Swamp deer, Chital,
hog deer, barking deer, sambar, wild boar, jackal. |
|
Best time to visit: |
February to April |
|
|
About Dudhwa
National Park
From mosaic grasslands and dense sal forests to swampy marshes,
the terrain of Dudhwa National Park is as diverse as the wildlife
population is harbors. While the northern edge of the Park lies along
the Indo-Nepal border, the River Suheli marks the southern boundary.
A Tiger Reserve since 1879, Dudhwa became a National Park in 1977 and
adopted the Project Tiger in 1988. Although the Tigers at the Park are
numerous, sightings are rare due to the thick forest cover of the
area. Besides Tigers, Leopards, Hispid Hares and the Swamp Deer (Barasingha)
and Rhinos thrive 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
Apart from the swamp deer, there are at least 37 species of mammals,
16 species of reptiles and 400 species of avifauna. Dudhwa Wildlife
Sanctuary is said to have 101 tigers and four leopards. Recently, the
hispid hare has also been sighted from this area.
It was here in 1984 that a major rhinoceros rehabilitation project was
started since these forests had been the habitat of the rhinoceros 150
years ago. Five rhinos were relocated from Assam but two of the
females died due to the strains of transportation. These were replaced
in 1985 by four more females from Nepal.
Avian World
Dudhwa’s birds, in particular, are a delight for any avid bird
watcher- 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.
Flora Attraction
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.
Safari
Jeeps and mini buses can be hired from the Park. Elephant rides
through the Park are also available |
|
Best time to visit
The best time to visit Dudhwa is between November and May. The park
remains open to the public from November to June, but by June it’s
usually a little too hot for comfort. Remember to take your woolle ns
along if you’re going between December and February- it can get pretty
chilly here, in the foothills of the Terai.
How to Get 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 |
