Dudhwa National Park
Encyclopedia
Dudhwa National Park is located in the Terai
of Uttar Pradesh
, India
and covers an area of 680 km2 with a buffer area of almost 190 km2. In altitude it ranges from about 150 metres (492.1 ft) to 183 metres (600.4 ft). The international border with Nepal
forms the northern boundary, and the River Suheli the southern boundary. Its headquarters are located in Lakhimpur Kheri District. The nearest town with service facilities is Palia.
The area was established in 1958 as a wildlife sanctuary. Thanks to the efforts of 'Billy' Arjan Singh
the area was notified as a national park in January 1977. In 1988, the park was declared as a tiger reserve, and forms the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve together with the Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary
.
Prevalent winds are westerly. The hot wind Loo
blows strongly from mid-April up to end of May. Monsoon
starting in mid-June and lasting up to September accounts for 90% of the annual rainfall of 150 cm. Temperatures range from between a minimum of 9°C in winter to a maximum of up to 45°C in peak summer.
, jamun, gular, bahera and sehore.
Dudhwa National Park is home to one of the finest Sal forests in India, some of these trees are more than 150 years old and over 70 feet tall.
, earlier thought to have become extinct, was rediscovered in 1984.
In the mid 1980s, Indian Rhinoceros
was reintroduced into Dudhwa from Assam
and Nepal
.
The other animals to be seen here include Swamp Deer, Sambar Deer
, Barking Deer, Spotted Deer, Hog Deer
, Tiger
, Rhinoceros, Sloth Bear
, Ratel
, Jackal, Civet, Jungle Cat
, Fishing Cat
, Leopard Cat
.
The major attractions of Dudhwa National Park are the Tigers and Swamp Deer. The main attractions of the park are its Swamp Deer (population over 1,600) and tiger (population 98 in 1995). The park is famous for the efforts of ‘Billy’ Arjan Singh
, one of India’s leading conservationists, who was instrumental in the creation of Dudhwa as a sanctuary of the Swamp Deer. Later he successfully hand-reared and re-introduced zoo-born tigers and leopards into the wilds of Dudhwa.
The park
has a rich bird life, with over 350 species, including the Swamp Francolin
, Great Slaty Woodpecker
and Bengal Florican
. Dudhwa also boasts a range of migratory birds that settle here during winters. It includes among others, painted stork
s, black and white necked storks, Sarus Crane
s, woodpecker
s, barbets, kingfisher
s, minivan
s, bee-eater
s, bulbul
s and varied night birds of prey.
Dudhwa National Park is a stronghold of the barasingha
, which can be spotted in herds of hundreds. It is interesting to note that around half of the world's barasinghas are present in Dudhwa National Park. Smaller than the sambar, the barasinghas have 12 antlers that collectively measure up to 100 cm.
Barasinghas: Passing through open grasslands, one can spot herd of these rare animals. Around half of the surviving population of Barasingha
s is found in the park. These animals are smaller than sambar and weigh around 180 kg. The barasinghas have 12 antlers that measure up to 100 cm. Due to their slightly woolly, dark brown to pale yellow cloak, the grasslands acts as the perfect camouflage.
Dudhwa's birds in particular are a delight for any avid bird watcher. The marshlands are habitat for about 400 species of resident and migratory birds including the Swamp Francolin
, Great Slaty Woodpecker
, Bengal Florican
, plenty of Painted Stork
, Sarus Crane
, several species of owl
, Asian barbet
, woodpecker
and minivet
s. Much of the park’s avian fauna is aquatic in nature and found around Dudhwa’s lakes such as Banke Tal.
, the base of the stone temple is built in the shape of a large frog. The temple is at a distance of 10 km from Hargaon on the route to Lakhimpur-Kheri and Dudhwa.
Built in the Indo-Saracenic style by the rulers of the Singhai estate, Surat Bhawan Palace is one of the famous palaces of the Terai area. Not far from the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve on the Lakhimpur-Nighasan-Dudhwa route, the palace is set in a large green, 9 acres (36,421.7 m²) retreat. Expanses of lush lawns, fountains, a swimming pool and interesting architectural details make a visit to the palace worthwhile.
Frog Temple: This temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is located in Oyal, which is nearly 10 km from Hargaon en route Lakhimpur-Kheri. The base of the temple is in the shape of a large frog.
Surat Bhawan Palace: This 19th century Indo-Sarasenic style built Palace is located around 8 km from the Dudhwa National Park. One can see the Himalayan
Peaks from the Palace terrace on a clear day.
Elephant Rides: The spotting of animals and birds in their natural habitation, and that too sitting on top of an Indian elephant
is an experience to treasure for a long time.
Nearest Railway Station: Dudwa (4 km.), Palia (10 km.), Mailani (37 km.)
Nearest Airport: Lucknow, Dhangarhi (Nepal, 35 km.)
The park usuallu opens in November, after the departure of monsoons (rainy season).
Terai
The Terai is a belt of marshy grasslands, savannas, and forests located south of the outer foothills of the Himalaya, the Siwalik Hills, and north of the Indo-Gangetic Plain of the Ganges, Brahmaputra and their tributaries. The Terai belongs to the Terai-Duar savanna and grasslands ecoregion...
of Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh abbreviation U.P. , is a state located in the northern part of India. With a population of over 200 million people, it is India's most populous state, as well as the world's most populous sub-national entity...
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
and covers an area of 680 km2 with a buffer area of almost 190 km2. In altitude it ranges from about 150 metres (492.1 ft) to 183 metres (600.4 ft). The international border with Nepal
Nepal
Nepal , officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a landlocked sovereign state located in South Asia. It is located in the Himalayas and bordered to the north by the People's Republic of China, and to the south, east, and west by the Republic of India...
forms the northern boundary, and the River Suheli the southern boundary. Its headquarters are located in Lakhimpur Kheri District. The nearest town with service facilities is Palia.
The area was established in 1958 as a wildlife sanctuary. Thanks to the efforts of 'Billy' Arjan Singh
Billy Arjan Singh
Kunwar "Billy" Arjan Singh was an Indian hunter turned conservationist and author. He was the first who tried to reintroduce tigers and leopards from captivity into the wild....
the area was notified as a national park in January 1977. In 1988, the park was declared as a tiger reserve, and forms the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve together with the Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary
Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary
The Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary is a part of the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve near Mailani in Uttar Pradesh, India. It covers an area of 227 km2 and was founded in 1972.-Fauna:* Tiger* Leopard* Swamp Deer* Hog Deer* Barking Deer* Bengal Florican...
.
Climate
Like most of northern India, Dudhwa has an extreme type of climate. Summers are hot with temperatures rising up to 40°C (104°F). During winters from mid-October to mid-March, temperatures hover between 20°C to 30°C (68°F to 86°F). The months of February to April are ideal for visiting the park.Prevalent winds are westerly. The hot wind Loo
Loo (wind)
The Loo is a strong, hot and dry summer afternoon wind from the west which blows over the western Indo-Gangetic Plain region of North India and Pakistan. It is especially strong in the months of May and June...
blows strongly from mid-April up to end of May. Monsoon
Monsoon
Monsoon is traditionally defined as a seasonal reversing wind accompanied by corresponding changes in precipitation, but is now used to describe seasonal changes in atmospheric circulation and precipitation associated with the asymmetric heating of land and sea...
starting in mid-June and lasting up to September accounts for 90% of the annual rainfall of 150 cm. Temperatures range from between a minimum of 9°C in winter to a maximum of up to 45°C in peak summer.
Vegetation
The vegetation of the area is moist deciduous. The high dense forests are interspersed with extensive stretches of grasslands and wetlands. The predominant tree species are sal, asna, shishamDalbergia sissoo
Dalbergia sissoo, known as Shisham, is an erect deciduous tree, native to the Indian Subcontinent. It is also called sissoo, sisu, sheesham, tahli and sometimes referred to as Indian Rosewood. It is state tree of Punjab state and provincial tree of Punjab province...
, jamun, gular, bahera and sehore.
Dudhwa National Park is home to one of the finest Sal forests in India, some of these trees are more than 150 years old and over 70 feet tall.
Fauna
Some rare species inhabit the park. Hispid HareHispid Hare
The Hispid hare Caprolagus hispidus, also called Assam rabbit is a leporid native to South Asia, whose historic range extended along the southern foothills of the Himalayas. Today, the habitat of hispid hares is highly fragmented with an area of occupancy of less than extending over an estimated...
, earlier thought to have become extinct, was rediscovered in 1984.
In the mid 1980s, Indian Rhinoceros
Indian Rhinoceros
The Indian Rhinoceros is also called Greater One-horned Rhinoceros and Asian One-horned Rhinoceros and belongs to the Rhinocerotidae family...
was reintroduced into Dudhwa from Assam
Assam
Assam , also, rarely, Assam Valley and formerly the Assam Province , is a northeastern state of India and is one of the most culturally and geographically distinct regions of the country...
and Nepal
Nepal
Nepal , officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a landlocked sovereign state located in South Asia. It is located in the Himalayas and bordered to the north by the People's Republic of China, and to the south, east, and west by the Republic of India...
.
The other animals to be seen here include Swamp Deer, Sambar Deer
Sambar Deer
The Sambar ' is a large deer native to southern and southeast Asia. Although it primarily refers to R. unicolor, the name "Sambar" is also sometimes used to refer to the Philippine Deer and the Rusa Deer...
, Barking Deer, Spotted Deer, Hog Deer
Hog Deer
The Hog Deer is a small deer whose habitat ranges from Pakistan, through northern India, to mainland southeast Asia...
, Tiger
Tiger
The tiger is the largest cat species, reaching a total body length of up to and weighing up to . Their most recognizable feature is a pattern of dark vertical stripes on reddish-orange fur with lighter underparts...
, Rhinoceros, Sloth Bear
Sloth Bear
The sloth bear , also known as the labiated bear, is a nocturnal insectivorous species of bear found wild within the Indian subcontinent. The sloth bear evolved from ancestral brown bears during the Pleistocene and shares features found in insect-eating mammals through convergent evolution...
, Ratel
Ratel
The honey badger , also known as the ratel, is a species of mustelid native to Africa, the Middle East and the Indian Subcontinent. Despite its name, the honey badger does not closely resemble other badger species, instead bearing more anatomical similarities to weasels...
, Jackal, Civet, Jungle Cat
Jungle Cat
The jungle cat is a medium-sized cat and considered the largest remaining species of the wild cat genus Felis. The species is also called the swamp lynx but is not closely related to the lynxes....
, Fishing Cat
Fishing Cat
The Fishing Cat is a medium-sized wild cat of South and Southeast Asia. In 2008, the IUCN classified the fishing cat as endangered since they are concentrated primarily in wetland habitats, which are increasingly being settled, degraded and converted...
, Leopard Cat
Leopard Cat
The leopard cat is a small wild cat of South and East Asia. Since 2002 it has been listed as Least Concern by IUCN as it is widely distributed but threatened by habitat loss and hunting in parts of its range...
.
The major attractions of Dudhwa National Park are the Tigers and Swamp Deer. The main attractions of the park are its Swamp Deer (population over 1,600) and tiger (population 98 in 1995). The park is famous for the efforts of ‘Billy’ Arjan Singh
Billy Arjan Singh
Kunwar "Billy" Arjan Singh was an Indian hunter turned conservationist and author. He was the first who tried to reintroduce tigers and leopards from captivity into the wild....
, one of India’s leading conservationists, who was instrumental in the creation of Dudhwa as a sanctuary of the Swamp Deer. Later he successfully hand-reared and re-introduced zoo-born tigers and leopards into the wilds of Dudhwa.
The park
Park
A park is a protected area, in its natural or semi-natural state, or planted, and set aside for human recreation and enjoyment, or for the protection of wildlife or natural habitats. It may consist of rocks, soil, water, flora and fauna and grass areas. Many parks are legally protected by...
has a rich bird life, with over 350 species, including the Swamp Francolin
Swamp Francolin
The Swamp Partridge or Swamp Francolin is a species of partridge found in parts of India, Nepal and Bangladesh mostly in the Ganges and Brahmaputra valleys.-Description:From Frank Finn's The Game Birds of India & Asia :...
, Great Slaty Woodpecker
Great Slaty Woodpecker
The Great Slaty Woodpecker is a species of bird in the Picidae family.It is found in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland...
and Bengal Florican
Bengal Florican
The Bengal Florican , also called Bengal Bustard, is a very rare bustard species from tropical southern Asia. It is the only member of the genus Houbaropsis...
. Dudhwa also boasts a range of migratory birds that settle here during winters. It includes among others, painted stork
Painted Stork
The Painted Stork is a large wading bird in the stork family. It is found in the wetlands of the plains of tropical Asia south of the Himalayas in South Asia and extending into Southeast Asia. Their distinctive pink tertial feathers give them their name. They forage in flocks in shallow waters...
s, black and white necked storks, Sarus Crane
Sarus Crane
The Sarus Crane is a large non-migratory crane found in parts of the Indian Subcontinent, Southeast Asia and Australia. The tallest of the flying birds, standing at a height of up to 1.8 m , they are conspicuous and iconic species of open wetlands...
s, woodpecker
Woodpecker
Woodpeckers are near passerine birds of the order Piciformes. They are one subfamily in the family Picidae, which also includes the piculets and wrynecks. They are found worldwide and include about 180 species....
s, barbets, kingfisher
Kingfisher
Kingfishers are a group of small to medium sized brightly coloured birds in the order Coraciiformes. They have a cosmopolitan distribution, with most species being found in the Old World and Australia...
s, minivan
Minivan
Minivan is a type of van designed for personal use. Minivans are typically either two-box or one box designs for maximum interior volume – and are taller than a sedan, hatchback, or a station wagon....
s, bee-eater
Bee-eater
The bee-eaters are a group of near-passerine birds in the family Meropidae. Most species are found in Africa and Asia but others occur in southern Europe, Australia, and New Guinea. They are characterised by richly coloured plumage, slender bodies, and usually elongated central tail feathers...
s, bulbul
Bulbul
Bulbuls are a family, Pycnonotidae, of medium-sized passerine songbirds. Many forest species are known as greenbuls. The family is distributed across most of Africa and into the Middle East, tropical Asia to Indonesia, and north as far as Japan. A few insular species occur on the tropical islands...
s and varied night birds of prey.
Dudhwa National Park is a stronghold of the barasingha
Barasingha
The Barasingha or Swamp deer is a deer species currently found in isolated localities in north and central India, and southwestern Nepal, and is extinct in Pakistan and Bangladesh....
, which can be spotted in herds of hundreds. It is interesting to note that around half of the world's barasinghas are present in Dudhwa National Park. Smaller than the sambar, the barasinghas have 12 antlers that collectively measure up to 100 cm.
Barasinghas: Passing through open grasslands, one can spot herd of these rare animals. Around half of the surviving population of Barasingha
Barasingha
The Barasingha or Swamp deer is a deer species currently found in isolated localities in north and central India, and southwestern Nepal, and is extinct in Pakistan and Bangladesh....
s is found in the park. These animals are smaller than sambar and weigh around 180 kg. The barasinghas have 12 antlers that measure up to 100 cm. Due to their slightly woolly, dark brown to pale yellow cloak, the grasslands acts as the perfect camouflage.
Birds
Drongos, Barbets, Cormorants, Ducks, Geese, Hornbills, Bulbuls, Teal, Woodpeckers, Heron, Bee Eaters, Minivets, Kingfishers, Egrets, Orioles, plenty of painted storks, sarus cranes, owls and more. One can also spot rare species like the Bengal florican.Dudhwa's birds in particular are a delight for any avid bird watcher. The marshlands are habitat for about 400 species of resident and migratory birds including the Swamp Francolin
Swamp Francolin
The Swamp Partridge or Swamp Francolin is a species of partridge found in parts of India, Nepal and Bangladesh mostly in the Ganges and Brahmaputra valleys.-Description:From Frank Finn's The Game Birds of India & Asia :...
, Great Slaty Woodpecker
Great Slaty Woodpecker
The Great Slaty Woodpecker is a species of bird in the Picidae family.It is found in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland...
, Bengal Florican
Bengal Florican
The Bengal Florican , also called Bengal Bustard, is a very rare bustard species from tropical southern Asia. It is the only member of the genus Houbaropsis...
, plenty of Painted Stork
Painted Stork
The Painted Stork is a large wading bird in the stork family. It is found in the wetlands of the plains of tropical Asia south of the Himalayas in South Asia and extending into Southeast Asia. Their distinctive pink tertial feathers give them their name. They forage in flocks in shallow waters...
, Sarus Crane
Sarus Crane
The Sarus Crane is a large non-migratory crane found in parts of the Indian Subcontinent, Southeast Asia and Australia. The tallest of the flying birds, standing at a height of up to 1.8 m , they are conspicuous and iconic species of open wetlands...
, several species of owl
Owl
Owls are a group of birds that belong to the order Strigiformes, constituting 200 bird of prey species. Most are solitary and nocturnal, with some exceptions . Owls hunt mostly small mammals, insects, and other birds, although a few species specialize in hunting fish...
, Asian barbet
Megalaimidae
A family of birds comprising the Asian barbets, the Megalaimidae were once united with all other barbets in the Capitonidae but they have turned out to be distinct...
, woodpecker
Woodpecker
Woodpeckers are near passerine birds of the order Piciformes. They are one subfamily in the family Picidae, which also includes the piculets and wrynecks. They are found worldwide and include about 180 species....
and minivet
Minivet
The minivets are passerine birds belonging to the genus Pericrocotus in the cuckoo-shrike family Campephagidae. There are about 13 species, occurring mainly in forests in southern and eastern Asia. They are fairly small, slender birds with long tails and an erect posture. Many species have bright...
s. Much of the park’s avian fauna is aquatic in nature and found around Dudhwa’s lakes such as Banke Tal.
Tourist attractions
En route to Dudhwa, the unique Frog Temple at Oyal can also be visited. The only one of its kind in India, it was built by the former Maharajas of the Oyal estate in the district of Lakhimpur-Kheri. Dedicated to Lord ShivaShiva
Shiva is a major Hindu deity, and is the destroyer god or transformer among the Trimurti, the Hindu Trinity of the primary aspects of the divine. God Shiva is a yogi who has notice of everything that happens in the world and is the main aspect of life. Yet one with great power lives a life of a...
, the base of the stone temple is built in the shape of a large frog. The temple is at a distance of 10 km from Hargaon on the route to Lakhimpur-Kheri and Dudhwa.
Built in the Indo-Saracenic style by the rulers of the Singhai estate, Surat Bhawan Palace is one of the famous palaces of the Terai area. Not far from the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve on the Lakhimpur-Nighasan-Dudhwa route, the palace is set in a large green, 9 acres (36,421.7 m²) retreat. Expanses of lush lawns, fountains, a swimming pool and interesting architectural details make a visit to the palace worthwhile.
Frog Temple: This temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is located in Oyal, which is nearly 10 km from Hargaon en route Lakhimpur-Kheri. The base of the temple is in the shape of a large frog.
Surat Bhawan Palace: This 19th century Indo-Sarasenic style built Palace is located around 8 km from the Dudhwa National Park. One can see the Himalayan
Himalayas
The Himalaya Range or Himalaya Mountains Sanskrit: Devanagari: हिमालय, literally "abode of snow"), usually called the Himalayas or Himalaya for short, is a mountain range in Asia, separating the Indian subcontinent from the Tibetan Plateau...
Peaks from the Palace terrace on a clear day.
Elephant Rides: The spotting of animals and birds in their natural habitation, and that too sitting on top of an Indian elephant
Indian Elephant
The Indian Elephant is one of three recognized subspecies of the Asian elephant, and native to mainland Asia. Since 1986, Elephas maximus has been listed as endangered by IUCN as the population has declined by at least 50% over the last three generations, estimated to be 60–75 years...
is an experience to treasure for a long time.
Travel Information
Drive from Delhi (8–9 hours) or take the train to Shahjehanpur and drive to Dudhwa (3 hours). Alternatively fly to Lucknow and drive to Dudhwa (245 km, 6 hours).Nearest Railway Station: Dudwa (4 km.), Palia (10 km.), Mailani (37 km.)
Nearest Airport: Lucknow, Dhangarhi (Nepal, 35 km.)
The park usuallu opens in November, after the departure of monsoons (rainy season).
See also
- Dudhwa Tiger ReserveDudhwa Tiger ReserveThe Dudhwa Tiger Reserve consists of the Dudhwa National Park, the Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary and the Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary in Uttar Pradesh, India and is located in the alluvial plain, the doab of the Mohana and Suheli rivers....
- Kishanpur Wildlife SanctuaryKishanpur Wildlife SanctuaryThe Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary is a part of the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve near Mailani in Uttar Pradesh, India. It covers an area of 227 km2 and was founded in 1972.-Fauna:* Tiger* Leopard* Swamp Deer* Hog Deer* Barking Deer* Bengal Florican...
- Katarniaghat Wildlife SanctuaryKatarniaghat Wildlife SanctuaryKatarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary is a part of the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve, and is located in Uttar Pradesh near the India-Nepal border, in the Terai area of Bahraich district...