National Parks Of Uttar Pradesh

A national park is a place with a wide range of plants and animal species. It is managed by the Government. In India, national parks are protected by the act called Wild Life Protection Act (1972) under Article 35(A). In this short note on the national parks of Uttar Pradesh, we will discuss Dudhwa National Park and National Chambal Sanctuary in detail. Dudhwa National Park is located close to the Indo-Nepal border and resides in the Lakhimpur and Kheri districts of Uttar Pradesh. The National Chambal Sanctuary is protected as the treasure of three states on the Chambal river. 

National Park

A national park is an area that occupies around 100 sq km to 1000 sq km. It protects the wildlife forest, plant and animal species, and natural heritage. It is also a tourist spot that attracts visitors in large numbers. It is a place that protects endangered species from threats. Here, hunting, forestry, grazing, and poaching are strictly prohibited as it supports biodiversity betterment. 

National parks support a variety of flora and fauna species. Apart from that, it also protects the water sources and land stabilisation. It saves resources from natural disasters like soil erosion, landslides, and avalanches. It prevents floods by preserving wetlands. 

National Parks Of Uttar Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh is the largest state in India. It is covered with rivers and fertile plains. We can find 15 national parks in Uttar Pradesh, of which 5 are the major ones. The main national parks of Uttar Pradesh are:

• Dudhwa National Park
• National Chambal Sanctuary
• Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary
• Pilibhit Tiger Reserve
• Chandraprabha Wildlife Sanctuary

Dudhwa National Park

Dudhwa National Park is located near the Indo-Nepal border and resides in the Lakhimpur and Kheri districts of Uttar Pradesh. Dudhwa National Park is close to the foothills of the Himalayas in the Terai region. It is accompanied by the Kishanpur sanctuary. Dudhwa was founded as a wildlife sanctuary in 1958, and it became a national park in 1977. Dudhwa was also recognised as the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve in 1988.

History of Dudhwa National Park

Initially, the Terai region was a forest or jungle-like area, and it got converted into agricultural land. So, the chances of hunting and poaching increased, and wild animals were sold in the massive market. 

Due to this situation, the wildlife conservationist Arjan Singh planned to convert the agricultural land into a wildlife sanctuary in 1965. And in 1977, it was approved and evolved as Dudhwa National Park. After four years, it was declared the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve.

Wildlife of Dudhwa National Park

Dudhwa is spread across 811 sq. km of forest area and has 16 species of birds and 38 species of mammals. The Dudhwa National Park consists of animals like the langur, cheetah, elephant, tiger, monkey, rhesus, python, mugger, swamp deer, otter, blue bull, wild pig, gharial, and tigers. The 450 species of birds include the Bengal florican, Fishing eagle, Osprey, Red jungle fowl, Shama, woodpecker, orioles, emerald dove, peafowl, etc. Along with this, it has many migratory birds during the winter season.

Dudhwa National Park also attracts visitors through its grasslands, migratory birds, and elephant rides.

National Chambal Sanctuary 

National Chambal Sanctuary is located at the tripoint of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh. It is protected as the treasure of three states on the Chambal river. It is one of the cleanest rivers and supports around 320 residents, migrant birds, turtle species, and gharials. 

Fauna of National Chambal Sanctuary 

National Chambal Sanctuary consists of a wide classification of flora and fauna species, including the endangered ones like the red-crowned roof turtle, Ganges river dolphin, gharial, crocodile, and smooth-coated otter. National Chambal Sanctuary also covers the various turtle species like crowned river turtle, three-striped roof turtle, and narrow softshell turtle.

It has mammals like Bengal fox, Hanuman langur, wild boar, Indian crested porcupine, nilgai, rhesus macaque, and Indian long-eared hedgehog, and many migratory birds like Pallas’s fish eagle, Indian skimmer, pallid harrier, Indian courser, bar-headed goose, black berried tern, and great thick-knee and flamingo.

Flora of National Chambal Sanctuary 

The National Chambal Sanctuary has plant species like the Indian elm tree, Khair, Indian plum, and Palash.

The National Chambal Sanctuary is conserved by the Wildlife Protection Act (1972), which is administered by the Forest Department of Madhya Pradesh. It turned into a sanctuary after the threat of hunting, grazing, and sand mining.

National Chambal Sanctuary: A Visitor’s Spot

National Chambal Sanctuary attracts visitors through its boating sites, Ater fort, forest rest houses, and river shore viewpoints.

Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary

Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary is a bird sanctuary located in the Unnao district of Uttar Pradesh. Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary protects around 250 species, including migratory birds, reptiles, and deers.

Pilibhit Tiger Reserve

Pilibhit Tiger Reserve is located in the Pilibhit district of Uttar Pradesh. It protects around 556 bird species, 127 animals, and 2100 floral species. It encourages ecotourism and wildlife management.

Chandraprabha Wildlife Sanctuary 

Chandraprabha Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Chandauli district of Uttar Pradesh. It is the habitat for 150 floral species of Savanna, deciduous, and desert trees. It protects the animal species like sambar deer, nilgai, chital, and chinkara.

Conclusion

National parks and wildlife sanctuaries are the places that support biodiversity and provide protection to various animal species from threats. The major national parks of Uttar Pradesh are Dudhwa National Park and National Chambal Sanctuary. Dudhwa National Park is located in the foothills of the Himalayas in the Terai region. National Chambal Sanctuary is located in the tripoint of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh. Both of them support various varieties of flora, fauna, and land stabilisation. It saves resources from natural disasters like soil erosion, landslides, and avalanches.