Dudhwa National Park

A national park is an area that is reserved for the protection of wildlife and biodiversity, where activities such as development, forestry, poaching, hunting, and grazing on cultivation are prohibited. Boundaries of a National park are clearly defined and delineated. The Dudhwa National Park is located on the Indo Nepal border in the Lakhimpur Kheri district of the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh and was declared a national park in 1977. It is a part of Terai Belt (a world’s most endangered ecosystem) of sub-Himalayan region. The park’s total area was 616 square kilometres, including 490 square kilometres of core zone and 124 square kilometres of buffer zone. The park includes lush Sal forests, swamps, and grasslands. Dudhwa National Park, endowed with incredible wilderness, is one of the country’s most vibrant protected areas. 

History

The Dudhwa National Park was taken under government control in 1861. At the time, it was a forest area covering 303 square miles of land. In the year 1937, the area of the division was legally designated as reserved forests. The small area was later expanded (212 square kilometres) and named the Dudhwa sanctuary in 1968. More land was added to the Sanctuary in 1977, and it was designated as Dudhwa National Park. Finally, in 1987 and 1988, the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve was established, which included both the Dudhwa National Park and the Kishanpur Sanctuary and covered an area of 616 sq. km. 

Geography

Dudhwa National Park is located on the Indo Nepal border in the Lakhimpur Kheri district of the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It is a part of Terai Belt (a world’s most endangered ecosystem) of sub-Himalayan region. The park’s total area was 616 square kilometres, including 490 square kilometres of core zone and 124 square kilometres of buffer zone. The park’s terrain is made up of a diversified alluvial plain that runs beside the Suheli and Mohana rivers and is dotted with massive lakes, ponds, and rivulets. The vast and exceptionally fertile Indo-Gangetic plains sustain a spectacular growth of flora and fauna. The park contains some of the nicest ‘Sal’ tree forests in the world. Its geography is as diverse as its wildlife population, ranging from dense forests to mosaic grasslands to muddy marshes. The park’s northern boundary is formed by the Mohana River, which flows along the Indo-Nepal border, and its southern boundary is demarcated by the Suheli River.

Climate

Dudhwa experiences an extreme type of climate, as does the rest of northern India.  Summers are extremely hot, with temperatures reaching 40 degrees Celsius. During the winter months, the weather is nearly pleasant, with temperatures ranging from 10 to 20 degrees Celsius. The average annual rainfall in the Dudhwa region is 1,600 mm.

Fauna

Dudhwa National park is a habitat to more than 47 mammal species, 35 reptile species, 10 amphibian species, 37 butterfly species, and 449 bird species. Tigers, leopard tigers, giant flying squirrels, pangolin, rats, leopard cats, hispid hare, swamp deer, fishing cat, and one-horned rhinos are among the rare mammal species that call Dudhwa National park as their home. Some important reptile species are Crocodile, Indian tent turtle, terrapin batagur baska, gangetic soft-shelled turtles, gavial, shell terrapin, eastern hill terrapin, spotted terrapin etc. Avifauna species such as the black crested braza, great Indian hornbill, Indian pied hornbill, peafowl, osprey, Bengal florican, laggar falcon, shaheen falcon, and red headed Merlin fill the park’s ambiance with pleasant chirping.

Flora

The Dudhwa region consists of Tropical Moist Deciduous Forest, Swamp and Riparian Forest, Dry Deciduous Forest, and Tropical Semi-Evergreen Forest. The entire region of the Dudhwa national park is being disrupted by extensive grasslands stretches. These grasslands are referred as phantas by local peoples. Terminalia tomentosa, Adina cordifolia, Shorea robusta, Eugenia jambolana, Dalbergia sissoo, Bombax malabaricum, and Bombax malabaricum are among the trees found here.

Conclusion

The flora and fauna of Dudhwa National Park are enthrallingly diverse and exotic. The park is well-known for the tireless efforts of ‘Billy’ Arjan Singh, who played a significant role in establishing Dudhwa as a Swamp Deer sanctuary. The birds’ melodic twittering in Dudhwa National Park heralds a new day. This enticing place has everything that a wildlife enthusiast and nature lover seeks. Furthermore, it is one of India’s most densely forested national parks and home to a remarkable population of one-horned rhinos.