Further
east along the Terai, the Dudhwa National Park, which is also a Tiger
Reserve, is located in the district of Lakhimpur - Kheri, very close to the
Nepal border.
The 498.29 sq. km.
Park has fine sal forests and extensive grasslands. Tall coarse grass
sometimes forming impenetrable thickets, swampy depressions and lakes
characterize the wetlands of the Park. These are the habitat of large
numbers of barasingha, the magnificent swamp deer, noted for their
multi-fined antlers (bara-12, singha-horn). These in turn support the
predators - the tiger and leopard. Though the Park has a fair population of
tigers, they are rarely seen owing to the nature of the forest cover.
The grasslands are also ideal terrain for the Indian one horned
rhinoceros. In an exciting project undertaken in 1984, a number of rhinos
were translocated here from Assam and Nepal, in an attempt to extend their
habitats and to exclude the possibility of wiping out entire populations
through disease and Epidemics. Presently, 13 rhinos car be seen in Dudhwa.
Other inhabitants include the sloth bear, jackal, wild pig and the
lesser cats - the fishing cat, leopard cat, jungle cat and civet. Dudhwa has
also an abundance of birds. Its marshes are home to a range of water birds
both local and migratory. There are spectacular painted storks black and
white necked storks, sarus cranes and varied night birds of prey, ranging
from the great Indian horned owl to the jungle owlet.
Colourful
woodpeckers, barbels, kingfishers. minivets, bee eaters, and bulbuls flit
through the forest canopy. A fragile natural paradise, Dudhwa endeavors to
protect its wild haven from the depredations of an expanding human
population.
General Information: Best
Time to Visit: November to May. Nearest Town: Palia (10 Km) How to Get Here:
Air: Lucknow (250 Km)
Rail: Dudhwa
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