+91-8400043060 +91-9051400009 palmresortdudhwa@gmail.com
Address Office:Near Audi Showroom,NH-44 karnal, haryana- 132114.
+91-8400043060 +91-9051400009 palmresortdudhwa@gmail.com
Address Office:Near Audi Showroom,NH-44 karnal, haryana- 132114.
Dudhwa National Park, located in the Terai region of Uttar Pradesh, India, has a rich history intertwined with conservation efforts, biodiversity, and local communities.
Established in 1958 as a wildlife sanctuary, it was later upgraded to a national park in 1977. The park spans approximately 490 square kilometers and is part of the larger Dudhwa Tiger Reserve, which also includes the Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary and the Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary, making it a significant conservation area in northern India.
The area that is now Dudhwa National Park was once a hunting ground for the British and local elites during colonial times. However, its rich biodiversity and the presence of rare species soon attracted the attention of conservationists.
Its unique ecosystem, characterized by tall grasslands, dense forests, and wetlands, supports species like the one-horned rhinoceros, elephants, leopards, and the Gangetic dolphin.
Initially, the area of Dudhwa was heavily forested and sparsely populated, offering a natural habitat for numerous species. Its potential for wildlife preservation was recognized early on, and it was declared a sanctuary in 1958 to protect its rich biodiversity, including the rare swamp deer, or "barasingha."
One of the key figures in Dudhwa's conservation story is the legendary conservationist Billy Arjan Singh. In the 1960s and 1970s, Singh actively campaigned to protect the park’s wildlife and was instrumental in its upgrade to a national park. He brought international attention to Dudhwa by reintroducing big cats to the wild, including a hand-reared tigress named Tara.
The government recognized the area's ecological importance and declared it a national park in 1977, mainly to protect the Bengal tiger population and the diverse flora and fauna. With national park status, the region received increased protection and attention.
In 1987, Dudhwa National Park was declared part of the Project Tiger initiative, a national effort to conserve the Bengal tiger. This led to the formation of the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve, which includes the adjacent Kishanpur and Katarniaghat wildlife sanctuaries. The reserve spans approximately 1,284 square kilometers, providing a larger, protected landscape for tigers and other species.
Over the years, Dudhwa has faced challenges, including habitat fragmentation, human-wildlife conflict, and poaching. However, continued efforts by government agencies, conservationists, and local communities have helped protect and revitalize the park. The park is now home to a range of species, including tigers, leopards, elephants, swamp deer, and a variety of birds and reptiles.
Dudhwa's ecosystem is characterized by dense forests, grasslands, marshes, and rivers. This unique Terai landscape supports an impressive array of biodiversity, including endangered species like the Bengal florican, Hispid hare, and Gangetic dolphin in its rivers. The park's rich flora includes sal forests, bamboo thickets, and grasslands, which together create an ideal habitat for herbivores, which in turn supports large carnivores.
Today, Dudhwa National Park stands as a testament to India’s conservation legacy and is a crucial stronghold for the Bengal tiger, as well as an essential habitat for other rare species.