Factfile
Location : Lakhimpur Kheri District, Uttar Pradesh.
Area : 668 sq kms.
Major Attractions : Tigers, Swamp Deer, Hog Deer, Chital,
Sambar, Rhinoceros etc.
Best Time to Visit : November to May.
Timings : 7.30 am to 10.00 am & 3.00 pm to 6.00 pm
Entry Fee : Indians Rs - 50, Foreigners - Rs.100. Extra
charges for Cameras.
Guide Fee : Rs. 100
Vehicle Entry : Rs.50 to Rs.150.
Introducing Dudhwa National Park
Sprawling
over an extensive area of around 880 sq. kms, with a core area of around 680
sq.kms, Dudhwa National Park attracts large number of visitors from far and
wide. Set in the foothills of the Himalayas amidst the warm, tropical
forests of the Terai region, Dudhwa National Park provides natural habitat
to a variety of wild life.
Way back in 1861, around 300 sq. miles of the today's park area was brought
under the government control for conservation. In the year 1937, the area
was declared a reserve forest. Later in 1958, a sanctuary stretching over 15
sq. kms, called Sonaripur was formed to protect the Swamp Deer (Barasingha).
In 1968, a major portion of the area was included to constitute the Dudhwa
Sanctuary. Dudhwa was declared a National Park in 1977 and brought under the
Project Tiger in 1988.
Dudhwa is essentially made of sal forests, vast grasslands and wet marshes
which harbour a wide range of wildlife. Apart from the major rivers Suheli
and Mohana, the park has several minor streams, nalas and rain-fed taals.
Although there are several Tigers in Dudhwa, but sightings them are rare due
to thick forest cover. Besides Tigers, Dudhwa boasts of five deer species,
of these, the Swamp Deer are special attraction. Other four deer species
which you can spot here include Spotted Deer (Cheetal), Barking Deer
(Kaakad), Sambar and Hog Deer (Paada).
Flora of the National Park
Major vegetation types found in the park are tropical moist-deciduous
forest, tropical semi-evergreen forest, swamp forest, dry deciduous forest
and riparian. In addition to various types of forests, the park is covered
with wide stretches of mesophyllous grasslands, locally known as the
phantas. Here, you will find tree species like Adina cordifolia, Bombax
malabaricum, Dalbergia sissoo, Eugenia jambolana, Shorea robusta, Terminalia
belerica and Terminalis tomentosa.
Fauna of the National Park
Although the park is known for its Tiger population, but it is also home to
around 37 species of mammals and 16 species of reptiles. Apart from 101
Tigers and four Leopards, the park has large number of Swamp Deers. Other
wild animals which you can spot here are Chital, Hispid, Hog Deer, Sambar,
Rhinoceros, Jackals, Sloth Bear, Jungle Cat, Civet, Fishing Cat etc.
Dudhwa
is birdwatcher's paradise, here you can see above hundreds of bird species.
With its marshlands, Dudhwa invites around 400 species of resident as well
as migratory birds. Popular avian species found in the park include Great
Slaty Woodpecker, Woodpeckers, Swamp Partridge, Bengal Florican, Minivets
Painted Storks, Owls, Barbets, Sarus Cranes etc. Most of Dudhwa's bird
species are aquatic in nature, so you can found avian species around the
park's lakes especially the Banke Tal.
Other Attractions
Interpretation Centre : The interpretation centre is
located at the Dudhwa Office, which provides information to visitors about
the park. Close to the centre, there is a nature shop that sells books,
Dudhwa T-shirts, literature on the park and many souvenirs.
Rhino Range : In Dudhwa, one-horned rhinos are kept
seperately in the Salukhapur range. To visit the rhino range, you have to
organize a trip. You can drive on your own to the rhino range, but this may
restrict you to the main roads and you may not see any rhino. If you want a
close look of the rhinos, drive to Salukhanpur Chowki, from where you can
hire an elephant to the rhino range.
Nearby Attraction
Kishnapur Sanctuary : Kishnapur sanctuary is situated 30
kms away from Dudhwa, on the Palia-Shahjahanpur road. Ask the forest staffs
to direct you to Jhaddi Taal, where you can see the biggest herd of
Barasingha in Dudhwa range, around 600 according to the park authorities.
Activities You Can Take Part In
Elephant Safari : Of course, Elephant Safari is the best
way to travel inside the park. Elephants are available on hire at the main
Dudhwa office near the park gate and from the Salukhapur Chowki. Elephant
Safari charges are Rs.100 per person for about three hours.
Where to Stay
Very few hotels are located at Dudhwa and the neighbouring Palia town. The
national park has some rest houses which provide most of the facilities. The
Dudhwa Forest Rest House at the main range office is the best place for
accommodation. Other Forest Rest Houses are located at forest range offices
at Bankati, Belrayan, Kila, Sonaripur, Sathiana and Salukhapur.
How to Reach
Nearest airport is Lucknow airport (201 kms), which has several flights
from major cities of the country. From the airport, taxis are available on
rent to reach the national park. Nearest railheads are Dudhwa (4 kms), Palia
(10 kms) and Mailani (37 kms), from these stations trains run to Lucknow.
Major railhead is Lucknow which is served by a number of good trains from
all over the country. If you want to travel by road from Delhi, take the NH
24 to Shahjahanpur, from here a district road will take you to Dudhwa
National Park via Pawayan, Kutar, Mailani, Bhira and Palia. Frequent State
Roadways buses and private buses link Dudhwa with nearby places.
