With a history of nature, culture and heritage, India has undoubtedly been a prominent land of geographic and man-made diversities. It is therefore no surprise that India has one of the richest and varied biodiversity on the planet. The country has almost 22% of its total area covered in forests, that are alone an abode to 35% of all the species of mammals, amphibians, reptiles and birds found worldwide. The national animal – the tigers – are specifically a very important element of the Indian jungles and also a major tourism attraction. However, tigers were extremely depleted in the past centuries due to various hunting, poaching and other illegal assaults that were practiced, especially by the royalties. To save them from extinction, the Project Tiger was launched in 1973 with nine tiger reserves. The project has only strengthened over time and India now boasts of over 60% of the total tiger population in the world. With currently 50 tiger reserves and 104 national parks in the entire country, Madhya Pradesh is leading the list with more than 550 tigers. The fourth largest state by area, Uttar Pradesh, was once home to a large tiger population. However, their numbers were highly reduced till recent years. The three tiger reserves of the state – the Amangarh National Park, the Pilibhit Tiger Reserve and the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve are working extensively to increase the number of these wild cats. The Dudhwa Tiger Reserve, with 58 tigers, leads the population in the state.
The Dudhwa Tiger Reserve
The Dudhwa Tiger Reserve comes under the sub Himalayan area called as Terai belt. This Terai region is acknowledged as the most endangered ecosystems throughout the world. In addition, the Post-Independence era witnessed tremendous encroachment towards the Dudhwa jungle. It is located on the Indo-Nepal border, making the chances of poaching and hunting and the trading of wild animals enhanced to greater extent. The land was turning into a perfect money-making place for the poachers. However, a well-known conservationist, "Billy" Arjan Singh single handedly made efforts in transforming this park to reach its richness. He initiated an idea of converting this land into a wildlife sanctuary in the year 1965 and thus received a lot of appraisal from the wildlife conservationists and wildlife lovers across the world. In 1977, Arjan Singh approached the erstwhile Prime Minister, Smt. Indira Gandhi, to declare the forest as a National park. Four years later, it was declared a Tiger Reserve under the Project Tiger and currently is a major habitat for tigers in India. The reserve is currently Uttar Pradesh’s last viable tiger habitat. It is famous for the successful reintroduction of zoo-born tigers and leopards into the wild. Additionally, seven rhinos were relocated from Assam and Nepal to Dudhwa to rehabilitate a rhino population which lived here 150 years ago. The park is actually known for magnificent number of the habiting tiger and swamp deer species. In addition, it also home to varieties like Asiatic black bears, sloth bears, rhinoceros, elephants, hog deer, barking deer, sambar, wild boar, hispid hare, rhesus monkey, porcupine and several species of reptiles like python, monitor lizard, etc. The park also has about 450 species of birds that are domestic to the Indian subcontinent. The region has varied topography and lush green biodiversity.
Location and Access
The Dudhwa Tiger Reserve is located in the Lakhimpur Kheri district in northern Uttar Pradesh in India. It shares the north-eastern boundary with Nepal and extends to an extensive area of 1,284 square kilometers. It includes the Dudhwa National Park, the Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary and Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary, the three large forest fragments amidst the matrix dominated by agriculture. River Mohana defines a large part of the cross-country boundary in north and River Suheli flows on the south. The park is situated 107 kilometers from Shahjahanpur, 180 kilometers from Bareilly, 238 kilometers from Lucknow, 410 kilometers from Delhi and 1277 kilometers from Mumbai. Several different routes can be taken to reach the park, especially when using the roads or the railways. The nearest town are those of Dudhwa and Palia, which are 04 kilometers and 05 kilometers away respectively. Buses of the Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) are available from Palia to Dudhwa, Bareilly and even Delhi on a regular basis. However, it is more advisable to reach Lucknow, Shahjahanpur (Pilibhit) or Bareilly and then travel via road to the park. The nearest railway station is that of Dudhwa located 04 kilometers away. Palia Railway Station is located at a distance of 10 kilometers and Mailani Railway Station is at a distance of 37 kilometers. However, travelling to Bareilly or Lucknow and then reaching Dudhwa by road or train is the most convenient method. The nearest airport is that of Lucknow, from where one can hire taxi or cabs to reach the park. Being the state capital, Lucknow has regular flights from various cities of India. Outside India, Nepal at a distance of 35 kilometers is the nearest airport.
Safari
The Dudhwa Tiger Reserve allows for two types of safari: the jeep safari and the elephant safari. However, it must be noted by the visitors that the forest officials of the reserve do not provide any jeep safari or guides for assistance. One has to arrange for the safari vehicle privately. Vehicles of 4X4 Customized Jeeps are allowed. A guide as well as a forest officer carrying tranquilizing gun will accompany the visitors. It must be remembered that carrying weapons or firearms within the park, playing music or getting down from the safari vehicle and walking in the park is not allowed. During winter, the safari timings range from 07:00 am to 10:00 am and 03:00 pm to 06:00 pm while during summer, the safari timing is from 06:00 am to 09:00 am and from 04:00 pm to 07:00 pm. Another excellent option to navigate the park is through the Elephant rides offered in the park. The mahouts or Elephant drivers also act as guides for the tourists. This is an excellent way to reach out to more intimate parts of the park, where the jeeps are not allowed, as well as to watch the wildlife without disturbing them. There are also guides available for those who want to roam the reserve on foot.
Best Season to Visit
The Dudhwa Tiger Reserve remains closed during the monsoon and early winter months, ranging from mid-June to mid-November. The reserve reopens only after the 15 of November. Summers are quite hot, with the seasonal warm air often blowing through the area. The temperature goes as high as 45 ̊C in summers. Therefore, the months of April, May and June might be too hot for enjoying the park with ease. However, this is also the best time to spot the wildlife, especially the tigers and the rhinoceros, that come out of their hiding to relieve themselves near the water bodies. The most preferred months for travel are from November to March. But the winters might be extremely chilly during December and January, and the temperature drops to 2 ̊C or below. So, proper woolens must be kept to avoid discomfort.
Reason To Visti
The Dudhwa Tiger Reserve is an extremely quiet, silent area away from more glorified names or frequented national parks. Therefore, it has a unique serenity to offer to all those who love nature. Although tigers are the highlights, the park also has historical reminiscences like temples and residual lodges within it, to add to the visiting list. The sanctuary is currently under extensive protection, and the tiger population is being regularly monitored. Therefore, all those, who want to witness and experience some quiet time away the noise of daily chores, must visit the park to enjoy its unmatched panoramic views as well as the flourishing wildlife.
