Dudhwa National Park Booking Portal

In the sub-Himalayan region of the Terai belt, Dudhwa National Park lies on the Indo-Nepal border in the Lakhimpur Kheri district of Uttar Pradesh, India. The Terai Belt in the sub-Himalayan region is considered to be the most endangered ecosystem in the world. The terrain is perfect for the existence of wildlife due to the presence of wetlands, lakes, streams and rivulets. Established in 1977, Dudhwa National Park got the status of Tiger Reserve in 1987.The area of the national park is abundantly covered with evergreen forests, with the maximum population of Sal plants.

The fertile Indo-Gangetic terrain of the park is made of alluvial soil and also is the home of jamun, sheesham, gular and other varieties of trees, and also sustains the germination of diverse flora and fauna. Along with the sundry wildlife inhabitants, the geographical significance also lies in the assortment of dense foliage, muddy marshes and mosaic grasslands. The northern edge of Dudhwa National Park is frontiered by the Mohana River, whereas the southern perimeter is bordered by the Suheli River.

About Dudhwa National Park

With a total area of 680 sq km, 190 sq km of the buffer zone and 490 sq km of the core zone, Dudhwa National Park is a segment of the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve, which also constitutes two other enchanting sanctuaries nearby, Kishanpur and Katerniaghat. The forest divisions of North Kheri, South Kheri and Shahjahanpur dots besides these gorgeous national park and wildlife sanctuaries and is home to the diverse greenery and exotic wilderness of the Terai region. Dudhwa National Park lies close to the Palia and Nighasan Tehsil of the Lakhimpur-Kheri district. The Kishanpur Sanctuary is located in the Gola tehsil of Lakhimpur district and the Powayan tehsil of Shahjahanpur district. The Katerrniaghat Sanctuary lies in the Nanpara tehsil of the Bahraich district and the Indo-Nepal border forms the northern boundary of the sanctuary.

Nestled on the doab of the Mohana and Suheli rivers, Dudhwa National Park is a paradise for nature enthusiasts, birdwatchers and wildlife fanatics.

The national park houses a significant population of tigers and swamp deers in its muddy marshes and vast grasslands. The alluvial plain of the national park is also accompanied by a number of rivers and rivulets, namely, Joraha, Nakua, Nagrol, Ull, Newra, Sharda, Mohana and Suheli. The underlying fertile land of the park consists of alluvial soil from the Indo-Gangetic plains, enabling the healthy growth of a wide variety of fauna, Sal trees being the most popular.

Dudhwa National Park has commendable famed due to its conservation initiatives, habitat restoration and re-introduction of multiple endangered species like swamp deer and barasingha, a deer species that was almost on the verge of extinction. Apart from the conservation projects, the authorities of the national park have been instrumental in encouraging eco-tourism activities, thereby accelerating healthy tourism, strengthening the local economy and safeguarding the purity of nature.

History of Dudhwa National Park

Conservation History : The Dudhwa Tiger Reserve has been in existence since 1879. Dudhwa National Park was established in 1977 and it was included in the tiger project in 1988. In 1958 a small area was demarcated as Sonarpur Wildlife Sanctuary for the conservation of the dwindling numbers of Swamp Deer and the Great Indian Deer due to the fading away o their natural habitat. Later the sanctuary was renamed as Dudhwa National Park and the area was extended up to 212 sq km. In 1977 the park was declared a National Park under the Wildlife Protection 1972 and was further extended up to 614 sq km.

11 years later in 1988. Dudhwa National Park was included under Project Tiger and eventually,the entire area of Kishanpur Sanctuary was hemmed in to form the Dudhwa RTiger Reserve.The forest was the natural habitat of the rhinoceros for 150 years. Therefore, along with the conservation project of the swamp deers, a project for preserving the population of the rhinoceros was also initiated in 1984. Four rhinoceros from Nepal were introduced in Dudhwa National Park in 1985.

About Kunwar ‘Billy’ Arjan Singh : Billy Arjan Singh is considered to be the ultimate protagonist behind the establishment of Dudhwa National Park. Born as a prince to the royal Kapurthala family in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, Arjan Singh was an indomitable hunter. One day after killing a leopard his conscience underwent a dramatic transformation and he converted himself to a wildlife conservationist and a wildlife author. Billy Arjan Singh totally changed into a person of high esteem.

He acted as a one-man army and reintroduced tigers and leopards from confinement in the forest. With the motive to stabilise the wildlife population in the forest, Arjan Singh found a small area of land in the Dudhwa forest and demarcated it as the Dudhwa Sanctuary of 212 sq km. he also built a hut inside the area, which is transformed into a lodge in the present day. He spent the rest of his life in the hut, dedicating himself to the conservation of the wildlife. Billy Singh’s efforts had a commendable impact on the biodiversity of the forest. His endeavours were recognised and awarded Padma Shri in the year in 2006, the World Wildlife Gold Medal Fund and the premier award of WWE in 2006.

Geographical Details of Dudhwa National Park

Latitudes: 28° 18’N to 28° 42’N
2. Longitudes: 80° 28’E to 80° 57’E
3. Location: Lakhimpur Kheri district, Uttar Pradesh
4. Total area: 680 sq km
5. Buffer zone: 190 sq km
6. Established: February 1, 1977
7. Forest type: Tropical Semi-Evergreen, Northern Indian Moist Deciduous, Tropical Seasonal Swamp, and Northern Tropical Dry Deciduous
8. River: Mohana (north) and Suheli (south)

Area of Dudhwa Tiger Reserve

1. Core: 1093.79 sq. km.
2. Buffer: 1107.9848 sq. km.
3. Total: 2201.7748 sq. km.

Nearby Cities

Lucknow - Bara Imambara, Chota Imambara, Rumi Darwaza, British Residency,Chattar Manzil. Ambedkar Park, Jama Masjid, Dilkhusa Kothi, Constantia House, State Museum, Satkhanda, Saheed Smarak, Moti Mahal.

Kanpur - - Kanpur Zoological Park, Moti Jheel, J. K. Temple, Kanpur Memorial Church,Phool Bagh, Kanpur Sangrahalaya, Iskcon Temple, Jain Glass Temple, Jajmau Fort, Japanese Garden.

Mathura and Vrindavan - Prem Mandir, Shree Krishan Janmasthan, Iskcon Temple,Kans Quila, Nandgaon, Kusum Sarovar, Shree Dwarikadish Mandir, Vishram Ghat, Shahi Jama Masjid, Maa Vaishno Devi Dham, Kesi Ghat and Temple, Seva Kunj, Nidhivan, Radha Damodar Temple.

Agra - Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Fatehpur Sikri, Itmad-ud-Daulah’s Tomb, Akhbar’s Tomb,Moti Masjid, Sikandra Fort, Moti Bai ka Rauza, Mehtab Bagh, Jama Masjid.

Varanasi - Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Dasaswamedh Ghat, Assi Ghat, Chunar Fort,Tulsi Manas Temple, Ramnagar Fort and Museum, Alalmgir Mosque, Harishchandra Ghat,Gyan Vapi Well, Durga Temple, Benaras Hindu University, Viswanath Street.

Nainital - Nainital Zoo, Naini Lake, Naina Devi Temple, Mall Road, Eco Cave Garden,Raj Bhavan, Gurney House, Naina Peak, Kainchi Dham, Hanuman Garhi, Sariyatal, Aurobindo Ashram, Khurpatal, Sukha Tal Lake.

Delhi - India Gate, Rashtrapati Bhawan, Jantar Mantar, Red Fort, Qutub Minar, Lotus Temple, Bangla Sahib Gurudwara, Jama Masjid, Humayun’s Tomb, Akshardham Temple, Lodhi Garden, Garden of Five Senses, Safdarjung Tomb, Connaught Place, Delhi Haat, Hauz Khas Fort.

Tourist Attraction in Dudhwa

Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary

The sanctuary is a part of the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve and is located near Dudhwa National Park in the Lakhimpur-Kheri district. Spread over 200 sq km, Kishanpur Sanctuary Ghariyal, Tigers, Wild Boar, Pythons, Leopards, and many more varieties of fauna and flora. Various species of birds can be seen in Jhadi Taal, a water body in Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary.

Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary

This sanctuary too is a part of Dudhwa Tiger Reserve and is also connected to Bardia National Park in Nepal. Adorned with flora, fauna and lush greenery, the sanctuary houses the Gangetic dolphin, Bengal florican, Long Billed vultures and many more. Mugger crocodiles and gharial are best spotted near the Girwa River flows by the Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary.

Gola Gokarnath Shiv Temple

Gola Gokarnath is a tehsil in the Lakhimpur-Kheri district and is famous for its numerous temples. The Shiv Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva is the most significant one among the others with rich history and the temple is visited by a lot of devotees.

Frog Temple

Also known asMenduk Mandir, the unique temple is located in Oel in Lakhimpur. A temple devoted to lord Shiva is located behind the giant structure of a frog and the frog is considered to be the symbol of prosperity according to the localities. The story behind the construction of the temple can be best learned from the local people.

Pandey Baba Mandir

Close to Dudhw National Park, Pandey Baba Mandir is located in Palia Kalan. The temple houses the shrine of Goddess Kali and Sheetla Mata and the history of the temple projects the reason behind the construction of the temple.

Devkali Shiv Temple

One of the most revered temples, located 7 km from Lakhimpur, Lord Shiva is worshipped in the temple. However, the temple has been named Devkali after the daughter of Lord Brahma, who was believed to have performed penance once on this spot.