Dudhwa National Park stands tall with its biggest surviving population of tigers! Dudhwa is located in the India-Nepal border amidst the foothills of the great Himalayas. The national park spreads over an area of 500 sq km with over 100 sq km as buffer area in the Kheri district of Uttar Pradesh.

Dudhwa National Park wad formed with the efforts made by ‘Billy’ Arjan Singh, who is one among the leading conservationists in India, with an idea of creating a safe shelter for the swamp deer. Afterwards, he brought tigers and leopards born in zoos here. The majestic tigers and elegant Swamp deer, known as Barasingha, remain as the major attraction of the park. The tiger population was over 98 in the year 1995 and the swamp deer population is over 1600. In the southwest and the southeast areas of Dudhwa you can see the swamp deer.

The flora of Dudhwa National Park includes the sal trees, grasslands and swamps giving a comfortable habitat for the wildlife. Many of the trees in this area are more than 150 years old and stands tall. Dudhwa is a favorite destination for birdwatchers too. For the migratory birds of winter the park serves a haven with its comfortable habitat. One can find the birds included in the red alert list like the Swamp Partridge and Lesser Bengal Florican here at the park. The swamps provides a suitable habitat for birds.

Though Dudhwa remains as a major sanctuary for tigers and swamp deer, you can find other animals like jungle cats, jackals, fishing cats, sambar, jackals, leopard cats, sloth bears, chital and otters. The birdlife in the park is contributed by the birds like minivets, bulbul, barbets, woodpeckers, kingfishers and bee eaters. Dudhwa is a haven for wildlife, thus, it should be safeguarded from the depredations of the growing human population.

At Dudhwa national park you can find breathtaking herds of the swamp deer, the Barasinghas. Swamp deer is a rare species that are found only in India. Statistics says that only 4000 barasinghas are found in the planet. Out of this 4000, more than 2000 swamp deer is found in the national park. Witness the majestic strolls of tigers by spending this holiday at Dudhwa national park. There were attacks from the tigers in the past; however one can hardly hear such an incident today.

Location of Dudhwa National Park

The nearest airport to Dudhwa national park is Lucknow. Lucknow is 260 km from the park. This airport is connected to other parts of India with frequent flights. Nepal is however just 35 kms from Lucknow airport. Provided that you are equipped with visa and other requirements you can make a visit to the park from Nepal. Dudhwa, Mailani and Palia are the nearest railway stations to the park. Delhi is 420 km away from the national park.

Transition Into National Park

Since this area remained as a life support system for the people in the area, many opposed the conversion into a park. With the efforts made by the famous conservationist Billy Arjun Singh, the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi approved for converting the area into a wildlife sanctuary.

This became the turning point of Dudhwa National Park. Till that day, it remained as a secured area for timber smugglers and poachers. With the strict actions took by the authority, it was gradually transformed into a safe haven for wildlife. In the year 1976, the park contained 50 tigers, 76 bears, 41 elephants, more than five species of deer, above 400 species of birds, crocodiles, reptiles and rare species of mammals. Official statistics reveal that the present tiger population is 70 in this area.

Ideal time to visit Dudhwa National Park

Making a visit between November to May will be the right choice. From November to June the park remains open for the public. If you are making a visit between December to February make it a point to take your woolens along with you. In the month of June it will be too hot and chances are there that this might make your trip an uncomfortable one.

Accommodations

You can stay at the lodges, log huts and the forest rest houses in Dudhwa, Sathiana, Sonaripur, Kila and Bankatti. The accommodation facilities are very simple except for the one in Dudhwa where you can find a canteen also. In the entire nine ranges of the park, Sathiana, Sonaripur, Belrayan, Kila and Bankati are the only places where you can find accommodation facilities. Also the charges are pretty affordable and normal. You can also find the lodge owned by Billy Arjan Singh in the southern periphery.

In areas like Palia that lies outside the park you can find many options of hotels. You will be able to find provisions like telephones, medical amenities and more in this area. However, the charges will be pretty higher compared to that of the park. For a night stay you will have to pay something between Rs 500-700.


Travel Guidelines And Useful Information

• Timings of the park are 7 -10 AM and 3-6 PM.
• The park charges are inclusive of entry fee (Rs 50) and vehicle entry fee (Rs 150).
• Starting your trip from the Dudhwa forest office is the best choice. From the forest office you will able to get the complete information on accommodations and safaris.
• To learn more about the park you can have access the resources in the library.
• To obtain the entry permit to the park one need to approach the director of the park, district headquarters, Lakhimpur-Kheri.
• For safaris you can hire elephants for a charge of Rs 100 per head/ 3 hours from Salukhapur Chowki or from the park gate.
• From the nature shops you can get books and other souvenirs.

If you want to book a trip or learn more information on the park, contact us!

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