Park Overview
Area: 490 Sq. km[cite: 467].
Altitude: 150-183 meters[cite: 467].
Rainfall: 1,600 mm[cite: 467].
Best Time: November to April[cite: 467].
Location: India-Nepal border, Uttar Pradesh[cite: 467].
Summers are hot with temperatures rising up to 40 °C, while winters hover between 20 and 30 °C[cite: 467]. The Suheli River marks the park's southern boundary[cite: 468].
History & Conservation
Dudhwa has been a Tiger Reserve since 1879, officially becoming a National Park in 1977 and adopting Project Tiger in 1988[cite: 469]. Sightings of its numerous Tigers are rare due to thick forest cover, but the park also protects Leopards, Hispid Hares, Swamp Deer (Barasingha), and Rhinos[cite: 469, 470].
The park owes much to 'Billy' Arjan Singh, whose untiring efforts were instrumental in creating this sanctuary for Swamp Deer and re-introducing Tigers and Leopards into the wild[cite: 476, 477].
Flora & Fauna
The park is spread over 811 sq. kms and consists of two core areas: Dudhwa National Park and Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary[cite: 472, 475].
Flora
- ● Sal (Shorea robusta)
- ● Shisham (Dalbergia sissoo)
- ● Khair (Acacia catechu)
- ● Jamun (Syzygium cumini)
Fauna
- ● Mammals: Tigers, Leopards, Rhinoceros, Barasingha[cite: 486].
- ● Birds: 400+ species including Bengal Florican[cite: 486].
- ● Fishes: 90 identified species[cite: 486].
Nearby Attractions
The Frog Temple, Oyal
Unique in India, this stone temple is built in the shape of a large frog and is dedicated to Lord Shiva[cite: 481, 483]. It is located 10 km from Hargaon[cite: 483].
Surat Bhawan Palace
Built in Indo-Saracenic style, this palace features expanses of lush lawns and architectural details on a nine-acre retreat[cite: 484, 485].