Dudhwa National Park was notified as a national park in 1977. The area was established as a wildlife sanctuary in 1958. It ranges from about 150 metres to 183 metres in altitude. Northern Boundary is formed by the international border with Nepal and the River Suheli the southern boundary. The headquarters are located in Lakhimpur Kheri District.
In 1988, the park was declared as a tiger reserve.
Climate of Dudhwa National Park
Dudhwa national park experiences an extreme type of climate. Summers are hot and in winter the temperatures range from 20degreeC to 30degreeC. The months of February to April are ideal for visiting this park.
Vegetation of Dudhwa National Park
The vegetation is moist deciduous. The high dense forests are interspersed with extensive stretches of grasslands and wetlands. The tree species are sal, asna, shisham, jamun, gular, bahera and sehore. It is home to one of the finest Sal forests in India.
Fauna of Dudhwa National Park
The animals found in this park include the species hispid hare, Indian Rhinoceros, Swamp Deer, Sambar Deer, Barking Deer, Spotted Deer, Hog Deer, Tiger, Rhinoceros, Sloth Bear, Ratel, Jackal, Civet, Jungle Cat, Fishing Cat and Leopard Cat. The major attractions are the Tigers and Swamp Deer. This is the only place in the world inhabited by 5 species of deer: swamp deer, sambar, barking deer, spotted deer and the hog deer.
The park also has a rich bird life, with over 350 species, including the Swamp Francolin, Great Slaty Woodpecker and Bengal Florican. There are several migratory birds that settle here during winters. It includes among others, painted storks, black and white necked storks, Sarus Cranes, woodpeckers, barbets, kingfishers, minivans, bee-eaters, bulbuls and varied night birds of prey. This Park is a stronghold of the barasingha
Drongos, Barbets, Cormorants, Ducks, Geese, Hornbills, Bulbuls, Teal, Woodpeckers, Heron, Bee Eaters, Minivets, Kingfishers, Egrets, Orioles, plenty of painted storks, sarus cranes, owls are the birds that are found here.
The migratory birds include the Swamp Francolin, Great Slaty Woodpecker, Bengal Florican, plenty of Painted Stork, Sarus Crane, several species of owl, Asian barbet, woodpecker and minivets.