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Introduction

Dudhwa Tiger Reserve, a typical representative of the terai eco-system, is theonly place in the country to hold a potentially viable population of the nominate sub-species of the northern swamp deer (Rucervus duvaucelii duvaucelii). Of the seven species of deer found in the country, five occur in this reserve. It is also home to sizeable tiger and elephant populations. Some critically endangered species, such as the Bengal florican (Houbaropsis bengalensis) and hispid hare (Caprolagus hispidus) find a home here. Dudhwa is the only reserve in northern India having the great Indian one–horned rhinoceros, which was successfully reintroduced here in the year 1984. Thirteen species of mammal, nine species of bird and 11 species of reptile and amphibian found here are considered to be endangered and are listed under Schedule–I of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.

Dudhwa Tiger Reserve, comprising of three protected areas, i.e., Dudhwa National Park, Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary and Katerniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary, stands out as the primary protected area complex of the terai. Dudhwa National Park is located on the Indo-Nepal border in Palia and Nighasen tehsils of Lakhimpur-Kheri District and lies between latitudes 28° 18′ N and 28° 42′ N and between longitudes 80° 28′ E and 80° 57′ E. The total area of Dudhwa National Park is 49029.19 ha. Reserve forest area of 12401.39 ha serves as its northern buffer and an area of 6602.32 ha serves as its southern buffer. The area which constitute Dudhwa National Park and its buffer were once part of North Kheri Forest Division. The state government declared its intent to create a national park by a notification in the official gazette in October 1975. Upon completion of settlement proceedings, the park was finally notified (vide the Govt. of U.P., Forest Department, Notification number 6991/14-3-1/74, dated 21 January 1977) and got established on 1 February 1977.

Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary straddles Gola Tehsil of Lakhimpur District and Powayan Tehsil of Shahjahanpur District. It lies between the latitudes 28° 14′ N and 28° 30′ N and between the longitudes 80° 18′ E and 80° 30′ E and has an extent of 20341.00 ha. It was established on 1 January 1973 in continuation of orders issued through Government of UP notification no. 111/14-3-31/1972 dated 7 October 1972. The total area of Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary is 20341 ha. The area was once part of South Kheri Forest Division.

Katerniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Motipur (Mihipurwa) Tehsil of Bahraich District. The Indo-Nepal border constitutes the northern boundary of the sanctuary. The entire area, totalling 40009.35 ha, is situated between latitudes 28°06′ N and 28°24′ N and between longitudes 81°02′ E and 80°19′ E. Consequent upon Government of UP notification no. 388/14-3-32/1976 dated 31 May 1976, this forest got constituted as a wildlife sanctuary. An adjoining 15,002.75 ha extent of reserve forest, which serves as the buffer, constitutes one ecological and administrative unit with the said sanctuary. The area of the national park and sanctuaries plays a vital role in the maintenance of the water and climatic regime of the region, which in turn is vital for agriculture and other allied activities. It also performs a host of other functions which, though not fully understood, are nevertheless critical for the continued well-being and existence of humanity.

Management Strengths:

The Pilibhit, Kishenganj, Dudhwa and Kartiniaghat protected areas are a more or less contiguous patch of habitat in continuity with the terai arc landscape of Uttarakhand. It provides an important corridor along the terai between Uttarakhand and the eastern terai forests in Behraich, Balrampur and Maharajganj in Uttar Pradesh and up to Valmikinagar TR of Bihar.
The area’s soil and water conservation is supported by the site, which is the catchment area for a number of rivers and tributaries. The very good tree cover and grasslands in the ecosystem prevent the rivers in the terai belt from shifting course. For the villages in the command area, the Sharada barrage has significant irrigation and electrical potential.
EDC members in Parseya village drove out 300 families who migrated from Gonda, Jampur and Behraich districts and tried to clear tree growth in Dudhawa National Park and settle there. The engagement of the management with communities through the revival of EDCs has become a strength. The people in Parseya village have developed skills in making woven carpets and several handicraft articles to earn additional incomes. The product has marketing linkage through the forest department outlet. It is a village of the Tharu tribe.
The village has also participated in Pradhan Mantri Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. With the help of the Nature Environment Wildlife Society (NEWS) portable toilets have been set up in some villages. The MEE team visited Amba village, where three such toilets were set up.
The TR has planned and started implementing the removal of Jatropha from many areas. The MEE team visited the Sadar and Bichhiya beats of Katerniaghat Range, where the work was implemented. It has aided the development of grasses in the area.
The TR has the support of many national NGOs.

Management Weaknesses:

While the northern boundary of Pilibhit TR abuts Shukla Phanta National Park of Nepal, the northern boundary of Dudhawa TR abuts human areas of Nepal. The forests suffer the real threat from the porous boundary along Nepal and are subject to poaching and hunting by miscreants from across the international border.
There are 13 villages in Katarniaghat Sanctuary, one in Dudhawa NP and two villages in Kisenpur WLS. In addition, there are a number of villages on the fringes of each PA. Moreover, there is no connectivity between the three PAs of the TR. The international border along the northern boundary is highly porous, which can cause significant damage to the flora and fauna.
There are vacancies in the permanent staff cadre (Foresters and Forest Guards). These observations were made in the IV cycle of MEE, and nothing substantial has been done to recruit and train more staff members to fill up the vacant posts.
A total of 146 EDCs were established in 2017, but all of them did not function. The present management of Dudhwa TR has made 11 of them fully functional, and another 23 are under revival. The three PAs of the TR are separated by human areas, and it is necessary to make the EDCs function so that the corridors are made more secure.
During the visit to the Badraula and Chhota Palia areas in Dudhawa National Park, it was observed that a large number of sal trees have been uprooted and have fallen on the ground. Many of these trees are young. It may be quite alarming to maintain the integrity of the habitat if the sal trees are lost at this rate.
The forests along the village areas have not been properly demarcated. When a line is straight, boundary stones are not put at every bend or every 100 m. The borders of the forest have a lot of locations that are concave. It is obvious that the agriculturalists have crossed the line.
A network of roads and a railway line without any visible retrofitting measures have fragmented the habitats, and no systematic effort has been made to record the road kills systematically.

Immediate Actionable Points:

Relocation of villages and controlling livestock grazing, poaching and hunting from across the porous international boundary require more attention.
The state must organize recruitment and training of Foresters and Forest Guards to fill up all the vacant positions in the tiger reserve.
It is important to make the EDCs functional as the three PAs of the TR are not contiguous and are surrounded by many villages, which is impacting the conservation substantially.
It is suggested that a study be undertaken by ecologists/foresters and the reasons for wind-falling sal trees be ascertained. Some interventions may be necessary to slow it down.
Transboundary coordination meetings with Nepal need to be institutionalized following the NTCA guidelines.

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Dudhwa Tiger Reserve

Introduction

Management Strengths:

Management Weaknesses:

Immediate Actionable Points:

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