Dudhwa sans Tigers

Dudhwa Tiger reserve is one of those tiger reserves in India which are loved by conservationists. What else to prove that Dudhwa is known for one of the most popular names associated with tigers in India- Billy Arjan Singh. Dudhwa, not as glamorous as Bandhavgarh or Ranthambore or Corbett, but is a beautiful forest. Don’t go there with a single point ambition of seeing a tiger, and you will enjoy much more what the jungle has to offer. Dudhwa is located in Kheri district of Uttar pradesh in the terrain bordering Nepal. Travel to Lucknow or Shahjahanpur via train and then go towards Palia by road. Dudhwa main gate is another twelve kilometres from Palia.

Dense forest of Dudhwa make it tough to spot wildlife

spotted deers are most easy to spot and click in Indian forests

Two hog deers looking at visitors

A spotted deer galloping to safety in Dudhwa

Always alert spotted deer looking to strangers in his territory

Spotted deer trying to hear any predator

Dudhwa is the only place in India where you can see one-horned rhinoceres in wild besides the Kaziranga in Assma, which ofcourse is dedicated to it. At Dudhwa, Rhinoceres are kept in a separate enclosure where tourists can enjoy an elephant safari. That’s the only way you can see rhinoceres. Rest of the park area has to be accessed on four wheel vehicles. Actually it is one of those tiger reserves, where you are allowed to go inside on your own four wheelers, albeit after paying a fees and taking a guide along. Rhinoceres have been kept in a safe enclosure probably to keep them safe from fights with tigers. Although it would be tough for a tiger to attack a full grown rhinoceres, but a baby rhinoceres could be an easy target for the big cat.

Dudhwa forest enveloped in early morning mist

Safari on elephnat back to see the single horned rhinoceres

Seeing a rhinoceres is not so tough but always enjoyable

Safe to be close as long as you are on elephant, he is a vegetarian though

A closer view of a rhinoceres at Dudhwa reserve

May not see tiger but will certainly see his marks on trees to denote his territory

Dudhwa is also rich in wildlife other than tigers and rhinoceres. This forest is dense and that makes it difficult to spot the wildlife, specially the tigers, until they are walking on the safari track. Due to marshy grasslands it is also called to be heaven for bird-watchers, with many rare bird species found here. Dudhwa is also known for biggest concentration of swamp deers in world. Being on the border of Nepal makes it tough to monitor the movement of wildlife as well as poachers. Security is a big issue and that makes the wildlife very vulnerable. Elephants are also among the prominent features of Dudhwa. Dudhwa is bordered by two rivers Suheli and Mohana. Besides, a full tourist camp at the main gate, there are few forest rest houses inside the reserve, where one can stay overnight and watch wildlife.