Uttar Pradesh, being one of the most populous and diverse states in India, boasts a rich variety of wildlife. Here are some of the notable wildlife species found in Uttar Pradesh

 Dudhwa National Park

In 1958 area in Uttar Pradesh’s Lakhimpur Kheri District was notified as a sanctuary because it sheltered a large population of the endangered and rare deer species. Swamp Deer or Barasingha.
At first called Sonaripur Sanctuary, this area was later notified and named Dudhwa National Park in 1977 and then upgraded to a Tiger Reserve in 1988

Dudhwa National Park indeed holds a significant place in India’s conservation efforts, particularly for its diverse range of endangered species. The sanctuary’s initial establishment to protect the Barasingha population was a crucial step in wildlife preservation. Over the years, its expansion and recognition as a tiger reserve further underscored its importance in safeguarding biodiversity.

The park’s unique ecosystem, characterized by extensive grasslands and diverse flora, provides a conducive habitat for various rare animals and birds. The presence of species like the rhinoceros, tiger, leopard, and Bengal florican highlights the park’s ecological richness and the success of conservation initiatives.

The coexistence of such diverse species in Dudhwa National Park signifies a balanced ecosystem, where each organism plays a vital role in maintaining ecological harmony. It’s heartening to know that despite the challenges faced by many species elsewhere in India, Dudhwa continues to serve as a sanctuary for their survival.

Access

By Air: The nearest airport from Dudhwa National Park is Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport in Lucknow, which is about 236.8 km from there. Buses/Taxis can be hired from the airport for the destination.
By Train: The nearest railway station from Dudhwa National Park is Sitapur Junction (134 kms) and Lakhimpur Junction (85 Kms)
By Road: Dudhwa National Park falls in Lakhimpur District. It is well connected with NH 25, and New Delhi. It has an excellent network of public/private bus and taxi services to and from there.

Accommodations:
Forest Rest Houses within the National Park.

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 Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary

Located some 30 kms from Dudhwa National Park, this sanctuary spreads over 203 sq kms and lies along the banks of the Sharada. Kishanpur’s vegetation resembles Dudhwa’s, with dense riparian forests and moist deciduous trees like Sal, Teak and Jamun. The open meadows dotted with Tals and perennial streams, attract a variety of animals and birds.

An enviable 450 resident and migratory bird species visit Dudhwa Tiger Reserve and plenty of these can be spotted at Jhadi Tal, the premier water body of the Kishanpur Sanctuary, the Red-crested Pochard, Mallard, Dabchick, Grebe, Common Pochard, Pintail, Shoveler, River Term, the White-eyed Pochard, Spoonbill, Egret, Snakebird, Heron, Black-necked Stork and many other avian species frequent the Tal. Visitors have frequently spotted herds of Chital, Barasingha, playful Otters prancing about Jhadi Tal. It is the tiger that is often elusive. Varied types of mammals are found in the rich lands of the Terai but none is so commonly spotted as the numerous types of deer indigenous to this place. Five species of deer can be seen frisking about in the wildlife sanctuaries of Kishanpur, Katamiya Ghat and Dudhwa National Park.

How to Reach

By Air: The nearest airport from Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary is Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport in Lucknow, which is about 217.6 km from there. Buses/ Taxis can be hired from the airport for the destination.
By Train : The nearest railway station from Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary is Shahjahanpur Junction(105 kms)
By Road: Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary falls in Lakhimpur District. It is well connected with Lucknow and Shahjahanpur by road. It has an excellent network of public/private bus and taxi services to and from there.

Accommodations:

Kishanpur, Sathiana, Sonaripur and Bankati have the following accommodations available.
Forest Rest House-05
Dormitory AC
Tharu Huts-19
Log Hut-1

Ranipur Wildlife Sanctuary

Spread over an area of 263 sq kms, Ranipur Wildlife Sanctuary is nestled in the Vindhyachal range. Dense forest covering the hills and plain grasslands provide a natural environment for wildlife to flourish. The northern region of the sanctuary is covered by dense, deciduous forest and the bordering Ooshan River provides for a variety of vegetation which includes Tendu, Mahua, Bamboo, Dhak, Gooseberry, Wood Apple, Sal etc. Along the water channels in the area, Arjun, Khimi, Jaamun, Goolar trees are more prominent. The wildlife of the region boasts of Tiger, Leopard, Wolf, Hyena, Jackal, Wild Dog, Black Buck, a variety of Deer and Blue Bull. Pangolin, Crocodile, Gharial, Vulture, etc. are commonly found while cranes are also spotted in the nearby fields. Near the water sources, Painted Storks, Black-necked Storks etc. are found in abundance. For a better view of these animals in their natural habitat, watch towers have been placed at vantage points in the sanctuary.

The Shabri Waterfall, Raghav Waterfall, Amravati Waterfall, Dhaarkundi Ashram, Marwariya Devi Temple are some of the major tourist attractions here. The interpretation centres at Manikpur and the Research Centre highlight and provides full information of the regional importance and the bio-diversity of the area.

Access

By Air: The nearest airport from Ranipur Wildlife Sanctuary is Bamrauli Airport in Prayagraj, which is about 106 km from there. Buses/ Taxis can be hired from the airport for the destination.

By Train: The nearest railway station from Ranipur Wildlife Sanctuary is Manikpur Junction (13 km), and Chitrakoot Dham Karwi Railway Station (37 km). Road: Ranipur Wildlife Sanctuary falls in Chitrakoot District. It is well connected with NH 35, NH 731 A, and Bundelkhand Expressway. It has an excellent network of public/ private bus and taxi services to and from there.

By Road : Ranipur Wildlife Sanctuary falls in Chitrkoot District, It is well conneccted with NH 35 , NH 731 A , and Bundelkhand Expressway. It has an excellent network of public / private bus and taxi services to and from there.

Accommodations:

1. Ranipur Forest Rest House

2. Chauri Forest Rest House

3. Manikpur Forest Rest House

4. Markundi Forest Rest House

Chandraprabha Wildlife Sanctuary

The Chandraprabha Wildlife Sanctuary situated in the Chandauli district of Uttar Pradesh, is a part of the Kashi Wildlife Division.
Wild animals that dot this sanctuary include Leopard, Sloth bear, Chinkara/Cheetal, Hyen Fox, Jackal, etc. Many colourful and different species of birds like Peacock, Red Jungle Fowt Quail, Partridge, Eagle, Vulture, Wild Mynah, Parakeet, Cuckoo, Barn Owl and the Bulbul are natural inhabitants of this sanctuary. Reptiles like Python, Cobra, Krait, Water-Snake Scorpion, Monitor Lizard, etc. are also residents of this sanctuary. A colony of the extinct Vulture is found to inhabit the cavities found in the facade and flanks of the Devdari Waterfall.

Tendu, Blue Berries, Mahua, Goose-berry, Palash, Sal, Neem, Sernal and many other

varieties of plantation is found in abundance. Unique and rare medicinal plants used in the

formulation of Ayurvedic medicines like Musli, Chitawar, Ashwagandha, Chirata, Sarpgandha etc. are also found.

Rajdari, Devdari and Chandraprabha Waterfalls during the rainy seasons are in full force and surrounded by natural forests are the famous tourist attractions for this sanctuary.

Access :

By Air: The nearest airport from Chandraprabha Wildlife Sanctuary is Varanasi Airport which is about 65 km from there. Buses/Taxis can be hired from the airport for the destination.

By Train: The nearest railway station from Chandraprabha Wildlife Sanctuary is Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyay Junction (about 50 kms) and Varanasi Railway Station (about 67 km).

By Road: Chandraprabha Wildlife Sanctuary falls in Chandauli District. It is well connected with Lucknow and New Delhi by road. It has an excellent network of public/private bus and taxi services to and from there.

Accommodations:

1. Rajdari Forest Rest House, within the Wildlife Sanctuary premises

2. Dilkusha Forest Rest House, Chakia – 18 kms from the sanctuary

3. Lateef Shah Forest Rest House.- 18 kms from the sanctuary

4. Chandrakanta Forest Rest House, Naugarh-18 kms from the sanctuary 5. Bhesoda Forest Rest House, Bhesoda – 22 kms from the sanctuary

Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary

Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Bahraich district of Uttar Pradesh. Its divisional office is located at Bahraich. The sanctuary area starts from Motipur Forest range 60 km away from headquarter and is spread up to Gerua River in Katarniaghat forest range.

Covering around 400 sq kms, this sanctuary was created in 1976 under the UNDP Crocodile Project. The gentle sloping of the soft alluvial soil in this part of the Terai arc marks the last of the three big sanctuaries inside Dudhwa Tiger Reserve.

Sharing an international border with Nepal, this sanctuary was established to protect its Gharial (Gavialis gangeticus) population. Once abundantly found in the waters of india Pakistan and Nepal, these Gharials were threatened by near extinction in 1975. The main species of birds found here include Marsh Sandpiper, Dusky Redshank, Great White Pelican, Northern Pintail, Bar Headed Goose, Common Shell Duck, Marbled Duck, Pond Heron, Open Billed Stork, Greylag Goose, Sarus Crane, Lesser Whistling Teal, Egrets, Comb Duck, Coots Cormorants, Storks, White Spoonbill, Black Necked Crane, Peafowl, Darters, White Breasted Kingfisher, Sandpipers, Common Teal, Gadwall, Mallard, Spot Billed Duck, Common Pochard, Ruddy Shelduck, Pigeon, Painted Stork, Tufted Duck, etc.

Access :

By Air: The nearest airport from Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary is Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport, Lucknow which is about 215 km from there. Buses/ Taxis can be hired from the airport for the destination.
By Train: The nearest railway station from Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary is Bahraich Railway Station (about 103 kms)
By Road: Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary falls in Bahraich District. It is well connected through UP SH 13,UP SH 26, UP SH 30. It has an excellent network of public/ private bus and taxi services to and from there.

Accommodations:

Forest Rest Houses at Motipur, Kakraha, Mutiha, Rampuirva, Nishanghara and Katarniaghat.