Wildlife Sanctuaries in Uttar Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh is home to several wildlife sanctuaries aimed at conserving its biodiversity.

1. Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary

• Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Bahraich district of Uttar Pradesh, India.
• It lies in the Terai region near India-Nepal border.
• It is situated in the Upper Gangetic plain.
• In 1975, the sanctuary was established under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972.
• In 1987, Dudhwa National Park and the Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary was together declared a tiger reserve.
• In 2000, the Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary was added in Dudhwa Tiger Reserve.
• Area: Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary covers an approximate area of 400 square kilometers (150 square miles).
  • Buffer area: 150.03 sq.km.
  • Total area: 551.02 sq.km.
• River: Girwa River flow through the Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary.
  • Girwa River
• Tribe: One of the prominent tribal groups in the region is the Tharu community.
  • Tharu
• Flora: Sal Forests, Teak Forests, Grasslands, Swamps and Wetlands etc.
• Fauna: Tiger, Indian Rhinoceros, Swamp Deer (Barasingha), Asian Elephant, Leopard, Sloth Bear, Spotted Deer, Sambar Deer, Gangetic Dolphin, Bengal Florican, Sarus Crane, White-rumped Vulture, Gharial, Mugger Crocodiles, Sandboa etc.
• Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary is known for being home to the Gangetic Dolphin (Platanista gangetica). Girwa river provides suitable habitat for these dolphins to thrive.
• Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary is known for its populations of Gharial (Gavialis gangeticus) and Mugger crocodiles (Crocodylus palustris).

2. Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary

• Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Mailani in the Lakhimpur Kheri district of Uttar Pradesh, India.
• It is situated near the Indo-Nepal border in the Terai region.
• It is a part of Dudhwa Tiger Reserve and is contiguous with with Pilibhit Tiger Reserve.
• Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary is part of the Terai Arc Landscape, which is a network of protected areas spanning across India and Nepal.
• In 1972, Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary was established as a protected area.
• In 1987, Dudhwa National Park and the Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary was together declared a tiger reserve under Project Tiger.
• Area: The Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary covers an approximate area of 227 square kilometers (88 sq mi).
• River: The Sharda River flow through the Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary.
• Flora: Sal, Teak, Khair, Sissoo, Bamboo, Grasslands etc.
• Fauna: Tiger, Leopard, Swamp Deer, Spotted Deer, Sambar Deer, Sloth Bear, Indian Flying Fox, Great Hornbill, White-rumped Vulture, Indian Rock Python, Common Monitor Lizard, Indian Marsh Crocodile etc.

3. National Chambal Sanctuary

• The National Chambal Sanctuary spanning across parts of three states: Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan.
• In 1979, the National Chambal Sanctuary was established with the primary objective of protecting the endangered gharial species.
• The sanctuary was initially named the “National Chambal Gharial Wildlife Sanctuary.”
• Area: The National Chambal Sanctuary covers an approximate area of 5,400 square kilometers (2,100 square miles).
• River: The National Chambal Sanctuary is centered around the Chambal River. The Chambal River is a major tributary of the Yamuna River, which itself is a tributary of the Ganges River. The Chmabal river is especially renowned for being a crucial habitat for several endangered species, including the gharial (Gavialis gangeticus), Ganges river dolphin (Platanista gangetica), and red-crowned roof turtle (Batagur kachuga).
• Flora: Here are some of the notable flora found in the National Chambal Sanctuary:
  • Dry Deciduous Forests (teak, sal, Indian laburnum, and mahua),
  • Riverine Forests (Indian rosewood, Indian banyan, babul, and khejri),
  • Grasslands and Wetlands (elephant grass, phragmites, and water hyacinth).
• Fauna: Golden Jackal, Bengal Fox, Common Palm Civet, Jungle Cat, Sambar, Blackbuck, Indian Gazelle, Indian Skimmer, Sarus Crane, Gharial, Mugger Crocodile, Red-crowned Roofed Turtle, Indian Roofed Turtle, Indian Flapshell Turtle etc.

4. Bakhira Wildlife Sanctuary

• Bakhira Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Sant Kabir Nagar district of Uttar Pradesh, India.
• In 1980, the Bakhira Wildlife Sanctuary was established to protect the natural floodplain wetlands and the diverse avian species that inhabit the area.
• In 2022, the Bakhira Wildlife Sanctuary was designated as a Ramsar Site.
• Area: The Bakhira Wildlife Sanctuary spans an expansive area of approximately 29 square kilometers of land.
• River/Lake: The Bakhira Wildlife Sanctuary is associated with the Bakhira Tal, which is the largest natural wetland in Eastern Uttar Pradesh. The primary sources of water for Bakhira Tal are natural rainfall and the Ami River, which is a tributary of the Rapti River.
• Flora: Here are some examples of the flora found in the Bakhira Wildlife Sanctuary:
  • Trees and Shrubs (babul, neem, banyan, mango, and several types of fig trees),
  • Aquatic Plants (water lilies, lotus, water hyacinth, and water lettuce),
  • Wetland Grasses (reed grass, sedge grass, and other marshland grasses),
  • Grassland Flora (elephant grass, wild sorghum and other herbaceous plants).
• Fauna: Indian Jackal, Bengal Fox, Indian Palm Civet, Mongoose, Siberian Cranes, Sarus Cranes, Egrets, Herons, Egyptian Vulture, Indian Monitor Lizard, Indian Python, Spectacled Cobra etc.

5. Chandra Prabha Wildlife Sanctuary

• The Chandra Prabha Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Chandauli district of Uttar Pradesh, India.
• Chandra Prabha Wildlife Sanctuary is named after the Chandra Prabha River, which flows through the sanctuary.
• In 1957, the Chandra Prabha Wildlife Sanctuary was established to protect the diverse flora and fauna found in the region.
• In 1958, Asiatic lions were introduced to the Chandra Prabha Wildlife Sanctuary.
• Area: The Chandra Prabha Wildlife Sanctuary spans an approximate area of 78 square kilometers.
• Hills: Chandra Prabha Sanctuary lies on the Naugarh and Vijaigarh hillocks on the north slope of the Kaimur Range.
• River: The Karamnasha River and the Chandraprabha River flow through the sanctuary.
  • Karamnasha River (tributary of the Ganges)
  • Chandraprabha River (tributary of the Karamnasha)
• Waterfall: Some notable waterfalls within the sanctuary:
  • Chandra Prabha Waterfall
  • Rajdari Waterfall
  • Devdari Waterfall
  • Naugarh Waterfall
• Flora: Here are some of the prominent flora found within the sanctuary:
  • Alluvial Savanna Forest (Sal, Asan, and Mahua),
  • Southern Dry Mixed Deciduous Forest (Sal, Dhaura, and Semal),
  • Dry Deciduous Scrub and Savanna (Babool, Kandi, and grasses such as Themeda spp.),
  • Dry Tropical Riverine Forest (Palash, Kachnar, and various other riparian species),
  • Desert Thorn Forest and Scrub (Acacia senegal, Ziziphus spp., and Capparis decidua)
• Fauna: Leopard, Indian Wolf, Sloth Bear, Hyena, Indian Jackal, Chital, Sambar Deer, Blackbuck, Indian Vulture, Jungle Owlet, Indian Cobra, Indian Monitor Lizard, Indian Chameleon etc.

6. Hastinapur Wildlife Sanctuary

• The Hastinapur Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Meerut, Muzzafarnagar, Ghaziabad, Bijnor, Meerut and Amroha districts of Uttar Pradesh, India.
• In 1986, the sanctuary was established.
• In 2021, the Haiderpur Wetland, which is a part of the Hastinapur Wildlife Sanctuary, has been recognized as the 47th Ramsar site in India.
• Area: TheHastinapur Wildlife Sanctuary spans an approximate area of 2,073 square kilometers (800 square miles).
• River: The sanctuary is situated along the banks of the Ganges River.
• Lake: Haiderpur Wetland is a significant wetland located within Hastinapur Wildlife Sanctuary. It has recently been recognized as the 47th Ramsar site in India.
• Flora: Here are some notable flora found within the sanctuary:
  • Dry Deciduous Forests (Sal (Shorea robusta), Dhak, Khair, and Sissoo),
  • Riverine Vegetation (Banyan, Peepal, and Neem),
  • Grasslands (Spear grass, Cynodon dactylon, and Themeda species),
  • Medicinal Plants (Aloe vera, Ashwagandha, and Tulsi),
  • Riparian Vegetation (Kadam, Arjuna, and Kachnar),
  • Wetland Plants (Water hyacinth, Water lilies, and various reed and sedge species).
• Fauna: Leopard, Swamp Deer, Chital, Sambar Deer, Smooth-coated Otter, Ganges River Dolphin, Indian Vulture, Sarus Crane, Gharials, Indian Python, Indian Monitor Lizard etc.

7. Turtle (Kachhua) Wildlife Sanctuary

• Turtle (Kachhua) Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Varanasi district of Uttar Pradesh, India.
• In 1989, the Kachhua Sanctuary was declared a Wildlife Protection Zone under the provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972.
• Area: The Turtle (Kachhua) Wildlife Sanctuary covers a stretch of approximately seven kilometers along the Ganga River. It extends from Rajghat (Malviya Rail Road Bridge) to Ramnagar Fort.
• River: The Turtle (Kachhua) Wildlife Sanctuary is located along the Ganga River.
• Flora: Some types of flora that are commonly found in such riparian ecosystems are:
  • Riverine Trees (peepal, banyan, neem, sheesham),
  • Aquatic Plants (water hyacinth, lotus, water lilies, and various submerged plants).
• Fauna: Indian flapshell turtle, Indian softshell turtle, Red-crowned Roofed Turtle, Three-striped Roofed Turtle, Indian Narrow-headed Softshell Turtle, Kingfishers, Herons, Egrets, Ducks, Cormorants, Rohu, Tengra, Bhakur, catfish, carp, mahseer, and snakeheads etc.

8. Kaimoor Wildlife Sanctuary

• The Kaimoor Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Sonbhadra and Mirzapur districts of southeastern Uttar Pradesh, India.
• It is situated in the Kaimur Range of the Vindhya Hills.
• In 1982, the Kaimoor Wildlife Sanctuary was established.
• Area: The Kaimoor Wildlife Sanctuary covers an area of approximately 1,345 square kilometers.
• Hills: The Kaimoor Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Kaimur Hills, also known as the Kaimoor Range.
• River: The Kaimoor Wildlife Sanctuary is traversed by the Son River. The Son River is a major tributary of the Ganges River.
• Flora: Sal, Teak, Bamboo, Neem, Mahua, Peepal etc.
• Fauna: Tigers, Leopards, Sloth Bear, Sambar Deer, Chitals, Four-Horned Antelope, Vulture (Gyps spp.), Egret, Indian Rock Python, Common Monitor Lizard etc.

9. Mahavir Swami Wildlife Sanctuary

• Mahaveer Swami Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Lalitpur district of Uttar Pradesh, India.
• In 1977, the sanctuary was established.
• Area: The Mahavir Swami Wildlife Sanctuary is spreads over an area of 5.4 km2.
• Flora: Teak, sal, tendu, mahua, arjun, bamboo, khair, amla, bel, neem, jamun, kusum, ber, and banyan etc.
• Fauna: Leopard, Sambhar, Spotted Deer, Blackbuck, Jackals, Indian Black Woodpecker, Indian Roller, Indian Python, King Cobra, Russell’s Viper etc.

10. Sohagi Barwa Wildlife Sanctuary

• The Sohagi Barwa Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Maharajganj district of Uttar Pradesh, India.
• It is situated on the west bank of the Gandak River.
• It shares its northern boundary with Nepal and is adjacent to Bihar’s Valmiki Tiger Reserve on its eastern border.
• In 1987, the Sohagi Barwa Wildlife Sanctuary was established under the Wildlife Protection Act of India, 1972.
• Area: The Sohagi Barwa Wildlife Sanctuary covers an approximate area of 428.2 square kilometers (165.3 square miles). The area is divided into seven forest ranges, namely;
  • Pakdi
  • Madhwaliya
  • Laxmipur
  • North Chouk
  • South Chouk
  • Seopur
  • Nichlaul Ranges
• River: Sohagi Barwa Wildlife Sanctuary is drained by the following rivers:
  • Great Gandak River
  • Little Gandak River
  • Pyas River
  • Rohin River
• Flora: Sal Forest (Approximately 75% of the sanctuary area is covered by Sal forests), Jaamun, Gutal, Semal, Khair, Grasslands and Cane Forests etc.
• Fauna: Tigers, Leopards, Elephants, Sambar Deer, Barking Deer, Sloth Bears, Indian Civets, Indian Flying Foxes, Little Cormorant, Common Teal, Pond Heron, Indian Pythons, Common Kraits, Indian Rock Pythons etc.

11. Suhelwa Wildlife Sanctuary

• Suhelwa Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Shravasti, Balrampur and Gonda districts of Uttar Pradesh, India.
• It is situated in the Terai region of Uttar Pradesh, near the border with Nepal.
• In 1988, the Suhelwa Wildlife Sanctuary was established with the aim of conserving the biodiversity of the Terai region of Uttar Pradesh.
• Area: The Suhelwa Wildlife Sanctuary covers an area of approximately 452 square kilometers (175 square miles).
• Flora: Sal, Asna, Khair, Teak, Black Sheesham, Jamun, Haldu, Bahera etc.
• Fauna: Tigers, Leopards, Elephants, Spotted Deer, Sambar Deer, Sloth Bears, Indian Cormorant, Indian Pond Heron, Long-Billed Vulture, White Rumped Vulture, Sarus Crane Indian Python, Indian Cobra, Common Krait etc.