Flora & Fauna of Dudhwa National Park – Tigers, Rhinos & Rare Wildlife of the Terai
Experience one of India’s richest wilderness zones — home to Royal Bengal Tigers, Indian One-Horned Rhinos, Asiatic Elephants, Swamp Deer, and hundreds of bird species, protected under Project Tiger and the U.P. Forest Department.
Quick Info
- Location: Lakhimpur Kheri & Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh
- Total Area: 884 sq. km (Core) | 1,284 sq. km (Including Kishanpur & Katarniaghat)
- Ecosystem: Moist Deciduous Terai Forests, wetlands & tall grasslands
- Wildlife: Tigers (~100), Rhinos (~46), Elephants, Swamp Deer (2,000+), 450+ birds
- Unique Feature: Only reserve in India where Tigers, Rhinos, Elephants & Swamp Deer coexist
- Nearest Town: Palia Kalan (10 km) | Nearest Airport: Lucknow (230 km)
Flora & Fauna of Dudhwa National Park – What Makes It Special
Dudhwa National Park is a natural jewel of the Terai region, where dense sal forests, tall grasslands, and rich wetlands come together to create one of India’s most biodiverse landscapes. Protected under the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve, this wilderness is home to critically endangered species like the Bengal Florican and the reintroduced Indian one-horned rhinoceros.
What makes Dudhwa truly special is its rare coexistence of four iconic species — Tigers, Rhinos, Elephants, and Swamp Deer (Barasingha) — a phenomenon unmatched anywhere else in India. Alongside these giants, the park shelters 450+ bird species, 38+ mammals, 17+ reptiles, 10+ amphibians, and 90+ butterflies, making it a paradise for wildlife enthusiasts, researchers, and nature photographers alike.
👉 Often called the “Terai’s Jewel of Wilderness”, Dudhwa is not just a forest — it’s a living laboratory of conservation and a reminder of India’s natural heritage.
Nature at a Glance
Dudhwa National Park is a living treasure of biodiversity, where the Terai ecosystem nurtures an extraordinary variety of plants and animals. From towering sal forests and lush grasslands to the mighty Bengal tiger and rare one-horned rhino, the park is home to species found nowhere else in India. Rich wetlands support migratory birds, while medicinal plants thrive across the Terai landscape. These elements make Dudhwa one of the last strongholds of the Terai’s flora and fauna, truly earning its title as the “Jewel of Wilderness.”
Flora Statistics of Dudhwa National Park
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Dominant Forest Type | Moist Deciduous Terai Forests (Sal-dominated) |
| Tree Species | 100+ species, including Sal, Asna, Shisham, Jamun |
| Grassland Coverage | ~19% of the park, dominated by Saccharum (Elephant Grass) |
| Medicinal Plants | 50+ recorded, including Rauvolfia serpentina, Asparagus racemosus, Terminalia arjuna |
| Wetland Vegetation | Lotus, water lilies, aquatic grasses along Ghagra, Suheli & Sharda rivers |
| Unique Feature | One of the last remaining true Terai forests in India |
Fauna Statistics of Dudhwa National Park
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Mammal Species | 35+ species, including Tiger, Leopard, Swamp Deer, Rhino, Elephant, Sloth Bear |
| Tiger Population | ~100+ (NTCA, 2023 census) |
| Rhino Population | ~46 Indian one-horned rhinos (2023 census, in RRA zones) |
| Swamp Deer (Barasingha) | 2,000+ (largest global population) |
| Bird Species | 400+ species, including Bengal Florican, Sarus Crane, Great Slaty Woodpecker, Bar-headed Goose |
| Reptiles | Gharial, Mugger Crocodile, Python, King Cobra, Monitor Lizard |
| Aquatic Life | Rich fish diversity in Ghagra, Sharda, and Suheli rivers |
| Unique Feature | Only park in North India where Tigers, Rhinos, Swamp Deer & Elephants coexist |
Flora of Dudhwa National Park
The vegetation of Dudhwa National Park is part of the moist deciduous Terai forests, one of India’s richest ecological zones. These forests not only provide food and shelter to wildlife but also act as a natural carbon sink and biodiversity hotspot.
Sal Forests (Shorea robusta): The dominant tree species, forming the backbone of Dudhwa’s ecosystem. Sal forests regulate soil erosion and support countless birds and mammals.
Terai Grasslands: Open meadows essential for swamp deer, elephants, and rhinos. These grasslands also sustain predators like tigers.
Wetlands & Riverine Vegetation: Fed by the Ghagra, Suheli, and Sharda rivers, wetlands are critical stopovers for migratory birds along the Central Asian Flyway.
Medicinal & Rare Plants: Asparagus racemosus, Rauvolfia serpentina (Sarpagandha), Terminalia arjuna — plants with ecological and Ayurvedic medicinal importance.
👉 Classified under the Indo-Gangetic Moist Deciduous Forests (Champion & Seth), Dudhwa’s flora is globally significant for conservation and research.
Fauna of Dudhwa National Park
Dudhwa is one of the last safe havens for large mammals of the Terai belt, strategically located on the Indo-Nepal border where Himalayan and Gangetic species converge.
Key Mammals
Bengal Tiger: The apex predator with 100+ tigers (NTCA, 2023 census).
One-Horned Rhinoceros: Reintroduced in 1984–85 from Assam; population now ~46 (2023 census).
Swamp Deer (Barasingha): World’s largest population (2,000+).
Asian Elephant: Migratory herds move freely between India and Nepal.
Other Mammals: Leopards, Sloth Bears, Fishing Cats, Hog Deer, Wild Boars, and Indian Otters.
Birdlife
Recognized as an Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International, Dudhwa hosts 400+ bird species.
Flagship species: Critically endangered Bengal Florican, world’s largest woodpecker Great Slaty Woodpecker, Sarus Crane, Painted Storks, Black-necked Stork, and migratory Bar-headed Goose.
Raptors: Crested Serpent Eagle and Changeable Hawk-Eagle add to the raptor diversity.
Reptiles & Amphibians
Crocodiles: Both Gharial and Mugger Crocodile thrive in Dudhwa’s rivers.
Snakes & Lizards: Indian Rock Python, King Cobra, and Monitor Lizards.
Amphibians like frogs and toads flourish during the monsoon, indicating a healthy ecosystem.
Important Plants of Dudhwa National Park
The vegetation of Dudhwa Tiger Reserve reflects the moist deciduous forests of the Terai belt, which support not only towering trees and dense grasslands but also rare medicinal plants. These species are ecologically vital and culturally significant for Ayurveda.
Sal (Shorea robusta)
Dominant tree of Dudhwa’s forests, forming the backbone of the ecosystem.
Provides shelter, nesting, and food for countless birds and mammals.
Its hardwood plays a key role in soil conservation and forest stability.
Asna (Terminalia alata)
Common in mixed forests of Dudhwa.
Offers shade and improves biodiversity.
Traditionally valued in herbal medicine.
Shisham (Dalbergia sissoo)
Valuable timber tree along riverbanks.
Its roots bind soil, preventing erosion.
Leaves serve as fodder for elephants and deer.
Jamun (Syzygium cumini)
A fruit-bearing tree attracting birds and mammals.
Berries used in traditional remedies for diabetes.
Provides nesting sites for bird species.
Rauvolfia serpentina (Sarpagandha)
A rare medicinal plant of Terai forests.
Traditionally used in Ayurveda for treating hypertension, insomnia, and snakebites.
Overexploited in the wild, but now protected under Dudhwa’s conservation programs.
Saccharum (Elephant Grass)
Tall grass species covering Terai meadows.
Crucial grazing ground for swamp deer, elephants, and rhinos.
Provides camouflage cover for predators like tigers.
Why These Plants Matter
Together, these species form the foundation of Dudhwa’s ecosystem. From providing food for elephants to nesting sites for migratory birds, and from traditional medicinal value to soil protection, they are central to the park’s ecological balance. Protecting these plants is as critical as conserving the animals that depend on them.
Why Dudhwa’s Biodiversity is Special
Dudhwa National Park is not only a protected forest — it is a living biodiversity hotspot within the Terai Arc Landscape (TAL). Its unique mix of wetlands, grasslands, and dense sal forests makes it one of the richest wildlife regions in India.
Key Highlights
Largest Swamp Deer (Barasingha) population in the world — over 2,000 individuals.
One of the few Indian parks where Tigers and Rhinoceros coexist naturally.
Wetlands and grasslands support migratory birds traveling along the Central Asian Flyway.
Classified as part of the Terai Arc Landscape (TAL), a vital corridor for elephants, rhinos, and big cats.
Why it Stands Out
Unlike many other tiger reserves in India, Dudhwa combines:
Terai’s last intact ecosystems of sal forests and floodplains.
Rare species like the Bengal Florican, Hispid Hare, and Gangetic Dolphin.
Recognition by the U.P. Forest Department and Project Tiger for conservation success, including rhino reintroduction and CA|TS accreditation (2021).
✨ Whether it’s the roar of a tiger echoing through sal forests, the sight of rhinos grazing in tall grasses, or the calls of migratory geese overhead — Dudhwa remains one of India’s most unique and irreplaceable biodiversity reserves.
Quick Facts – Flora & Fauna of Dudhwa
Forest Type: Moist Deciduous Terai Forests (Sal-dominated)
Tiger Population: ~100 (NTCA 2023 census)
Rhino Population: ~46 Indian One-horned Rhinos (reintroduced 1984–85)
Swamp Deer (Barasingha): 2,000+ (largest global population)
Bird Species: 450+ including Bengal Florican & Great Slaty Woodpecker
Reptiles: Gharial, Mugger Crocodile, King Cobra, Indian Rock Python
Butterflies: 90+ species, including Blue Tiger & Common Jezebel
Medicinal Plants: 50+ species like Rauvolfia serpentina, Terminalia arjuna
FAQs – Flora & Fauna of Dudhwa National Park
Dudhwa is covered by moist deciduous Terai forests, dominated by Sal, Asna, Shisham, and Jamun trees.
The park supports 100+ tree species and over 50 medicinal plants, including Rauvolfia serpentina and Asparagus racemosus.
The Sal tree forms the backbone of Dudhwa’s ecosystem, providing shelter, soil stability, and food sources for many birds and mammals.
Dudhwa is home to tigers, rhinos, swamp deer, elephants, leopards, sloth bears, fishing cats, and hog deer, along with smaller mammals.
As per the NTCA 2023 census, Dudhwa Tiger Reserve has around 100 Royal Bengal Tigers.
Rare species include the Bengal Florican, Hispid Hare, Great Slaty Woodpecker, and Gangetic Dolphin.
Over 450 species of birds are recorded, including hornbills, storks, cranes, owls, and migratory geese.
The park hosts gharials, mugger crocodiles, Indian rock pythons, king cobras, and monitor lizards.
Yes, around 46 Indian one-horned rhinos live in the Rhino Rehabilitation Area (reintroduced from Assam in 1984–85).
Dudhwa shelters the largest swamp deer (barasingha) population in the world, with more than 2,000 individuals.
Because it’s one of the few reserves where tigers, rhinos, elephants, and swamp deer coexist, alongside diverse flora, birds, reptiles, and insects.
Dudhwa is a Project Tiger Reserve, part of the Terai Arc Landscape, and accredited under CA|TS standards (2021), making it globally important for tiger and rhino conservation.