Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary (KWS)

Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary Latest News

The carcass of a male elephant aged around 45-50 years was recently found in the dense forests of the Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary (KWS) near the Indo-Nepal border.

About Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary (KWS)

• Location: It is a protected area in the Upper Gangetic plain in Uttar Pradesh. 
• In 1987, it was brought under the purview of the ‘Project Tiger’, and together with the Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary and the Dudhwa National Park, it forms the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve.
• The total area of KWS is 400.09 sq.km. which is a part of the core area of Dudhwa Tiger reserve.
• It provides strategic connectivity between the tiger habitats of Dudhwa and Kishanpur in India and the Bardia National Park in Nepal. 
• Vegetation: Its fragile Terai ecosystem comprises a mosaic of sal and teak forests, lush grasslands, numerous swamps, and wetlands.
• Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary Flora: It is predominantly Sal Forest with its associate tree species like Terminalia alata (Asna), Lagerstroemia parviflora (Asidha), Adina cordifonia (Haldu), Mitragyna parpiflora (Faldu), Gamelina arborea (Gahmhar), etc.
• Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary Fauna:
  • It is home to a number of endangered species, including the Gharial, tiger, rhino, swamp deer, hispid hare, Bengal florican, and white-backed and long-billed vulture
  • The Gairwa River, which flows in the KWS area, is declared a sanctuary for Mugger and Gharial. It is also home to rare turtles, freshwater fish, and a host of aquatic life
  • It is among the few places in India where freshwater dolphins, also known as Gangetic dolphins, are found in their natural habitat. 

Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary FAQs

Q1. What is Katarniaghat famous for?

Ans. It is home to a number of endangered species including gharial, tiger, rhino, Gangetic dolphin, swamp deer, hispid hare, Bengal florican, the white-backed and long-billed vultures.

Q2. In which state is Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary?

Ans. Uttar Pradesh

Q3. In which state is Dudhwa Tiger reserve?

Ans. Uttar Pradesh

Source: HT