Suhelwa Wildlife Sanctuary (SWS)

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About Suhelwa Wildlife Sanctuary (SWS):

Location: It is located in the Shravasti, Balrampur, and Gonda districts of Uttar Pradesh.
The forest of SWS was owned by Maharaja of Balrampur before the implementation of the Zamindari Abolition Act 1952 and was known as Balrampur Estate.
It was declared a Wildlife Sanctuary in 1988.
Sprawling an area of 452 sq km, this sanctuary is a strip of land, approximately, 120 km long from the east to west and 6-8 km wide.
The Sohelwa Wild Life Division is situated on the Indo-Nepal International Border.
It is one of the important places in the Bhabar-Tarai Eco-System area, which is rich in biodiversity.
The Tharu tribe, having mongoloid features, have been residents of this area since long.
Vegetation: A mixture of deciduous and semi-evergreen woodlands defines the sanctuary.
Flora: Bahera, Phaldu,Sal, Teak, Dhamina, Jamun, Shisham, Jigna, Haldu, Asna, and Khair are some of the most common trees found in SWS.
Fauna:
- Tigers, Leopard, Cheetal, Bear, Wolfe, Hare, Jackal, Wild Boar, Sambar, Mankey, Langoor, Python, Otters, etc. can be commonly sighted.
- A number of birds like Black Partridge, Quails, Peacocks, Kingfishers, Bulbuls, Mynahs, Eagles, Nightingales, Cuckoo, and Owls, etc. also inhabit the forest area.

Q1: What is a tiger reserve?

Tiger Reserve is a legally declared protected area dedicated to the conservation of striped big cats. A tiger reserve, on the other hand, could be a national park or wildlife sanctuary. The Sariska Tiger Reserve, for example, is also a national park.

Source: ‘Suhelwa Wildlife Sanctuary to be state’s 5th tiger reserve’