Katarniya Ghat Wildlife Sanctuary

About Katarniya Ghat Wildlife Sanctuary:

• Location: It is situated in the Upper Gangetic plain falling in the Terai of Bahraich district of Uttar Pradesh.
• It is part of the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve.
• The Katerniaghat Forest provides strategic connectivity between the tiger habitats of Dudhwa and Kishanpur in India and the Bardia National Park in Nepal.
• Ecosystem: Its fragile Terai ecosystem comprises a mosaic of sal and teak forests, lush grasslands, numerous swamps, and wetlands.
• Girwa river flows through the sanctuary, which is one of the best places in the world for seeing the Gharial (Critically Endangered) in its natural habitat.
• Climate:
  • The whole of the area is subject to the climatic variations typical of the plains of Northern India with their extremes of heat and cold.
  • The average annual rainfall is about 1300 mm.
  • During the hot weather, there are often strong west winds and mild hurricanes from the north and west accompanied by showers.
• Flora: It is dominantly Sal Forest with its associated tree species like Terminalia alata (Asna), Lagerstroemia parviflora (Asidha), Adina cordifonia (Haldu), Mitragyna parpiflora (Faldu), etc.
• Fauna:  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.

 

What is Albinism?

• Albinism is a genetic disorder that results in decreased production of a pigment called melanin in the skin, hair, and eyes, resulting in light color or no color. 

 

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Q1) What are Gharials?

The gharial is one of two crocodilians from the Gavialidae family that is known for its narrow, elongated snout and sharp, interlocking teeth.They are sometimes referred to as ‘gavial’ or the fish-eating crocodile due to their diet.Typically found in a few isolated areas of northern India.

Source: Rare Albino Deer Spotted In UP’s Katarniya Ghat Wildlife Sanctuary