Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary

Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Terai belt of the Upper Gangetic Plains in Bahraich district of Uttar Pradesh, near the Indo-Nepal border. In 1987, it was brought under Project Tiger and, along with Dudhwa National Park and Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary, forms the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve. The sanctuary provides an important ecological corridor connecting the tiger habitats of Dudhwa and Kishanpur in India with Bardia National Park in Nepal.

Vegetation and Flora

The sanctuary consists of grasslands, mixed deciduous forests, and moist deciduous forests. The vegetation is predominantly composed of Sal forests, along with associated tree species such as Terminalia alata (Asna), Lagerstroemia parviflora (Asidha), Adina cordifolia (Haldu), Mitragyna parviflora (Faldu), and Gmelina arborea (Gahmhar).

Fauna

Katarniaghat is home to several endangered species, including the Tiger, Gharial, Indian Rhinoceros, Gangetic Dolphin, Swamp Deer, Hispid Hare, Bengal Florican, White-backed Vulture, and Long-billed Vulture. The rich biodiversity of the sanctuary makes it one of the most important protected areas in the Terai region.

Gairwa River

The Gairwa River, which flows through the sanctuary, has been declared a protected habitat for the Mugger Crocodile and Gharial. The river ecosystem also supports rare turtles, freshwater fish, and a variety of aquatic life. Katarniaghat is among the few places in India where the Gangetic Dolphin is found in its natural habitat.