Imagine a wildlife sanctuary whose entrance is through a village and which houses another village also deep inside in its core and by which it draws its name - Kishanpur , whose land stands badly encroached and where humans and vehicular traffic of all sorts ; tractors with their oversize trolleys , cycles, motor cycles and bullock carts , ply daily almost day long on the sanctuary road and yet it's being home to an astonishing variety of wildlife including the famous and only of its own kind of feline- the majestic terai tiger , the highly endangered Swamp Deer aka Barasingha, Blue Bull, Wild Boar, Spotted Deer, Barking Deer and about 400 species of migratory avian during the season besides the local ones which include the rare Bengal Florican, the Swamp Partridge and Bonelli's Eagle. Yes this is Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary , a living example of thoughtless human abuse vis a vis the most resilient and forbearing side of mother nature.
Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary , a part of Dudhwa National Park , is located near the tiny township of Bhira in the Lakhimpur Kheri district of Uttar Pradesh. It is 13 km away from Bhira and about 196 km from the state capital Lucknow. Distanced by 30 km from Dudhwa National Park and dotted with Sal, Teak, Rohini, Mahua and Jamun trees, the sanctuary is spread over an area of 23000 hectares. The entry is through village Kattaiya and the signs of illegal encroachment become visible as your jeep rolls, past the barrier, on the bumpy earthen road leading to the sanctuary.
The first attraction of Kishanpur WLS is Jhadi Taal ; a vast wetland created by the flood waters of river Sharda which flows adjacent to sanctuary's northern boundary and flanked by an equally vast meadow. Jhadi Taal is home to about 1000 plus heads of the highly endangered Swap Deer. Their herds can be seen resting on the small islands in the water body. Climb up the nearby Machan or the viewing tower for a birds eye view of Jhadi Taal. From here you may also watch bevy of smooth coat Otters chasing and hunting fish.
During winters Jhadi Taal becomes home to an amazing variety of migratory birds. For birders therefore it is an excellent place. A round around Jadi Tall will also show the Blue Tailed Bee Eaters, Grey Fish Eagles perched high patiently in wait for fish , Swamp Partridge coming in the open on dusty road from their thick grass hideouts in order to pick insects and of course the noisy flocks of Parakeets taking sharp acrobatic flights from one tree perch to another.
With luck favoring a drive on Beldanda road of the sanctuary may reward you with the sighting of elusive terai tiger. It was here on one April morning this year that I met a huge male tiger on his morning territory patrol.The tiger was busy picking up scent from here and there and also scent marking his territory around. We had spotted him from quite afar and went near him maintaining a safe distance so that he may not feel disturbed. My Guide knew his movements pattern very well and thus we got him again after fifteen minutes in another forest block while the feline was crossing the road.
From a distance an antler watched its nemesis pass by with a nonchalant curiosity. In route I met a tiny Barred Jungle Owlet perched deep inside the woods in a Rohini tree. A Crested Serpent Eagle was also met while it was busy foraging on the ground. However the most significant sight was that of a Bonelli's Eagle perched in a drying Sal tree. Sightings of these two Eagles confirmed the robust and very healthy Eco- system of the sanctuary despite its being abused by we, the humans.
Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary , a part of Dudhwa National Park , is located near the tiny township of Bhira in the Lakhimpur Kheri district of Uttar Pradesh. It is 13 km away from Bhira and about 196 km from the state capital Lucknow. Distanced by 30 km from Dudhwa National Park and dotted with Sal, Teak, Rohini, Mahua and Jamun trees, the sanctuary is spread over an area of 23000 hectares. The entry is through village Kattaiya and the signs of illegal encroachment become visible as your jeep rolls, past the barrier, on the bumpy earthen road leading to the sanctuary.
The first attraction of Kishanpur WLS is Jhadi Taal ; a vast wetland created by the flood waters of river Sharda which flows adjacent to sanctuary's northern boundary and flanked by an equally vast meadow. Jhadi Taal is home to about 1000 plus heads of the highly endangered Swap Deer. Their herds can be seen resting on the small islands in the water body. Climb up the nearby Machan or the viewing tower for a birds eye view of Jhadi Taal. From here you may also watch bevy of smooth coat Otters chasing and hunting fish.
During winters Jhadi Taal becomes home to an amazing variety of migratory birds. For birders therefore it is an excellent place. A round around Jadi Tall will also show the Blue Tailed Bee Eaters, Grey Fish Eagles perched high patiently in wait for fish , Swamp Partridge coming in the open on dusty road from their thick grass hideouts in order to pick insects and of course the noisy flocks of Parakeets taking sharp acrobatic flights from one tree perch to another.
With luck favoring a drive on Beldanda road of the sanctuary may reward you with the sighting of elusive terai tiger. It was here on one April morning this year that I met a huge male tiger on his morning territory patrol.The tiger was busy picking up scent from here and there and also scent marking his territory around. We had spotted him from quite afar and went near him maintaining a safe distance so that he may not feel disturbed. My Guide knew his movements pattern very well and thus we got him again after fifteen minutes in another forest block while the feline was crossing the road.
From a distance an antler watched its nemesis pass by with a nonchalant curiosity. In route I met a tiny Barred Jungle Owlet perched deep inside the woods in a Rohini tree. A Crested Serpent Eagle was also met while it was busy foraging on the ground. However the most significant sight was that of a Bonelli's Eagle perched in a drying Sal tree. Sightings of these two Eagles confirmed the robust and very healthy Eco- system of the sanctuary despite its being abused by we, the humans.
My Guide advised to wait for the tiger at the Beldanda waterhole hoping that since it was quite hot , the tiger may drop in for a drink. Thus I waited there for about an hour but without any further luck. The sun was getting harsh and unbearable. And directly in front of me was a little monkey spread leisurely on a tree branch watching me with his little eyes and perhaps wondering what I was up to in that sweltering heat. The hint was well taken and I called off the safari.
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