Wildlife In Uttar Pradesh

Introduction

Wildlife refers to the diverse range of living organisms, including animals, birds, insects, plants, fungi, and microorganisms, that inhabit natural environments and ecosystems. These organisms play essential roles in maintaining the balance of ecosystems and contribute to the overall health of our planet.

The very first wildlife protection organisation of the country was established in Uttar Pradesh in the year 1956. The main task of the wildlife protection organisation is to protect wildlife and intensive wildlife management in modern and scientific method and to develop national parks, wildlife and bird sanctuaries.

Indian Wildlife Board is the highest authority in the country for wildlife conservation. The Prime Minister is the chairman of Indian Wildlife Board.

Fauna and Flora

“Fauna” refers to the collective group of animal species that inhabit a particular region or environment. It’s essentially the animal life found in a specific area, ranging from insects and fish to mammals and birds.

“Flora” generally refers to the collective plant life in a particular region or ecosystem. It includes all the plants, such as trees, flowers, shrubs, and grasses, that naturally grow in a specific area.

Uttar Pradesh, India, is home to a diverse range of fauna and flora.

• Its flora includes various species of trees like sal, teak, neem, and mango, as well as a variety of shrubs, grasses, and medicinal plants.
• The state’s fauna includes animals like tigers, leopards, elephants, deer, langurs, and a rich bird population including peafowls, kingfishers, and vultures. The Ganges River and its tributaries also support aquatic life like fish and turtles.

Constitutional Provision & Act

In 1976, by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment, the following provisions were made for the protection of environment, forests and wildlife :

• The subject of forest and wildlife was included in the concurrent list. Concurrent List – Entry no. 17-B. Protection of wild animals and birds.
• A new Article 48-A was added to the Directive Principles of State Policy. According to this, the state shall endeavour to protect and improve the environment and to safeguard the forests and wildlife of the country.
• A new Article 51-A was added as Fundamental Duties. It contains a total of 11 civic duties out of which according to 51- A (g) : It shall be the duty of every citizen of India — ‘to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wildlife, and to have compassion for giving creatures’.

Wildlife (Protection) Act was passed in India in the year 1972.

Wildlife in UP : Some Imp. Point

• Leopard, Wild Pig, Elephant, Bear, Deer, Chitah, Sambar, Jaickal, Rabbit, Fox, etc. wildlife are found in Uttar Pradesh.
• Birds generally found in Uttar Pradesh are – Crow, Pigeon, Bagula, Saras, Kathfodwa, Parrot, Maina, Bulbul, etc.
• ‘Barasingha’ (Rucervus Duacelii) is the state animal of Uttar Pradesh.
• ‘Saras Crane’ (Grus antigone) is the state bird of Uttar Pradesh.
• Figures of fish and bow-arrow are inscribed on the state emblem of Uttar Pradesh.
• Major species of number of fish in Uttar Pradesh are – Matsey, Hilsa, Saul, Tegara, Paharin, Rasela, Vittal, Rohu, Birgal, Katta, Lobi, Mangur, Kguchipa, Eil, Sindhi and Trowt.
• ‘Ganga Dolphin’, the national aquatic animal, is found in Sonbhadra and Mirzapur districts of Uttar Pradesh.
• Chinkaras in Uttar Pradesh are found in the forests of Vindhyan region.
• Leopards are found in Tarai region of UP.
• Lions and Rhinos are endangered in Uttar Pradesh. Rhinos are found in the Terai region of Uttar Pradesh.
• Kukrail forest in Uttar Pradesh is located near Lucknow. A breeding centre for the extinct species since 1984-85 have been established in Kukrail forest.
• Brown Bear and Musk Deer are found in the nearby areas of Himalayan regions of Uttar Pradesh.
• Chandraprabha (1957), the oldest wildlife sanctuary of Uttar Pradesh is located in Chandauli district.
• Dudhwa is the only national park in Uttar Pradesh.
• Wildlife Protection Week is observed every year during 1-7 October.
• Word Tiger Day is observed every year on July 29^th.
• Red Data Book is associated with the description of the endangered and extinct species.
• People’s Park and Wildlife Book contain very important information for wildlife conservation movement.
• A large festival is organised every year in the first week of December for spreading awareness regarding the birds in the state.
• Butterflies Park has been established in Lucknow and Kanpur Zoological Garden has addressed the problem of decreasing number of butterflies.
• Butterflies play an important role in the pollination of flowers.
• A Peacock Protection Centre has been established at Vrindavan in Mathura for the Conservation of National Bird Peacock.
• ‘Gharial Breeding and Rehabilitation Programme’ for Crocodiles and Gharials are being implemented by the Uttar Pradesh Government
• Uttar Pradesh Government is operating the ‘Turtles Rehabilitation Project’ related to the expansion of turtles for the prevention of pollution in Ganges river.
• Eco-Development Plan is to develop forest near the protected forest areas.
• Asiatic Lion Breeding Centre and a Lion Safari are being developed in Etawah district of Uttar Pradesh, inspired by the longest Safari Park of England.

Wildlife Reserve

The first steps in the country regarding the conservation of wildlife were taken in the then U.P., but at present the place is in Uttarakhand. Under this first effort, ‘Motichur Wildlife Sanctuary’ was established in Dehradun in 1935. Presently its name is Rajaji National Park. After this, in 1936, Asia’s first national park Hailey National Park was established in Nainital and Garhwal. Now its name is Jim Corbett National Park.

For the first time in the country, in 1956, the Wildlife Conservation Organization was established in Uttar Pradesh itself. This organization works for bio-diversity conservation in the state and conservation and expansion of the state’s wild animals and their natural habitats.

About 1/3 of the entire forest area of ​​the state is under the control of Wildlife Conservation Organisation.

At present there is one National Park (Dudhwa), 11 Wildlife Sanctuary, 14 Bird Wildlife Sanctuary and two Tiger Reserves in the state.

State Zoological Park / Park

Central Zoo Authority takes care of major zoos of Uttar Pradesh. There are three zoos in the state —

• Nawab Wazid Ali Shah Zoological Garden, Lucknow. (1st)
• Kanpur Zoological Park or Allen Zoological Park. (2nd)
• Shaheed Ashfaq Ullah Khan Zoological Garden, Gorakhpur. (3rd)

Kanpur and Lucknow Zoological Parks have been established for the convenience of citizens who cannot visit wild areas to see wild animals.

A zoological park named after Shaheed Asfaq Ullah has been established in Gorakhpur.

A Night Wildlife Park (Night Safari Park) is being constructed in an area of ​​120 hectares in Greater Noida on the model of Night Safari established in China and Singapore. This is the fourth such sanctuary in the world and the first in India.

A Lion Safari Park, an Elephant Safari Park and a Leopard, Hyena, Bear and Deer Safari Park have been established in the Fisher Forest area of ​​Etawah under the National Chambal Wildlife Sanctuary to create awareness among the general public about wildlife conservation and promotion. Arrangements have also been made for the breeding of Asiatic Babbar lions here.

National Park (Dudhwa)

This is the only national park in the state, which is spread over 490.29 sq km of forest area in Lakhimpur Kheri and Pilibhit districts.

Dudhwa Animal Vihar, established in 1968 for the conservation and proper development of rare species like Barhasinha and the like, was given the status of National Park in 1977.

Dudhwa National Park was included in the Project Tiger in the year 1987-88. Later on, it became Dudhwa Tiger Reserve associating with Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary and Katarniyaghat Wildlife Sanctuary.

Northern boundary of Dudhwa National Park is marked by Mohan River whereas its southern boundary is determined by Suheli River. This Tiger Reserve is extended over the districts of Lakhimpur Kheri and Bahraich.

It is a unique example of a combination of dense sal forest and tall grass ecosystem.

In this park, apart from animals like tiger, deer, chital, one horned rhinoceros, pada, elephant, bear, python, mugger, sambar etc., rare species of deer, servan hualisi and dispid hair and charaj are found. There are 450 species of birds.

Wildlife Sanctuary

For the protection of wildlife, the organization established in 1956 by the state government first established Chandraprabha Wildlife Sanctuary in Chandauli in 1957.

Presently there are 11 wildlife sanctuaries under the State Forest Department.

Sr. No.	Name / District	Area (Km2)	Est. Year	Animals/Birds found
1.	Chandraprabha Wildlife Sanctuary / Chandauli	78	1957	Chinkara, Sambar, Bear, Leopard and Different types of birds.
2.	Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary / Lakhimpur Kheri	203.41	1972	Chitah, Leopard, Deer, Barahsingha etc.
3.	Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary / Bahraich	400.09	1976	Leopard, Lion, Chital, Migratory Birds.
4.	Ranipur Wildlife Sanctuary / Karvi, Chitrakoot	230.31	1977	Leopard, Black deer, Chinkara.
5.	Mahavir Swami Wildlife Sanctuary / Lalitpur	5.41	1977	Monkey, Peacock, etc.
6.	National Chambal Wildlife Sanctuary / Agra, Etawah	635	1979	Ghariyal, Dolphin, etc.
7.	Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary / Mirzapur, Sonbhadra	500.73	1982	Tiger, Leopard, Chinkara, Black deer.
8.	Hastinapur Wildlife Sanctuary / Meerut, Ghaziabad, Hapur, Bijnor, Amroha,	2073	1986	Lakarbaggha, Crocodile, Chital.
9.	Sohagi Barwa Wildlife Sanctuary / Maharajganj	428.20	1987	Chital, Lion, etc.
10.	Sohelwa Wildlife Sanctuary / Balrampur, Gonda, Shravasti	452.47	1988	Chital, lion, etc.
11.	Turtle (Kachhuah) Wildlife Sanctuary / Varanasi	7	1989	Tortoise.

Wildlife Sanctuary (Bird Sanctuary)

Due to the expansion of cities and industrialization, many species of birds became extinct as a result of continuous degradation of the shelter places (trees and plants) of birds and many other reasons.

Some species like the state bird stork, crow and vulture are on the verge of extinction.

According to scientists, the main reason for the untimely death of vultures and crows is the harmful chemicals like DDT and BHC, which are present in the dead animals, which they eat to fulfill their stomach.

Apart from this, environmental changes, hunting and killing birds are also the reasons for their destruction.

At present there are 14 bird sanctuaries under the State Forest Department for the conservation of birds.

Sr. No.	Name	Est. Year	District	Area (Km2)
1.	Shaheed Chandra Shekhar Azad (Nawabganj) Bird Wildlife Sanctuary	1984	Unnao	2.25
2.	Samaspur Bird Wildlife Sanctuary	1987	Raebareli	7.99
3.	Lakh Bahoshi Bird Wildlife Sanctuary	1988	Kannauj	80.24
4.	Okhla Bird Wildlife Sanctuary	1990	Gautam Buddha Nagar	4.00
5.	Bakhira Bird Wildlife Sanctuary	1990	Sant Kabir Nagar	28.94
6.	Sandi Bird Wildlife Sanctuary	1990	Hardoi	3.09
7.	Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar Bird Wildlife Sanctuary	2003	Pratapgarh	4.27
8.	Shekha Lake Bird Wildlife Sanctuary	2016	Aligarh	0.40
9.	Saman Bird Wildlife Sanctuary	1990	Mainpuri	5.26
10	Jai Prakash Narayan (Surha Tal) Bird Wildlife Sanctuary	1991	Ballia	34.32
11.	Sur sarovar Bird Wildlife Sanctuary	1991	Agra	4.03
12.	Parvati Arga Bird Wildlife Sanctuary	1990	Gonda	10.84
13.	Vijay Sagar Bird Wildlife Sanctuary	1990	Mahoba	2.62
14.	Patna Bird Wildlife Sanctuary	1990	Etah	1.09

Imp. Point :

• According to Forest Statistics, 2018 of UP, Dudhwa National Park and Tiger reserve (Lakhimpur Kheri) and two other tiger reserves-Pilibhit Tiger Reserve (Pilibhit & Saharanpur) and Amangarh Tiger reserve (Bijnore) are also given as wildlife Sanctuaries. In 2022, Ranipur Wildlife Sanctuary declared as Tiger Reserve, thus as of now there are four Tiger Reserve in UP.
• Data available on ENVIS Portal Bird Sanctuaries and wildlife Sanctuaries are not listed in different category and almost all Bird wildlife Sanctuaries are mentioned as wildlife Sanctuaries.

Ramsar Sites in UP

A Ramsar site is a wetland area designated under the Ramsar Convention, an international treaty aimed at conserving and sustainably using important wetlands. Ramsar Convention is also known as ‘Convention on Wetlands’.

These sites are recognised for their ecological, cultural, scientific, and recreational value. They play a crucial role in maintaining biodiversity, providing habitats for various species, regulating water flow, and supporting local communities. The designation helps promote the conservation and wise use of these valuable ecosystems.

The Ramsar Convention is named after the city of Ramsar in Iran, where the convention was signed on 2 February, 1971. The term “Ramsar site” refers to a wetland area designated under the convention for its ecological importance.

The Convention on Wetlands was signed on 2 February 1971 in the city of Ramsar, Iran. That’s why World Wetland Day is celebrated every year on 2 February.

There are a total of 75 Ramsar sites in India, out of which 10 are located in Uttar Pradesh. The names of total 10 Ramsar sites located in Uttar Pradesh are as follows:

Name of Ramsar Wetland Site in UP ( As on Nov. 20022)
S. No.	Name of Site	Date of Declaration	Area (Km2)
1.	Upper Ganga River – From Brajghat, Garh Mukteshwar to Narora in Bulandshahr	08/11/2005	265.90
2.	Sarsai Nawar Jheel – Etawah	19/09/2019	1.61
3.	Sandi Bird Sanctuary – Hardoi	26/09/2019	3.09
4.	Samaspur Bird Sanctuary – Raebareli	03/10/2019	7.99
5.	Saman Bird Sanctuary – Mainpuri	02/12/2019	5.26
6.	Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary – Unnao	19/09/2019	2.25
7.	Parvati Arga Bird Sanctuary – Gonda	02/12/2019	7.22
8.	Sur Sarovar – Agra	21/08/2020	4.31
9.	Bakhira Wildlife Sanctuary – Sant Kabir Nagar	29/06/2021	28.94
10.	Haiderpur Wetland – Bijnor & Muzaffarnagar	08/12/2021	69.08

Tiger Reserve

The scientific name of tiger is ‘Panthera tigris’.

Project tiger was launched by the Government of India in the year 1973 to save the endangered species of tiger in the country.

As per data available in ENVIS ( Environmental Information System ) Portal Updated till January 2023 :

• Tiger Reserve in India – 53
• Tiger Reserve in UP – 4

Dudhwa National Park was covered under ‘Project Tiger’ in 1987. Later Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary and Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary area were also brought under this Tiger Reserve.

The Amangarh region of Bijnor has been included in the buffer zone of the Corbett Tiger Reserve of Uttarakhand in 2012. This is the second tiger reserve of the state. Amangarh Tiger Reserve, UP is a buffer Zone of Jim Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand and may not be regarded as a separate tiger reserve.

In June, 2014, the third tiger reserve of the state and the 45th of the country has been made in an area of ​​about 73 thousand square hectare of Pilibhit Shahjahanpur.

In October 2022, the country’s 53rd and the state’s fourth tiger reserve has been created by including Ranipur Wildlife Sanctuary (230.32 sq km) and buffer area of ​​299.05 sq km located in Chitrakoot district.

Tiger Reserves in UP
Name	Core Area ( Km2 )	Buffer Area ( Km2 )	Total Area ( Km2 )
Dudhwa Tiger Reserve	1093.79	1107.98	2201.77
Pilibhit Tiger Reserve	602.789	127.45	730.25
Ranipur Tiger Reserve	230.31	299.05	529.36
Amangarh Buffer Zone	—	80.60	80.60

Note– Uttar Pradesh Government in their official release has declared that there are 4 Tiger Reserves in Uttar Pradesh 1. Dudhwa, 2. Amanagarh Buffer, 3. Pilibhit, 4. Ranipur.

Originally, Amanagarh is a buffer zone and the Central Government has not listed it in Tiger Reserves. It is mentioned as a 47th buffer zone of Corbett Park in the list of Tiger Reserve.

According to the Ministry of Forest and Environment of the Government of India, the core area is granted the legal status of National Park or Sanctuary. While the buffer or peripheral areas are a mixture of forest or non-forest land and are managed as a multi-use area.

Leopard

Leopards are found in Terai areas of Uttar Pradesh. The scientific name of leopard is ‘Panthera pardus’.

According to the Status of Leopards in India, 2018 :

• 63% increase in the population count of leopard in India from 2014, i.e. from 7,910 to 12,852.
• 4% increase in the pollution count of leopard in UP from 2014, i.e. from 194 to 316.
• First leopard census – 2014
• Second leopard census – 2018

Elephant Reserves

Elephant is included in Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Flora and Fauna (CITES). It occurs in 16 of the 28 states in the country.

Project Elephant was launched by the Government of India in the year 1992 with following objectives :

• To protect elephants, habitat and corridors
• To address issues of man-animal conflict
• Welfare of captive elephants

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change provides the financial and technical support to major elephant range states in the country through Project Elephant.

As per available information (Nov, 2022) :

• There are total 33 Elephant Reserves in India.
• There are 2 Elephant Reserves in Uttar Pradesh.

The first Elephant Reserve of Uttar Pradesh was created on 9th September, 2009 in the combined area of ​​Saharanpur and Bijnor of 744 sq km.

Uttar Pradesh’s second Elephant Reserve (Terai Elephant Reserve – TER) has been created in December, 2022 on an area of ​​3049.39 sq km of Dudhwa and Pilibhit Tiger Reserve.

In Uttar Pradesh, Elephants are found in the foothills of Shivalik and Terai region. There are 352 elephants in Uttar Pradesh according to the Elephant Census, 2020. It is located in Lakhimpur and Piliphit Districts will be developed in the Area.

Rare Animal

Saras Crane ( Grus antigone ) :

• The state bird Crane has now come under the endangered category. Out of total 8 thousand storks of the whole world, 40% are found in Uttar Pradesh. This bird is found more in the following districts – Kaushambi, Fatehpur, Etawah, Mainpuri, Bulandshahr, Aligarh, Auraiya Kannauj etc.

Vulture ( Gyps indicus )

• Vulture birds have come in the endangered category in the state. According to the census done in June 2011, their number was only 2097 in the entire state. Many measures are being taken by the state government for their protection.

Gangetic dolphin ( Platanista gangatica gangatica )

• Gangetic dolphin has been declared as the national aquatic animal. They are found in large numbers in the Ganga from Prayagraj to Mirzapur. In local language it is called ‘Soyis’ or ‘Suis’ or ‘Susu’. The total number of Ganga Dolphins in Uttar Pradesh is 1275.

Many types of animals are found in Dudhwa National Park and Kishanpur Vihar; Like Tiger, Barasingha, Chital, Elephant, Bear, Rhinoceros. In this, Cervus duvauceli and Dyspdi hair, rare species of Barasingha and Charaj are also found.

Cheetah, leopard, chinkara, black buck etc. are found in Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary of Mirzapur.

Gharial, dolphin fish etc. are found in National Chambal Wildlife Sanctuary located in Agra-Etawah-Auraiya.

Chinkara, Sambhar, Tendua etc. are found in Chandraprabha Vihar of Chandauli.

Etah Bird Sanctuary has been declared a reserve by the state government.

There are tortoise breeding centres in Kukrail (Lucknow) and Sarnath (Varanasi).

There are two Forest Regional Conservation Centres in the state for blackbuck —

• Gabhana area of ​​Aligarh.
• Meja-Koraon area of ​​Prayagraj.

In terms of non-forest area in the state, maximum black bucks are found in Gabhana area of ​​Aligarh.

Wildlife Program

Breeding center for endangered species :

• A breeding center for endangered species has been established in 1984-85 in Kukrel forest of Lucknow. Here the breeding scheme of endangered wild animals like black buck, udvilav, kaker etc. is being run.

National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystem :

• It has been implemented since the year 2013-14 by the Government of India and State Government, in the ratio of 70:30.

National Chambal Wildlife Sanctuary :

• The area of ​​Chambal Valley has been declared as National Chambal Wildlife Sanctuary for the purpose of conservation of Magar and Gharial. In this, the area of ​​Chambal falling in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan is included. This scheme is being run with the help of the Government of India.

Turtle Rehabilitation Scheme :

• This scheme is funded by the Centre under the Ganga Action Plan. Turtle Rehabilitation Scheme is being implemented since 1986-87. Under this, protection is provided to carnivorous turtles and their children are released in the river Ganga after following them at the breeding centres. Under this scheme, the country’s only turtle sanctuary, established in 1989 in the 7 km Ganga flow area in Varanasi, has been replaced in March 2020 in the 30 km Ganga area at the confluence of Prayag-Bhadohi-Mirzapur.

Eco Development Program :

• Eco Development Program has been included in the following national parks, wildlife sanctuaries/bird sanctuaries in the state – Dudhwa Tiger Reserve, Surhatal Bird Sanctuary, Ranipur Wildlife Sanctuary, Vijay Sagar Bird Sanctuary, National Chambal Wildlife Sanctuary, Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary, Saman Bird Sanctuary, Chandraprabha Wildlife Sanctuary.

Integrated Development of Life Habitats :

• For the development of all the wildlife sanctuaries of the state, it is being run with the help of the Central Government. In 2002-03, all the bird sanctuaries of the state have also been included in this scheme.

Gharial Breeding Centre :

• This scheme is being run for the conservation and development of the endangered species of Gharial. Under this scheme, Gharial eggs are collected and reared by artificial fertilization in Kukrail forest, Lucknow and Katarniaghat, Bahraich. These babies are released into the rivers after they are ready.

Tiger Protection Force :

• A 112-member Tiger Protection Force has been constituted for Dudhwa Tiger Reserve with the assistance of the Centre.

Natural Vegetation : UP