Come monsoon and Dudhwa Tiger Reserve in Uttar Pradesh that shares sensitive borders with the adjoining Nepal has geared up to protect its wildlife from poachers. The sensitive areas of the reserve have been identified and monsoon patrolling strategy put in place.
According to Field Director Shailesh Prasad, during monsoon, the reserve comprising Dudhwa National Park (DNP), Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary (KWS) and Katarnia Ghat Wildlife Sanctuary (KGWS) get inundated with floodwater caused by the swelling rivers of Mohana, Suheli and several rivulets and big drains. Hence, this calls for added alert mechanisms to keep away the poachers that try to take advantage of the situation.
With almost all parts of the reserve and major routes submerged in floodwaters, normal patrolling on foot as well as on vehicles gets almost impossible. He informed that 69 patrolling teams have been formed to brace up for the situation, that patrol the entire reserve areas with key focus upon sensitive areas.
He further informed that four motorboats with adequate fuel have been kept ready while the patrolling staff have been provided with all equipments including wireless sets, nets, water-proof ropes, arms and ammunition to protect the wild animals from floods as well as from poachers. Prasad said that 18 additional wireless sets have been arranged in case of need.
Prasad further informed that 26 additional wireless sets have been also arranged in case of emergency requirements. He said, “The patrolling officials are keeping a round the clock close vigil” adding, that forest personnel have been warned of action in case of any laxity on the part of monsoon patrolling team.
located in the Terai of Uttar Pradesh, Dudhwa National Park covers an area of 490.3 km, with a buffer zone of 190 km. It represents one of the few remaining examples of a highly diverse and productive Terai ecosystem, supporting a large number of endangered species, obligate species of tall wet grasslands and species of restricted distribution.