Source: HT

Disclaimer: Copyright infringement not intended.

Context:

Recently, the carcass of a male elephant was found in the Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary near the Indo Nepal border. Elephant age was around 45-50 years

About Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary (KWS):

Location:

• KWS is located in the Upper Gangetic Plain in Uttar Pradesh.
• It is situated near the Indo-Nepal border.

History and Status:

• In 1987, KWS was covered under the Project Tiger initiative for tiger conservation.
• Along with the Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary & Dudhwa National Park, KWS forms the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve..
• The KWS sanctuary is a part of the core zone of the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve.

Ecological Importance and Connectivity:

• The sanctuary provides an important ecological connectivity between tiger habitats in India, specifically between Dudhwa and Kishanpur & it also extends to Bardia National Park in Nepal.
• This corridor is important for the migration & genetic exchange of wildlife species (tigers).

Flora and Vegetation:

• It lies in the Terai ecosystem, which is fragile & ecologically significant.
• It also includes a mosaic of sal forests, teak forests, lush grasslands, swamps, & wetlands.

Key Tree Species in KWS:

• Sal (Shorea robusta)
• Terminalia alata (Asna)
• Lagerstroemia parviflora (Asidha)
• Adina cordifolia (Haldu)
• Mitragyna parviflora (Faldu)
• Gmelina arborea (Gahmhar)

Fauna and Wildlife in KWS:

• Tigers
• Rhinos
• Swamp Deer
• Hispid Hare
• Bengal Florican
• Gharial
• White-backed and Long-billed Vultures
• Gangetic Dolphins (Freshwater Dolphins)

Special key Points:

• The Gairwa River in the sanctuary is declared as a sanctuary for Mugger & Gharial Crocodiles. It isalso home to rare turtles, freshwater fish, & various other species.
• This is one of places in India where the Ganges dolphins are found in its natural habitat.

Source: HT