Description

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Context

A rare Long-snouted Vine Snake that is Ahaetulla longirostris was recently rediscovered in the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve, Uttar Pradesh.

Details

This occurred during a rhino release operation in the Palia Kheri Division of the reserve.

First ever sighting in Uttar Pradesh.

Only the second documented record in India.

Previously known only from Valmiki Tiger Reserve in Bihar and parts of Odisha.

Natural range is primarily Southeast Asia making this rediscovery important for biogeography and conservation.

About Ahaetulla longirostris

Feature	Description
Family	Colubridae (mostly non-venomous snakes)
Body	Long, slender; bright green or brown, ideal for camouflage
Distinctive Trait	Elongated snout which differentiates it from other vine snakes
Habitat	Arboreal, well camouflaged in leaves and branches
Venom	Mildly venomous but not harmful to humans
Behavior	Secretive and elusive; typically active during the day

About Dudhwa Tiger Reserve

Category	Details
Location	Lakhimpur Kheri district, Uttar Pradesh; along Indo-Nepal border
Components	Dudhwa National Park, Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary, Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary and adjoining forest divisions of North Kheri, South Kheri, Shahjahanpur
Biogeographic Zone	Tarai-Bhabar region of the Upper Gangetic Plains
Major Rivers	Sharda River (Kishanpur WLS) Geruwa River (Katarniaghat WLS) Suheli & Mohana Rivers (Dudhwa NP) → All tributaries of the Ghaghara River
Vegetation	Moist Deciduous Forests, dominated by Sal
Important Fauna	Mammals: Tiger, Leopard, Fishing Cat, Langur, Civet, Jackal, Mongoose Birds: Dabchick, Spot-billed Pelican, Cormorants, Grey Heron, White Ibis, Black & White Stork Reptiles: Gharial, Mugger Crocodile, Python, Banded Krait, Russell’s Viper, Sand Boa, Rat Snake

Uttar Pradesh has the following tiger reserves

Tiger Reserve	Location	Year Established	Core Area (sq km)	Buffer Area (sq km)	Total Area (sq km)
Dudhwa Tiger Reserve	Lakhimpur Kheri and Bahraich districts	1987	1,093.79	1,107.98	2,201.77
Pilibhit Tiger Reserve	Pilibhit and Shahjahanpur districts	2014	602.80	127.45	730.25
Amangarh Tiger Reserve	Bijnor district	2012	Data not available	Data not available	Data not available
Ranipur Tiger Reserve	Chitrakoot district	2022	230.00	299.58	529.89

Sources:

HINDU

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding Tiger Reserves in Uttar Pradesh?

Ranipur Tiger Reserve is the only tiger reserve in the Bundelkhand region.
Amangarh Tiger Reserve is a part of the Corbett Tiger Reserve's buffer zone.
Pilibhit Tiger Reserve was the first to be notified in Uttar Pradesh.

Select the correct answer using the code below:
A) 1 and 2 only
B) 2 and 3 only
C) 1 and 3 only
D) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: A)

Explanation

Statement 1 is Correct. Ranipur Tiger Reserve notified in 2022 is the first and only tiger reserve in the Bundelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh.

Statement 2 is Correct. Amangarh Tiger Reserve notified in 2012 is contiguous with Corbett Tiger Reserve in Uttarakhand and serves as its buffer.

Statement 3 is Incorrect. The first notified tiger reserve in UP was Dudhwa in 1987 not Pilibhit. Pilibhit was notified later in 2014.