Karwi, Chitrakoot, Uttar Pradesh
Discover the Wild Beauty at Where the Jungle Meets Ancient Heritage.
Department of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Uttar Pradesh
Jungle Safari
Department of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Uttar Pradesh
The airport at Devangana, approximately 12 km from Karwi city in Chitrakoot district, has been operational since March 2024. It offers connecting flights from New Delhi and Mumbai, as well as direct flights from Lucknow.
Dudhwa’s Big Five: Tigers, Rhinos, Elephants, Leopards, and Swamp Deer with other unique species.
Dudhwa hosts over 400 bird species, including the rare Bengal Florican and vibrant parakeets.
Explore Dudhwa’s landscapes and wildlife up close on an exciting Gypsy Safari.
Enjoy a group safari through Dudhwa’s wilderness, perfect for shared wildlife adventures.
Chitrakoot, often referred to as "the hills of many wonders," is a unique gift bestowed upon Uttar Pradesh by nature. Located along the banks of the Payasvani/Mandakini River in the northern part of the Vindhya mountain range, its name derives from the Sanskrit word "Chitra," meaning Ashoka, and "Koot," meaning peak or summit. It is believed that this area was once abundant with Ashoka trees in ancient times. Chitrakoot is renowned not only for its religious and cultural significance but also as an environmentally and historically vital part of the Bundelkhand cultural region.
Ranipur Tiger Reserve, situated in this area, adds to the geographical importance of Chitrakoot. Nestled in Chitrakoot district of Uttar Pradesh, the reserve borders Banda and Prayagraj to the north, while to the southwest, it adjoins the districts of Satna and Rewa in Madhya Pradesh. Set in the lap of the Vindhya mountain range, the reserve features dense forests, vast valleys, and rolling hills. The area's dry deciduous vegetation and diverse topography make it geographically rich and unique. The Mandakini River and other water sources provide a lifeline to the region. Located on the border of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, the reserve plays a crucial role in connecting the ecosystems of both states, making it an ideal location for the conservation of natural resources and biodiversity.
Overall, the region encompassing Chitrakoot and the Ranipur Tiger Reserve is significant not only from an environmental perspective but also for its cultural, religious, and natural beauty, securing a distinctive place in the geography and history of the country.
Name of Protected area | Core area(km2) | Buffer area(km2) | Total area(km2) |
Dudhwa | 490.2 | 190.03 | 680.32 |
Kishanpur | 203.41 | - | 203.41 |
Katerniaghat | 400.09 | 150.02 | 550.11 |
North Kheri | - | 493.90 | 493.90 |
South kheri | - | 247.79 | 247.79 |
Shahjahanpur | - | 26.22 | 26.22 |
Total | 1093.79 | 1107.98 | 2201.77 |
Forest areas which constitute today’s Dudhwa NP and Tiger Reserve was brought an area of 303 sq km under the control of the State Government in 1861 after the visit of Sir D. Brandis in 1860. In Kheri district all the Sal and miscellaneous forests and grasslands in Khairigarh Pargana, between Mohana and Suheli Rivers were included in the North Kheri Forest Division.
This area is well known for tiger and other game species and equally well known for timber of Sal Shorea robusta. During the post-independence period encroachment on forest lands and poaching continued and alarming degradation of forest and viable decline of wildlife, the Sonaripur Wildlife Sanctuary comprising 15.7 sq km was created in 1955 to specifically protect the Swamp deer Cervus duvaceli duvaceli. The area was too small and later enlarged to 212 sq km and renamed as the Dudhwa Wildlife Sanctuary in 1968. In 1977, by including further additional areas the Dudhwa National Park was created over 490 sq km. The nearby Kishanpur Sanctuary of 200 sq km extent along with the Dudhwa NP was brought under control of the Management of Project Tiger in 1988 as the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve. Currently in 2003, Katerniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary is also included in the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve.
