The Katarniaghat forest provides strategic connectivity between the tiger habitats of Dudhwa and Kishanpur in India and Bardia National Park in Nepal.
Its delicate terai ecosystem includes a mosaic of sal and teak forests, rich grasslands, numerous marshes and canals.
For the expansion of new consciousness in the new year, do visit the Katarniaghat Wildlife Protected Area and the beautiful and panoramic views around here. From the forest and Jal Vihar here, due to the unique, unmatched natural beauty, there will be a communication of new enthusiasm, new enthusiasm and new spirit in you. When you establish companionship and harmony with nature, then body-mind will get immense peace and energy.
It is noteworthy that Bahraich district situated on the international border is one of the oldest districts of Uttar Pradesh. Where the large and dense forests located in the Indian territory adjacent to the neighboring and friendly country Nepal, on which a large part of the Katarniaghat Sanctuary area is located, forest hunting i.e. Jungle Safari and the Ghaghra flowing nearby (Gerua and Karnali from Nepal) Available resources of water hunting i.e. Jal Vihar or Water Safari in Saryu rivers and the modern barrage built on them will make you happy while showing biodiversity.
It is my opinion that it is the human duty of every enlightened person to try to preserve them naturally by trying to know, understand and explain them to the people. He has a wonderful resolve towards all living beings. Because this developed trend is just like a small contribution in the continuous service of the world, but it will surely happen. This will also lead to the overall development of your thinking, contemplation and philosophy. Due to this sooner or later the whole humanity will be enlivened.
The Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected area in the upper Gangetic plain in Uttar Pradesh, India and covers an area of 400.62 km (154.7 sq mi) in the Terai of Bahraich district. In the year 1987, it was brought under the purview of ‘Project Tiger’, and along with Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary and Dudhwa National Park, it forms the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve. It was established in 1975.
The Katarniaghat forest provides strategic connectivity between the tiger habitats of Dudhwa and Kishanpur in India and Bardia National Park in Nepal. Its delicate terai ecosystem includes a mosaic of sal and teak forests, rich grasslands, numerous marshes and canals. It is home to many endangered species, including gharial, lion, rhinoceros, Ganges dolphin, swamp deer, hispid hare, Bengal florican, white-backed and long-billed gilt.
One of the best places in the world to see the gharial in its natural habitat is the Gerua River, where it is found symbiotically with crocodiles. The Ghanelis population in this section was one of three still breeding when the Endangered Species Project was started in 1975. However, between the years of 2001 and 2005, almost all domesticated nests were raided by aborigines, who consider them a delicacy.
At the same time, a small number of mugger crocodiles are also seen in the Gerua River, as their preferred haunts are the stable forests, such as the many talas and orchards, that dot the sanctuary. Gangetic dolphins can be seen frolicking on the darker side of the floating bottoms.
Whereas, the recent discoveries in the herpetofauna of Katarniaghat (also misnamed Kateriyaghat) are very fascinating and are represented by many species such as Bande krait, Burma rock python, yellow-spotted wolf-snake and paradise flying snake. In 2012, a rare red coral kukri snake was sighted in the sanctuary. This snake with the scientific name Oligodon keriensis was first described in 1936 from North Kheri Division. The Tiger Reserve in this project was written by conservationists in the year 2005, when Ramesh K. Pandey took charge of the sanctuary and turned things around. You have done a commendable job restoring the habitat and tiger population in and around the reserve.
Wherein, Ghaghra River (Karnali River of Tibet/Nepal) is a river flowing in India via Tibet, Nepal. In Tibet it is called the Mapchachungo glacial river, which originates near Lake Manasarovar, Tibet, at an altitude of 3,962 m (12,999 ft). It originates from the high mountain peaks of southern Tibet (Himalayas) near Lake Mansarovar. From there it enters Nepal, where it is named Karnali. After this, the Garua and Karnali rivers originating from Nepal join India to become Ghaghra. It flows through Uttar Pradesh of India till Bihar. It joins the Ganges between Ballia and Chhapra after a journey of about 970 km. That’s why it is considered a major tributary of the river Ganges. Let us tell you that the opportunities of Jal Vihar available in and around Ghaghra Barrage and the delightful forest beach area will mesmerize you.
The inhabited area of Bahraich and Barabanki district of Uttar Pradesh on the banks of Ghaghra is also known as Ganjar area. It is believed that this area is a culturally and economically backward area. It is the center of various linguistic and socio-cultural activities. It passes through the areas of cities like Bahraich, Sitapur, Gonda, Barabanki, Ayodhya, Tanda, Raje Sultanpur, Dohri Ghat, Ballia etc. Where Jal Vihar, Chaur Kshetra and Diyara Vihar have immense possibilities, which need to be further enriched from tourist point of view.
At the same time, the Gopia barrage built on the Saryu river in Motipur tehsil (Bahraich district) and the canals coming out of it will also mesmerize you. So if you are interested in these things. If you want to see and understand them very closely, then do come leaving the annual closure period (Jungle Safari / Water Safari) from 15th June to 14th November. I have experienced that both winter and summer seasons will give you some different delightful experiences.
# Know, how will you reach here
- To reach here by air, the nearest airport is Amausi, Lucknow, (Capital, Uttar Pradesh), from where you will have to use rail route or road route to go further 215 km.
- If you wish to reach here by train, the Katarniaghat Sanctuary has railway stations located at Kakarha, Murtiha, Nishangarah and Bichiya, which are on the Gonda-Bahraich branch railway line (meter gauge) of the NER.
- Katarniaghat can also be reached via Gonda, which is situated on the main railway line from Lucknow to Gorakhpur.
- On the other hand, if you want to go here by road, then Katarniaghat Sanctuary is located at a distance of 205 km from Lucknow, 60 km from Bahraich on the Nanpara road and about 7 km from the Nepal border. The best way to reach Katarniaghat is by road from Lucknow. The first chain of Katarniaghat WLS – Motipur is about 205 km from Lucknow via the cities of Sitapur and Lucknow.
- On coming from Lakhimpur one has to take “Assam Road” towards Bahraich till Mihinpurwa, where a Forest Department barrier falls to come to Katarniaghat. It is accessible and beautiful to reach here from them.
this is by – Dr. Dinesh Chandra Singh,
District Magistrate, Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh
