Dudhwa National Park

Dudhwa is a national park in the Awadh region of northern Uttar Pradesh, near the border with Nepal. The area consists of wide grasslands, wetland zones, and dense forests, crossed by small rivers and clearings.

British colonial officers used these forests as hunting grounds in the early 20th century. After Indian independence, the area was declared a sanctuary in 1958 and later expanded into a national park.

The name Dudhwa means "place of milk" in Hindi, referring to the grasslands that once served as grazing grounds for local herds. Today, Tharu communities live along the edges of the reserve, their villages and fields directly bordering the forest, their daily routines shaped by the rhythms of the wildlife around them.

Visiting is most comfortable between November and March, when the climate is moderate and visibility improves. Guided safaris in open vehicles are the usual way to explore the terrain, and lodging options of different standards are available nearby.

About half of all barasingha swamp deer in the world live here, a species with unusually wide hooves. This adaptation allows them to move safely through the wet grasslands where they spend most of the year.