Dudhwa National Park opens to visitors

On the occasion, deputy field director Dudhwa Tiger Reserve (DTR) Ganesh Bhat put red 'tilak' on two elephants -- Pawankali and Gangakali -- before they embarked on the safari carrying tourists.

The tourist season in Dudhwa starts from November 15 and closes on June 14 every year.

On the first day of the tourist season, over three dozen visitors enjoyed the natural beauty of Dudhwa's wild and some even saw a tiger.

Bhat urged visitors to adhere to rules and regulations and avoid using polythene items or indulge in any activities detrimental to the wild animals.

The sanctuary is located on the Indo-Nepal border in a stretch of 884 sq kms including Kishanpur Sanctuary and Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary.

The Dudhwa Tiger Reserve is among the few reserves of the country where the growth of tigers has improved, Bhat said, adding that its rhino rehabilitation programme has become a world phenomenon in which one horned rhinos were relocated in Dudhwa after over a century.

Starting from just five rhinos in 1984, Dudhwa today houses 32 rhinos, Bhat said.