Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary | 24 Feb 2025
Why in News?
Recently, the carcass of a male elephant aged around 45-50 years was found in the dense forests of Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary near the India-Nepal border in Bahraich district of Uttar Pradesh.
Key Points
- Cause of death:
- According to the officials the elephant may have died due to a fight between two adult elephants, as footprints and broken trees were found at the spot.
- Recent wildlife deaths:
- Before this incident, a 12-year-old male tiger and a 7-year-old male leopard had died in the sanctuary.
- These incidents are causing serious concerns about the safety of wildlife .
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Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary
- Location:
- It is located in the Upper Ganga Plain in the Bahraich district of Uttar Pradesh , which naturally sustains a rich and diverse ecosystem .
- It is spread over an area of 400.6 square km.
- Protection :
- In 1987, it was brought under the ambit of 'Project Tiger' and together with Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary and Dudhwa National Park, it forms the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve . It was established in 1975.
- Species like Chital, deer, wild boar, tiger, elephant and leopard are also found in the sanctuary .
- It is home to many endangered species including the gharial, tiger, rhinoceros, Gangetic dolphin, swamp deer, hispid hare, Bengal florican, white-backed and long-billed vultures.
- Ecological structure :
- The area is covered with mixed deciduous forests , comprising sal and teak forests, lush grasslands, numerous swamps and wetlands.
- The Girwa River flows through this area , which balances the ecosystem.