At the dawn of our freedom, the denizens of this paradise known as Himalayan Terrai woke up to the vast expanse of dense Sal forest, interspersed with large stretches of grasslands, bordered with sparkling streams, rivers and lakes. The Jungle law prevailed, maintaining the peace and harmony in the paradise. We had earned our freedom only to enslave the denizens of this paradise. Soon the settlers displaced from partitions arrived here in hoards. The grasslands were first to be invaded and converted into monotonous, hungry agricultural farms, thick dense forest was chopped to meet their requirements and wetlands were drained or filled for their lust. Their home, their paradise destroyed; the wild life was killed or displaced.

The only saving grace or the silver lining is Dudhwa Tiger Reserve, the last remainant of threatened Terrai Ecosystem. The dense, dark Sal woods, the swampy reed beds and the vast stretches of grasslands: still survive in the paradise called Dudhwa Tiger reserve. This paradise is home to millions of species right from the king Tiger, the humble termites to the simple Tharus; all live in harmony at Dudhwa and the law of jungle prevails.. The Terrai ecosystem, now represented only in Dudhwa National Park in the world, is an extremely dynamic habitat. Being a mosaic of three important ecosystems: The Woodland, the Wetland and the Grassland; it is not only a home for a wide range of flora and fauna; it is a boon to humanity staying in the Gangetic plain. The swamps and the wet grasslands found here absorb the flood water and silt like a sponge and release it gradually. This not only recharges the ground water it also helps in maintaining the fertility of Gangetic plains. This complex of Tall Wet Grasslands, Swamps and Dense Sal Jungle at Dudhwa is one of the most diverse and productive ecosystem of the world. This is a key habitat for number of endangered species like Swamp Deer, Bengal Florican, Hispid Hare, Swamp Florican, reintroduced Rhinoceros, Gavials, Tiger and many more. The Wetlands of Dudhwa are winter home to Lakhs of migratory water fowl which comes from far off lands.

Walking though the Dense Sal Jungles of Buffer region of Dudhwa, looking at the vast expanse of water and grasses from machan and balancing oneself atop an elephant as she moves through the tall grasses in search of Rhinoceros; is an experience one can only have at Dudhwa: the last bastion of Terrai Ecosystem. If you want your children to see the lost paradise, bring them to Dudhwa National Park. Who knows they might vow to undo the damage!