The Legends of Dudhwa National Park
The land interspersed with long coarse grasses and Swamps between River Sharda and the Dense Sal Jungles of Dudhwa National Park offered excellent Habitat for the Swamp Deer. At one time herds comprising of thousands of Swamp Deer could be seen galloping through the Grasslands or splashing through huge water bodies. Raja of Singahi organized a number of elaborate shoots at Mirchai Lake. a line of almost 20 Elephants were used to drive the Swamp Deer herds and up to 50 herds were massacred for their famous, shinning, tined antlers. Such was the abundance of wild life in Terrai. Today Dudhwa Tiger Reserve, the last remnant of Terrai ecosystem is the only home to the last of the surviving Swamp Deer. They live in the open stretches of Wet Grasslands, amidst the dense jungle of Dudhwa. The lush, low lying Terrai is also a favorite home of other wildlife including the majestic Royal Bengal Tiger. In the beginning of 19th century the number of Tigers had reached its Zenith in India. their number was estimated to be 40, 000 The princely hunts organized by the local Rajas for themselves and the British officers was part of life at Terrai. Even on the eve of our Independence, in spite of these shoots, Tiger was abundant in Terrai. Though their population was not expanding, every favorite niche in Terrai always remained full, as one Tiger was shot other soon replaced it. For 20 years after independence, professional Shikar companies organized shikars for wealthy foreigners at Terrai. in 1977 when the remaining Habitat at Terrai was declared as Dudhwa National Park, The Tiger and his subjects regained their safe Habitat. According to the last Tiger count, around 100 Tigers live with other lakhs of other species in Dudhwa National Park.