Suhelwa Wildlife Sanctuary

Van Katwa Range, Shravasti, Uttar Pradesh 271207

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Located in Shravasti, Balrampur and Gonda districts of Uttar Pradesh, Suhelwa was declared a Wildlife Sanctuary in 1988. Occupying an area of 452 sq km, the sanctuary is covered with Sal, Sheesham, Khair, Sagaun (Teak), Asna, Jamun, Haldu, Phaldu, Dhamina, Jhingan and Bahera trees. The fauna found in the sanctuary includes Leopard, Tiger, Bear, Wildcat, Wild Boar and various birds.

Suhelwa Wild Life Division is situated on the Indo-Nepal International Border. Suhelwa Wild Life Sanctuary is placed in between 27030'1" N. to 27055'42" N. latitude & 81055'36" E. to 82048'33" E. Longitude. It is full of natural resources. It consists of dense forests with enormous wild life. Forms of natural scenery and beauty of the sanctuary has its unique place in Uttar Pradesh. At present it is one of the important place where Bhabher-Tarai Eco-System area, rich in bio diversity is visible. Suhelwa Wild Life Sanctuary came in force by the Government order No.5299/14-3-74-83 dated 14.11.1988.

In the Wild Life Sanctuary there are five ranges – Tulsipur, Barahawa, Bankatwa, East Suhelwa and West Suhelwa. Its total area is 452 sq.km. With this there is 220 sq.km. Buffer zone which is divided in Bhaber and Rampur Ranges. By the Government order No.1470/14-4-2002-824/2002 dated 8.7.2002, its new name Soheldeo Wild Life Sanctuary was given. The new name was taken from the name of King Soheldeo. Adjacent to the Sanctuary area there are Shivalik Ranges of Himalaya. Above that there are dense forest, pastures in the forest areas and different water channels, related to these. In these forests the topography is uneven. There are ups and downs at place to place. Nalas of this area are very important. In rainy season they possess capacity of carrying anything with them. The Natural trail with Nalas makes the scenery of sanctuary beautiful. It is one of the most beautiful forest of Uttar Pradesh. This fact can be realized only after visiting this place. The natural peace and beauty of this sanctuary has capacity to re-energize the urbanites fatigue-ness and load of work. From the point of Eco-Tourism this place is very important.

Cultural Aspect

  • The visitors may visit to Shrawasti situated at about 15 Kms on Balrampur- Bahraich road. Shrawasti is famous historical places and known as Baoudh teerath sthal.
  • Devipatan Mandir is situated in Tulsipur this mandir is a Sidhpeeth of Maa durga.
  • Baba Vibhutinath Mandir, which is a famous Shiv Mandir is situated in East Suhelwa Range.

Bhaber Forest Range

Total area of the range is 12,414.80 hect. Chittaurgarh and Kohargaddi are main water reservoir of this range. It is the main source of water for wild life in summer. In winter migratory birds comes to these reservoirs. This range is a part of buffer zone of the wild life sanctuary. Boundary of Bhaber range forest touches district Siddharth Nagar in the east and Nepal in the north. Beerpur Forest Rest House may cater for the tourists with required amenities.

Climate

Climate conditions of the sanctuary are in between climate of Genetic plane and tarai area. Average rain falls is 1700 MM in the Month of July to September. The months of the winter season is cool and dry. Maximum Temperature is 400C minimum temperature is 40C.

Area (Geographical)

Area of Suhelwa Wild Life Division-Balrampur:-

  1. Area of core zone of the wild life division = 45,262.40 Hac.
    • Area of Tulsipur Range = 8,407.10 Hac.
    • Area of Barahawa Range = 10,115.90 Hac.
    • Area of Bankatwa Range = 9,672.10 Hac.
    • Area of East Suhelwa Range = 8031.60 Hac.
    • Area of West Suhelwa Range = 9,035.70 Hac.
  2. Area of the Buffer Zone = 23,078.70 Hac.
    • Area of Rampur Range = 10,366.90 Hac.
    • Area of Bhaber Range = 12,414.80 Hac.

Fauna

Different types of mammals are found here viz. Leopard, Bear, Wolf, Hyena, Jackal, Wild Boar, Sambhar, Spotted Deer, Neelgaya, Barking Deer along with Monkeys of different types. In birds little Grebe, Indian Cormorant, Little Cormorant, Darter, Indian Pond Heron, Cattle-egret, Great-egret, Little-egret, Common Teal, Spot-Billed Duck, Black-Shouldered Kite, Black Kite, Greater Spotted Eagle, Long-Billed Vulture, White Rumped Vulture, Grey Francolin, Sarus Crane, Water Cock, Common Moorhen, Purple Moorhen, Pheasant-Tailed Jacana, Bronze-Winged Jacana. In migratory birds Painted Star, Asian Openbill, Black-headed Ibis, Eurasian Spoonbill, Grey leg goose, Bar-Headed Goose etc.

Flora

In this Wild Life Sanctuary the main tree species are Sal, Asna, Khair, Teak etc. With these speciese Black Sheesham, Jamun, Haldu, Faldu, Zigna, Harra, Bahera, Rohani are other important species. The Sanctuary area is very rich in medicinal plants. Some species of medicinal plants are white Musuli, Black Musuli, Piper longum, Adhatoda vasica, Tinospora cardifolia, Swertia chirayita, Holarrhoena antidysentrica, Acorus calamus, Lantana camara, Nyctanthes arbortristic, Withania somnifera, Rauvolfia serpentina, Murraya koenigii, Asparagus racemosus, Acacia concinna. Different types of Buttlerflies are also available here.

Important Natural Attractions

This sanctuary with its natural endowment is a potential ecotourism sites there is 11 dams which is maintained by Irrigation dipartment.

  • Motipur Dam
  • Rampur Dam
  • Vaghoshwa Dam
  • Khairman Dam
  • Ganeshpur Dam
  • Girgitahi Dam
  • Baghelkhan Dam
  • Bhagwanpur Dam
  • Majhgawan Dam
  • Chittorgarh Dam
  • Kohargaddi Dam

How to Reach

By Road

  • Lucknow - Gonda (125 km) Gonda – Balrampur (42 km) Balrampur - Tulsipur - Janakpur (90Km) Visitors can visit Chittor garh Dam, Bhagwanpur Dam, Kohergaddi Dam, Chandanpur and Devipatan Mandir.
  • Lucknow - Gonda (125 km) Gonda – Bhinga - East Suhelwa range campus (110 km) Visitors can visit to Sonpathri Nala, Raziatal, Khairman Dam, Rampur Dam, Motipur Dam, Vibhutinath Mandir and Shrawasti Baudh Temple.
  • Lucknow - Bahraich (120 km) Bahraich – Shrawasti - Tulsipur (88 km) or Bahraich - Bhinga Suhelwa (90 Km).

By Rail

Gorakhpur - Sidharth Nagar - Pachpedwa Tulsipur (170 Km) Nearest Railway Station Gonda, Bahraich, Tulsipur.

By Air

Lucknow Airport is the nearest major airport, about 1 hour 45 minutes away by road.
Fursatganj Airport is closer (23 km) but mainly used for training, with limited public flights.

Ideal Time to Visit

November to
Jun

Contact Numbers

Sr. NoName of InstitutionPhone Number
1Chief Conservator of Forest wildlife East region Gonda.05262-232248
2Divisional Forest Officer Suhelwa wildlife division Balrampur05263-233842,
9415084908
3Forest Range Officer East Suhelwa Range8005280290
4Forest Range Officer Bankatwa Range8127009000
5Forest Range Officer Barahwa Range9838261155
6Forest Range Officer Rampur Range7388184245
7Forest Range Officer Tulsipur Range7800851044
8Forest Range Officer Bhambher Range7897936835