If someone wants to be close to nature then, wildlife sanctuaries are the best place to be in. One can always expect something adventurous that is definitely going to come. The place is full of mystery and somewhere incredible is always waiting to be known. India has been blessed in terms of natural resources - plenty of floras and faunas. However, the rampant killing of the different species of wild animals and massive urbanization made the government take stern actions against the poachers and declare some of the areas as protected. One such area is a wildlife sanctuary. Uttar Pradesh, one of the states of India, holds the glory of having the majority wildlife sanctuaries. All of these brim with life and are open to the public for a visit. Provisions are also made for the tourists keeping in mind their safety. Check out the best wildlife sanctuaries in Uttar Pradesh.
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1. Lakh Bahosi Sanctuary
If you are a bird watcher and lover, then perhaps this is going to be the perfect place for you. Located approximately 40 km (24.8 miles) from the city Kannauj, Lakh Bahosi Sanctuary is spread across two lakes near the two villages from where it derives its name - Lakh and Bahosi. One can see 49 different genera of birds. It is an initiative of the state government towards promoting UP Ecotourism apart from protecting the species. It is the best place to spot some of the migratory birds during the month of December to February.
Lakh Bahosi Sanctuary
Address: Near Lakhbasohi village, Kannauj, Uttar Pradesh 209723
Website: Lakh Bahosi Sanctuary
Opening hours: 10am - 4pm (daily)
2. Hastinapur Wildlife Sanctuary
Established in 1986 and covering a massive area of districts of Muzzafarnagar, Meerut, Ghaziabad, Amroha, and Bijnor, Hastinapur Wildlife Sanctuary is perhaps one of the best sanctuaries to visit while on a tour to Uttar Pradesh. It derives its name from the ancient city of Hastinapur. This is one of the sanctuaries where a large part of the area is under cultivation. Thanks to its prime location - on the banks of mighty River Ganges that pours in alluvial soil - the sanctuary is full of different species of wild animals. These range from swamp deer to Ganges River Dolphin and birds.
Hastinapur Wildlife Sanctuary
Address: Hastinapur Kaurwan, Uttar Pradesh 250404
Website: Hastinapur Wildlife Sanctuary
3. Pilibhit Tiger Reserve
Located in the district of Pilibhit and Shahjahanpur, Pilibhit Tiger Reserve covers a massive area of 730.2 square km (453 square miles). Located at the foothills of the Himalayas, this sanctuary is one of the 50 sanctuaries under India’s ambitious Project Tiger. The place has more than 50 tigers. Other species that can be spotted at this sanctuary include five different species of deer among others. They are swamp deer, spotted deer, barking deer, hog deer, and blackbuck.
Pilibhit Tiger Reserve
Address: District Pilibhit, Pilibhit, Uttar Pradesh 262122
Website: Pilibhit Tiger Reserve
Opening hours: 7am - 9pm (daily)
4. Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary
Covering a whopping 400.6 square km (248.9 square miles) in the Terai region of Bahraich district, Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary was established in the year 1975 and was brought under the purview of Project Tiger. The wildlife sanctuary also stands important because it provides strategic connectivity to two tiger habitats - Bardia National Park of Nepal with Dudhwa and Kishanpur in India. Apart from the tigers, the sanctuary is a well-known place for several endangered species of wild animals like long-billed vultures, Bengal florican, swamp deer, and gharial. It was in the news as well because a rare species of flying snake was also spotted.
Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary
Address: Nishangarh Border Rd, Dharmpur, Uttar Pradesh 271855
Website: Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary
5. Chandra Shekhar Azad Bird Sanctuary
Chandra Shekhar Azad Bird Sanctuary, earlier famous as Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary, is yet another paradise for bird lovers. Situated in the Unnao district of Uttar Pradesh, it is one of the several wetlands present in India. Approximately 250 species of migratory birds can be spotted in the month of November to March at this sanctuary. The birds flock up here from different parts of the world - Tibet, Siberia, China, and Europe. The species that can be spotted during the season are mallard, coot, red-crested pochard, pintail, greylag goose apart from the local migratory birds like bronze winged jacana, white-necked stork, painted stork, and sarus crane.
Chandra Shekhar Azad Bird Sanctuary
Address: NH 25, Ravanhar, Uttar Pradesh 209859
Opening hours: 7:30am - 5pm (daily)
6. Sandi Bird Sanctuary
Sandi Bird Sanctuary is located near river Garra in Uttar Pradesh and you can spot many migratory birds that arrive here in November each year. This bird sanctuary can be reached within three hours from Lucknow, which makes it popular among tourists. The primary aim of this bird sanctuary is to protect not only migratory birds but also local birds and the natural wetlands.
Sandi Bird Sanctuary
Address: Koilaee, Uttar Pradesh 241403
Opening hours: 10am - 4pm (daily)
7. Sohagi Barwa Sanctuary
This quaint sanctuary in the Maharajganj district of Uttar Pradesh has a serene environment ideal to spot wildlife in their natural habitat. The sanctuary preserves animals like tigers, cheetah, wild boar, leopards and many more. The pleasant weather in Sohagi Barwa Sanctuary attracts tourists throughout the year. However, it can get slightly colder in December and January. The city of Gorakhpur is 56 km (about 35 miles) from this wildlife sanctuary.
Sohagi Barwa Sanctuary
Address: Lohia Nagar, Bismil Nagar, Maharajganj, Uttar Pradesh 273303
Website: Sohagi Barwa Sanctuary
8. Dudhwa National Park
This wildlife sanctuary is located in the northern part of Uttar Pradesh and covers a vast area of 490.3 kilometers square (305 miles square). Tigers and swamp deers are the main attractions here. However, you can also spot other animals and birds like ratel jackal, jungle cat, leopard, hispid hare, Indian rhinoceros, sambar deer, great salty woodpecker, Bengal florican, swamp francolin and more. Dudhwa National Park is also home to a number of migratory birds during the winter months.
Dudhwa National Park
Address: State Highway 90, near Bikram Ban Farms, Palia Kalan, Uttar Pradesh 262902
Website: Dudhwa National Park
9. Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary
Founded in 1972, this wildlife sanctuary is located near the town of Mailani in Uttar Pradesh. Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary is 30 km (18.64 miles) from Dudhwa National Park and over four hour’s drive from Lucknow. Spread over 200 km (124 miles) this wildlife sanctuary is home to several animal species such as tigers, pythons, ghariyal, leopards, wild boar, swamp deers and more. Swamp deer, also called barasingha, is one of the most common animals that you may come across here.
Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary
Address: F-1, Uttar Pradesh 262901
Website: Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary
Opening hours: 5am - 5pm
10. Kaimoor Wildlife Sanctuary
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Established in the early 1980s, this wildlife sanctuary is located in southeastern Uttar Pradesh. With an area of 1342 kilometers square (833 miles square), Kaimoor Wildlife Sanctuary in the famed Kaimur hill ranges is the largest wildlife sanctuaries in Uttar Pradesh. Four-horned antelope, tigers, nilgais, sloth bears, and chitals are some animals found here. Kaimoor Wildlife Sanctuary also has a number of waterfalls perfect for you to take Instagrammable pics.
Kaimoor Wildlife Sanctuary
Address: From 3 km of Robertsganj Shahganj village Mahuvaria, Uttar Pradesh
Website: Kaimoor Wildlife Sanctuary
Opening hours: 6am - 6pm (daily)
Explore a wildlife sanctuary in Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh has several cities like Agra that are well-known among international travelers. Do you want to escape city life and discover the wild? Uttar Pradesh has several wildlife sanctuaries waiting for you to explore.
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