Suhaildev Wildlife Sanctuary
Suhaildev Wild Life Sanctuary, in the district of Balrampur and Shravasti, close
to the Indo-Nepal border, is spread over an area of 452 sq.kms. With a buffer zone
of 220 sq.kms the Suhaildev Wild Life Sanctuary was established in 1988. Situated
on the International Border ,this sanctuary is a strip of land , approximately,
120kms long from the east to west and 6-8 kms wide. In the north are the jungles
of Nepal and together they form a situational unit. The wild life sanctuary encompasses
Tulsipur, Barhawa, Bankatwa, Eastern Suhailwa and Western Suhailwa Range and the
Buffer Zone covers Bhaabar and Rampur Range. These natural forests have a vast natural
wealth and bio-diversity.
The Suhaildev Wild Life Sanctuary is situated near an important Buddhist circuit
and a number of foreign Buddhist tourists visit Shravasti, an important Buddhist
holy place on the southern border of the sanctuary. It is from Shravasti that the
Buddhist tourists move on to the other holy places on the circuit ,viz, Kapilvastu,
Lumbini and Kushinagar.
Before the implementation of the Zamindari Abolition Act 1952, most of the forest
land of the sanctuary was the personal property of the Maharaja of Balrampur and
the area was known as Balrampur Estate. Later after the abolition of Zamindari,
the forests were assimilated in to the state of U.P.
Another unique feature of the sanctuary is the presence of the Tharu Tribe. The
Tharu tribe having mongoloid features have been residents of this area since long
and are wholly dependent on the forest land for their survival and livelihood.
Vegetation Primarily Sheesham, Khair, etc are commonly found. Jaamun Trees. Jigna,
Haldu, Faldu plants etc can also be seen. Medicinal plants also have their fair
share in the forest area.
Wild Animals Tigers, Leopard, Cheetal, Bear, Wolfe, Hare, Jackal, Wild Boar, Sambar,
Mankey, Langoor, Python ,Otters etc can be commonly sighted. A number of birds like
Black Partridge, Quails, Peacocks, Kingfishers, Bulbuls, Mynahs, Eagles, Nightingales,
Cuckoo, and Owls etc also inhabit the forest area.
Large water bodies /reservoirs like Chittorgarh, Kohargaddi, Bhagwanpur, Girgitha,
Khairmaan and Raziataal dot the sanctuary area. These water-bodies attract a large
number of local and migratory birds. Of all the water bodies in the sanctuary, Chittorgarh,
Bhagwanpur and Raziataal offer a more scenic and enthralling experience.