Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary

• 24 Feb 2025

Why in News?  

Recently, the carcass of a male elephant aged around 45-50 years was found in the dense forests of Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary near the India-Nepal border in Bahraich district of Uttar Pradesh. 

Key Points  

• Cause of death:  
  • According to the officials the elephant may have died due to a fight between two adult elephants, as footprints and broken trees were found at the spot.  
• Recent wildlife deaths:  
  • Before this incident, a 12-year-old male tiger and a 7-year-old male leopard had died in the sanctuary.  
  • These incidents are causing serious concerns about the safety of wildlife . 

Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary 

• Location: 
  • It is located in the Upper Ganga Plain in the Bahraich district of Uttar Pradesh , which naturally sustains a rich and diverse ecosystem . 
  • It is spread over an area of 400.6 square km.  
• Protection : 
  • In 1987, it was brought under the ambit of 'Project Tiger' and together with Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary and Dudhwa National Park, it forms the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve . It was established in 1975. 
  • Species like Chital, deer, wild boar, tiger, elephant and leopard are also found in the sanctuary . 
  • It is home to many endangered species including the gharial, tiger, rhinoceros, Gangetic dolphin, swamp deer, hispid hare, Bengal florican, white-backed and long-billed vultures. 
• Ecological structure : 
  • The area is covered with mixed deciduous forests , comprising sal and teak forests, lush grasslands, numerous swamps and wetlands. 
  • The Girwa River flows through this area , which balances the ecosystem.