About Suhelwa Wildlife Sanctuary (SWS):
- Location: It is located in the Shravasti, Balrampur, and Gonda districts of Uttar Pradesh.
- The forest of SWS was owned by the Maharaja of Balrampur before the implementation of the Zamindari Abolition Act 1952 and was known as Balrampur Estate.
- It was declared a Wildlife Sanctuary in 1988.
- Sprawling an area of 452 sq km, this sanctuary is a strip of land, approximately, 120 km long from the east to west and 6-8 km wide.
- The Sohelwa Wildlife Division is situated on the Indo-Nepal International Border.
- It is one of the important places in the Bhabar-Terai Ecosystem area,which is rich in biodiversity.
- The Tharu tribe, having mongoloid features, have been residents of this area since long.
- Vegetation: A mixture of deciduous and semi-evergreen woodlandsdefines the sanctuary.
- Flora: Bahera, Phaldu, Sal, Teak, Dhamina, Jamun, Shisham, Jigna, Haldu, Asna, and Khair are some of the most common trees found in SWS.
- Fauna:
- 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.
