Data Zone
Site description (2004 baseline):
AVIFAUNA: The avifauna of this Reserve is inadequately studied, but it can be said that where the forest is intact, almost all the terai forest species are likely to occur that are found in Dudhwa (Javed and Rahmani 1998) or the adjoining Sohagi Barwa Sanctuary in Uttar Pradesh. Presently, the grasslands are not in good condition, due to grazing and plantation, but they could be revived with effective management. We might even get back the Bengal Florican Houbaropsis bengalensis that has become locally extinct in the Reserve. Mukherjee (1986) claims to have seen one bird in 1980. To the north of Valmiki Tiger Reserve, in Nepal, is located the Royal Chitwan National Park, where this species is still found (BirdLife International 2001). Globally threatened species such as the Swamp Francolin Francolinus gularis and Sociable Lapwing Vanellus gregarius have been reported from the area (Javed and Rahmani 1991). The Vulnerable Sarus Crane Grus antigone also occurs in small numbers (Anon. 1993, Gopi Sundar et al. 2000). The Greater Adjutant Leptoptilos dubius has not been seen for many decades, but the Lesser Adjutant L. javanicus is still found in streams and ponds. The most important wetland, Bhasa-lotan (= wallow of buffalo), famous for Wild Buffalo Bubalus arnee (=bubalis), has been completely drained out and now a bustling, dirty town stands over it.
OTHER KEY FAUNA: Valmiki Tiger Reserve was the 18th tiger reserve to be declared in India, with the sole purpose of arresting the decline of this apex carnivore, and also an ecosystem which could support this endangered animal. Besides Tiger Panthera tigris, it has Leopard P. pardus, Sambar Cervus unicolor, Cheetal or Spotted Deer Axis axis, Hog Deer Axis porcinus and other associated animals of the terai. Wild Buffalo and Swamp Deer Cervus duvaucelii have become locally extinct. Hispid Hare Caprolagus hispidus probably survives in the grassland.
Since Valmiki Tiger Reserve is contiguous with both international and interstate boundaries, it is infested with armed dacoits who are involved in the smuggling of Khair Acacia catechu and cane. Charaching is very common. About 81,000 people live in the 142 villages on the fringe of the Reserve. About 20,000 people in the area depend on forest resources for survival for six months of the year, as there is a lack of employment opportunities. The buffer area of the Park is very prone to fires caused by the locals grazing their cattle. The fires are set to encourage growth of grass. Around 60,000 heads of livestock are present in the Reserve, which cause severe damage to the flora. Herbivores in the Reserve are highly susceptible to iodine deficiency disease, goitre and footand- mouth disease (Jain 2001). Forty-two villages hold agricultural and habitation rights. The natural flow of two streams was blocked and 1,691 ha forest land was inundated due to the construction of a rail and road bridge. This led to the death of 15,000 trees in the buffer zone of the Reserve (Jain 2001). The funds for protection, development and management of the Reserve are scarce. Consequently, it is difficult to manage the reserve and infrastructure is inadequate. Eco-development activities were initiated in the Reserve in 1997-1998 (Jain 2001).
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Valmiki Tiger Reserve and Saraiyaman Lake (India). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/valmiki-tiger-reserve-and-saraiyaman-lake-iba-india on 23/12/2024.