In a major push to wildlife tourism, the Uttar Pradesh Ecotourism Development Board has decided to showcase one-horned rhinoceroses alongside Bengal tigers in its promotional campaigns for Dudhwa National Park. Photos and videos of rhinos will now feature on publicity materials displayed at airports, railway stations, and bus terminals.
The move comes ahead of World Rhino Day on Monday, with the board arranging special photography sessions of the park’s rhino population.
Introduced in 1984 under the Rhino Project, five rhinos were brought from Assam’s Kaziranga National Park and released in Dudhwa. Over four decades, their population has grown steadily from five to 51 rhinos. According to officials, while tiger sightings remain uncertain for tourists, visitors to Dudhwa are almost guaranteed to see groups of rhinos. All rhinos in the reserve are of the one-horned species.
To enhance tourist facilities, the Tourism Board is also developing Sharda Barrage and Chandan Chowki into wellness and rest hubs, complete with resorts, wellness centres, and other activities. Nature guides in the park have been specially trained to narrate the history and conservation journey of rhinos to visitors in the new tourism season beginning in November.
Tourism Minister Jaiveer Singh said wildlife tourism remains a key focus for the state. Tourism Director Prakhar Mishra added that the aim is to attract more tourists by promoting rhinos along with tigers.
Meanwhile, Dudhwa Tiger Reserve Field Director Dr HS Raja Mohan informed that in the upcoming season, 10 rhinos will be released into the wild, compared to only four currently roaming freely.