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Rhinos are back in Dudhwa, Uttar Pradesh, offering travellers an extraordinary eco-tourism adventure amid India’s wild landscapes.
Eco-tourism is one of the most sought after experiences among Indian travellers.
For decades, the grasslands of Uttar Pradesh remained eerily silent, missing one of their most iconic residents – the greater one-horned rhinoceros. But that long silence has been broken. Dudhwa Tiger Reserve is now witnessing a rare ecological comeback: free-ranging rhinos are reclaiming their home, roaming alongside tigers in a landscape that feels untouched and primordial. Beyond conservation, their return is reshaping eco-tourism, offering visitors a front-row seat to India’s living wilderness.
A Century-Long Comeback
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“Protecting our wildlife is a legacy we leave for future generations,” says Tourism Minister Jaiveer Singh. The story of Dudhwa’s rhinos began in the 1980s with the arrival of Banke and Raju from Assam, followed by Nepal’s gift of females Rapti, Narayani, and Hemrani. The iconic Nepolena, a stray female from Chitwan, became an enduring symbol of hope for the Terai.
Today, the reserve holds around 52 rhinos, including young calves not yet in the census. The first truly free-ranging generation was released in late 2024 and early 2025. These pioneers now forage in wetlands and tall grass belts. Despite their size, nearly 3–4 tonnes, they coexist peacefully with other wildlife.
Science and Stewardship
Dr H. Raja Mohan, Field Director of Dudhwa Tiger Reserve, explains the meticulous monitoring: “Each rhino is assigned to a mahout. One mahout tracks five fixed animals and submits a weekly log of posture, health, feeding, and companions seen. These go to the range and then the division, creating a living diary of every rhino. Add collars, elephant patrols, and anti-poaching teams, and you can see why they are thriving.”
Veterinary Officer Dr. Daya Shankar adds: “Every rhino brought into Dudhwa undergoes a 90-day quarantine where health and adaptability are monitored closely.”
Rhinos as Ecosystem Engineers
Rhinos aren’t just showpieces for tourists; they shape the landscape. “Where rhinos feed repeatedly, softer grasses dominate, which benefits other herbivores. Every rhino here is a landscape manager,” says Dr. Shankar. By grazing and fertilising the soil, their presence supports deer, antelope, and wetland regeneration, making every sighting both spectacular and ecologically meaningful.
Tourism and Community Impact
Visitors now experience a rare double attraction: tigers and rhinos in the same forest. “Visitors are enchanted by rhinos. Families call them gentle giants, while photographers wait hours for that perfect frame of a rhino stepping out of tall grass. Our focus is sensitive travel – limiting vehicles, training local guides, and creating jobs,” explains Prakhar Misra, Director, Uttar Pradesh Tourism (Eco).
From the arrival of the first rhinos to today’s thriving free-ranging population, Dudhwa embodies resilience, science-driven conservation, and sustainable tourism. On this World Rhino Day, the message is clear: the unicorns of the wild aren’t just back. They are shaping the future of eco-tourism in Uttar Pradesh.
Delhi, India, India
September 22, 2025, 15:34 IST
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Author: News18
