Dudhwa Tiger Reserve:
A Rainbow Water Snake was recently spotted for the first time in Uttar Pradesh, with photographic evidence collected from the buffer area of Dudhwa Tiger Reserve.
- It is located on the Indo-Nepal border in Uttar Pradesh.
- It includes the Dudhwa National Park and two nearby sanctuaries, viz. Kishanpur and Katerniaghat, besides forest areas of North Kheri, South Kheri, and Shahjahanpur forest divisions in its buffer.
- It is a typical Tarai-Bhabar habitat of the upper Gangetic plains biogeographic province.
- The Sharda River flows by the Kishanpur WL Sanctuary, the Geruwa River flows through the Katerniaghat WL Sanctuary, and the Suheli and Mohana streams flow in the Dudhwa National Park, all of which are tributaries of the mighty Ghagra River.
- The vegetation is of the Moist Deciduous type, with sal forests.
- The main mammals spotted here are Tiger, leopard, Swamp deer, Rhinoceros, chital, hog deer, barking deer, Sambhar, wild boar, and Ratel.
- It hosts various species of birds like: Florican and black-necked storks.
- Rainbow Water Snake is a slightly venomous, fish-eating water snake.
- Scientific Name: Enhydris enhydris
- It mainly inhabits freshwater habitats.
- Conservation Status: IUCN Red List: Least Concern
