One of the rarest species of deer is found in this area. The Swamp deer are supposed to number 1,500. There are at least 37 species of mammals, 16 species of reptiles and 400 species of avifauna. Dudhwa is said to have 101 tigers and 4 leopards. Recently the Hispid Hare has been sighted from this area. 

It was here in 1984 that a major rhino rehabilitation project was started since these forests had rhino 150 years ago. 5 rhinos were relocated from Assam but two of the females died due to the strains of transportation. These were replaced in 1985 by 4 more females from Nepal. 

It was envisaged that the total group of 7 rhinos would adjust and breed in their new surroundings. Today 8 years later the total population is 12, but with only one breeding male. Swamp deer population reduced by 30% in 3 years. Railway tracks run through the Park, roads run through the Park and people have access to the interior therefore little effective control is possible. The railway and roads cross the border into Nepal making the area vulnerable to all kinds of poachers and smugglers. 

Dudhwa came under Project Tiger in 1988 and through this process a communication network by wireless was established for better management and protection. 

The Terrai areas in the sub Himalayan belt which holds an extremely dynamic habitat for a wide range of animal communities has some uniqueness and serves the humanity in the plains, down south, 
in many ways. The swampy reed-beds and grasslands, so characteristic of Terrai regions, control the sub soil water and also floods which are natural in the monsoon-fed sub-Himalayan region. The fertile top soil which is washed down the slopes with flood waters are released by the Terrai zone gradually, while retaining the heavier and coarse rock, soil and other debris, which is unproductive. Thus, the Terrai regions rejuvenate the natural productivity of the agricultural land, downstream. The retention of such critically important and unique ecosystems naturally serves not only wildlife interests, but also do a lot of benefit to mankind. 

But after independence, when a large number of repatriated people had to be provided homes and agricultural land, parts of this Terrai belt was "reclaimed". This was very convenient, as Terrai areas have perineal water source, most essential for agriculture and the land is also fertile. But in doing so a very serious abuse of the natural system was caused. 

While declaring, the Reserve Forest and later the National Park, one vital factor had not been tackled, most likely because of pressures for finding new agricultural land, which would provide more food. This was the viability of the area, put under the National Park. It must be clearly realised that only such extent of areas should be attempted to be taken under a National Park/Wildiife sanctuary, which would be sufficient to meet all the ecological requirements of the animal communities, resident 
of such areas. 

But in case of Dudhwa most of the swampy reed beds and wet and moist grassland areas could not be included in the National Park. Such areas had been the integral part of the Terrai ecosystems or the composite habitat of the animal community and because such areas are converted to agricultural land and people are settled therein, various unsurmountable problems are being faced by the management of the Park. 

This is one clear instance where man has encroached into animals home range and the basic reason for all the problems is rooted to conflict of interest between animal and man. It is also quite clear that in doing so man has actually caused harm to his own future by inviting floods and lowering natural productivity level, which is now causing a gradually mounting annual loss in the downstream areas. 

The cause of man-eating propensity of the Tigers, the sad decline of the swamp deer and even other animal species is all rooted to this human intrusion into the animals homeland. 

Though there are hardly any detection or report about poaching of wild animals in the Park, yet it is very much probable that some amount of poaching is going on in the Park. The forest officers are distributed far and wide and if those who are free to use the roads and the railway line, intend to poach, then how can such poaching be easily detected. Besides, the Park also has the disadvantage of being encircled from three sides by agriculture-based farms and villages, where arms licenses had been quite generously issued in the name of crop protection. These people are reported to be freely using these arms for surreptitiously killing any animal, which may venture into their private land. It is virtually impossible to detect such poaching by the limited number of forest staff, who are posted on duty inside the Park boundary. 

The decline of the Swamp deer of the Satiana area is a direct fall out of this situation. But Swamp deer being large gregarious animals staying in herds, displays its status quite conspicuously, while other species like Hog deer, Spotted deer and wild boar seem to have suffered the same fate, though no clear understanding about the same has been registered and no tear shed. 

The area available to wildlife in Dudhwa is not viable and measures are to be taken immediately, if we are serious about ensuring the survival of the exacting Swamp deer, which is the indicator species of the Swampy Terrai. 

S.Deb Roy states "The area of Dudhwa National Park is ecologically not viable. This National Park has become an island, on which very severe pressure are being extrated by the ever increasing human population in this area, which has resulted into a sad decline of the indicator species like 
swamp deer as also the tiger. The natural productivity and hence the carrying capacity is probably on the decline, caused by the abuse. No management authority may be able to save the situation, particularly on the face of the terrorist infestation, that has recently taken over, unless there is a strong political will to back it up." 

Billy Arjun Singh, Former Member Steering Committee of Project Tiger states, "The forest department has publicly stated that there are 104 tigers in the Park, when there are probably not more than 20. In addition the Park authorities have allowed the construction of a barrage on the 
boundary river, which has drowned out a large segment of these deer population, and water logged and degraded their habitat. There is just not enough prey to sustain 104 tigers." 

"In addition the activity of poachers, and the presence of terrorists will soon put an end to the Park, which has an entry in my Visitors Book in 1980 by Brijendra Singh. "Sighted nine tiger, and a elephant herd and a mighty tusker in one week"." 

Man eating, tiger killing, poaching, encroachment, railway tracks and roads, are serious problems that Dudhwa faces in its survival, it requires an unimaginable effort by all of us to ensure its safety. In recent years the threat of extremists in and around this area has created a severe disturbance in the management strategies of the area. A new plan must unfold immediately, so that vital strategies, supports and inputs are provided to field management.