Katarniya Ghat Wildlife Sanctuary

An albino deer was recently spotted at the Katarniya Ghat Wildlife Sanctuary of Uttar Pradesh.

About Katarniya Ghat Wildlife Sanctuary –

• Location — It is situated in the Upper Gangetic plain falling in the Terai of Bahraich district of Uttar Pradesh.
• It is part of the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve.
• The Katerniaghat Forest provides strategic connectivity between the tiger habitats of Dudhwa and Kishanpur in India and the Bardia National Park in Nepal.
• Ecosystem — Its fragile Terai ecosystem comprises a mosaic of sal and teak forests, lush grasslands, numerous swamps, and wetlands.
• Girwa river flows through the sanctuary, which is one of the best places in the world for seeing the Gharial (Critically Endangered) in its natural habitat.
• Climate —
  • • The whole of the area is subject to the climatic variations typical of the plains of Northern India with their extremes of heat and cold.
    • The average annual rainfall is about 1300 mm.
    • During the hot weather, there are often strong west winds and mild hurricanes from the north and west accompanied by showers.
• Flora — It is dominantly Sal Forestwith its associated tree species like Terminalia alata (Asna), Lagerstroemia parviflora (Asidha), Adina cordifonia (Haldu), Mitragyna parpiflora (Faldu), etc.
• Fauna — It is home to a number of endangered species, includinggharial, tiger, rhino, Gangetic dolphin, Swamp deer, Hispid hare, Bengal florican, the White-backed and Long-billed vultures.

What is Albinism?

Albinism is a genetic disorder that results in decreased production of a pigment called melanin in the skin, hair, and eyes, resulting in light colour or no colour.