Pilibhit Tiger Reserve, Location, Flora and Fauna, Latest News

Pilibhit Tiger Reserve is an important wildlife conservation area in Uttar Pradesh, forming part of the Terai Arc Landscape along the India-Nepal border. It is known for its rich biodiversity, extensive Sal forests, grasslands and wetlands. The reserve provides a suitable habitat for Bengal tigers and several endangered species. Its ecological importance is linked to wildlife corridors, river systems and the conservation of the Terai ecosystem.

Pilibhit Tiger Reserve Latest News

Pilibhit Tiger Reserve has reopened on Nov 1 2026 for the new tourism season, with the Forest Department upgrading tourist facilities at Chuka Beach and the Mustafabad complex. Tourists can now visit from November 1 to June 30, providing a longer period for wildlife tourism and nature based activities. The initiative aims to promote regulated wildlife tourism and improve visitor infrastructure while supporting awareness and conservation of the Terai ecosystem. Earlier, the tourism season at Pilibhit Tiger Reserve was extended, allowing visitors to explore the reserve for nearly eight months annually.

Pilibhit Tiger Reserve

Pilibhit Tiger Reserve is also known as “Jewel of Terai” and “Chuka Tiger Reserve”. It is located in the Terai region of Uttar Pradesh and plays an important role in maintaining wildlife connectivity across the Himalayan foothills and adjoining landscapes.

• Location: The reserve lies across Pilibhit and Lakhimpur Kheri districts of Uttar Pradesh, along the India-Nepal border. It falls within the upper Gangetic Plain Biogeographic Province.
• Area: The reserve covers approximately 730.25 sq. km, comprising a core area of 602.798 sq. km and a buffer area of 127.4518 sq. km.
• Drainage System: The Gomti River originates within the reserve. It also forms part of the catchment of the Sharda, Chuka and Mala Khannot rivers. The 22 km long Sharda Sagar Dam lies along its boundary.
• History: A proposal for establishing a dedicated tiger conservation area was submitted in April 2008. It was accepted in September 2008 and formally notified as the 46th tiger reserve in June 2014.
• Legal Status: The reserve comes under Project Tiger and follows the conservation framework of the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972, particularly for protecting endangered species and their habitats.
• Tiger Conservation: In 2020, it received the International TX2 Award for doubling its tiger population within four years, achieving a target originally set for ten years.
• Wildlife Corridors: Important connections include Surahi Range-Corbett, Lagga-Bagga-Shuklaphanta National Park in Nepal and Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary-Dudhwa. These routes support animal movement across protected habitats.
• Core and Buffer Areas: The core area has no permanent human settlements, while the surrounding buffer experiences greater human activity, livestock grazing and dependence on forest resources.

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Pilibhit Tiger Reserve Biodiversity

The Pilibhit Tiger Reserve supports diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, where forests, grasslands, wetlands and river habitats sustain numerous plant and animal species.

Flora

• Forest Types: The vegetation primarily consists of North Indian moist deciduous forests, tropical dry deciduous forests, semi evergreen forests and seasonal swamp forests.
• Sal Forests: Sal woodland dominates nearly 76% of the reserve, providing important shelter and suitable ecological conditions for several wildlife species.
• Other Tree Species: Teak, Khair, Semal and Mahua are among the other important trees found across the forest landscape.
• Grassland Vegetation: Grasslands contain species such as Saccharum, Imperata, Themeda, Vetiveria, Dichanthium and Cyperus, supporting herbivores and maintaining habitat diversity.

Fauna

• Mammals: The reserve supports Bengal tigers, leopards, fishing cats, swamp deer, spotted deer, hog deer, sambar, sloth bears and several smaller mammals.
• Endangered Species: Important threatened species include the Bengal florican and hispid hare. Several mammals, birds and reptiles receive protection under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972.
• Avian Diversity: Around 450 bird species have been recorded, including Sarus cranes, hornbills, eagles, peafowl, egrets, herons and several migratory and resident birds.
• Reptiles and Amphibians: The reserve provides habitat to marsh crocodiles, gharials, multiple snake species and five species of lizards.
• Aquatic Biodiversity: Its river systems support approximately 79 fish species, highlighting the ecological significance of freshwater habitats within the reserve.

Pilibhit Tiger Reserve Challenges

Effective conservation of the Pilibhit Tiger Reserve requires reducing human pressure, protecting wildlife movement and strengthening coordination across adjoining landscapes and international boundaries.

• Human-Wildlife Conflict: Settlements surrounding the buffer area increase interactions between people and wild animals. Community participation and timely conflict management are essential to minimise losses.
• Habitat Disturbance: Road traffic, livestock grazing and forest resource extraction affect sensitive habitats. Regulated activities and stronger field protection can reduce these pressures.
• Corridor Conservation: Wildlife corridors require continuous monitoring and ecological restoration to maintain connectivity with Corbett, Dudhwa, Kishanpur and Shuklaphanta landscapes.
• Strengthening Protection: Smart patrolling, improved communication facilities and regular monitoring of tigers and other wildlife can improve conservation and prevent illegal activities.
• Community Participation: Eco-development activities in buffer villages can reduce dependence on forest resources and encourage local communities to participate in wildlife conservation.
• Cross Border Cooperation: Coordination with Uttarakhand and neighbouring Nepal is important for protecting shared habitats and ensuring the safe movement of wildlife across international boundaries.