look news india
It’s time for wildlife lovers, wildlife photographers and nature enthusiasts to get their high-end cameras and binoculars ready. The countdown to open the gates of the internationally famous ‘Pilibhit Tiger Reserve’ (PTR) located in the Terai region of Uttar Pradesh for tourists has formally started. This protected forest area, which remains closed from July to October every year due to the breeding season of wildlife and rain waterlogging during monsoon, is completely ready to welcome tourists from 1 November 2026. The Forest Department has completed the work of repair of safari tracks, strengthening of watch towers and decoration of eco-tourism centers on war footing. This time in this tiger reserve, which has won the prestigious ‘TX2 International Award’ for rapidly doubling the tiger population at the global level, huge enthusiasm is being seen among the tourists regarding tiger walks and sightings.
The most unique and attractive identity of Pilibhit Tiger Reserve is its world famous ‘Chuka Beach’ eco-tourism spot. Due to the white sand spread on the banks of the giant Sharda Sagar Dam and the immense water body, this area feels like a beautiful beach. This shore surrounded by dense Sal forests is not only an ideal place for tourists to relax and boating, but is also the main water source for wildlife during evening and morning hours. In previous seasons, many pictures of Royal Bengal Tigers strolling in the open, drinking water and sunbathing around Chuka Beach have gone viral. This time the Forest Department has newly upgraded the Tharu huts, tree-houses (machans) and water cottages located in the Chuka Eco-tourism complex with modern facilities so that the tourists can experience the real thrill of the forest while living in the lap of nature.
Tiger sighting during safari is most guaranteed in those areas where natural or artificial reservoirs are present amidst dense forest. ‘Bhimtal’ and the famous ‘Barhasingha Tal’ located within the Pilibhit Tiger Reserve are such major hotspots. To quench their thirst during the onset of winter and summer months, tigers are often seen playing with their cubs for hours on the banks of these pools. Apart from this, endangered species like Swamp Deer, Chital, Hog Deer, Sambar and wild boar come to graze in large numbers in the swampy grasslands near these reservoirs. The presence of tigers in search of prey is densest around these water bodies, providing rare opportunities for spectacular wildlife photography to tourists aboard safari gypsies.
Apart from Chuka and Bhimtal, ‘Bifurcation Point’ and ‘Sapt Sarovar’ are the second most important attractions of Pilibhit. At this confluence of the Sharda Canal, where the calm flow of canal water fascinates the mind, thousands of exotic migratory birds coming from Siberia and Central Asia camp here during winters. The area is considered a bird-watcher’s paradise with over 300 rare bird species, such as the Lesser Florican, Bengal Florican, Hornbill and Kingfisher. Along with this, seeing huge Indian pythons sunbathing at ‘Python Point’ doubles the thrill of the safari. As the gypsies move forward on tracks passing through the deep forests of the Mahof and Barahi ranges, the chirping of birds and the alarm calls of langurs are a direct indication of the tiger’s presence in the forest.
Jungle safari in Pilibhit Tiger Reserve is conducted in two shifts daily—morning shift and evening shift. As per winter schedule from November 1 to March 31, morning safari will operate from 6:30 am to 10:00 am and afternoon safari will operate from 2:30 pm to sunset. In view of the huge influx of tourists, the Forest Department has activated the online permit and safari booking window on the official eco-tourism portal. Entry into the forest is allowed only through authorized 6-seater open jeeps from Mahof Gate and Mustafabad Gate. For safety and compliance with rules, it has been made mandatory for every gypsy to have a trained guide and wireless system from the forest department.
This time the administration has also made some important policy changes regarding the tourism season. To control overcrowding in the reserve and keep the eco-system balanced, a slight variation in entry and safari fees has been prescribed on Saturdays and Sundays (Weekends) as compared to normal working days (Monday to Friday). The Tiger Reserve administration has issued strict guidelines for tourists: use of any kind of plastic, loud music, smoking, consumption of alcohol and provoking the wildlife is strictly prohibited within the forest. Tourists are advised to wear clothes of light and natural colors (khaki, olive green, beige) so that there is no disturbance in the forest environment. If you also want to see the supernatural beauty of nature and the majestic world of tigers closely, away from the pollution of metropolitan cities this winter, then Pilibhit Tiger Reserve is ready to become your next most suitable destination.