Tiger Reserves In India

Uttar Pradesh Pilibhit Tiger Reserve

Pilibhit Tiger Reserve lies in the Pilibhit district, Bahraich district, and Lakhimpur district of Uttar Pradesh in India. Lying across the Nepal-India border, this tiger reserve is at the foothills of Himalayas while in the plains of terai in Uttar Pradesh. This tiger reserve is one of the 41st project tiger reserve in India.

Pilibhit has dense forests which covers roughly 23% of whole district’s area. The entire tiger reserve covers nearly 1089 km2. This tiger reserve is a home to assorted endangered and rare species. Pilibhit Tiger Reserve is one of the few densely forested districts of Uttar Pradesh. This tiger reserve came into existence in the year 2008.

History

With Corbett Tiger Reserve now going to Uttrakhand, the state of Uttar Pradesh always wanted to create the forests of Pilibhit as a home for tigers also called the stripped cats. A proposal was created in the year 2005, where it was mentioned that this forest will be a home for the stripped cats. This proposal was sent to the government of India in the year 2008. In the very same year, this reserve was declared as a tiger reserve owing to its exceptional eco-system which has vast open spaces and ample feed for graceful predators.

As per an estimate in the year 2004, this forest covered 800 sq km but as pre present statistics it covers 1089 sq kms.

Weather and Best Time to Visit

Though the reserve remains open for the public from the months of September to June, but it is advised not to visit in the months of June as this month is marked by extreme hot summer season. Besides, this weather is sure to ruin your trip, so it is advised to avoid visiting this tiger reserve in this season. Plan your trip to this tiger reserve in the months of December, January, and February as it is pretty cold here and you would enjoy your trip as you would get to see different wild animals owing to clean green grass.

Best Time to Visit

The ideal time to visit Pilibhit Tiger Reserve is between September and mid June.

Places to Visit

There are numerous places of attractions that the tourists can visit and enjoy in Pilibhit, apart from the Pilibhit Tiger Reserve. There are temples, churches, gurudwaras, mosques, Jama masjid, Chuka Beach, and old pilibhit.

How to Reach

By Train

The closest railway station near Pilibhit Tiger Reserve is Pilibhit. It connects the city to Delhi and Lucknow besides other main cities of the country. The other two towns near to this reserve are Bilaspur and Puranpur which have few trains coming from other parts of the country to this tiger reserve.

By Air

Lucknow is the closest airport from Pilibhit which is approximately 250 kms away from Pilibhit.

By Road

Pilibhit is well connected to different cities like Nainital and Bareilly. Buses and private coaches operate on regular basis to and from Pilibhit.  

Flora and Fauna

Flora

Pilibhit Tiger Reserve is one of the exceptionally productive and highly diversified forests which have perfect grassland eco-system and Terai-Duar savanna. The grasslands and Terai forests encompass 2100 flowering species.   

Fauna

Pilibhit Tiger Reserve is a home to different endangered and rare fauna species which encompass Bengal floricans, hispid hare, swamp deer, Indian leopard, Bengal tiger etc. Apart from this, it also has 127 animals, 556 birds, and 36 tigers in totality.

Wildlife

The wildlife of Pilibhit Tiger Reserve is very rich and the species of tigers are distributed in three smaller and one major population. This sanctuary has birds, mammals, reptiles, and Bengal tigers in its forests which can be seen clearly roaming in their natural habitat during the winter seasons as the grass is clean and neat.

Where to Stay

For visitors, the Pilibhit Tiger Reserve has its own rest and tourist log huts at Chuka, Mala, and Bankatti. They have a canteen also attached to them and rooms here are available at economical charges. Besides, you can also look for air conditioned and non air conditioned rooms in Bareilly and Pilibhit.

Map

Photo Gallery