After a four-month wait, the Pillibhit Tiger Reserve in Uttar Pradesh state has reopened to tourists. The new tourist season started on Sunday, November 1. The state's Forest Minister, Arun Saxena, officially inaugurated the season by showcasing safari vehicles after performing a worship ritual.
On the first day, free jungle safaris were organized for schoolchildren and special guests. This season introduces numerous new amenities for visitors, including online booking capabilities, guidance from experienced nature guides, and improved accommodation conditions.
A notable guest in the Pillibhit jungles on the first day was renowned film documentarian Subbayya Nallamuttu. However, due to recent rains, safaris are currently being conducted only along specific, selected routes.
During the current tourist season, special attention is being paid to visitor comfort within the Pillibhit Tiger Reserve. Fifteen experienced nature guides are working on-site to provide information about wildlife. They educate tourists about biodiversity, forest characteristics, and animal activity.
In response to a long-standing tourist request, an online booking system has been launched. Visitors can now reserve safari transport and available government guesthouses for their desired date without leaving home. This measure aims to mitigate the issue where distant tourists left disappointed due to a lack of transport in the previous season.
According to the Director of Forestry (DFO), Manish Singh, approximately 10 safari vehicles were booked on the first day. Furthermore, work is underway in the Chuka, Mahof, and Barhi areas to improve basic facilities such as toilets. Huts, water huts, and bamboo huts in the Chuka area have also been renovated and repainted, giving them a fresh appearance.
P.P. Singh, Director of Field Operations at Pillibhit Tiger Reserve, stated that the ticket or safari fee has been slightly increased to manage the large influx of tourists on Saturdays and Sundays. The goal of this increase is to prevent overcrowding and traffic jams in the jungles during weekends.
There is also a ban on bringing plastic and polyethylene into the forest, for which paper bags have been provided. Safari timings may be adjusted depending on necessity, considering cold, fog, and darkness. The Pillibhit Tiger Conservation Fund makes these decisions. The Director of Field Operations added that the online portal now also offers bookings for tiger reserves, bird sanctuaries, national parks, and zoos in Uttar Pradesh.
On the first day of the new tourist season in the Pillibhit jungles, a special guest arrived—film documentarian and photographer Subbayya Nallamuttu. He conducted safaris in his large vehicle and with specialized filming equipment. He is known for his international-level documentaries on tigers and forests and has received the National Film Award five times.
Among his well-known works are films dedicated to the tigress-fish. His visit to the Pillibhit Tiger Reserve is considered significant given the biodiversity and natural environment of the Terai.
Wildlife photographer Lalu Mathur, who attended the event, mentioned that the Terai region possesses various natural features, such as forests, Sal woods, and grasslands. He cited species like elephants, gaur, tigers, and dolphins, and announced plans to film the entire Terai area.
As the popularity of the Pillibhit Tiger Reserve grows, so do the hopes of local residents. Locals believe that tourism should not be limited only to jungle safaris in Chuka Beach. They insist that Pillibhit town and surrounding religious and historical attractions should also be included in the tourist map.
Local residents demand that tourists visiting for safaris should be able to visit the Gaurishankar Mandir, the historic Jama Masjid, and sites related to the Archaeological Survey of India. This could benefit local markets, hotels, transportation, and small businesses.
Senior journalist Navin Agrawal noted that tourist centers and improved infrastructure are necessary to attract tourists. Good road connectivity for visitors from remote areas is also important.
The cool air, canal water, birdsong, and greenery attract tourists to the Pillibhit jungles. Observing the forest from the viewing point at Chuka Beach offers a unique experience. Nevertheless, due to the rains two days ago, puddles have formed in many parts of the forest. Therefore, safaris are currently restricted to the Chuka route and some other selected paths. The range of safaris will expand once the road conditions improve.
Additionally, the number of accommodation options in the vicinity of the forest has increased. In addition to government guesthouses, private guesthouses and resorts are also attracting tourists.
In the opinion of visitors, the journey through the greenery, canals, and trees of Pillibhit itself is a special experience, regardless of whether they see a tiger or not.