Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh’s Dudhwa Tiger Reserve (DTR) and Pilibhit Tiger Reserve (PTR) recorded a significant rise in tourist arrivals and tourism revenue during the 2025–26 eco-tourism season, reinforcing the growing popularity of the state’s wildlife destinations.
The eco-tourism season, which usually concludes on June 15, was extended by 15 days on the directions of Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), Anuradha Vemuri, allowing safari operations to continue until June 30, 2026.
Between November 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026, the two tiger reserves welcomed over 1.33 lakh visitors, including both domestic and international tourists.
Dudhwa Tiger Reserve received 75,615 Indian tourists and 796 foreign visitors, generating more than Rs 2.96 crore in tourism revenue. This marks a substantial increase from the previous season, when the reserve attracted 57,409 Indian and 644 foreign tourists, earning around Rs 1.86 crore.
Pilibhit Tiger Reserve recorded 56,567 Indian tourists and 216 international visitors, with tourism revenue crossing Rs 1.62 crore, slightly higher than the Rs 1.60 crore earned during the previous season. While domestic tourist numbers increased marginally, the reserve witnessed a noticeable decline in foreign tourist arrivals compared to last year’s 452 international visitors.
Forest officials credited the impressive tourist response to frequent wildlife sightings throughout the safari season. At Pilibhit Tiger Reserve, visitors regularly spotted tigers, swamp deer (barasingha), bears, and several other wild animals. One of the season’s biggest attractions was the sighting of 11 tiger cubs belonging to four tigresses along safari routes, drawing wildlife enthusiasts from across the country.
At Dudhwa Tiger Reserve, Deputy Director Jagdish R. said tourist footfall increased by nearly 30% over the previous season. Besides its thriving tiger population, visitors also enjoyed sightings of the reserve’s one-horned rhinoceroses, with eight rhinos currently roaming freely inside the protected forest.
Apart from safari experiences, Pilibhit Tiger Reserve continued its conservation outreach initiatives. Under the Divya Darshan programme, children with disabilities and their guardians were taken on guided wildlife safaris. The reserve also organized educational nature tours for school students with the support of more than 110 trained tourist guides, helping promote wildlife awareness among young visitors.
Officials said the steady growth in tourist arrivals reflects the Yogi Adityanath government’s continued focus on eco-tourism, wildlife conservation, and sustainable tourism development. Over the past three years, consistent improvements in visitor facilities, wildlife experiences, and conservation efforts have contributed to rising tourist numbers and increased tourism revenue, establishing Dudhwa and Pilibhit Tiger Reserves among Uttar Pradesh’s leading wildlife tourism destinations.
