Pilibhit Tiger Reserve

July 4, 2023

The authorities of Pilibhit Tiger Reserve (PTR) have implemented immediate measures to enhance field patrolling in the core forest regions of the reserve, following a 'red alert' issued by the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) recently.

About Pilibhit Tiger Reserve:

  • Location:
    • It is located in Pilibhit District, Lakhimpur Kheri District and Bahraich District of Uttar Pradesh.
    • It lies along the India-Nepal border in the foothills of the Himalayas and the plains of the ‘terai’ in Uttar Pradesh.
  • It was declared a Tiger Reserve in September 2008.
  • Drainage: The river Gomti originates from the reserve, which is also the catchment of several others like Sharda, Chuka and Mala Khannot.
  • The Sharda Sagar Dam extending up to a length of 22 km (14 mi) is on the boundary of the reserve. 
  • Habitat: It is characterized by sal forests, tall grasslands and swamps, maintained by periodic flooding from rivers.
  • Vegetation: North Indian moist deciduous type.
  • Flora:
    • The sal woodland is very dense with good natural regeneration, amounting to almost 76% of the reserve area.
    • The forest patches are interspersed with grass meadows with several species like Sacchrum, Sclerostachya, Imperata, Themeda, Bothriochloa, Vetiveria, Apluda, Dichanthium, Digitaria and Cyperus.
  • Fauna: It is home to a myriad of wild animals including the endangered tiger, swamp deer, Bengal florican, hog deer, leopard, etc.