Pilibhit Tiger Reserve

The Pilibhit Tiger Reserve (PTR), located in the northern part of Uttar Pradesh, is seeing a positive trend in its tiger population, with the count rising from 71 to 80 tigers over the past three years, based on an internal survey conducted by PTR in collaboration with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF).

About Pilibhit Tiger Reserve (PTR)

• Location: PTR spans the Pilibhit, Lakhimpur Kheri, and Bahraich districts of Uttar Pradesh. It is nestled in the upper Gangetic Plain Biogeographic Province, near the India-Nepal border, and falls within the Terai Arc Landscape, an important ecological corridor for wildlife in South Asia.

• Total Area: The reserve covers an area of 730 square kilometers, including a 602 square kilometer core zone that serves as a protected habitat for wildlife.

• Rivers: Several rivers, including the Gomti, Sharda, Chuka, and Mala Khannot, flow through the reserve, making it ecologically significant. The Gomti River originates within the reserve.

Ecological Features of PTR

• Topography and Habitat:

  • The region features dense sal forests, tall alluvial grasslands, savannahs, and impenetrable swamps, all influenced by periodic flooding from the rivers.

  • The Sharda Sagar Dam, which extends for about 22 km, is situated along the boundary of the reserve.

• Climate: The area experiences a dry and hot climate, with a mix of dry teak forests and Vindhya Mountain soils.

Flora and Vegetation

• Sal Forests: The sal woodland is a dominant vegetation type, covering approximately 76% of the reserve. It has strong natural regeneration, crucial for maintaining the area's ecological health.

• Other Vegetation Types:

  • Tropical Moist Deciduous Forests

  • Tropical Dry Deciduous Forests

  • Seasonal Swamp Forests

  • Tropical Semi-Evergreen Forests

• Grasslands: The reserve is dotted with grass meadows that host species such as:

  • Sacchrum

  • Sclerostachya

  • Imperata

  • Themeda

  • Bothriochloa

  • Vetiveria

Wildlife in Pilibhit Tiger Reserve

• Tiger Population: The PTR is home to endangered Bengal tigers, with the population growing to 80 individuals—a success story for conservation efforts.

• Other Fauna:

  • Swamp Deer

  • Hog Deer

  • Leopard

• Avifauna: The reserve is a haven for bird species, including:

  • Swamp Francolin

  • Great Hornbill

  • Bengal Florican

  • Lesser Florican

  • Black Francolin

  • Jungle Bush Quail

  • Red Junglefowl

  • Asian Openbill