Dudhwa Tiger Reserve revenue up by Rs 1cr; Pilibhit sees marginal rise

Pilibhit: Dudhwa Tiger Reserve (DTR) has recorded an increase of over Rs 1 crore in revenue during the seven-month-long eco-tourism session of 2025-26, which ended after the evening safari on Tuesday.

Pilibhit Tiger Reserve (PTR) also registered a rise in revenue during the same period, though its earnings remained almost on a par with the previous session.This year, the eco-tourism session in tiger reserves and wildlife sanctuaries across the state was extended by 15 days on the orders of principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife) Anuradha Vemuri. The session concluded on Tuesday instead of the usual closing date of June 15.“In 2024-25, DTR and its allied units received 57,409 Indian and 644 foreign tourists, generating revenue of Rs 1.8 crore. In the 2025-26 session, the reserve recorded 75,615 Indian and 796 foreign tourists, pushing revenue to Rs 2.9 crore,” DTR deputy director Jagdish R said.In contrast, PTR’s revenue rose by only Rs 2 lakh compared with the previous session. The reserve also saw a sharp decline in foreign tourist arrivals, with 216 foreigners visiting this season against 452 in the previous year.

PTR divisional forest officer Manish Singh, “The number of Indian tourists rose marginally from 55,837 in the previous session to 56,289 this year. Revenue increased from Rs 1.60 crore in 2024-25 to Rs 1.62 crore in the latest session.”Frequent sightings of 11 tiger cubs with four tigresses along safari routes were among the major attractions for tourists this season, the DFO added.