Habitat Management & Restoration

[Rishi]

Spurt in tiger sightings at Dudhwa Tiger Reserve
Priyangi Agarwal | TOI | March, 2020

Experts said luck too matters in sighting of tigers but tourists should look forward to enjoying the ecosystem rather than focusing only on tigers. 

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BAREILLY: A visit to Dudhwa Tiger Reserve (DTR) this year is proving to be a memorable trip for tourists as there has been a spurt in tiger sightings. Forest officials say at least one batch of tourists manages to spot a tiger every day. DTR boasts of nearly 100 tigers but these shy felines were rarely seen in the past.

Field director, DTR, Sanjay Pathak told, “Tigers are being sighted almost every day across the reserve either in the morning or evening shifts. The tiger sightings have increased here in comparison to three years ago.”


Giving reasons behind the rise in tiger sightings in DTR, Pathak said, “From December, we start grassland management and a large number of herbivores came out to consume fresh grass. Tigers too followed as they prey on herbivores. The tourists did not spot the big cats on days when it rained last month but as the weather has become clear, tigers are coming out to bask in the sun. Even in summer, herbivores come near water bodies to drink and the big cats lie in wait there to capture them.”

Fazlur Rahman, wildlife photographer who spends much time in the forest and has sighted tigers a few times over the past two months, said, “Better management by Dudhwa authorities and good population of tigers are the reasons why tourists are spotting tigers here.”

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According to forest officials, UP governor Anandiben Patel who visited DTR in the first week of this month was able to “catch a glimpse of a tiger”. However, her family members “sighted a big cat”, they said.

In November last year, a few tourists who visited the reserve spotted a tigress along with its five cubs. However, for the protection of tigress and cubs, forest authorities have restricted movement of tourists on routes near its location. A tigress can become very aggressive in order to protect its cubs.

Experts said luck too matters in sighting of tigers but tourists should look forward to enjoying the ecosystem, lest go home unsatisfied. 
Leeladhar Sonu, a guide at Dudhwa, said, “It is a good sign that there has been increase in tiger sightings but the big cats are not the only the highlight of Dudhwa. Apart from tigers, tourists can spot rhinos, elephants, migratory birds and five types of deer.”

Forest officials, nearly 40,000 to 50,000 tourists visit DTR every year and they are expecting the same number this time.  Reply