Pilibhit Tiger Reserve

ABOUT

Pilibhit Tiger Reserve is located in Pilibhit district, Lakhimpur Kheri District and Bahraich District of Uttar Pradesh state in India. It lies along the India-Nepal border in the foothills of the Himalayas and the plains of the ‘terai’ in Uttar Pradesh. It is one of India’s 41 Project Tiger reserves. Forests in Pilibhit have at least 36 tigers and a good prey base for their survival.

The Pilibhit Tiger Reserve covers an area of 72689.48 ha. situated along the Indo-Nepal border. The forest is rich and diverse. It is a mosaic of high sal forests, plantation, and grasslands with several water bodies. The jungles are home to a myriad of wild animals including the endangered tiger, swamp deer, Bengal florican, hog deer, leopard, etc.

Plilibhit is a wonderful city of Uttar Pradesh. It is 225 km far from Lucknow and 50km from Bareilly. The nearest Railway station is Plilibhit and Nearest Airport is Amausi airport Lucknow. Pilibhit is also famous for flute industry in the world. This city is well connected with Railway and road.

HISTORY

With Corbett Tiger Reserve going to Uttrakhand, Uttar Pradesh always wanted to develop the Pilibhit forests area as a home for the striped cats. A proposal, created in 2005, to make a home for the endangered cats in Pilibhit forests was sent to the government of India in April 2008. Pilibhit Tiger Reserve was declared in September 2008 on the basis of its special type of ecosystem with vast open spaces and sufficient feed for the elegant predators.

In actual fact, Dudhwa tigers are distributed in one major and three smaller populations. The major population is constituted by Dudhwa reserve which includes Dudhwa National Park, Kishenpur and Katarniaghat wildlife sanctuaries and forests of Pilibhit, north and south Kheri while the smaller tiger populations are found in Bijnor forests in the west, and Suhelwa and Sohagibarwa wildlife sanctuaries in east.

Flora-Fauna

This reserve is one of the finest examples of the highly diversified and productive Terai-Duar savanna and grasslands eco-system. The Terai forests and grasslands constitute habitat for over 127 animals, 556 bird species and 2,100 flowering plants. They are also home to around 6 million people who depend on them for their livelihoods.

Pilibhit Tiger Reserve is home to a large number of rare and threatened species, which include Bengal tiger, Indian leopard, swamp deer, hispid hare, and Bengal floricans.

The Dudhwa tigers are distributed in one major and three smaller populations. Major population is constituted by Dudhwa reserve which includes Dudhwa National Park, Kishenpur and Katarniaghat wildlife sanctuaries, Pilibhit forests and north and south Kheri forests. Smaller tiger populations are present in Bijnor forests in west and Suhelwa and Sohagibarwa wildlife sanctuaries in the east.

According to a study by Wildlife Institute of India (WII), the Dudhwa-Pilibhit tiger population has high conservation value since it is the only population having the ecological and behavioral adaptations of the tiger unique to the Tarai region.

Major Flora
(Main Species)
Sal, Khair, Sissoo, Ber, Kuthber, Bel, Dhak, Semal, Khingan, Kharpat, Rohini, Bakli, Aonla, Harad, Baheda, Bakayan, Asna and more faicus species.

Major Fauna
(Main Species)
Mammals: Tiger, Leopard, Elephant, Cheetal , Sambar , Hog Deer, Barking Deer , Wildboar Langoor And Rhesus Monkey.

Birds: Peacock, Jungle Fowl, Partridges, Crow, Vulture, Parakeets, Laughing Thrush, Orioles, King Fishers, Drongo, Doves, Woodpeckers, Ducks, Teals, Storks, Cormorants and Seagulls.

Reptile: Indian Marsh Crocodiles Or Mugger, Gharials, King Cobra, Common Krait, Cobra, Russel, Python and Monitor Lizard.
Pisces: Gangetic dolphins, Cat Fish, Rohu, Chilwa, Goonch, Mangur, Snake Head.

Near By Places

Chuka Beach

Located under the Mahof forest range in between Sharda Sagar Dam and Sharda Canal is the Chuka Beach. This is a government protected forest zone and also one of the five forest reserves located in the districts of Mala, Haripur, Barahi, Mahof, and Deoriya.

Chuka forest is situated on the bank of Sharda river in district Pilibhit. The Sharda Sagar dam on Sharda river forms Sharda Sagar reservoir which along with the forest areas present a beautiful landscape.

Rich in historical and religious spots, Pilibhit is one such district which has a lot to offer to its visitors. People from different parts of the country and even outside it visit the district for its beautiful ambiance, peace, and presence of various religious shrines.

This is a beautiful location with all the natural beauties of forest under Mahof Forest Range. This particular area protected by the Indian Government and this is one of the five forest reserves like Haripur, Mahof, Deoria, Mala, and Barahi. To promote eco-tourism in this specified area, the district administration has taken special care to make it apt as an entertainment place or picnic spot where tourist can visit and enjoy their time in the best way possible. This also encourages the tourism industry of the district and thus attracts more visitors.

One of the most exciting factors of visiting Chuka spot is the journey by road. The highway speed, the expanded roads, the dense stretch of Pipal and Pakar trees on both sides of the highway bowing down to give a grand welcome altogether gives a thrilling experience. The scenario altogether gives a feel of a tunnel-like appearance with the absolute absence of sunlight in some places gives an amazing experience. Nearby the reservoir a gigantic stretch of grassland is present where one can view many animals and birds. The usual animals one can see are Wild Hare, Monkeys, Boar, Crocodiles, Wood Pecker, Snakes, Black Partridge, Quails, Flamingo, and Ducks. The scene becomes more lively when migratory birds visit the place. Colorful birds from various parts of the world come here and beautify the area and form a pleasant atmosphere with their chirping sounds. The water of the reservoir becomes more eye-catching when crocodiles come towards shallow water and take sun bath or straight away hits the bank.

Jama Masjid

Jama Masjid is one of the massive buildings constructed during the Mughal era and the replica of the same building is also located in the capital city of India, Delhi. The Jama Masjid was constructed in the year 1769 by Hafiz Rehmat Khan. Money worth rupees three lakh was spent during that time on the construction of Jama Masjid along with a sun watch, which is still present.

Special prayers are held here on every Friday. Most of Jama Masjid is now in ruins and is being re – constructed. On every Tuesday of the week, there is a large market held outside the Jama Masjid area.

Dargah E-Shahji Miyan

The dargah belonging to qutebe Pilibhit Hazrat Kibla Haji Shah Ji Mohammad Sher Mian Sahib Rahmat Ullah Aleh or Dargah – e – Shahji Miyan is located in the northernmost part of the city region of Pilibhit. Devotees offer a Chadar or a blanket, which is a ritual that is carried out here. People of different religions and cultures visit the spot to pray.

It is believed that by offering a Chadar at the dargah, a person is relieved from all his pain and sufferings. The people from different places and of different religion come here to offer their faith.

A Sufi Islamic shrine built over the graveyard of a religious figure like a Sufi saint is often termed as Dargah which is derived from a Persian word and it is a popular term in Persian influenced Islamic world. This place of worship usually includes mosques, meeting place, medication, Islamic religious schools and small residences for teacher and caretaker. There may be other buildings also for community purposes.

Raja Venu Ka Tila

Located in the Puranpur district of Pilibhit, about a kilometer away from the railway station, Raja Venu Ka Tila is in ruins today. However, the ruins speak of the time when the region flourished under the king Venu during his rule.

In the Puranpur Tehsil of District Pilibhit, one KM away from railway station Shahgarh one TEELA is situated. There was a MAHAL of Raja Venu at this Teela. Ruins are there nowadays. A very big well and ruins tell the story of how flourish was the King at that time.

Gomat Taal

About 7 km to the eastern part of Pilibhit is the popular Gomat Taal, which is a reservoir from where the sacred river of Gomti originates and about 800 km from the region the river flows into the holy river the Ganges. Taking a holy dip in the Gomat Taal during the solar eclipses is believed to be a very popular custom.

It is one of the forest rich areas of Northern India along with almost ten small or medium water bodies. Some of the famous rivers that flow in and around Pilibhit district and Pilibhit city have an important contribution to the society. There is River Sharda flowing through eastern part of the district, River Devhauti Ganga, which flows through northwestern part of Pilibhit city and River Ghaghara flowing through northeastern part of the city. Apart from this, there is the presence of River Gomti, Gomati or Gumti which originates from this beautiful place and later forms a major tributary of River Ganges.
The origin of River Gomti can be traced from a small lake situated in a place named Madhotanda which is a part of Puranpur tehsil region. This small lake is named as Gomat Taal.

Gauri Shankar Temple

This temple is 250 years old. This is situated in Mohalla KHAKRA at banks of rivers DEVHA & KHAKRA. It is said that the forefathers of PUJARI Pandit Har Prasad came to this place with other saints. There was a jungle at that time. He dreamt in the night that Bhagwan Shankar is here, in the morning he saw the moorti of SHANKAR BHAGWAN. Gradually a temple was built. Every year a fair is organized here on the occasions of SHIVRATRI, RAKSHA BANDHAN and on every Monday of SHARAVAN MAS. A Dharamshala is situated at the outer side of the temple, which was donated by Dwarika Das Banjara. There are two big entry gates at the Eastern and Southern side of the Temple. These gates were built by Hafiz Rahmat Khan.

Jaisantri Devi Temple

Situated in the northeastern part of Bareilly division, Pilibhit is one of the popular districts of Uttar Pradesh just because of its religious prominence and historical significance. Together it has become a good tourist spot with enough attractions. Some of the outstanding age-old temples and masjid are present in this district with many devotees coming to pray. One of such temple which combines artistic brilliance unfolds historical truths and yet provides sanity to mind is the Jaisantri Temple in Pilibhit.

Jaisantri Temple is one of the most popular religious and historical spots in the city of Pilibhit. Constructed in 1858, this temple is now more than 150 years old. Though the construction of the temple has been spoiled due to non-maintenance and other factors still the leftover structure speaks of his excellence in form and beauty. It is indeed the best-constructed temples of those days in the area. Situated in Awas Vikas Colony at a distance of few kilometers from the railway station, it is the place of worship for hundreds and thousands of devotees from Pilibhit as well as from surrounding districts.

Ardhnarswer Temple

Pilibhit city is such a place which pays respect to all religions and their faith towards God. So just like Masjid and Church, there are also some of the finest temples in the city. One of such temple is the Ardhanarishwer Temple, a much popular holy shrine for devotees from multiple places across the district and many from other states of the country too.

Ardhanarishwer Temple is a beautiful temple recently constructed on the station road of Pilibhit city. Enshrined by Lord Shiva and Goddess Shakti this temple has special significance as it is considered as the center point of all devotees of Shiva and Goddess Shakti or Kali in and around the city. The temple is well decorated with excellent artwork and magnificent architecture which really catches the eye of every visitor.

Though built at a much later stage as compared to other temples, this place has managed to gain a lot of popularity and it attracts many tourists as one of the main religious spots in Pilibhit.