UP’s Terai Wildlife Numbers Surge Past 1.45 Lakh After ₹161-Crore Eco-Tourism Push

Wildlife in the Terai belt has significantly increased, exceeding 1.45 lakh animals in 2025, attributed to habitat protection and regulated tourism.

Uttar Pradesh is linking conservation with eco-tourism, investing ₹161 crore (2022-2025) in eco-friendly infrastructure.

Source : UP Govt

On World Wildlife Conservation Day, Uttar Pradesh outlined the progress it has made in linking conservation efforts with eco-tourism development, as wildlife numbers in the Terai belt showed a significant rise over the past three years. The state said sustained habitat protection and regulated tourism have together contributed to this growth.

Between 2022 and 2025, the Uttar Pradesh Eco-Tourism Development Board invested ₹161 crore in nature-based destinations. Of this, Rs 21.04 crore was spent in 2022–23, Rs 68.56 crore in 2023–24 and Rs 72.30 crore in 2024–25. The focus remained on creating basic, eco-friendly infrastructure to improve visitor access without disturbing sensitive ecosystems.

Low-Impact Facilities Across Forest Areas

The investments led to the development of nature trails, birdwatching points, viewing towers, gazebos, signage, small cafeterias and children’s activity zones. Officials said the facilities were designed to blend with the surroundings and minimise ecological disturbance while improving the overall visitor experience.

Sharp Increase in Wildlife Presence in Terai Belt

According to the 2025 wildlife assessment, the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve now records more than 1.13 lakh animals, while Katarniaghat Wildlife Division has nearly 18,000. The adjoining buffer zones account for over 14,000 animals. Combined, wildlife presence in the Terai region has crossed 1.45 lakh.

In 2022, the estimated wildlife count across Dudhwa, Katarniaghat and the buffer belt was nearly 92,000. Officials attribute the rise to sustained habitat protection, wetland development, anti-poaching measures and regulated tourist activity. Forest department teams have intensified patrolling, developed water sources, improved grasslands and maintained continuous monitoring. The stable presence of species such as tigers and rhinos is being linked to these efforts.

Forest areas including Dudhwa, Pilibhit, Katarniaghat, Amangarh and Sohagibarwa are seeing a gradual increase in visitors, including families, students and wildlife enthusiasts. Apart from the Terai belt, regions such as Braj, the Ganga belt, Bundelkhand and Vindhya are also being integrated into structured conservation-linked tourism programmes.

Community participation has been incorporated through trained nature guides in Dudhwa, Pilibhit and Katarniaghat. The Tharu community has been connected with tourism through food, crafts and homestay initiatives, providing supplementary income linked to conservation.

The long-term framework was discussed at the Viksit Uttar Pradesh @ 2047 Tourism Workshop in Lucknow, where experts reviewed plans to upgrade forest rest houses, expand nature-based education programmes and develop experiences such as butterfly trails, wetland circuits and guided jungle safaris. The Shaheed Chandra Shekhar Azad Bird Sanctuary, which now records more than 85 butterfly species, was highlighted as an example of biodiversity-driven tourism.

Under the state’s long-term plans, the focus remains on allowing tourism growth without harming sensitive habitats, keeping destinations regulated, retaining tourism revenue within local communities, expanding educational tours and maintaining continuous ecological monitoring.

“Eco-tourism is central to Uttar Pradesh’s 2047 vision. If conservation is strong, tourism grows; if tourism is responsible, conservation becomes stronger,” Tourism and Culture Minister Jaiveer Singh said, adding that visitor safety and environmental responsibility remain key priorities.

With wildlife numbers rising in the Terai, improved facilities, active forest protection and growing community participation, the state is continuing to position eco-tourism as a supporting arm of conservation rather than a competing interest.