Flora & Fauna At Pilibhit Tiger Reserve

Key Wildlife Species:

Pilibhit Tiger Reserve is a rich ecosystem, which is home to elusive and iconic species. The Bengal tiger, the king of the forest, feels great here due to the high density of prey and secure corridors. In addition to the tigers, you will find leopards, sloth bears, Indian hyenas, and jackals. In the tall Terai grasslands, there are rare and beautiful swamp deer (barasingha) which is a flagship species of the region. Sambar, spotted deer, hog deer, and nilgai are some other herbivores that are easily seen and every safari is an adventurous one. The park is also home to reptiles like the Indian python, monitor lizard, and some species of turtles. It could be a large cat crossing the road or a group of deer eating grass peacefully, but in any case, Pilibhit will provide you with an unrefined and satisfying look at the Indian wildlife legacy.

Bird Species (Migratory & Resident):

Birdwatchers have found Pilibhit Tiger Reserve to be a heaven with more than 400 species of birds, both resident as well as migratory. Wetlands, riverbanks, and thick canopies in the reserve bring forth astonishing varieties of avian populations. In winter, birds such as the bar-headed goose, ruddy shelduck, mallards, and common teal fly in from faraway places making the skies look like a fluttering show. Great hornbill, Indian grey hornbill, white-throated kingfisher, woodpeckers, and peafowls are some of the common resident species seen here. Chuka wetland region is particularly a favorite amongst bird lovers. These birds not only make the reserve more aesthetically pleasing but also perform extremely crucial functions of pollination, seed dispersal, and the preservation of the ecological balance. Pilibhit can provide one of the most rewarding birdwatching experiences in North India with a pair of binoculars and a fair share of patience.

Flora & Vegetation Types:

Pilibhit Tiger Reserve flaunts a typical Terai ecosystem, with densely moist sal forest, tall grasslands, and riparian vegetation. Its tree species is mainly Shorearobusta (sal) which grows in dense canopies allowing shelter to wildlife and contributing to keeping the region humid. Such species as sissoo, khair, jamun, and bamboo grow profusely along with sal. The wide grasslands accommodate herbivores and ground-nesting birds, and wetland vegetation feeds aquatic species. There are also pockets of medicinal plants and undergrowth species like tulsi, ashwagandha, and amla. This mix of forests, grassland, and wetland, renders Pilibhit a biological corridor and an ecological treasure chest, which is home to a variety of life forms and therefore, natural resistance to climatic changes and habitat degradation.