UP's national parks and tiger reserves to shut from June 15 till Oct 31; know why

As monsoon sets in, wildlife tourism in Uttar Pradesh winds down. From June 15, the state’s key tiger reserves and national parks, Dudhwa, Katarnia Ghat, Ranipur, and Pilibhit, will remain closed until October 31. The decision, ordered by Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) Anuradha Vemuri, was made considering forest conditions and weather forecasts. These reserves, with their unpaved forest roads, become inaccessible during heavy rains.

The Dudhwa Tiger Reserve (DTR), which includes Dudhwa National Park, Kishanpur, and Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuaries, officially closed on May 27 after a ceremonial farewell for the last safari group. This year, the state has extended its tourism services till June 25, due to delayed monsoon. DTR recorded 64,401 visitors, a 54% jump from last year including 352 foreign tourists.

Meanwhile, Gorakhpur and Kanpur zoos remain closed indefinitely due to bird flu since May 13. Authorities are monitoring wildlife health.

As monsoon begins, reserves across India are closing for breeding season. Similipal Tiger Reserve (Odisha) shut on June 12, while Pench Tiger Reserve (Maharashtra) recently released a treated injured tiger, T-53, back into the wild.

The parks will reopen on November 1, offering wildlife lovers a fresh season of safaris.