PTR Deputy Director Manish Singh informed PTI on Tuesday that they are seeking clarification from Vairahi Range Ranger Arun Mohan Srivastava, along with instructions to submit the details of the involved tourist jeeps.
On December 9, after a tiger was sighted near the siphon bridge, numerous tourist jeeps positioned themselves on either side to provide close views for visitors, effectively hindering the animal’s movement. Forest officials stated that surrounding wildlife or hindering their natural pathways constitutes a significant breach of safari regulations.
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In response to the viral video of the incident, the forest department took action against the Vairahi ranger, officials noted.
The PTR was designated as a tiger reserve in 2014 and is renowned for its rich biodiversity, which includes dense sal forests, tall grasslands, and swampy areas formed by the Sharda and Khakra rivers.
It plays a vital role in the Terai Arc Landscape of Uttar Pradesh.
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Chuka Beach, jungle safaris, and the siphon canal are among the key attractions of the reserve. PTR has also received recognition for its achievements in tiger conservation, winning the international TX2 award in 2020 for doubling its tiger population in just four years.
According to the National Tiger Conservation Authority’s (NTCA) 2022 estimates, PTR was home to 71 tigers. Internal surveys conducted in 2025 have recorded over 80 adult tigers in the reserve, officials indicated.
(Edited by : Jerome Anthony)
