It forms a critical part of the Terai Arc Landscape, acting as a wildlife corridor between other major reserves such as Dudhwa, Kishanpur, and Corbett.

The habitat includes moist deciduous forests, extensive grasslands, riverine filaments, wetlands, and patches of swamp maintained by seasonal flooding from rivers like the Gomti, Sharda, and their tributaries.​

Wildlife and Conservation

The reserve is notable for hosting more than 79 adult Bengal tigers as of 2025, with a density of 11 tigers per 100 sq. km—among the highest in the country.​

Pilibhit is home to over 127 species of mammals, 556 species of birds, 37 species of reptiles, and a variety of amphibians and fish.​

Endangered species include the Bengal tiger, swamp deer (barasingha), Bengal florican, hog deer, sloth deer, wolf, hyena, and others. The reserve is also known for sightings of leopards, wild dogs, fishing cats, and a healthy prey base of deer and antelope species.​

The rich avifauna includes rare and migratory birds such as the bareheaded goose, king vulture, paradise flycatcher, and slaty-headed babbler.​

Visitor Experience

The reserve offers jeep safaris from November to June, with multiple entry points and a serene, unspoiled wilderness experience.​

The Chuka Eco-tourism zone, part of the reserve, is popular for nature trails, interpretation centers, and sustainable tourism, offering a unique way for visitors to engage with the landscape.​

Pilibhit Tiger Reserve stands out as one of India’s most successful and biologically rich conservation areas, playing a vital role in strengthening the northern Indian tiger landscape.​