Eco-tourism in UP: Major development in store for Amangarh Tiger Reserve

Wildlife enthusiasts in Uttar Pradesh are in luck for the administration is all set to develop the Amangarh Tiger Reserve soon! Pegged to boost eco-tourism in UP, this move aims at equipping this reserve with basic infrastructure and amenities. Spanning over an area of 80 square kilometres in Bijnor, the Amangarh Tiger Reserve was notified in 2012 under the Project Tiger.

Even after 10 years of notification, ATR remains underdeveloped on many fronts, resulting in low tourist turnout. With this development project now, the administration will focus on improving road connectivity and building a booking office along with proper entry gates, among others. In addition to this, the move includes setting up a special facility for accommodation of tourists, canteen and more.

Notably, Amangarh acts as the buffer area for Jim Corbett National Park making it home to many wild animals that disperse from Jim Corbett. This is why on September 14, 2021, the Amangarh Tiger Reserve was renamed as New Corbett (Amangarh) Tiger Reserve. Apart from this, the Minister for Environment, Forests and Climate Change also directed officials to undertake development work of the reserve on the same parameters as other famous centres in the nation.

A corridor for magnificent fauna, the park is known for Asiatic Elephants and majestic tigers. Being an important centre of natural biodiversity in the state, Amangarh also houses Chital, Sambhar, Kakar, Leopard and other wild animals. In 2012, the reserve was said to have 13 tigers which jumped to a total of 27 in 2020. Apart from tigers, ATR has around 100 elephants, leopards and other animals as well.

Out of the 4 tiger reserves in UP, Amangarh secures the third spot after Dudhwa and Pilibhit. Last year, the Chitrakoot Ranipur Sanctuary was approved as the fourth tiger reserve by The National Tiger Conservation Authority.

The development of the Ranipur Tiger Reserve in Chitrakoot is also currently underway. With such initiatives, the administration aims to give a boost to the eco-tourism in UP and promote wildlife conservation as well.