Uttar Pradesh’s tiger reserves and wildlife sanctuaries will reopen to tourists on November 1, extending this year’s ecotourism season and giving visitors earlier access to the state’s protected areas. The decision was confirmed by Anuradha Vemuri, principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife), as the state continues to adjust the annual tourism calendar around weather conditions and local economic activity.
The November 1 reopening is earlier than the traditional November 15 start. The revised schedule follows the opening dates used in recent years: the 2024 season began on November 6, while the 2025 season started on November 1. This year’s protected-area tourism season will again begin on November 1.
The state has also extended the expected closing window. Protected areas closed on June 30 this year, compared with the traditional June 15 shutdown. Last year, sites remained open until June 25. Under the revised approach, the final closure date will be determined with reference to the monsoon outlook, and officials will continue to use weather forecasts to guide the decision.
The changes affect Uttar Pradesh’s four tiger reserves: Dudhwa, Pilibhit, Amangarh and Ranipur. The state also has 26 wildlife sanctuaries, including 12 bird sanctuaries, which form part of its protected-area and ecotourism network.
Traditionally, the tourism window ran from November 15 to June 15. Moving the opening date to November 1 and allowing the season to continue towards the end of June represents a gradual expansion of the period during which visitors can enter these sites, subject to operating decisions based on monsoon conditions.
The longer window is intended to boost revenue from wildlife tourism and support livelihoods connected with visitors to the reserves and sanctuaries. Those livelihoods are linked to the wider tourism economy around protected areas, although the supplied information does not specify the number of workers, businesses or communities expected to benefit.
The revised calendar also places weather conditions at the centre of protected-area administration. While the state has announced November 1 as the reopening date, the eventual end of the season remains dependent on the monsoon outlook. This means the closing schedule can change according to conditions rather than follow a fixed date alone.
Visitors planning trips to Uttar Pradesh’s reserves and sanctuaries will therefore have an earlier starting date this year, while the end of the tourism season will be announced or finalised in line with monsoon forecasts. The protected areas covered by the decision are scheduled to reopen on November 1.
