The 2026-27 tourism season at Dudhwa Tiger Reserve (DTR) opened on Sunday with Vedic chants and traditional rituals.
The administration has decided against increasing tourism charges this season. Entry fees, safari vehicle charges, guide fees, elephant safari and camera charges will remain unchanged. The department plans to release two more rhinos into the wild this season.
Dr Rajamohan said the eight rhinos released from fenced enclosures into open forests last year had emerged as a major tourist attraction, contributing to a 49% increase in tourism revenue last season.
DTR officials said the sightings reflected the favourable habitat conditions in the reserve. It is also pursuing a proposal to reintroduce wild water buffaloes in Dudhwa, with the necessary process underway, he said.
The UP government has also launched a revamped integrated wildlife eco-tourism portal, ecotourism.up.gov.in, offering a single platform for safari bookings, tourism rules and information on wildlife destinations across the state.
