Dilip KumarBettiah: Jungle safari and other tourism activities at Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR) in West Champaran will remain suspended from June 29 to September 30 due to the monsoon and wildlife breeding season, officials said on Wednesday.West Champaran conservator of forests-cum-director Gaurav Ojha said the decision was taken in line with guidelines of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), the Union ministry of environment, forest and climate change, and the principal chief conservator of forests-cum-chief wildlife warden, Bihar.“The decision has been taken keeping in view the breeding season of tigers and other wild animals during the monsoon, the condition of forest tracks, and tourist safety,” Ojha said.The suspension will apply to jungle safaris at tourism centres in Valmikinagar, Manguraha and Govardhana. However, visitors can still opt for one-, two- and three-day local tour packages, including visits to watchtowers for wildlife viewing, nature trails and boating on the Gandak river. Tourists may spot animals such as tiger, gaur, leopard, rhino, sambar, chital, barking deer and wild boar.Forest department records show a steady rise in footfall over the past four years. The reserve received 3.22 lakh visitors in 2023-24, 4.81 lakh in 2024-25 and 6.09 lakh in 2025-26. In April-May of the current financial year (2026-27), 69,618 visitors have already visited the reserve. In the last four years, cumulative footfall stood at 14.81 lakh, including 4.91 lakh paid and 9.90 lakh free visitors.The number of foreign tourists has also increased, from three in 2018-19 to 70 in 2025-26. Seven foreign visitors have toured the reserve till June 23 this fiscal.Safari bookings through government vehicles have also risen steadily, from 11,538 in 2021-22 to 33,224 in 2025-26. Till June 23 this year, 14,040 tourists availed of the government-run safari service.The forest department has appealed to tourists to cooperate with the seasonal closure. Regular safari operations will resume in October after the monsoon.
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