G N G GROUP

Pilibhit: With the closure of Pilibhit Tiger Reserve (PTR) on June 15, the forest authorities are gearing up to launch a 45-km-long monsoon safari along the periphery of the reserve. The safari will be inaugurated on July 1. It will cover the canal network of the Sharda river and many picturesque places. The route is a tow-path having the core area of Barahi forest range on one side and feeder canal of the Sharda, on the other.
The plan is aimed at providing an all-season safari for tourists as PTR opens on November 15 and closes on June 15. They can see aquatic animals like turtles, birds and herbivores.
Naveen Khandelwal, divisional forest officer who is behind the proposed safari, said, "PTR's fleet of 22 safari vehicles will be made available for monsoon safari which will pass through the Bifurcation, the point where four feeder canals fan out, Sharda Sagar dam including its inlet and outlet points, Sapt Sarovar, situated at the fringe of Barahi forest range and the point where river Gomti originates." Each safari vehicle will be manned by a trained guide. The fare for each six-seater vehicle will be Rs 15 per km, which will be divided among the tourists. The safari would be available all day long till sunset and not confined to time slots.