Rudrapur, April 12 -- The setup of new safari zones near the Corbett Tiger Reserve(CTR)' have resulted in a 5% drop in tourism revenue in the last financial year, officials said, adding that the park still recorded over 400,946 visitors and earned Rs.27.75 crore. This included 389,997 domestic tourists and 10,949 foreign tourists, they added. "We welcome these new zones as they help reduce tourist pressure on the reserve," said Saket Badola, director at CTR. "Many other factors, including various developments and turmoil in the country and abroad as well as incessant rains during the monsoon season, also affected tourist inflow and revenue," he added. Many tourists who fail to secure reservations for overnight stay and online safari bookings in CTR prefer visiting these newer safari zones- such as Kaladhungi, Hathdangar, Bhandarpani, Mohaan and Phato, said officials. Daytime safaris within the reserve are conducted in Bijrani, Garjiya, Dhela, Dhikala, Durga Devi, Sonanadi and Vatanvasa - with Jhirna and Bijrani being the most popular. Overnight stay facilities are available in Bijrani, Jhirna, Dhela and Dhikala. Officials said Dhikala was the most preferred zone to stay overnight. "CTR also has the Dhangarhi Interpretation Centre and the Jim Corbett Museum in Kaladhungi. 92,783 tourists visited these facilities during the financial year," said Badola. Officials said the reserve managed to surpass it's revenue target of Rs.26.67 crore. A comparison with previous revenue figures indicates fluctuating tourist footfall and revenue trends. In 2022-23, the reserve generated Rs.13.13 crore in revenue with 365,636 visitors. In 2023-24, the number of visitors declined slightly to 344,655 but revenue increased to Rs.24.11 crore. In 2024-25, after the state government revised tariffs, rents and other fees, CTR recorded its highest revenue in recent years, earning Rs.29.80 crore from 459,395 tourists. Badola said that while the new safari zones are contributing to overall tourism growth in the region. "Our country has 58 tiger reserves, and as far as revenue collection is concerned, the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve may be at the top. CTR could be second in the list. Although new safari zones have affected CTR's revenue to some extent, the state government is still earning through them," he said. Officials said they were planning the introduction of full-day safari options, upgrades of forest rest houses, construction of watchtowers and renovations at the Dhangarhi Interpretation Centre and the Jim Corbett Museum in Kaladhungi, in order to improve visitor experience while strengthening conservation awareness....