Lucknow/Lakhimpur Kheri, Nov. 2 -- Wildlife enthusiasts can once again enjoy safaris in the state's forests as the eco-tourism season opened in Uttar Pradesh on Sunday. Forest, environment and climate change minister Arun Kumar Saxena inaugurated the season at Pilibhit Tiger Reserve, flagging off safari vehicles at a ceremony. The opening day saw the participation of foreign tourists from countries, including Australia, Sri Lanka and the UK, giving a boost to local tourism, according to a press statement issued by the forest department. The response has been encouraging, with all safari slots from the opening day until November 9 already fully booked. The presence of international visitors and film directors has added to the excitement surrounding the new season. Pilibhit Tiger Reserve recorded 46,386 Indian tourists and 246 foreign visitors in 2025, reflecting its growing popularity as a wildlife tourism destination. The reserve had recorded 65 tigers in the 2018 census. Principal chief conservator of forests, Uttar Pradesh, Sunil Chaudhary; principal chief conservator of forests (Wildlife), Anuradha Bemuri; additional principal chief conservator of forests Ramkumar; and Pilibhit Tiger Reserve divisional forest officer Manish Singh were also present at the inauguration. Meanwhile, the tourism season also opened at Dudhwa Tiger Reserve, where the inaugural ceremony was held amid Vedic chants and traditional rituals. Palia BJP MLA Romi Sahni, DTR field director and chief conservator of forests H Rajamohan, deputy director Jagdish R and other officials attended the ceremony. However, waterlogged and damaged tracks prevented jungle safaris in Dudhwa on the opening day. Tourists were, however, able to enjoy safaris at Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary, where several tigers were spotted resting and crossing forest tracks. The Dudhwa administration has decided not to increase tourism charges this season. Rajamohan said 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. The department plans to release two more rhinos into the wild this season. A proposal to reintroduce wild water buffaloes in Dudhwa is also under consideration, with the necessary process underway. The UP government has also launched an integrated wildlife eco-tourism portal, ecotourism.up.gov.in, offering information on safari bookings, tourism rules and wildlife destinations. All tiger reserves and other tourist sites of forest department are now open for visitors, said officials....