Pilibhit Tiger Reserve Implements Night Traffic Ban Following Supreme Court Directive
In compliance with a Supreme Court order dated November 17, 2025, authorities at the Pilibhit Tiger Reserve (PTR) have enforced a ban on all motorized and non-motorized vehicle movement from dusk to dawn. This restriction initially applies to three district roads that traverse the core forest areas of the reserve, aimed at enhancing wildlife protection and reducing disturbances during nocturnal hours.
Details of the Restricted Roads and Exemptions
The ban affects specific roadways: the Pilibhit-Basti National Highway 730, which passes through the Mala forest range for 7 kilometers; the Madhotanda-Uttarakhand state highway, covering 15 kilometers through the Mahof forest range; and the Pilibhit-Madhotanda district road, with a 9-kilometer stretch inside the forest. Notably, ambulances and other emergency vehicles are exempt from this restriction to ensure public safety and access during critical situations.
Supreme Court Order and Broader Implications
The Supreme Court order was issued by a three-judge bench comprising Chief Justice of India BR Gavai, Justice Augustine George Masih, and Justice AS Chandurkar in the T N Godavarman Thirumulpad versus Union of India case. The court mandated that tiger reserves with roads crossing core or critical tiger habitats must enforce strict night regulations, prohibiting traffic except for emergency vehicles. Additionally, the apex court imposed a complete ban on night tourism activities to further safeguard wildlife habitats.
Initial Relaxations and Future Enforcement
Although the ban took effect from Monday, authorities have allowed certain relaxations in the initial days due to significant local resentment. For the first two days, vehicles will be permitted to pass through the forest stretches at intervals of every one hour, as confirmed by DFO Bharat Kumar DK. He also stated that restrictions on bicycles will be enforced as part of the measures. However, clarity is still pending for five other roads—Sherpur-Dhanara Ghat, Puranpur-Deuria, Madhotanda-Sharda Sagar, Madhotanda-Barahi, and Sherpur-Durjanpur—which also pass through core forest areas. The DFO indicated that the Supreme Court order will be gradually imposed on these roads as well.
Background on Pilibhit Tiger Reserve
PTR spans an area of 730 square kilometers and includes five forest ranges: Mala, Mahof, Barahi, Haripur, and Deuria. Each range has roads that intersect the core forest, highlighting the importance of these regulations in mitigating human-wildlife conflicts and preserving ecological balance. The implementation of this ban reflects a broader effort to align with national conservation goals and judicial directives aimed at protecting India's tiger populations and their habitats.
