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Leopard Safari Stalled by Land Dispute
5 Nov
Summary
- UP's first leopard safari faces land dispute issues.
- Project cost is estimated at Rs 48 crore.
- Court cases over land leases have halted construction.
A proposed leopard safari in Pilibhit, intended to be Uttar Pradesh's first of its kind, is currently on hold. The project, estimated to cost Rs 48 crore, aims to create a semi-natural habitat for rescued leopards and enhance ecotourism near the Pilibhit Tiger Reserve.
The safari is planned across 1,716 hectares in the Gopalpur forest area. However, a significant portion, 30.53 hectares, is entangled in a land dispute. This issue stems from alleged unauthorised lease deeds issued to villagers in 1983 by a former sub-divisional magistrate.
Although the lease deeds were cancelled in 2001 after legal proceedings, villagers challenged the decision. Following years of litigation, the Allahabad high court transferred the matter to the additional district magistrate (judicial) in Pilibhit for a final decision within six months, a ruling that is still pending as of 2026-11-05.
This unresolved ownership dispute has blocked the forest department from commencing crucial fencing work required for the safari's safety and security. Forest officials are now awaiting intervention to resolve the administrative and legal challenges.
