Lakhimpur Kheri, Nov. 2 -- The tourist season in Dudhwa Tiger Reserve (DTR) rolled out on Saturday with the UP minister of state (independent charge) for environment, forests and climate change, Dr Arun Kumar Saxena, giving the green signal to the first batch of tourists on their Dudhwa safari. This year for the first time, Dudhwa Tiger Reserve (DTR) and Pilibhit Tiger Reserve (PTR) have been opened for tourists from November 1. Before 2024, the Dudhwa tourist season operated from Nov 15 to June 15 while in 2024, Dudhwa opened on November 6. Earlier, Saxena, along with principal chief conservator of forests, wildlife, Anuradha Vemuri, principal chief conservator of forests Sunil Kumar Chaudhary, Kheri DM Durga Shakti Nagpal, Dudhwa field director Dr H Rajamohan, deputy director Jagdish R and DTR and forest officials participated in religious rituals before inaugurating the tourist season by cutting a ribbon at the Dudhwa jungle entry gates. Specially decorated Dudhwa camp elephants accorded ceremonial greetings to the guests and the tourists on the occasion. The elephants in return were offered fresh fruits by the guests. Located on the India-Nepal border and sharing boundaries with Pilibhit Tiger Reserve and Nepal forests, DTR serves as an ideal habitat for wild elephants, Royal Bengal Tigers, swamp deer, one-horned rhinos, several species of reptiles, birds and creatures. Talking to press persons after the inauguration of the tourist season, Saxena termed the tourist season from November 1 as 'a Diwali gift' by UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath. The minister said that from this year's tourist season, the tourists on Dudhwa safari will enjoy two more routes - Nishangarha route in Katarniaghat and route number 23 (Dudhwa National Park), which will add to their jungle safari adventure besides boosting local employment to drivers and nature guides. He added that accommodation facilities at reasonable rates in DTR will be extended to provide accommodation to middle classes. The minister said following the cleanliness drive by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, DTR will be made free from plastic. DEO KANT PANDEY...