The short answer
Billy Arjan Singh and Tiger Haven: what visitors should know first
Read about Billy Arjan Singh before you go; it makes Dudhwa more meaningful. Tiger Haven is a private place, so do not plan on visiting without arranging access through the Tiger Haven Society or your lodge.
History and context
The story behind Billy Arjan Singh and Tiger Haven
Billy Arjan Singh was born in Gorakhpur in 1917 and stopped hunting in 1960. In 1959 he bought land at the edge of the Dudhwa forest and established Tiger Haven. He campaigned for the area's protection and for Project Tiger status, wrote books including Tiger Haven (1973) and Tara, a tigress (1981), and died on 1 January 2010.
The Tiger Haven Society was founded in 1992 to continue his conservation work.
Useful facts
Billy Arjan Singh and Tiger Haven facts at a glance
- Location
- Suheli and Neora confluence, edge of Dudhwa forest
- Experience type
- Reading and conversation, not a public site
- Known for
- Conservation campaigns for Dudhwa; the tigress Tara
- Born / died
- 1917 to 1 January 2010
- Honours
- Padma Shri 1995; Padma Bhushan 2006
- Access
- Private; unverified public visits
Why it matters
Why Billy Arjan Singh and Tiger Haven is worth your time
Billy Arjan Singh was born in 1917, gave up hunting in 1960 and became a conservationist. He bought land at the edge of the Dudhwa forest in 1959 and named it Tiger Haven. He lobbied Indira Gandhi to protect the area, and Dudhwa was declared a national park in 1977 and a tiger reserve in 1987.
His work was not without controversy, particularly his attempt to return the hand-reared tigress Tara to the wild, and Wikipedia records that this left him isolated from other conservationists for years. He died on 1 January 2010 and received the Padma Bhushan in 2006. The Tiger Haven Society, founded in 1992, continues to promote his work. His story is a useful reminder that parks like Dudhwa depend on individuals as well as institutions.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
Books to read
Tiger Haven (1973) and Tara, a tigress (1981) give his own account of life beside the forest.
- 02
Fight for protection
His lobbying is credited with helping Dudhwa gain tiger reserve status in 1987.
- 03
The Society
The Tiger Haven Society, founded in 1992, continues his work.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
This is mainly a story rather than a stop. Before your trip, read one of Billy Arjan Singh's books, such as Tiger Haven or Tara, a tigress, or a biography, and you will see the park differently. Ask your naturalist to point out areas linked to his work.
Tiger Haven itself is a private place on the edge of the forest at the confluence of the Suheli and Neora rivers. Do not turn up without permission. If you are interested, ask your lodge or the Tiger Haven Society whether any visit or talk can be arranged, and respect the answer.
Pair the story with safaris in Dudhwa, where the swamp deer and rhinos are part of the landscape he fought to protect. Treat the reading as the first stage of your trip, then notice how much of what you see is the result of lobbying and persistence.
Plan with confidence
Small decisions that make the visit easier.
- Read a book or biography before the safari
- Do not visit Tiger Haven without permission
- Ask your naturalist about areas linked to his work
- Contact the Tiger Haven Society for any access request
- Treat the story as context, not a tourist stop
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- Edge of the Dudhwa forest at the Suheli and Neora river confluence, Lakhimpur Kheri
- Time needed
- A reading or conversation, not a site visit
- Best time
- Any time; best read before the safari
- Walking level
- Easy
- Senior comfort
- This is a story to read or hear about, so there is no physical effort. If a visit is arranged, expect a rural setting with limited facilities.
- Tickets and access
- Tiger Haven is a private farm, and I could not verify any public visiting arrangement. Contact the Tiger Haven Society or your lodge before assuming access.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Billy Arjan Singh and Tiger Haven
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
This is a story to read or hear about, so there is no physical effort. If a visit is arranged, expect a rural setting with limited facilities.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
Who was Billy Arjan Singh?
A conservationist who lived at Tiger Haven near Dudhwa, campaigned for the forest's protection and wrote books about big cats.
Can I visit Tiger Haven?
I could not verify public access. It is a private place, so contact the Tiger Haven Society or your lodge first.
What is Tara's story?
Singh released a hand-reared tigress called Tara into Dudhwa in the 1970s, an attempt that proved controversial.
Sources and further reading
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.