Bettiah: Frequent tiger sightings at the Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR) in West Champaran are turning jungle safaris into thrilling experiences for visitors with tourists encountering the big cat on consecutive days this week.On Saturday, a family from Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh spotted a tiger during a jungle safari in Valmikinagar. Rajneesh Kumar Pandey, who was visiting with his family, described the moment as unforgettable.“The greenery, wildlife and serene atmosphere are captivating. We had heard about Valmikinagar, but experiencing it for the first time felt like paradise. Seeing a tiger on our first safari made it even more special,” he said.Earlier on Thursday, two tourists also spotted a tiger resting in the bushes near the Triveni Sangam in the Hathi Shala area.Faraaz Khan, a tourist from Bettiah, said he was walking along the banks of the Gandak river with his family and relatives from Purnia when they reached Hathi Shala near Kauleshwar Temple and suddenly noticed a large tiger resting nearby.“We were stunned for a moment. Seeing the tiger so close was both thrilling and scary,” he said.Another tourist, Sahib Khan from Jogbani, said the group quickly moved to a safe distance after spotting the animal.“It was my first time seeing a tiger so close. We were so scared that we couldn’t even take a photo,” he added.Valmikinagar range officer Satyam Kumar said tourists were satisfied with the facilities provided at the reserve. He also urged visitors to strictly follow safety guidelines.“Tourists should maintain a safe distance from wildlife and remain cautious in forest areas to avoid any untoward incidents,” he said.Known for its rich biodiversity and scenic beauty, the VTR is emerging as a major attraction for wildlife enthusiasts and nature lovers. Frequent tiger sightings have further enhanced its appeal, with many visitors describing their jungle safari experience as “thrilling” and “unforgettable”.Range officer Kumar said tourists frequently spot tigers in the reserve’s two divisions covering nine forest ranges, particularly in the Valmikinagar and Manguraha forest areas. However, sightings are not consistent, with some months witnessing multiple encounters while others pass without any.Chief conservator of forests, VTR, Gaurav Ojha said according to 2022 data, the reserve has an estimated population of 54 tigers. He added that the latest census has been completed and the report will soon be submitted to the department.Ojha said with the rising tiger population, the chances of spotting these big cats have increased significantly.