[1] It forms part of the Terai Arc Landscape in the upper Gangetic Plain along the India-Nepal border.

The habitat is characterized by sal forests, tall grasslands and swamp maintained by periodic flooding from rivers.

The Sharda Sagar Dam extending up to a length of 22 km (14 mi) is on the boundary of the reserve.

The core area is restricted for human habitation, but there is some amount of disturbance due to traffic on roads passing through the reserve, people collecting forest resources and livestock grazing.

[5] Other mammal species present in Pilibhit Tiger Reserve include leopard cat, barasingha, tiger, leopard, fishing cat, barking deer, blackbuck, chital, hog deer, sambar, sloth bear, Indian giant flying squirrel, porcupine, small Indian civet, Indian flying fox, greater short-nosed fruit bat, Indian common yellow bat, painted bat, rhesus macaque, langur, golden jackal, Bengal fox and striped hyena.