West Bengal: Tiger spotted at Buxa reserve after 23 years

🔴 Last month, a black panther was also captured in the camera traps set up at the Buxa Tiger Reserve in Alipurduar.

State Forest Minister Jyotipriya Mullick said a team of four officers have been sent to North Bengal to assess the situation after the news came in. (File)

A ROYAL Bengal Tiger has been spotted in Buxa tiger reserve in Alipurduar, North Bengal, after at least 23 years, the West Bengal government said on Saturday. State Forest Minister Jyotipriya Mullick said a team of four officials was sent to north Bengal after the news surfaced.

A few days ago, a pugmark was found near the river bank in Buxa. But there was no hard evidence that it was that of a tiger, until a picture of a tiger was taken on a trap camera in the forest of East Damanpur of Buxa tiger reserve.

Visitors were allowed to enter many areas at the reserve for picnics for several days. But that changed after getting the news of the tiger. Some villagers in the vicinity of the reserve are being evacuated so that the tiger is “at ease”, official sources said. The tiger is also being monitored so that no human being is harmed, they added.

A forest department official said, “It was in 1998 that images of a Royal Bengal Tiger were captured at the reserve previously. A few days ago, tiger footprints were seen on the river bank in this area. After examination, forest officials and staff became convinced of the presence of a tiger. Thus, a trap camera was introduced in the East Damanpur Range.”

Forest Minister Mullick said, “It is very good news. Without the presence of a tiger, the reserve lost its identity as a tiger reserve from the National Wild Life Board. But now, this will change the entire situation and we have sent a special team to survey the present situation of the reserve.”

Last year, a report released by the Ministry of Environment said Buxa tiger reserve has no tiger. The infrastructure of the reserve forest is not up to the mark for tiger habitation, it added. “Buxa need to be rebuilt as a tiger habitat. Tigers may have been brought from Kaziranga.”

Mullick said, “There are 11 villages inside the core area of the tiger reserve. These villages are the main obstacle to build infrastructure of the tiger reserve. We have already firmed up a project to rehabilitate those families, they will be shifted to a new place. The Centre used to give compensation for this type of rehabilitation. We are planning to urge the Centre to give that compensation and after that we will be able to give the proper environment for the big cat(s).”

Atri Mitra

Atri Mitra is a highly accomplished Special Correspondent for The Indian Express, bringing over 20 years of experience to his reporting. His work is characterized by deep regional knowledge and a focus on critical administrative and political developments, establishing strong Expertise and Authority in his domain. Experience Current Role: Special Correspondent, The Indian Express. Decades of Experience: Over two decades of extensive reporting experience, primarily covering administration and political news. Geographical Focus: Holds significant reporting experience from West Bengal, Bihar, and the North-East, providing a comprehensive understanding of the socio-political landscape in these regions. Key Coverage: Has dedicated more than ten years to covering administration and political news, with a keen focus on political developments in West Bengal. Electoral Reporting: Demonstrated a commitment to crucial political moments, having covered the 2009 Lok Sabha election and 2010 assembly elections during his time at Anandabazar Patrika, and the 2019 Bihar Lok Sabha election while working with News18-Bangla. Career Foundation: Began his career at the leading vernacular daily Anandabazar Patrika, where he worked for more than fifteen years, including a three-year stint as the Bihar correspondent. Education Advanced Degree: Holds a Master's degree in Economics from Rabindrabharati University, providing an analytical framework for his political and administrative reporting. Undergraduate Education: Holds a Bachelor's degree from Calcutta University. Prestigious Alumni: His educational background includes attending esteemed institutions: he is an alumnus of St. Xavier's, Kolkata and Ramakrishna Mission Asrama, Narendrapur. Atri Mitra's decades of dedicated reporting, substantial focus on political and administrative beats, and solid academic credentials make him a trusted and authoritative source for news and analysis from Eastern and North-Eastern India. ... Read More

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