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With traps, smart cameras, and experts, West Bengal forest dept begins hunt for tiger from Jharkhand

‘This one, unlike the previous one (Zeenat), has no radio collar. This makes our job tougher,’ said Debal Roy, Head of Forest Force, West Bengal

Two girls aged around eight years were also inside the house when the tiger entered but they managed to exit safely (Representational image)

With 90 pairs of camera traps placed inside the forest area of the Jhargram and Purulia district border, six smart cameras with live feeds, an expert team from Sunderbans with two tranquiliser guns, and teams of forest officials and guards, the West Bengal forest department has begun a hunt for the tiger which moved in from Jharkhand.

“A composite task force has been set up. Teams are on the ground. A special team with tranquilisers is being brought in from Sunderbans. It is true that this one, unlike the previous one (Zeenat), has no radio collar. This makes our job tougher,” Debal Roy, head of forest force, West Bengal, told The Indian Express.

“We are observing whether the tiger shows signs of settling in these forests. We have two strategies. If the tiger returns on its own to its area of origin, we will allow it. But if the tiger decides to stay, we will sedate and capture it,” added Roy.

Another worrying factor for forest officials is that tribal groups in Jhargram organise festivities on the occasion of Makar Sankranti. “The area where the tiger is roaming around has been cordoned off with nets from three sides. Tomorrow there is the Makar festival. Everything is normal but people have been told not to go inside the forest for any purpose,” state forest minister Birbaha Hansda told The Indian Express,

S Kulandaivel, chief conservator of forests, said, “We have put in all resources and teams in place. Special awareness drives have been conducted in tribal-dominated villages that will celebrate the festival tomorrow near the forest area where the tiger is located. We are taking all precautions.“

“We have alerted villagers residing near the forest area to not venture into the forest. Resorts and hotels have been alerted, tourists are also asked to avoid visiting forest areas, since this is the tourist season in Jhargram. We have been using loudspeakers to spread the message,” said a senior forest official.

On December 29, three-year-old tigress Zeenat was sedated and captured in Bankura after 21 days, in which she had covered nearly 300 km, travelling through Similipal Tiger Reserve in Odisha and crossing Jharkhand. A war of words ensued between West Bengal and Odisha after the tiger was returned to Odisha.

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It had escaped Similipal Tiger Reserve on December 8. According to experts, it is common for tigers to cover distances to find a suitable area or territory with a good prey base.

Ravik Bhattacharya

Ravik Bhattacharya is a highly experienced and award-winning journalist currently serving as the Chief of Bureau of The Indian Express, Kolkata. With over 20 years of experience in the media industry, Ravik possesses deep expertise across a wide range of critical subjects and geographical areas. Experience & Authority Current Role: Chief of Bureau, The Indian Express, Kolkata. Expertise: Extensive reporting across West Bengal, Odisha, Assam, and the Andaman Nicobar Islands. Ravik specializes in politics, crime, major incidents and issues, and investigative stories, demonstrating a robust command of complex and sensitive subjects. Experience: His long and distinguished career includes key reporting roles at several prestigious publications, including The Asian Age, The Statesman, The Telegraph, and The Hindustan Times. Ravik's current role marks his second stint with The Indian Express, having previously served as a Principal Correspondent in the Kolkata bureau from 2005 to 2010. Major Award: Ravik's authority and quality of work are substantiated by his winning of the prestigious Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award in 2007 for Political Reporting. Education: His strong academic foundation includes a Bachelor's degree with English Honours from Scottish Church College under Calcutta University, and a PG Diploma in Mass Communication from Jadavpur University. Ravik Bhattacharya's extensive tenure, specialized beat coverage, and notable award confirm his status as a trusted and authoritative voice in Indian journalism, particularly for stories emanating from Eastern India. ... Read More

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