1 month ago
Bengal Plans Tiger Release Amid Expert Caution
Bengal state wants to bring tigers back to a forest called Buxa.
They plan to start with one female tiger on October 2.
A tiger expert says the forest might not have enough food or safe space for tigers yet.
The forest minister says they are moving villages out of the way and will add more tigers later.
Some people worry about safety and whether the community will support the tigers.
Bengal plans to release a tigress into Buxa Tiger Reserve on Oct 2, 2024.
Senior tiger expert Qamar Qureshi warns Buxa lacks adequate prey and habitat, citing Satkoshia failure.
Forest minister Manoj Oraon says villages are being relocated and reintroduction will proceed in phases.
National Tiger Conservation Authority identified Buxa as a priority but recent reports show declining prey and habitat quality.
Security and community support concerns are highlighted as potential obstacles.
- Who
- Bengal state forest officials and wildlife experts
- What
- Reintroduction of Bengal tigers into Buxa Tiger Reserve
- Where
- Buxa Tiger Reserve, Alipurduar district, West Bengal
- When
- Announced June, reintroduction scheduled for October 2, 2024
- Why
- To restore tiger population, but experts warn readiness concerns
Key facts
- Reintroduction date
- October 2, 2024
- Location
- Buxa Tiger Reserve, Alipurduar district, West Bengal
- Key stakeholders
- Bengal Forest Department, National Tiger Conservation Authority
- Expert caution
- Buxa not ready due to prey/habitat issues
- Security concerns
- Potential issues in Buxa tiger forest
Quotes
Qamar Qureshi
Senior tiger expert and professor at the Wildlife Institute of India
“Sariska had zero tigers in 2008, three were reintroduced in 2008, and the present number is 56; a success story because both the prey base and habitat were ready for the reintroduction. However, Satkoshia, which also had one tiger in 2018 and introduced two more that same year, does not have a single tiger now because its habitat was not ready. Buxa may go the same way if tiger reintroduction is done in a hurry.”
telegraphindia.com
“Bengal should not rush to reintroduce tigers in Buxa without appropriate background preparation. Reintroduction in a hurry may become optics but cannot guarantee the sustenance of a viable population.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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