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Buxa to Receive Six Tigers in Four-Year Reintroduction Plan
Buxa Tiger Reserve in north Bengal is bringing tigers back.
One tigress was released in 2026.
Five more tigers are planned for release between 2027 and 2029.
The group will include two males and four females.
The plan is designed to help the tigers reproduce naturally in the reserve.
Deer have also been released to provide more prey for them.
Officials hope Buxa will become a strong tiger habitat within 10 to 15 years.
They also expect tiger conservation to create tourism and job opportunities for nearby communities.
Buxa Tiger Reserve will receive six tigers in phases from 2026 through 2029.
One tigress was released in 2026, with five more planned over the next three years.
The planned population includes two males and four females arranged into two units for breeding.
The project follows National Tiger Conservation Authority and Global Tiger Forum guidelines.
Officials expect the programme to support conservation, tourism and livelihoods around Buxa.
- Who
- West Bengal Forest Minister Manoj Kumar Oraon announced the programme, involving six tigers and state forest authorities.
- What
- A phased tiger reintroduction programme will place six tigers in Buxa Tiger Reserve.
- Where
- Buxa Tiger Reserve in Alipurduar, north Bengal.
- When
- One tigress was released in 2026, with five additional releases planned in 2027, 2028 and 2029.
- Why
- The programme aims to restore tigers, support natural breeding, strengthen the ecosystem and create tourism and livelihood opportunities.
Key facts
- Planned tiger releases
- Six tigers in total
- Release schedule
- One tigress in 2026; five more tigers from 2027 through 2029
- Planned composition
- Two males and four females
- Reserve area
- Around 760 square kilometres
- Prey-base support
- Around 870 deer have been released
- Expected habitat timeline
- Officials hope Buxa becomes fully established as a tiger habitat within 10 to 15 years
- Conservation guidelines
- National Tiger Conservation Authority and Global Tiger Forum guidelines
Quotes
Manoj Kumar Oraon
West Bengal Forest Minister speaking about the reintroduction programme’s potential tourism and livelihood benefits
“If tigers can transform livelihoods in the Sundarbans, this project can also bring new opportunities, new avenues and new livelihoods through tourism development in Buxa”
thestatesman.com
Sources
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