Archive · 29 Sep 2026
Buxa Tiger Reserve Restricts Tourists Ahead of Tigress Reintroduction
Buxa Tiger Reserve is preparing to receive a tigress from Bihar.
The tigress is expected to arrive on October 2.
Forest officials have not captured her yet because of poor weather.
They are trying to safely tranquilize and move her.
The tigress will first be placed in an enclosure.
Officials plan to fit her with a radio collar before releasing her into the wild.
Tourists will not be allowed into the reserve from September 30 to October 3.
Local tourism businesses are worried that the closure will reduce their earnings.
Tourist entry to Buxa Tiger Reserve will be restricted from September 30 to October 3.
A tigress from Valmiki Tiger Reserve in Bihar is scheduled for release into an enclosure on October 2.
Unfavorable weather has delayed efforts to tranquilize and capture the tigress.
The animal will receive a radio collar before its planned release into the wild.
The restriction has reportedly led some tourists to cancel local homestay and lodge bookings.
- Who
- Forest officials, a tigress from Valmiki Tiger Reserve, tourists, and local tourism businesses are involved.
- What
- Buxa Tiger Reserve is restricting tourist entry while preparing to receive and release a tigress.
- When
- Tourist access is restricted from September 30 to October 3, with the release planned for October 2.
- Where
- The tigress will be brought from Valmiki Tiger Reserve in West Champaran, Bihar, to Buxa Tiger Reserve in Alipurduar.
- Why
- The restriction coincides with preparations for the tigress’s transport, enclosure release, radio-collaring, and planned reintroduction.
Conservation and Reintroduction Priorities
Tourism and Local Business Concerns
Four-day reserve restriction
Conservation and Reintroduction Priorities
The restriction accompanies preparations to safely transport, house, radio-collar, and release the tigress.
Tourism and Local Business Concerns
Tourism operators say the restriction and resulting cancellations could reduce visitors and harm lodge owners, safari vehicle operators, and guides.
Timing of the programme
Conservation and Reintroduction Priorities
Forest officials are continuing efforts to capture the tigress despite weather-related delays as the October 2 target approaches.
Tourism and Local Business Concerns
A resort owner hopes the restriction will be withdrawn after October 3 so the area does not lose tourists.
- Tourist restriction
- September 30 to October 3
- Planned release
- October 2
- Source reserve
- Valmiki Tiger Reserve, West Champaran, Bihar
- Destination reserve
- Buxa Tiger Reserve, Alipurduar
- Transport plan
- Potential airlift from Gorakhpur Airport to Hasimara Air Force Station, followed by road transport
- Animal monitoring
- The tigress will be fitted with a radio collar
- Public event
- The release is scheduled to be livestreamed at Alipurduar Parade Ground