Bigcats News

[Rishi]

(08-31-2018, 08:40 AM)Roflcopters Wrote: that was long overdue, so glad they decided to go ahead with it. Tfs!

It was almost cancelled. Locals were strongly objecting in fear of being relocated & having their access to forest produce cut off.
The forest already was a protected area & had reached its carrying capacity of tigers despite being populated (very sparsely). Not wanting to risk unnecessary complications, FD was having second thoughts about it. The only difference now would be extra funds.

Buxa Tiger Reserve is also making good progress. 
©Tridib Choudhury

*This image is copyright of its original author

Habitat improvement work is being done and steps are being initiated to improve the prey base to make the situation conducive for tiger relocation. As part of the prey base augmentation programme initially spotted deers were introduced from other national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, followed by sambars.

Special protection camps were set up to keep a vigil and monitor the situation in BTR.

Camera-traps have not recorded a single tiger anywhere in Buxa over the past three to four years, although scat and prey (gaur) remains indicate there are still few of them left. These tigers are possibly restricted to the northern hilly terrains at Bhutan border & transient males from Bhutan.

NTCA has approved relocation of half a dozen tigers (two males & four females) from Assam's high density populations of Orang & Kaziranga.

Chief Wildlife Warden of Bengal, Pradeep Vyas & Field Director of Buxa, Ujjal Ghosh assessed & chose the area for "soft release enclosures" of the first reintroduced tigers.

*This image is copyright of its original author

All going well, it may be done within this year! Reply