The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has directed the West Bengal forest department to resolve critical deficiencies in manpower, village relocation, and preparations for tiger release ahead of the proposed reintroduction of big cats into north Bengal’s Buxa Tiger Reserve next month.
The directives emerged during a meeting of the NTCA’s technical committee held in New Delhi on Tuesday, where officials assessed the reserve’s readiness for the ambitious tiger augmentation program.
Timeline and Source Populations
Authorities are working toward a tentative plan to introduce the first batch of tigers into Buxa on July 29, which is observed as Global Tiger Day. However, concerns persist over the challenges of capturing and transporting animals during the monsoon season.
Officials indicated that Bihar’s Valmiki Tiger Reserve and the Kaziranga-Orang-Manas landscape in Assam are being considered as potential source populations. “As of now, the July 29 timeline is being maintained. Discussions focused on challenges related to capturing tigers during the monsoon and the protocols needed for relocation,” a senior NTCA official who attended the meeting said.
Staff Shortage and Village Relocation
A shortage of frontline staff emerged as a major concern. A 2024 assessment found that only 212 personnel were in position against a sanctioned strength of 481. The committee also reviewed the status of village relocation within the reserve. According to officials, the NTCA has advised the state to proceed with the voluntary relocation of Jayanti village after around 97 percent of families expressed willingness to move.
The NTCA emphasized the need to address these gaps urgently to ensure the success of the reintroduction program. The forest department has been asked to submit a detailed action plan within a week.
