Dehradun: Rajaji Tiger Reserve officials are scheduled to visit the Khara forest in Paonta Sahib, located in Himachal Pradesh's Sirmaur district, on Friday following the capture of a tiger on a CCTV camera last week. This marks the first recorded sighting of a tiger in this forest belt that borders Dehradun. Forest officials suspect that the animal may be one of two tigers that have been missing from the Rajaji landscape since 2023 and could have dispersed into adjacent forest areas.
Evidence Collection and Analysis
“Field personnel will collect direct and indirect evidence of tiger presence, including sightings, pugmarks, scat and other signs, for comparison with data from tigers in the Rajaji landscape to determine its possible identity, dispersal pattern or population connectivity,” said Koko Rose, director of Rajaji Tiger Reserve.
Prey Availability and Wildlife Corridors
Forest officials noted that the Paonta forests support a healthy population of nilgai, sambar, and other ungulates, which serve as prey for large predators. Additionally, elephant movement is regularly recorded through wildlife corridors that connect Dehradun and Paonta Sahib.
Confirmation of Tiger Presence
Paonta Sahib divisional forest officer Ved Sharma confirmed that forest teams visited the site after the sighting and discovered pugmarks, scratches on trees, and claw marks, all indicative of tiger activity. “We have increased monitoring in the area to keep track of the tiger and ensure its conservation,” he said.
Earlier Reports of Carnivore Activity
The photographic evidence comes weeks after villagers in Tokk and Lie informed forest officials about frequent vulture activity in the area, which can signal the presence of large carnivores. Officials added that some villagers had also reported spotting a tiger in the surrounding forests.
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About the Author: Shivani Azad is a TOI journalist who covers Environment, Wildlife, Medical and Social subjects.
