Tiger Lingers Near Sundarbans Village for Over a Day, Forest Department Mobilizes
A tiger that entered the Tridibnagar village area near Jharkhali in the Sundarbans on Friday morning has remained in the vicinity for close to 36 hours, creating a tense situation for local residents and wildlife officials. The forest department has launched a coordinated effort to ensure the safety of both the big cat and the nearby human habitations, deploying nets and other measures to manage the potential conflict.
Eco-Tourism Hub Suspected as Hideout
Officials believe the tiger is likely hiding in an under-construction eco-tourism hub located near Jharkhali Bazar. This area, which is surrounded by human settlements, has been cordoned off with nets to isolate it from the local population. Nisha Goswami, the divisional forest officer of South 24 Parganas, explained, "The location where it is now has human settlements around it. So, there is very little scope for it to return to the forest on its own." She added that this tiger is probably the same one that strayed into Deulbari village approximately 10 months ago after exiting the tiger reserve area.
Heightened Caution Due to Tourist Activity
Given that Jharkhali serves as a key transit point for tourists visiting the mangroves and houses the Sundarbans Wild Animal Park, a zoo-cum-rescue centre, the forest department is exercising extra caution to prevent any incidents. As a precautionary measure, the Jharkhali zoo was closed to tourists on Saturday to ensure public safety. An official noted that during the previous Deulbari incident, the tiger was successfully driven back to the Herobhanga forest. "Since Herobhanga compartment is also located close to Jharkhali's Tridibnagar area, we suspect that this is the same tiger that's repeatedly sneaking into the forest adjacent to human habitation," the official stated.
Capture Efforts Underway
To safely capture the tiger, the forest department has implemented several strategies:
- Cages with baits have been strategically placed in the area to lure the big cat.
- Tranquilizer teams are on standby, ready to intervene if necessary to ensure a safe capture.
- Continuous monitoring of the situation is being conducted to assess the tiger's movements and behavior.
This incident highlights the ongoing challenges of human-wildlife conflict in the Sundarbans region, where tigers occasionally venture into populated areas. The forest department's proactive measures aim to resolve the situation without harm to the animal or the community, emphasizing the delicate balance between conservation and public safety in this unique ecosystem.
