West Bengal Forest Minister Manoj Kumar Oraon is scheduled to travel to Assam on Saturday to discuss bringing back a tigress that moved from Buxa Tiger Reserve into the neighbouring state’s Raimona forest, according to a report by Sangbad Pratidin. The minister is expected to meet Assam government and forest department officials to examine how the animal could be returned to West Bengal.
The tigress was brought from Bihar and released in Buxa on October 2 as part of West Bengal’s effort to establish a resident tiger population in the reserve. Within 24 days, however, the animal had left Buxa and entered Assam. It is currently believed to be in Raimona National Park, which is about four kilometres from Buxa, the report said.
Oraon said he would visit Assam to conduct an on-site investigation and discuss the matter with officials there. “I am going to Assam tomorrow. We want to investigate the matter on the ground. Officials are already in Assam. I will also go. The Assam administration is helping us,” he was quoted as saying.
The minister also said the tigress was moving freely and hunting in the forest, suggesting that it was not in immediate distress. He added that if necessary, the animal could be captured and released again in Buxa. No final decision on such an operation has been announced.
The movement has raised questions about why the tigress left Buxa so soon after its release and what measures may be required if similar incidents occur in the future. The proposed discussions between West Bengal and Assam are expected to cover both the immediate handling of the animal and possible steps to prevent a repeat movement across the state border.
Buxa had remained without a stable tiger population for an extended period. After a change in the state government, efforts began to bring tigers back to the reserve and create the conditions for a permanent population. The release of the tigress was carried out in the presence of senior state and central ministers, officials and forest department representatives.
The animal was reportedly seen moving comfortably in Buxa for several days after its release. By the end of October, forest authorities learned that it had crossed into Assam and was staying in Raimona. The close distance between the two forests makes coordination between the two state administrations important for tracking and managing the tigress.
The next step is the forest minister’s proposed visit to Assam and the meeting with the state’s administration and forest officials. Those discussions are expected to determine whether the tigress will remain in Raimona or be captured and brought back to Buxa.
