West Bengal Forest Dept Warns Against Sourcing Tigers from Sundarban for Buxa Reserve

Senior officials of the West Bengal Forest Department have cautioned against introducing tigers into Buxa Tiger Reserve from the Sundarban mangrove ecosystem. They argue that the ecological conditions of Sundarban differ significantly from those of Buxa, potentially jeopardising the animals' adaptation and survival. Instead, the department proposes sourcing tigers from regions with landscapes similar to Buxa, such as parts of Assam and Bihar, where forest types and prey availability align more closely with the reserve's environment. The plan to bring tigers to Buxa is slated for October 2, but the choice of origin is under review to ensure ecological compatibility and conservation success. The Forest Department is coordinating with wildlife authorities to finalize the sourcing strategy and to monitor the health and integration of the new tigers once they arrive.