North Bengal wildlife on high alert after heavy rains, Buxa to have new tigress

West Bengal Forest and Environment Minister Manoj Kumar Oraon on Tuesday said the state Forest Department has been asked to remain on high alert to protect wildlife as heavy rainfall battered North Bengal and the Himalayan catchment areas.

“We are really worried about the present weather conditions and the heavy rainfall in the region and its catchment areas. If river water levels rise suddenly, protecting wildlife will become a major challenge,” Oraon said.

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He said forest officials have been directed to keep Quick Response Teams (QRTs) ready and set up control rooms to monitor the situation continuously. Patrolling has also been intensified in vulnerable forest areas where animals may be threatened by floodwaters.

Despite severe shortage of manpower, Divisional Forest Officers have been asked to manage the situation with the available workforce if flood-like conditions arise during the monsoon.

“Nearly 80 per cent of posts at different levels in the Forest Department are vacant. We have started the recruitment process to strengthen the department and improve wildlife management,” Oraon told The Statesman over the phone from Kolkata.

The minister was in Kolkata with Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav, who attended a programme of the Zoological Survey of India. Oraon said he discussed several issues concerning West Bengal’s forests and wildlife with the Union Minister and placed a number of proposals before him.

Referring to the heavy floods in 2025, Oraon said more than seven rhinos had strayed out of their habitats in Jaldapara and Chilapata after floodwaters entered the forests.

“We were able to safely bring all of them back to their habitats without any casualties,” he said.

Buxa to get a tigress

On the issue of illegal entry of outsiders into forest villages and the core area of the Buxa Tiger Reserve, despite the annual closure of forests till September 15 due to the wildlife breeding season, the minister said the government is working to relocate forest villagers from the core area.

“Within the next three to four months, forest villagers will be shifted to rehabilitation sites. After that, we plan to release a tigress in the Buxa Tiger Reserve. Gradually, more animals may also be introduced,” he said.

Explaining why a tigress is being considered, Oraon said camera traps have recorded the presence of male tigers entering Buxa from neighbouring forests.

“Male tigers are coming to Buxa, but they leave because there is no tigress. That is why we are planning to introduce a tigress,” he said.

He added that at least three monitoring teams would be required to track the tigress after its release.

“The tigress may be brought either from Bihar or Assam,” the minister said.