Tiger enters Bengal from Jharkhand; individuals alerted

A Royal Bengal Tiger that crossed into West Bengal from Jharkhand on January 12 is now tenting within the State’s Junglemahal belt, a high forest division official mentioned on Monday (January 28, 2025).

The tiger, which had moved to Dalma forest vary in Jharkhand on January 19-20, crossed over to Junglemahal belt — consisting of Jhargram, Purulia, and Bankura districts — early Friday morning and is presently stationed there, Chief Conservator of Forests S. Kulandaivel mentioned.

“We’ve got seen recent pugmarks of the massive cat within the space,” Mr. Kulandaivel mentioned.

One other senior forest official mentioned the massive cat was lately noticed at a forested stretch in Bankura through the day after straying from Jhargram. The forest division is intently monitoring its motion by means of pugmarks and digital camera photos. “It’s continually shifting its place,” the official added.

“Presently, the massive cat is within the tri-junction of the forested elements of Purulia, Bankura, and Jhargram within the ‘Junglemahal’ space of south Bengal. Until now, it has not proven any indicators of aggression and has been avoiding people. So, we’re focusing extra on monitoring its motion and never disturbing it, guaranteeing it isn’t harmed bodily. Let’s see if it leaves by itself,” chief wildlife warden Debal Roy mentioned.

Forest personnel from the Sunderbans Tiger Reserve haven’t been roped in but, and their counterparts from Jhargram, Purulia, and Bankura divisions are intently coordinating to make sure the present technique of the forest division is adopted.

Folks dwelling in a 20-km forested stretch masking the three districts and vacationers visiting the picturesque spots dotted with hillocks, forests, and waterfalls have been alerted by the forest division by means of a public deal with system. “They’ve been requested to not enterprise deep contained in the forests and keep away from popping out after nightfall within the forested areas,” Mr. Kulandaivel mentioned.

“The animal had moved to the Jharkhand aspect from Purulia three to 4 days after crossing into Bengal however headed again to this State within the early hours of January 24. Most likely the presence of elephant herds within the Dalma belt made it change its route and head again to Bengal by means of the forest hall working alongside the boundaries of each States,” Mr. Kulandaivel added.

The conducive habitat in your entire Junglemahal stretch of the State, with an ample prey base has facilitated the tiger’s keep within the space.

Final month, one other tiger named Zeenat had strayed into West Bengal from Odisha by way of Jharkhand and was caught on December 29, three weeks after being pursued by forest personnel from three States.