In March, a collective of 242 households residing in Gangutia and Bhutia Basti were relocated from the primary forest zone to accommodate tigers. They were transferred to Bono Chhaya near Bhatpara Tea Garden in Kalchini, where they were allocated nonforest land deeds. Despite this relocation, they remain registered voters at the polling stations within the forest area.
“We will make transport arrangements for 353 to vote in Gangutia and 89 in Bhutia Basti as it is a special case,” R Vimla, district election officer and district magistrate of Alipurduar told TOI.
Gangutia and Bhutia Basti were moved based on a recommendation from the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and the Global Tiger Forum to reintroduce tigers into the forests of North Bengal. “Every villager was given Rs 15 lakh,” said Debasis Sharma, deputy field director, Buxa Tiger Reserve (East).
An MoU was signed between the BTR field director and each beneficiary after numerous meetings were held with the villagers to take care of their apprehensions. After the initial disbursement in December 2023, the forest department actively assisted and facilitated the relocation process for each beneficiary.
Across BTR, there are an additional 35 forest villages, with 12 situated in the core area requiring relocation. Recently, BTR announced that evidence collected from within the forest indicates the presence of at least one resident tiger after a 40-year absence. BTR officials attribute this return of tigers to efforts aimed at enhancing habitat conditions.“Buxa is contiguous with Bhutan’s Phibsoo wildlife sanctuary and Royal Manas National Park. We are trying to enhance the prey base so that tigers come to Buxa from the contiguous forests,” a forester said.Bengal forest department had written to NTCA asking it to reintroduce tigers in Buxa Tiger Reserve after big cats apparently migrated to Bhutan due to loss of habitat.
Experts feel bringing tigers from outside is not the solution.
“First, we would have to ensure that the environment is perfect for them. For that, undergrowth is a must. These forest villages, with a population of nearly 13,000, have livestock of over one lakh. Cows enter BTR every day for grazing, affecting the undergrowth,” a forest official said.
“Now that two villages have been relocated, we are hopeful that others living in Buxa will follow suit,” a BTR official said.
In Dec 2021, a tiger was clicked by camera traps in BTR after a gap of 28 years. It had come down from the upper reaches of the contiguous Bhutan forests. A big cat was spotted on the cameras last Dec too. “This time, the tigers have tended to stay in Buxa. Our staff has worked relentlessly to make the forest liveable for tigers. We are getting the results now,” a senior forester said.
(With TOI inputs)
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