Tiger Reintroduction Begins in Buxa
Buxa Tiger Reserve and the Revival of Its Tiger Population: A three-year-old tigress, T138, was released into Buxa Tiger Reserve (BTR), West Bengal, on October 2, marking the beginning of a phased effort to rebuild a viable tiger population in the reserve.
The tigress was translocated from Valmiki Tiger Reserve in Bihar. Three additional tigers are expected to be introduced as part of the programme.
Static GK fact: Buxa Tiger Reserve was declared a Tiger Reserve in 1983 under Project Tiger and is the 15th Tiger Reserve of India.
Acclimatisation and Scientific Monitoring
T138 will initially remain inside a 2.3-hectare enclosure to adapt to the new environment. Forest authorities will use telemetry, camera traps and field observations to monitor her health, movement, behaviour and adaptation.
The objective is not simply to increase tiger numbers. The larger goal is to establish a population capable of breeding and sustaining itself naturally within the landscape.
Why Buxa Is Important
Buxa is located in the Alipurduar subdivision of Jalpaiguri district, West Bengal, and covers approximately 760.87 sq km. The reserve is around 50 km east-west and 35 km north-south.
Its location gives it major landscape-level importance. Buxa is connected towards the north with Bhutan, while the broader landscape includes Kochugaon forests and Manas Tiger Reserve in Assam and Jaldapara National Park in West Bengal.
Static GK Tip: Wildlife corridors support animal movement, gene flow and genetic diversity, reducing the risks associated with isolated populations.
Why Did Tigers Decline in Buxa?
Buxa experienced a prolonged absence of a stable resident tiger population because of pressures including habitat degradation, fragmentation, land-use changes, anthropogenic pressure and reduced prey availability.
Although West Bengal has a significant tiger population in the Sundarbans, those tigers were not considered suitable for Buxa because the two landscapes differ substantially in terrain and habitat characteristics.
Why Valmiki Tiger Reserve Was Selected
The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) identified Buxa, along with Dampa Tiger Reserve in Mizoram and Palamu Tiger Reserve in Jharkhand, for tiger reintroduction efforts after surveys found an absence of tigers in these reserves.
Valmiki Tiger Reserve was considered a suitable source because its ecological conditions are relatively comparable to Buxa. It is also part of the Terai Arc Landscape and has connectivity with the Bhutan landscape.
India’s Tiger Reintroduction Experience
India has previous experience with tiger reintroduction. Major programmes began in Sariska Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan, and Panna Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh, with reintroduction efforts starting in 2008.
However, outcomes have varied. Satkosia Tiger Reserve in Odisha, for example, faced challenges involving tiger adaptation, livestock depredation, human-tiger conflict and negative local responses.
These experiences demonstrate that successful reintroduction requires more than releasing animals into suitable forests.
NTCA Protocol for Reintroduction
The NTCA has developed a structured protocol covering site suitability, source-tiger selection, expert teams, socio-economic conditions, release preparation and post-release monitoring.
The approach reflects a shift from simply increasing tiger numbers towards evidence-based, landscape-level conservation.
Challenges Facing Buxa
Buxa is surrounded by revenue villages and tea estates, creating potential human-wildlife conflict. Around 300 families are reportedly being relocated to strengthen the prospects of tiger recovery.
Linear infrastructure is another concern. Roads and railway infrastructure can fragment habitats and interfere with wildlife movement. Maintaining functional corridors is therefore essential for long-term tiger recovery.
Conservation Beyond Tiger Numbers
The Buxa initiative highlights that tiger recovery depends on the wider ecosystem. Habitat quality, prey availability, connectivity, scientific monitoring and community participation must work together.
If these conditions are maintained, Buxa can potentially develop from a tiger reintroduction site into a self-sustaining tiger landscape.
Static Usthadian Current Affairs Table
Buxa Tiger Reserve and the Revival of Its Tiger Population:
| Fact | Detail |
| Buxa Tiger Reserve | West Bengal; declared Tiger Reserve in 1983 |
| Area | About 760.87 sq km |
| T138 | Three-year-old tigress released into Buxa |
| Source Reserve | Valmiki Tiger Reserve, Bihar |
| Initial enclosure | 2.3 hectares |
| Monitoring | Telemetry, camera traps and field observations |
| Project Tiger | Buxa became a Tiger Reserve under Project Tiger in 1983 |
| Key connectivity | Bhutan, Manas, Kochugaon and Jaldapara landscapes |
| Valmiki Tiger Reserve | Source population selected for Buxa reintroduction |
| Major challenges | Habitat fragmentation, prey availability, infrastructure and human-wildlife conflict |
