Kolkata, Aug 25: Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary has approved the transfer of a number of tigers to West Bengal for a proposed big cat reintroduction programme in Buxa Tiger Reserve, with a tigress from Valmiki Tiger Reserve likely to be the first animal relocated, officials said.
The reintroduction programme in Buxa, in Alipurduar district, is scheduled to begin on October 2. The first tigress could be airlifted from Valmiki Tiger Reserve in West Champaran to Buxa, a distance of more than 540 km as the crow flies.
The West Bengal Forest Department is expected to approach the Indian Air Force for helicopter support, with air transportation being considered to minimise the animal’s travel time and relocation-related stress.
A senior Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change official said the project could eventually involve more than one tiger.
“The project, to start with a tigress, may eventually see the arrival of more than one tiger,” the official said.
The official said Bihar would provide the animal from an appropriate location, with Valmiki being the state’s only tiger reserve.
“Bihar will provide the tigress from an appropriate location, meaning Valmiki, the only tiger reserve in the state,” the official said.
The relocation plan follows prolonged discussions between Bihar and West Bengal and the personal intervention of Union Environment and Forest Minister Bhupender Yadav. Officials from the two states held a coordination meeting in New Delhi on Tuesday to discuss the proposed transfer.
The Wildlife Institute of India (WII) is expected to assist in the relocation. WII teams are likely to visit Buxa by the end of August and Valmiki in early September to train personnel and oversee preparations for the transfer.
As part of a proposed reciprocal wildlife arrangement, Bihar has reportedly sought at least two kunki elephants and two female rhinos from West Bengal.
The state wants to strengthen its rhino population and improve the genetic diversity of its existing rhino stock. Sources said rhinos from Nepal’s Chitwan National Park have also been moving towards Valmiki.
The proposed tiger transfer is aimed at supporting the restoration of the big cat population in Buxa, where authorities are preparing for the reintroduction programme.
