Arunachal tigers

Itanagar, Feb 12: Many had started calling Namdapha in Arunachal Pradesh a tiger reserve without tigers due to the non-sighting of the big cat since 2015.

After about eight years, the staff of the 1985 sq km tiger reserve, however, got a reprieve when camera traps spotted an adult Royal Bengal tiger inside the park. On January 31, field staff received information about the presence of large pugmarks in the 17th-mile area near Deban inside the tiger reserve.

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu took to Twitter and wrote that “Innovative ways of protecting Tigers by involving local communities are yielding results. A moment of delight that an adult #Tiger was snapped after a gap of about 8 years on Feb 8 at Deban in Namdhapa Tiger Reserve, Miao. We reiterate our commitment to protecting wildlife.”

Based on the information obtained, a survey was conducted on February 1 between the 17th mile and 20th mile, and camera traps were laid at all entry and exit points. On February 8, an adult tiger was photo captured in and around Deban.

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The team, consisting of research officer Tajum Yomcha, field biologist Mayur Variya, camera technician Atum Rumdo and other forest officials, had set the camera traps in search of the tiger.

Situated in the Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh, Namdapha, named after a river, is one of the biggest biodiversity hotspots in the Eastern Himalayan region. It was declared the country’s 15th tiger project in 1983.

The park is spread over 1,985 sq km but it has 245 km as a buffer area. Unique geography, high annual precipitation, and varied topography have made Namdapha a floral diversity.

Namdapha has 137 species of mammals, moths, butterflies, and various fauna, which makes it a biodiversity hotspot in the eastern Himalayas. But encroachment in and around the tiger reserve has become a concern for conservation over the years.