Tigress strays out of ONP, efforts on to capture it

FROM A CORRESPONDENT

KALAIGAON, Dec 21:  The havoc created in and around Rowta area in Udalguri district of Assam since November 11 by a tigress which sneaked out of Rajib Gandhi Orang tiol Park, has created tension among local people. The tigress has already killed five cows and six pigs at Borobazar near Rowta town. People are terrified because of its presence in the locality for more than a month as they have been compelled to stay inside their houses during evening.

 Another female tiger with two cubs was poisoned to death in the village situated close to the ONP last year on January 2. Another tiger from the tiol park was spotted at nearby Badagaon Majuli during the last week of January last year showing regular movement of tigers from ONP. Forest department or NTCA could not track the tiger but estimated that it had gone north towards Bhutan or Aruchal Pradesh after examition of its pug marks.

According to MK Sarma, FO, Dhansiri Forest Division, Udalguri forest department has taken all possible steps locally to track the tigress which is identified as No.F 23 of Orang tiol Park as seen from the camera trapping photos dated November 25. Three cages along with baits were placed at three spots in the area on November 15 to capture it alive. But the tigress evaded the traps. Again on December 12, another cow was eaten by the tigress indicating its presence in the area. The incident created panic among villagers.

 When asked on their failure to track or capture the tigress, DFO Sarma said that three groups with four forest personnel in each group were working day and night but the tigress had found it most suitable to hide in the nearby JFMC forest. “Two domestic Kunki elephants from Orang tiol Park have also been pressed into service to track the tigress,” Sarma said.

 Dr. Daoharu Boro, a veteriry expert from CWRC, Kokrajhar has been working hard to tranquilize the tigress for the last two weeks. He has been observing any possible movement of the tigress from the top of the three masans constructed by the forest department. Dipen Boro, social activist and vice-president of ABSU central committee, who is a resident of Rowta area, said that the Assam forest department should use expertise and mechanism to track the tigress immediately and to push or translocate it to ONP. Otherwise, she might be killed by anti-social elements or even by irate villagers.

 Wildlife activist Jayanta Kumar Das also expressed his concern over the matter. According to him, there has been an increase in the tiger population in ONP which is a matter of great satisfaction. He said the tigress must be protected at any cost. He thanked villagers for their cooperation. According to latest information, Dr Jahan Ahmed and another veteriry expert have arrived at Borobazar to track and capture the tigress alive.