Correspondent
RUKSIN, 25 May: Foresters of the Jonai forest range under the Dhemaji Forest (T) Division in Assam have reported that a Royal Bengal tiger has been roaming in the riverine areas of the Assam-Arunachal boundary for the last few days.
The foresters observed multiple pugmarks of a Royal Bengal tiger in Oiramghat and Kobuchapori portions of the Pobe reserve forest (RF), which is adjacent to the Pasighat RF and Daying Ering Wildlife Sanctuary located in East Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh.
Based on a report from fringe villagers in Oiramghat, the Assam foresters affirmed that the tiger recently hunted a domestic cow when the cow entered the forest area for grazing.
However, Forest Department officials of Ruksin under Pasighat (T) Forest Division have expressed ignorance about the movement of any tiger in their jurisdiction.
Meanwhile, Assam foresters have alerted residents of nearby villages not to enter the forest areas and restrain their domestic cattle.
Earlier too, foresters of Jonai found tiger pugmarks on riverbeds and wetlands of the area, but they could not confirm the presence of a tiger.
The officials said that male tigers from distant places visit the area during their breeding season.
Recently, wildlife officials of Pasighat confirmed the existence of a Royal Bengal tiger in Daying Ering Memorial Wildlife Sanctuary after a camera trapping survey.
The foresters, wildlife officials and nature lovers are enthusiastic that tigers are returning to the reserve areas after a gap of two decades, saying it is a testament to the longstanding conservation efforts of the department officials.
The officials have appealed to the residents of fringe villages not to panic over the tiger’s movement, saying that the arrival of big cats is bringing hope for ecotourism development to their area.
