Bargarh: In what could be a good news for animal lovers who were disheartened over frequent incidents of alleged killings of Royal Bengal Tigers and elephants recently due to poaching and other reasons over last few days, another Royal Bengal Tiger has been spotted in Debrigarh sanctuary in Bargarh district.
While the recent killing of a Royal Bengal Tiger in the Sanctuary triggered flak from all quarters, the news of the presence of another Tiger has somewhat soothed animal lovers, forest officials and also locals.
The matter came to the fore after some villagers on their way to collect firewood and leaves, spotted the RBT in Lakhanpur forest area under Hirakud forest division.
Initially, villagers thought it was just a rumour. However, the frequent sighting of the RBT has clarified that it indeed is present inside the forest after which the villagers informed the forest department.
After getting information, a team of forest officials reached the forest and tried to gather further proof on the movement of the RBT and its presence in the forest. Though it is learnt that the forest department has meanwhile collected the animal’s faeces, the department is yet to give any confirmation about it.
Meanwhile, animal lovers and common people are of the opinion that the department should rectify its past mistakes and take immediate foolproof measures to provide safety to big cats.
Honorary wildlife warden of Khurda district Subhendu Mallick said that the department should take the case of the tiger being spotted by the villagers seriously. The presence of another RBT needs to be established by fixing trap cameras and necessary steps to protect it should be taken immediately, he added.
“In the line of an IFS officer being appointed at Hirakud forest division, a talented officer should be appointed as Bargarh district forest officer (DFO) in place of the present incumbent. Otherwise, it would be impossible to save this tiger also,” Mallick observed.
The claims of Mallick raised speculations that Regional Chief Conservator of Forest (RCCF) O P Singh was transferred over the killing of the RBT by poachers in Debrigarh Sanctuary.
However, the forest department ruled out the transfer having any connection with the Bargarh RBT poaching case. The transfer is a regular affair, it pointed out instead.
It may be noted here that Mahavir, three-year-old Royal Bengal Tiger that was translocated from Kanha Reserve Forest in Madhya Pradesh along with tigress Sundari to Satkosia Sanctuary in Angul was found dead a few days back.
Similarly, a Royal Bengal Tiger was killed by poachers and dumped in a bush after taking its claws, nails and teeth in Debrigarh sanctuary, October 28.
PNN