Bantala: The tiger population in Satkosia tiger project near here in Angul district faces an extinction threat as surveys carried out in the last four years indicate the presence of a lone tigress in the reserve forest.
Reliable sources said the tiger project is left with only a female tiger which was frequently caught in the camera during the recent census drive.
A male tiger, a companion of the tigress, crossed the project limits and strayed into Nandankanan Zoological Park via Chandaka, Dhenkanal and Athagarh. The tiger was first noticed on National Highway-55 adjoining forests under Dhenkanal division August 24, 2012.
The presence of tiger on highway triggered panic among commuters. Its pugmarks were sighted at various places around the region before it finally strayed into Chandaka sanctuary and entered Nandankanan.
After staying there for four days, the animal was finally trapped by zoo authorities April 30, 2013. However, the forest officials made no attempts to bring it back to Satkosia as a result of which the tigress was deprived of companion.
The forest, home to Royal Bengal Tigers, was declared the second tiger project of the state in 2007. Spread over 964 sq km the project area spans Ganda and Baisi reserve forests inside the Satkosia sanctuary.
In the past, the forest used to have rare RBTs, leopards, elephants and a host of other wild animals. According to a 2004 census, 18 RBTs and 32 leopards were found in the forest.
However, from 2010 onwards the big cat population in the forest witnessed a declining trend. Now, the forest has a lone tigress, the sources said. It is alleged the forest department instead of coming up with the truth is trying its best to cover up the matter.
Wildlife experts and environmentalists claimed if immediate efforts are not made to increase the tiger population in the forest the animal might soon become extinct. Some even apprehend that that the project might meet the same fate as Sariska reserve forest in Rajasthan where the tiger population became extinct in 2005.
Regional chief conservator of forests Anup Kumar Nayak claimed tigers are present in Satkosia but their exact figure is yet to be available. The samples of pugmarks and faeces have been sent to the principal chief conservator of forests. An expert will examine the samples which will help determine the exact number of tigers present in the forest, Nayak said. PNN
