Kultali, West Bengal, 15 February 2025: Sundarbans, the world’s largest mangrove forest, spans over India and Bangladesh and is home to the majestic Bengal Tiger. The communities residing in the fringe villages are no strangers to the presence of these big cats and often end up encountering them up close.

Recently, in a remote village of Baikunthapur, Kishorimohanpur in Maipith, in the Kultali block of South 24 Parganas, West Bengal reported one such incident. An adult tiger was spotted on January 6, 2025 after a group of local fishers spotted fresh pugmarks near the mudflats.      

Rapid Response Team (RRT) trained by WTI and the Forest Department helped set up safety nets| Photo by Team WTI

The animal had likely crossed the river locally called Orian Nulla from the adjacent Ajmalmari forest compartment, seeking refuge in the  dense patch of mangroves between the creek and the village. Upon receiving information of the tiger’s presence, the Wildlife Trust of India’s Rapid Response Team (RRT) boat and Raidighi Range Forest officials of 24 Pargana (South) Forest Division promptly mobilised a team to the area. The initial strategy was to set up  a nylon as well as steel wool net fencing around the patch of mangroves it was taking refuge in, to prevent the tiger from venturing further into the village. Despite these efforts, the tiger managed to move to another section the following day and the dense vegetation provided enough cover , making it challenging for the ground team to locate and monitor the animal. Days later the ground team, led by DFO, 24 Pargana (South) Forest Division used      controlled firecrackers to encourage the tiger to move towards the forested area by crossing the river. The main objective of this operation was to ensure the safe return of the tiger to its natural habitat while minimising stress to the animal as well as ensuring the safety of the villagers and their livestock.

The tiger was eventually caught in a trap cage | Photo by Team WTI

After two days of continuous efforts, the ground teams successfully guided the tiger back across the Orian Nulla River into the Ajmalmari forest compartment on the night of January 8. This was confirmed based on the pugmarks found along the riverbank of Ajmalmari forest. Several other precautionary measures were put in place  including increased night patrolling near vulnerable stretches, especially along the river embankments, and strengthening the existing nylon net fencing that separates the forests from human settlements. Additionally, awareness campaigns have been initiated to sensitize the villagers on safety protocols during such tiger encounters. On 12th January around 09:19 PM, another tiger had moved into the human habitation. This time, it was captured in a trap cage at Kishorimohonpur and on being deemed fit by a senior veterinarian from the Forest Department the following day, it was safely released in Kalibera island.      

Once again, the successful handling of this incident highlights the importance of local community involvement in human-tiger conflict mitigation and the collaboration of governmental and non-governmental organisations in ensuring the safety and coexistence of both humans and tigers.

The Sundarban Tiger Project is ongoing under the Integrated Tiger Habitat Conservation Program (ITHCP) of IUCN with support from German Cooperation, KFW, IUCN, and the West Bengal Forest Department.