THE TIGERS
OF THE SUNDARBANS
EXPLORE
Tigers are one of the most captivating species on our planet; a “charismatic megafauna,” Bengal tigers have a worldwide symbolic value. They are the apex predator, and therefore indirect tenders, of the mangroves in the Sundarbans, a jungle swampland on the coasts of India and Bangladesh that serves as one of Earth’s most vital carbon sinks.
The 2018 census report says that Buxa could be repopulated through the reintroduction of tigers from Kaziranga, in the neighbouring state of Assam, and the restoration of prey within the reserve. Subsequently, the West Bengal government took measures to increase the prey base and started talks with Assam to exchange tigers for the state’s rhinos and leopards. This is now the core problem because on one side you have humans who will now need to be relocated in order to provide leeway to the wilderness and on the other hand, the animal numbers will be growing and the forest department will have to manage both ends.
THE CHALLENGES OF BUXA TIGER RESERVE
COMING SOON
Right from West Midnapore to Bankura and Purulia, the raging man-elephant conflict has wreaked havoc in the lives of people and is now a major cause of concern. Fears of constant raids, rampages, deaths by wild jumbos have gripped hundreds of villagers in West Bengal and this is now having a telling result on their economy and sustenance too. We intend to capture the tense moments of conflict that occur frequently between the villagers and the great beast with the Forest Rangers in the middle, trying to strike a balance in protecting both parties while managing issues like conservation and poaching.
MAN & ELEPHANT CONFLICT IN WEST MIDNAPORE
COMING SOON