← 4 November 2026's Current Affairs · Environment GA Prelims ★★★★☆ Mains ★★☆☆☆
West Bengal's first relocated tigress strays into Assam, returned to Buxa
Why in News?
A tigress crossed into Assam and came back: the Buxa translocation Prelims tests under Project Tiger
Relocated tigress that strayed into Assam is back in Buxa Tiger Reserve.
Why it matters: factual, Prelims-type
What you need to know
2 min read
A tigress relocated to Buxa Tiger Reserve, the first such translocation for West Bengal, wandered into Assam and was captured before being returned to the reserve.
Buxa, in Alipurduar district, shares borders with Assam and Bhutan, making cross-border movement of large cats common.
Sources: Topper IAS editorial (PIB / The Hindu / Indian Express)
Key facts
Remember these
- Buxa Tiger Reserve is in Alipurduar district of West Bengal, bordering Assam and Bhutan.
- This was the first tiger translocation for West Bengal into Buxa.
- The relocated tigress strayed into Assam, was captured and returned to the reserve.
- Project Tiger, launched in 1973, is the central scheme for tiger conservation, run with the National Tiger Conservation Authority.
- Cross-border movement of large cats is common because Buxa adjoins Assam and Bhutan.
Prelims · Mains
How the exam will ask it
Prelims
- Buxa Tiger Reserve lies in the Alipurduar district of West Bengal and shares borders with Assam and Bhutan.
- Tiger translocation means moving tigers from one habitat to another to rebuild or boost a population, as in this case at Buxa.
- Project Tiger, launched in 1973, is a centrally sponsored scheme administered through the National Tiger Conservation Authority.
Mains
GS3 (Environment and Conservation): Tiger translocation aims to restore populations in reserves with low or no tigers, but animals may stray beyond reserve limits, as this tigress did into Assam. Under Project Tiger and Wildlife (Protection) Act norms, success depends on prey base, habitat connectivity and human-wildlife conflict management. The way forward is protected corridors, transboundary coordination with Assam and Bhutan, monitoring with radio collars and community involvement.
Quick recall
Answer before you reveal
Buxa Tiger Reserve, which shares borders with Assam and Bhutan, is located in which State?
- Assam
- Odisha
- Arunachal Pradesh
- West Bengal
Show answer
Answer: D — Correct: West Bengal — Buxa Tiger Reserve is in Alipurduar district of West Bengal. • Assam — wrong: Assam borders the reserve but the reserve itself lies in another State. • Odisha — wrong: Odisha's tiger reserves, such as Similipal, are far from the Bhutan border. • Arunachal Pradesh — wrong: Arunachal Pradesh has reserves like Pakke and Namdapha, not Buxa.
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