The largest wildlife survey of the year has kicked off in North Bengal’s Buxa Tiger Reserve, aiming to assess the condition of wildlife after recent natural disasters and to verify the long-debated presence of Royal Bengal Tigers in the region. The extensive census, which started on Monday, will continue non-stop for the next four months—spanning December to March—across nearly 760 square kilometers.
According to forest department sources, surveillance will remain strict from the remote hilly stretches of Buxa to the dense plains below. Forest personnel will continuously monitor both herbivores and carnivores during the entire duration of the survey.
“At the heart of this operation lies the advanced camera trap method. The forest has been divided into 2-square-kilometer grids, and around 450 high-resolution cameras are being installed strategically to capture wildlife movement. The winter season offers ideal conditions to carry out this massive exercise,” said a forest department official.
To execute the survey, 60 specialised teams have been deployed. Each team consists of seven trained forest personnel, adding up to nearly 400 officials and staff working round-the-clock for the next four months. Teams will enter the forest every 7 to 10 days to replace camera batteries and memory cards, after which immediate data analysis will begin. The entire framework follows scientific guidelines under the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).
Forest officials emphasise that the goal extends beyond counting animals.
“The long-term survey is expected to reveal crucial insights into wildlife behaviour, movement patterns, feeding habits, vegetation distribution, and the overall interaction between animals and their environment. This data will also help determine how the ecosystem has changed following the recent natural calamities and how well various species are adapting,” said the official.
The question of whether Buxa provides a suitable habitat for tigers has sparked debate for years. However, since 2020, multiple camera trap images from both Buxa and the nearby Neora Valley have renewed optimism. Experts say this year’s survey is far more advanced and comprehensive, raising hopes of finding clearer, more definitive evidence of the Royal Bengal Tiger’s presence. Confirmation could significantly impact tourism as well as conservation efforts across North Bengal.
Debashis Sharma, Deputy Field Director (East) of Buxa Tiger Reserve, said, “Camera monitoring has begun following all guidelines. We are hopeful that the results of this survey will help make the Buxa forest even more natural and healthy.”
He added that wildlife conservation faces major challenges, including human encroachment, deforestation, obstruction of elephant and tiger corridors, and climate change. For this reason, the department is prioritising technology and data-driven strategies. Officials believe this will be one of the most accurate wildlife censuses in recent years, paving the way for stronger conservation policies in North Bengal.
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