The West Bengal Forest Department plans to introduce tigers into the Buxa Tiger Reserve starting October 2. However, senior officials have expressed concerns about moving tigers from the Sundarbans to Buxa due to differences in habitat and prey availability. Instead, officials are considering bringing tigers from similar landscapes in Assam and Bihar, which are more ecologically compatible with Buxa. The initiative aims to boost the big cat population in the reserve, which currently has no resident tigers. Buxa Tiger Reserve, located in northern West Bengal, spans over 760 square kilometers and is part of the Eastern Himalayas biodiversity hotspot. It was established as a tiger reserve in 1983 but has not had a stable tiger population in recent years due to poaching and habitat degradation. The forest department is working with wildlife experts to ensure a successful translocation. Officials emphasized that the introduced tigers will be monitored closely using radio collars and camera traps. The plan is part of India's broader Project Tiger conservation efforts, which have helped increase the national tiger count to over 3,000. The introduction is expected to enhance biodiversity and ecotourism in the region. A final decision on the source of the tigers will be made after further study.