Assam: Relocation of tiger sought after fatal attack in Orang

Udalguri: Following the tragic death of a forest guard in Orang National Park, Assam, Forest and Environment Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary has called for the immediate identification and relocation of the tiger responsible to prevent further tragedies.

The deceased was identified as Dhanmoni Deka who died after being attacked by a tiger in Orang National Park on August 28.

Following the incident Sipajhar MLA Paramananda Rajbongshi expressed concerns about the tiger potentially becoming a ‘man-eater’ and posing a continued threat to forest guards and residents near the park.

Rajbongshi urged the forest department to prioritize tracking the tiger and relocating it, even considering lethal measures if necessary.

He also stressed that the government’s ex-gratia payment to Deka’s family is insufficient and called for additional humanitarian aid and social security for the bereaved family.

Jayanta Kumar Das, a former Honorary Wildlife Warden stated there was a need for better training of forest guards in the often-overlooked Orang National Park.

Das suggested that if the forest department can accurately identify the tiger through camera traps, tranquillizing and relocating the animal to a zoo would be a more appropriate course of action than euthanizing it.

In response to the incident by the forest department, a team was assigned the task of tracking and capturing the Royal Bengal Tiger to ensure public safety and prevent further incidents.

The forest department said it aims to relocate the tiger to prevent further tragedies.

The attack occurred on August 28 when the adult tiger mauled Deka, who was on foot patrol with a fellow guard in the Bilpara range.

Despite warning shots being fired, the tiger did not retreat.

Deka’s mutilated body was later found near Kheroni camp, approximately 3 kilometres from their original patrol location.

It may be mentioned that Orang is home to 26 tigers, according to the latest 2022 census and it spans through the Darrang and Sonitpur districts.