Itanagar, May 8: A Royal Bengal Tiger has been photographically documented inside Daying Ering Memorial Wildlife Sanctuary after nearly two decades, signalling a possible revival of the big cat population in the protected area near Pasighat.
The tiger was captured during camera trap surveys conducted in the sanctuary with technical support from Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE).
According to forest officials, the last confirmed evidence of a tiger inside the sanctuary dates back to 2005, after which only unverified sightings were reported till 2007-08.
A baseline survey published by World Wide Fund for Nature India in 2014 had found no pugmarks or camera trap evidence of tigers in the sanctuary and attributed their disappearance largely to rampant poaching and hunting pressure.
However, the larger Assam-Arunachal landscape had recently shown signs of renewed tiger movement. In January this year, forest personnel in Assam’s Jonai forest range reported pugmarks of an adult Royal Bengal Tiger in Kobu Chapori, a proposed reserve forest bordering the sanctuary.
Divisional Forest Officer Kempi Ete described the latest development as a significant moment for wildlife conservation in the region.
“The return of the tiger after nearly two decades reflects the resilience of the ecosystem and the cumulative impact of sustained conservation efforts on the ground,” she said, crediting frontline forest staff, Eco-Development Committees and local community organisations for protecting the landscape.
The camera trap survey also recorded the Critically Endangered Chinese Pangolin and the rare Endangered Hispid Hare, underlining the ecological importance of the sanctuary’s riparian grassland ecosystem — the only protected grassland habitat of its kind in Arunachal Pradesh.
Forest officials said indirect signs of tiger presence had been observed over the past year, but earlier surveillance efforts failed to secure photographic evidence. The latest camera trap image finally confirmed the tiger’s return.
Environmentalists said the development could boost eco-tourism in the region.
“The return of the Royal Bengal Tiger is a very positive sign for the sanctuary and will encourage more tourists and wildlife enthusiasts to visit the area,” an environmentalist said.
Established in 1978, the 190 sq km sanctuary is located around 13 km from Pasighat in East Siang district and is surrounded by the Siang and Sibya rivers. The protected area is known for its grassland and riverine ecosystem and supports species such as leopards, wild buffaloes and migratory birds.
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