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Introduction

Buxa Tiger Reserve (BTR) was established during the year 1983 under Project Tiger and became the 15th tiger reserve of the country. In accordance with Sub-section (4) of Section 38 V of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, an area of 390.58 km² was notified as the core or Critical Tiger Habitat, and an area of 370.28 km² was notified as the buffer area of Buxa Tiger Reserve (vide the Government of West Bengal notification no. 3051-For/11M-28/07, dated 6 August 2009). The total area of the Reserve is 760.87 km², of which 390.58 km² constitutes Buxa Wildlife Sanctuary and Buxa National Park. The balance (370.29 km²) area is reserved forests and other protected forests.

Buxa Tiger Reserve (BTR) is situated in Alipurduar Sub-division of Jalpaiguri District of West Bengal. It comprises the entire erstwhile Buxa Forest Division (702.44 km²) and a part of the erstwhile Cooch Behar Forest Division (now known as Wildlife III Division, 58.43 km²), which was added subsequently. The reserve lies between latitudes 26°30′ N and 26°55′ N and between longitudes 89°20′ E and 89°55′ E. The headquarters of BTR are located at Alipurduar Town. The nearest broad-gauge railway stations are Alipurduar Junction and New Alipurduar. The nearest airport is at Bagdogra, near Siliguri (175 km away). BTR is headed by the Field Director (FD), who is in charge of both the core and buffer area. Sh. Apurba Sen was the FD during the MEE team’s visit to the TR. The reserve is divided into two divisions, viz., BTR (East) and BTR (West) divisions, each headed by a Deputy Field Director (DFD)s. Each DFD is supported by two AFDs. There are 14 territorial ranges (seven ranges in each division) and three mobile ranges (two in West and one in East). There are 48 territorial beats (24 in each eange). There is one Veterinary Officer in the TR.

Buxa Tiger Reserve is biologically very rich. It is located at the confluence of three major bio-geographic zones, viz., Lower Gangetic Plains (7B), Central Himalaya (2C), and Brahmaputra Valley (8A). BTR represents several elements of the bio-diversity of North-east India. Most of the floral endemic species of N-E India (about 60%) are found in BTR. It has vast forest community diversity. The forest types are East Himalayan Sub-tropical Wet Hill Forests (8B/C1), East Himalayan Moist Mixed Deciduous Forests (3C/C3b), Eastern Bhabar and Terai Sal (3C/C1b and 3C/C1c), Eastern Sub-montane Semi-evergreen Forests (2B/C1b), Northern Dry Deciduous Seral Sal, Khair, Sissoo, Simul Association (5B/IS2), Moist Sal Savannah (3C/DS1) and Low Alluvium Savannah Woodland (3C/3/IS1).

Along with the floral diversity, Buxa Tiger Reserve has a wide faunal diversity. There are 68 species of mammal, 41 species of reptile, 246 species of bird, four species of amphibian and 103 species of fish that have been identified within the reserve. There are 20 species of mammal in Schedule-I (Wild Life Protection Act, 1972), seven bird species and 10 reptile species that are also included within the endangered lists. A study on the entomofauna of BTR listed 500 species of insect belonging to 13 orders, 65 families and 229 genera.

Key species identified in BTR include the tiger (Panthera tigris tigris), leopard (Panthera pardus), elephant (Elephas maximus), gaur (Bos gaurus) and clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa). The endemic Indo-Malayan species like the Chinese pangolin, and reticulated python have also been reported in BTR along with the rare marbled cat, black-necked crane, etc. (some of the endemic species of the North-east). Other important species found in the TR are the bear, hispid hare, monitor lizard, Bengal florican and great Indian pied hornbill.

A minimum of 12 tigers were reported to exist on the basis of the results of the tiger census, 2007. A DNA-based analysis conducted in 2010 revealed that there were a minimum of 15 tigers. A 2011 DNA-based analysis revealed the presence of 20 tigers with a very skewed sex ratio of 16 males and 4 females. During the 2018 AITE, the presence of tigers was not recorded in BTR. In December 2021, an adult male tiger was recorded on a camera trap, in East Damanpur Range of BTR. The tiger population is showing a declining trend. Anthropogenic pressures coupled with a reduced prey population is the reason for the low tiger density. Actions taken to reverse the trend inter-alia are creation of grasslands by canopy opening/sowing of grass seeds releasing 690 chital (Cervus axis) to augment the prey base.

The Vulture Conservation Breeding Centre (VCBC) was been set up during 2006, at Rajabhatkhawa, within BTR in collaboration with BNHS. VCBC has successfully released 20 captive bred white-backed vultures (Gyps bengalensis) in the wild. In consideration of the continuous distribution and ranging of wild animals, e.g., elephants, tigers and gaurs, in the reserve and in its vicinity, the identified corridors are Buxa–Titi Corridor, Chilapata (Buxa–Chilapata) Corridor and Buxa–Ripu at Sankosh Corridor. The corridors provide crucial linkages for dispersal of wildlife to various protected areas like Buxa, Manas Tiger Reserve Phipsoo Wildlife Sanctuary in Bhutan. Tiger-centric management is in place in the recorded territory of the tiger in adjoining protected areas like Jaldapara NP and Gorumara NP.

The average annual footfall of tourists in BTR is 58,000. The visitor reception, information centre, amenities and souvenir shop are at Rajabhatkhawa. The safari ride is the main attraction of the ecotourism at BTR. There are seven registered safari vehicles for tourists. The two interpretation centres are at Rajabhatkhawa and at Buxa Fort. There are 63 JFMC in BTR in accordance with government orders, and they work as EDCs. The JFMC receives 40% of the earning from the TCF, with the Beat Officer being the Member Secretary of the JFMC.

Management Strengths:

BTR lies at the confluence of three major bio-geographic zones, viz., Lower Gangetic Plains (7B), Central Himalayas (2C) and Brahmaputra Valley (8A), support a spectrum of diverse species. 352 species of tree, 133 species of shrub, 189 species of herb, 108 species of climber, 144 species of orchid, 43 species of grass, 16 species of sedge, four species of bamboo and six species of canes have already been documented. Among the fauna, 70 species of mammal, 425 species of bird, 41 species of reptile, 33 species of fish and 408 species of butterfly have been recorded here.
The eco-sensitive zone (583.15 kms2) was notified around BTR on 7 September 2020. A district-level monitoring committee has been notified by the government to monitor regulated, allowed and prohibited activities around BTR.
Anthropogenic disturbances inside the habitats are controlled through intense patrolling and monitoring through watch towers and through drone surveillance. 48 beats form the fulcrum of the M-STrIPES patrolling. A Protection Monitoring Protocol (PMC) is in place. Three sniffer Dogs are pressed into service for crime prevention and detection. To reduce fuel and firewood collection, LPG is being distributed. The lack of a good prey population is being addressed with the creation of grasslands and by augmentation of the prey base.
As part of the species recovery programme, the Vulture Conservation Breeding Centre (VCBC) was set up in 2006, at Rajabhatkhawa, within BTR in collaboration with BNHS. VCBC has successfully released 20 captive-bred white-backed vultures(Gyps bengalensis) in the wild. Project Hornbill, in collaboration with NCF and Nature Mates NGO, is in place to assess the density, abundance, nesting and roost site monitoring of all the four species of hornbill found in BTR. Butterfly Conservatory at Rajabhatkhawa does research and augmentation of different host and nectar plants, besides identification of butterfly species in BTR.
The average time for an ex-gratia payment varies from immediate relief to 6 months. In case of human injury, immediate relief is given for medical attention. In the unfortunate event of death, 75% of Rs.5 lakhs is given within 48 hours, and the rest of the ex-gratia payment is made after getting the death certificate. Major hotspots of wild animal straying are identified, and SOPs are in place for managing the straying cases. An early warning system through bulk SMS is active to relay information regarding the movements/presence of elephants.
To address the shortage of staff, 109 Ban Sahayak and 170 Aranya Sathi have been engaged. Further, 48 daily labourers are hired through a security agency for protection purposes at river camps during the monsoon. Ban Sahayaks and Aranya Sathis are mainly deployed in protection, conservation, plantation, management of man–animal conflict and eco-tourism.
Buxa Bird Festival is being organized in BTR since 2017, between 6 and 9 January. The festival intends to bring together eminent ornithologists, researchers and bird enthusiasts from across the region. The ecotourism being conducted in BTR is praiseworthy and non-intrusive. The safari ride is the main attraction of the BTR ecotourism. Further, seven watch towers beckon to tourists to experience panoramic views of the forests.
Departmental insurance coverage is provided for members of the permanent staff, from Forest Guards to Range Officers, and insurance coverage for Ban Sahayaks is provided by TCF.

Management Weaknesses:

Proximity of BTR to the international borders i.e. Bhutan, Nepal and Bangladesh renders it highly vulnerable both as a poaching route and as a poaching destination. In addition, parts of BTR have suffered from insurgency problems. Further, weaknesses emanate from regional developmental activities such as forest concessions, industrial pollution, highway development, extensive high-value farming etc.
In BTR, no tigers (Panthera tigris) were detected by camera traps till late 2021, which is suggestive of at best a small, non-viable tiger population.As per All India Tiger estimation 2018, tigers were not recorded in BTR. However, in, December 2021 an adult male tiger was recorded on a camera trap, in the East Damanpur Range of BTR. Current tiger abundance as estimated by the camera trap-based monitoring exercise` is much below the carrying capacity of BTR.
BTR is ribbed with 46 fringe villages, 34 tea gardens, 37 forest villages and 4 Fixed demand holdings within and around it. Forest villagers and FD holders are totally dependent on BTR for meeting their requirement of fuelwood, small timber and other non-wood forest products and also for grazing. To add to the woes of BTR is the lack of an adequate prey base. Anthropogenic pressures inclusive of hunting and poaching, encroachment, illicit felling and fuel and firewood collection are rampant threats.
Inordinate delay is noticed in the release of funds under Project Tiger for all the preceding three years. During 2019-20, an amount of Rs 285.504 lakhs (NTCA funds of Rs 158.88 lakhs released on 04/12/19 & State Government funds of Rs 126.624 lakhs) reached BTR authorities only during fourth quarter of the year i.e., on the 27/01/20. During 2020-21, the NTCA allotment was Rs 130. 279 lakhs and the State Government fund was Rs 97.874 lakhs. The funds reached BTR authorities only on 16.09.2020 & 03.02.2021. During 2021-22, the NTCA allotment was Rs 121. 13 lakhs and State Government funds were Rs 107. 031 lakhs. The funds reached BTR authorities only on 03/02/22. Delay in the release of funds has resulted in partial utilization with resultant relegation of priority activities like upkeep of watch towers, plantation activities, procurement of essential articles, and wages for camp staff etc.
Sanctioned strength of permanent staff in BTR is 481, and no. of staff in position is 212, which is tantamount to 56% of permanent posts lying vacant. The status of the front-line cadre of Forest guards to Forest Ranger is more precarious, wherein the vacancy is 59% (209 vacancies in a cadre strength of 356).
Developing special thematic in-house training modules for internal training of protective staff at BTR has not been done. A record of pieces of training is not maintained. Staff Development Plan is not prepared. Casual workers are not included in the e-ashram and Ayushman yojana.
There are 15 forest villages in the core of BTR. To date, no forest villages have been relocated. Community Development and Eco-Development were relegated to the backseat without any allotment either in Non-Plan or in State Development Plan in the preceding three years. Further, LAC is not formed at the BTR level to ensure stakeholder participation.
Other management weaknesses noticed are (i) data on the complaint disposal system is lacking, (ii) TCP and SOPs are not available in vernacular language, (iii) disaster risk management plan and fire management plan are not in place, (iv) BTR does not have an independent web site (v) no online booking facilities. Entry ticket booking is done manually from the NIC, Rajabhatkhawa, and (vi) Security Audit is not done.

Immediate Actionable Points:

Inordinate delay is noticed in the release of funds under the Project Tiger/State Development Plan. A considered decision is mandated to ensure appropriate management intervention/implementation of seasonal activities at the proper time. Hence, it is recommended that CWW/State Government should evolve a mechanism/protocol to ensure on-time submission of prioritized APO and timely release and full utilization of funds.
There are 15 forest villages in the core of BTR. To date, no forest villages have been relocated. After due consultations, a relocation proposal for 246 families was made for Bhutia Basti in Buxa Tiger Reserve East, and Gangutia in Buxa Tiger Reserve West. The relocation proposal from the core needs to be expedited.
As per TCP, the JFMCs that are already formed and established will prepare micro plans envisaging the needs of development, problems, and solutions and accordingly these proposals shall be included in the community development programmes by BTR management and by line departments. But micro plans are yet to be prepared. Eco-Development Programme should be implemented on top priority in all 63 JFMCs after the due process of micro-planning and signing up of MoU. JFMC members can be roped in for regular patrolling/protection and management, as part of a quid-pro-quo commitment.
Allotment of funds should be provided to implement programmes identified in micro-plans.
LAC should be constituted, as envisaged by NTCA; and operationalised to ensure implement eco-tourism properly.
Sanctioned strength of permanent staff in BTR is 481, and no. of staff in position is 212, which is tantamount to 56% of permanent posts lying vacant. The status of the front-line cadre of Forest guards to Forest Ranger is more precarious, wherein the vacancy is 59% (209 vacancies in a cadre strength of 356). Expedient action is required at the State level to recruit staff for filling up vacancy positions.
Implementing action plans for securing Buxa - Titi (via Beech & Bharnobari tea estates) and Rydak- Jayanti corridors, to facilitate the free movement of elephant herds without harming villagers and their cultivation needs to be taken up on priority. Additionally, corridors will provide crucial linkages for the dispersal of tigers and other wildlife in between protected areas like Manas Tiger Reserve, Phipsoo wildlife sanctuary in Bhutan, and Jaldapara wildlife sanctuary. Bhutan has reported the presence of tigers and similarly, there have been reports of tiger movement between Jaldapara and Buxa. All efforts for expediting approval and allocation of funds for the creation of corridors should be made on a priority basis.
Clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa) is one of the key species of BTR. A proposal has been prepared in the recent past for providing special protection and research on the species. The major activities in the proposal inter-alia include habitat improvement through enrichment plantations, the creation of water holes, and infrastructure for monitoring & research The proposal should be implemented on a fast track.
The tourism property of West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation in the core has been handed over to BTR. It is essential that the assets/infrastructure be put to use optimally, by authorities for better management of BTR.
Certain actions within the purview of BTR authorities such as (1) developing special thematic in-house training modules for internal training of protective staff, (2) maintaining a record of pieces of training, (3) preparation of staff development plan and (4) including casual workers in e-shram and Ayushman yojana should be taken up as priority actions.

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Buxa Tiger Reserve

Introduction

Management Strengths:

Management Weaknesses:

Immediate Actionable Points:

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