Itanagar, Oct 15: The Arunachal Pradesh Forest Department has barred two-wheelers from a stretch of the Roing-Anini road in Lower Dibang Valley district after a tiger was spotted in the area.
Commuters and local residents have been advised to avoid unnecessary movement and follow safety guidelines, an official said on Thursday.
According to an advisory issued on Wednesday by Mehao Wildlife Sanctuary Divisional Forest Officer Mito Rumi, the tiger was sighted between the 19-km and 23-km points along the road.
The restriction has been imposed as a precautionary measure to prevent human-wildlife conflict.
Roing MLA Mutchu Mithi confirmed the tiger's presence near the 19-km point of the Roing-Anini route, around Tiwari Gaon and adjoining areas, in a social media post. He said the sighting had been verified and forest officials had also spotted the animal.
Forest teams have been deployed in the area, and Mithi urged residents to remain alert and avoid unnecessary movement near forested areas.
The department has asked people to follow prescribed guidelines for dealing with human-wildlife conflict and cooperate with forest personnel and district authorities to prevent any untoward incident.
The latest advisory follows the recent death of an Arunachal Pradesh Police head constable in a suspected tiger attack near Mayudia.
He was travelling by motorcycle from Anini to Roing after completing his duty when the incident occurred. His body was later recovered by a joint team of police and forest officials.
The department has prohibited two-wheeler movement along the affected stretch, particularly during the early morning, evening and night hours, the official said.
People have also been advised against loitering, picnicking, stopping unnecessarily or visiting the area for sightseeing.
Motorists travelling in cars have been advised to keep their windows closed and remain inside their vehicles while passing through the stretch.
The advisory also cautioned people against entering nearby forests for trekking or collecting minor forest produce.
PTI