Dhemaji, Oct 17: The personnel of Jonai Forest Range under Dhemaji Territorial Forest division claimed to have spotted pugmarks of a Royal Bengal tiger in Poba Reserve Forest (RF) at Jonai town outskirt.
Jonai Range Forest Officer (RFO), Debabrata Gogoi informed that the foresters of his office sighted pugmarks of an adult Royal Bengal tiger at Poba RF, while conducting a routine patrolling recently.
Pugmarks of an adult Royal Bengal tiger at Poba RF (Photo: AT)
In the wake of the reported movement of wild elephants, tiger and other wild animals in Poba RF, the RFO has issued a public notice, imposing certain restrictions for public safety and protection of the wildlife.
Thus, all kinds of reel shooting, film shooting, photography, videography and other purposes are strictly prohibited in forest areas until further order.
The order cautioned that any person violating this order shall be liable for legal action and the Forest department will not be responsible for any untoward incident arising from violation of the order.
The order, however, stated that any individual or group visiting the RF solely for exploring its national beauty, would be given entry permission by the Forest department.
Earlier in January last year, the foresters of Jonai noticed tiger pugmarks at Kobu Chapori sandbar near Poba RF, while going for routine patrolling. In the subsequent period, foresters of Pasighat territorial division in bordering Arunachal Pradesh reported movement of an adult Royal Bengal tiger in Mebo proposed reserve forest.
The Poba RF and Kobu Chapori proposed RF are adjacent to Daying Ering Wildlife Sanctuary (WLS) of Arunachal Pradesh.
Movements of Royal Bengal tigers in the forest areas along Assam-Arunachal boundary have been reported since 2017.
According to Forest department officials, the region covering Poba RF, Kobuchapori and nearby Daying Ering WLS are not yet identified as ‘tiger habitat’, but male tigers visit the area from time to time in search of mates.
“Roaming of the big cat species including leopards, jungle cats and Royal Bengal tigers in and around Poba RF, Pasighat RF, and D’ Ering WLS, is making ongoing demand for deployment of Tiger Protection Force more relevant, to save the rare species in the region,” said the officials.
On the other hand, officials of Mehao Wildlife Sanctuary (WLS) in Lower Dibang Valley of neighbouring Arunachal Pradesh on Thursday reported that an adult Royal Bengal tiger was moving near Tiwari gaon. The wildlife staff of Arunachal sighted the tiger moving aside Roing-Anini highway.