Odisha has reported the loss of 7 Royal Bengal Tigers, with 3 of these majestic animals falling victim to poaching
OdishaPlus Bureau
Over the past decade, Odisha has reported the loss of 7 Royal Bengal Tigers (RBTs), with 3 of these majestic animals falling victim to poaching, as stated by the State’s Forest Minister Ganesh Ram Singhkhuntia during a session of the State Legislative Assembly on Tuesday.
In response to a question posed by Jharsuguda MLA Tankadhar Tripathy, the Minister revealed that from 2014-15 to 2023-24, a total of 48 leopards and 7 Royal Bengal Tigers have died across various forest divisions in Odisha.
The breakdown of the deaths of the 7 RBTs by forest division includes one in Balangir (2016-17), one in Similipal South (2017-18), one in Bargarh (2018-19), one in Satkosia Wildlife (2018-19), one in Keonjhar Wildlife (2022-23) and two in Similipal South (2023-24).
According to the latest census, Odisha is home to 30 Royal Bengal Tigers. To enhance the protection of these tigers and leopards, 2 dedicated tiger projects have been initiated. The Minister emphasized that the forest department has deployed anti-poaching and special squads to maintain vigilant surveillance against poaching activities.
The population of Royal Bengal Tigers in Odisha has increased to 30 over the last two years, as indicated by the inaugural All Odisha Tiger Estimation (AITE) report released earlier this year by the State Forest Department.
The AITE report noted that at least 17 tigers were captured on camera in Odisha, primarily within the Similipal Tiger Reserve. In total, 27 distinct adult tigers were identified during the AOTE exercise, consisting of 14 females and 13 males. Additionally, evidence of three more adult tigers was observed in the Similipal Tiger Reserve, although they were not captured on camera.
Currently, the Similipal Tiger Reserve is home to 24 unique adult tigers, representing the largest segment of the state’s tiger population. Notably, all adult female tigers in the state are found within Similipal. The report also highlighted that 13 adult tigers (seven females and six males) in Similipal exhibit pseudo-melanistic traits, a phenomenon not observed in any other wild habitat globally.
The Similipal Tiger Reserve located in Mayurbhanj and the Satkosia Tiger Reserve in the Angul district are recognized as significant habitats for tigers in the state. The National Tiger Conservation Authority, in collaboration with the Odisha Forest Department, is actively engaged in a coordinated effort for the conservation of these majestic animals. Notably, Similipal is unique in being the sole location globally that is home to pseudo-melanistic tigers.
