Context: Recently, a tiger has been observed in West Bengal’s Buxa National  Park. The previous  sighting of Tiger was after 23 years on December 12, 2021.

News:

Possible Factors Contributing to the Tiger Population Recovery:

• Growth in the number of prey animals for tigers.
• Increase in the size of grassland habitats, providing more suitable areas for tiger populations.
• Measures implemented to regulate and control human-tiger interactions.
• Initiatives aimed at curbing unauthorized entry and trespassing in tiger habitats.

About Buxa Tiger Reserve:

• Situated in the Alipurduar district of North Bengal, Buxa Tiger Reserve's northern boundary aligns with the border of Bhutan
• Established in 1983, Buxa Tiger Reserve gained the status of the 15th Tiger Reserve in India. It was later declared a National Park in January 1992.
• In 2018, the state forest department, Wildlife Institute of India, and the National Tiger Conservation Authority introduced the "Tiger Augmentation and Monitoring Project" in Buxa.
• The reserve is traversed by rivers such as Sankosh, Raidak, Jayanti, Churnia, Turturi, Phashkhawa, Dima, and Nonani.
• Characterized by Moist Tropical Forest, Buxa Tiger Reserve features diverse and rich vegetation.
• Among the notable species found in the reserve are the Indian Tiger (Panthera tigris tigris), Leopard (Panthera pardus), Clouded Leopard (Neofelis nebulosa), Jungle Cat (Felis chaus), and others.

Tiger Conservation Status:

• Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Designated under Schedule I, providing the highest level of legal protection.
• International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List: Classified as "Endangered," signifying a high risk of extinction in the wild.
• Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES): Listed in Appendix I, indicating the highest level of protection against trade to prevent exploitation.