Bihar clears transfer of ‘a number of tigers’ to Bengal’s Buxa, first tigress may be airlifted
Times of India | 26 August 2026
Kolkata: Bihar chief minister Samrat Choudhary has approved the transfer of ‘a number of tigers’ to Bengal for the proposed big cat reintroduction programme in Buxa Tiger Reserve, with the first big cat likely to be a tigress from Valmiki Tiger Reserve.
The project, scheduled to be kicked off on Oct 2, could see the first tigress being airlifted from Valmiki in West Champaran district to Buxa in Alipurduar, covering over 540 km as the crow flies. The Bengal forest department is expected to initiate talks with Indian Air Force for the use of a helicopter.
Airlifting is being considered to reduce travel time and stress on the animal. A three-year-old tigress was airlifted last Dec from Pench Tiger Reserve in MP to Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan by an IAF Mi-17 helicopter.
A letter from Bihar CM’s office conveying the state’s approval was recently sent to Bengal govt following detailed discussions between the two states. Officials from Bihar and Bengal held a coordination meeting in New Delhi on Tuesday.
“The project, to start with a tigress, may eventually see the arrival of more than one tiger. Bihar will provide the tigress from an appropriate location, meaning Valmiki, the only tiger reserve in the state,” a senior MoEF official said.
Sources said the letter was sent after prolonged deliberations between the two states and personal intervention of Union environment and forest minister Bhupender Yadav.
Bihar has, however, sought a reciprocal arrangement from Bengal. Sources said it has asked for at least two “kunki” elephants and two female rhinos. While there is no immediate condition that the animals be handed over in exchange for the tigress, Bengal govt has been asked to convey its views on the proposal.
Officials said Bihar is keen to strengthen its rhino population. The state does not have a substantial resident rhino population, but rhinos from Nepal’s Chitwan National Park have been moving towards Valmiki, said sources. Bihar wants to improve the genetic diversity of its existing rhino population, sources said.
Wildlife Institute of India (WII) is expected to assist with the relocation of the tigress. A senior National Tiger Conservation Authority official said teams from the institute would visit Buxa by the end of this month and Valmiki early next month to train personnel and oversee preparations.