The Jharkhand Forest Department is awaiting approval from the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) for a proposal to relocate three tigers, 50 bison and 50 sambar deer from Madhya Pradesh to the Palamau Tiger Reserve in a bid to revive wildlife populations in the protected area.
Officials expect the NTCA’s clearance later this month, after which the relocation process is likely to begin following the peak summer season.
“The state forest department expects to receive approval for its relocation proposal from the National Tiger Conservation Authority this month,” PTR Deputy Director Prajesh Jena said.
According to the proposal, two tigresses and one male tiger will be brought from forest reserves in Madhya Pradesh to strengthen the big cat population in the reserve located in Latehar district.
The PTR authorities have also proposed signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Madhya Pradesh government to facilitate the transfer of the animals once the NTCA gives its approval.
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Palamau Tiger Reserve, established in 1974 under Project Tiger, once supported a thriving population of big cats. The reserve had 22 tigers in 1972, which rose to a peak of 71 in 1995, according to data cited in former Jharkhand principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife) Pradeep Kumar’s 2016 book Main Baagh Hoon.
However, the population steadily declined to 44 in 1997, 34 in 2002, 10 in 2010 and three in 2014. The 2023 All India Tiger Estimation report recorded only one tiger in the reserve, though PTR officials say evidence suggests the presence of three to four big cats, mostly males.
“We only have male tigers here. So we have decided to bring two tigresses and one tiger to increase the big cat population in the reserve,” Jena said.
Along with the big cats, 50 bison and 50 sambar deer will be relocated in phases over the next two years to strengthen the prey base.
An enclosure is being developed inside the reserve to allow the relocated animals to acclimatise to Jharkhand’s climate before they are released into the forest.
Wildlife experts say human interference, poaching, infections and shrinking prey populations have contributed to the decline in wildlife numbers in the reserve over the years.
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