Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, January 8, 2025, Kolkata :
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed her displeasure on Monday over the ongoing tiger relocation issues, specifically the case of Zeenat, a three-year-old tigress that had wandered through three states, covering 300 kilometers, before entering West Bengal from Odisha. The tigress, who had escaped from Odisha’s Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR) on December 8, was sedated and captured in a forest near Gosaindihi village in Bankura district on December 29 after causing significant disruptions across West Bengal.Zeenat’s journey through Odisha, Jharkhand, and finally into West Bengal caused considerable distress to local communities. According to Banerjee, the Bengal Forest Department’s efforts to safely capture and repatriate the tigress to its original habitat were exemplary. “The way we handled the situation, without causing any harm to the tigress, is a model for tiger management,” Banerjee stated. She criticized the Odisha government for not acknowledging Bengal’s humane approach to the crisis, while also accusing them of failing to protect their own wildlife.
The Chief Minister particularly expressed frustration over the disruption caused by Zeenat’s entry into Bengal. “Five districts of West Bengal were practically locked down at that time. People could not leave their homes, and schools had to be closed. We endured the ordeal, and later, they asked us to return the tiger,” she remarked, highlighting the challenges faced by local authorities and residents.
Zeenat, who had been relocated to Similipal Tiger Reserve of Odisha from Maharashtra’s Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve in November 2024 to help strengthen the gene pool of the reserve, managed to escape on December 8. Her journey through Jharkhand and West Bengal, where she was sighted and eventually captured, has raised concerns over the handling of tiger relocation and the safety of residents in the affected areas.
Banerjee, in her address, also called on the Odisha government to take more responsibility, urging them to send rescue teams to ensure such incidents do not recur. “The life of people in Bengal has been disrupted again due to this big cat entering the state. The Odisha government, unable to protect its wildlife like tigers, should take a proactive role in preventing such situations,” she said.
The Chief Minister’s comments underscore the ongoing tension between neighboring states regarding wildlife management and tiger conservation. While Bengal has implemented strategies to safeguard both the animals and public safety, Banerjee’s remarks reflect her frustration with the lack of coordination from Odisha’s forest authorities in managing the movement of wildlife across state borders.
As Bengal continues to work towards the safety of its residents, the government has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting both wildlife and human life, stating that no further disturbances will be tolerated. “We love wild animals, but human life must also be safeguarded,” Banerjee concluded.