PASIGHAT,
In a major conservation milestone, the first-ever camera trap photograph of a tiger (Panthera tigris) has been recorded in D’Ering Memorial Wildlife Sanctuary, confirming the species’ presence in the protected area after nearly two decades.
Over the past year, forest officials and frontline staff of the sanctuary documented several indirect signs indicating possible tiger movement in the landscape. Multiple rounds of systematic monitoring and camera trapping were subsequently carried out to scientifically verify the observations.
During the latest survey phase, conducted with technical support from the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE), camera traps installed at strategic locations successfully captured images of the tiger, conclusively establishing its presence in the sanctuary.
The surveys also recorded the critically endangered Chinese Pangolin (Manis pentadactyla) and the endangered Hispid Hare (Caprolagus hispidus), underlining the ecological significance of the sanctuary’s riverine and grassland ecosystems.
D’Ering Memorial Wildlife Sanctuary Divisional Forest Officer Kempi Ete said, “This is an immensely proud and emotional moment for everyone associated with D’Ering Memorial Wildlife Sanctuary. The return of the tiger after nearly two decades reflects the resilience of the ecosystem and the cumulative impact of sustained conservation efforts on the ground.”
“The achievement belongs equally to our forest officials, frontline staff, Eco-Development Committee members and local community-based organisations that have continuously supported conservation initiatives in the landscape. We remain fully committed to strengthening protection measures and securing a safe habitat for this magnificent species,” Ete added.
ATREE biodiversity and bioresource conservation initiative lead in Arunachal Pradesh Rajkamal Goswami said, “This historic photographic evidence of tiger, along with other highly threatened mammals, is a testament to the long-standing conservation efforts of the staff of D’Ering Memorial Wildlife Sanctuary since its inception.”
“It also reflects the importance of recent efforts to build collaborative conservation initiatives involving research institutions and local communities. We hope this rediscovery brings greater conservation attention and support for scientific monitoring, stronger protection measures and sustained conservation action in the only protected area of Arunachal Pradesh where riparian grasslands form the primary habitat,” Goswami added.
The confirmed presence of the tiger is being viewed as a significant indicator of ecosystem health and habitat integrity in the region. The Forest Department has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening habitat protection, scientific monitoring and community-led conservation initiatives to ensure the long-term survival of wildlife in the landscape.
