Tiger treks across international border from Sikkim to Bhutan

Tiger treks across international border from Sikkim to Bhutan

Sub: Environment

Sec: Protected Areas

Context:

• Camera trap images documented a tiger‘s journey from Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary in Sikkim, India, to Samtse district in Bhutan.

Historical Context:

• Similar long-distance tiger movements have been recorded in India, such as the 3,000-kilometer journey to Dnyanganga Wildlife Sanctuary in Maharashtra in 2019 and a 2,000-kilometer trek from Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve, Maharashtra to Odisha in 2023.

International Collaboration:

• The tiger’s movement was shared during an international workshop on “Countering Wildlife Trafficking” held in Bhutan under the South Asia Wildlife Enforcement Network (SAWEN) in June 2024.

Significance:

• This trek highlights the existence and importance of wildlife corridors between India and Bhutan.
• Validates the necessity to protect wildlife corridors for the conservation of tigers and other wildlife.
• Emphasizes the effectiveness of habitat preservation and restoration efforts in Sikkim, showcasing the region’s healthy ecosystem.

Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary:

• Established in 2002, spans 128 square kilometres and serves as a crucial wildlife corridor.
• Camera traps have documented three tigers in the sanctuary between 2018 and 2024, placing Sikkim on the national Tiger Conservation map.

Transboundary protected areas in India:

Source: DTE