A new chapter in wildlife conservation and tourism promotion is set to unfold in West Bengal, with the state Forest Department planning to relocate six Royal Bengal Tigers from the Bengal Safari Park in Siliguri to two different locations within the state. While one tiger will be shifted to the Harinalay Mini Zoo in Rajarhat New Town, near Kolkata, the remaining five will be relocated to a new tiger safari being developed in Jhargram.

Forest Minister Manoj Oraon expressed optimism that the initiative would give a significant boost to tourism in different regions of the state. He said the department was undertaking several measures to develop wildlife tourism beyond the existing destinations.

“The Forest Department is taking several steps to promote tourism in different parts of the state. As part of this initiative, we have planned to relocate Royal Bengal Tigers from the Bengal Safari Park to two separate locations. The transfer to Harinalay Mini Zoo in Rajarhat New Town could take place as early as the beginning of the new year. Meanwhile, the tigers will be shifted to Jhargram in phases, with the process commencing from the English New Year,” the Minister said.

At present, the Bengal Safari Park in Siliguri houses 14 Royal Bengal Tigers. The park’s tiger population originated in 2016 with two big cats, Shila and Snehashish. Over the years, the park has emerged as a major tourist attraction in North Bengal.

However, with most of the existing tigers belonging to the same lineage, the Forest Department has recognised the need to introduce a new bloodline to maintain genetic diversity. As part of this initiative, the park’s infrastructure has been upgraded. A tigress from the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park in Darjeeling has been brought to Bengal Safari Park, while a tigress from Siliguri has been sent to Darjeeling in exchange.

The department has also strengthened the park’s infrastructure by constructing a new enclosure last year. Spread over approximately 50 bighas, the enclosure was built at an estimated cost of Rs 54 lakh. The planned relocation of six tigers is now being taken forward as part of the broader development strategy.

Jhargram tiger safari to transform Jangalmahal tourism

Meanwhile, a large-scale tiger safari, modelled on the Bengal Safari Park, is being developed in Jhargram to give a fresh impetus to tourism in the Jangalmahal region. The proposed facility is located opposite the Jangalmahal Zoological Park.

For the project, 226.37 acres of land have already been transferred from the Land and Land Reforms Department to the Forest Department. Of this, around 65 acres have been earmarked for developing the main safari area and its associated infrastructure.

The state government has allocated Rs 25 crore for the project, which is expected to emerge as a major wildlife tourism destination in the region.

Five tigers to be shifted in phases after construction

According to Forest Department sources, construction work at the Jhargram tiger safari is expected to be completed within the next two years. Once the necessary infrastructure and enclosures are ready, five Royal Bengal Tigers from Bengal Safari Park will be relocated there permanently in phases.

The initiative is expected to strengthen wildlife tourism in both North and South Bengal while creating new attractions for visitors. With the proposed tiger safari, Jhargram could emerge as an important destination on West Bengal’s wildlife tourism map, adding a new dimension to the state’s efforts to promote tourism through conservation.

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