The extensive operation, which commenced on Monday, will run continuously from December to March, covering nearly 760 square kilometres.

Forest department sources said monitoring will be intense across the reserve—from the rugged hilly stretches of upper Buxa to the dense forested plains below.
Teams will keep a close watch on both herbivores and carnivores throughout the four-month period.

“At the heart of this operation lies the advanced camera-trap method,” a forest official said.

The reserve has been divided into 2 sq km grids, and around 450 high-resolution infrared cameras are being installed to track wildlife movement. Winter provides the ideal conditions for a survey of this scale, the official added.

400 personnel in 60 specialised teams

A total of 60 specialised teams, each consisting of seven trained forest personnel, have been deployed—bringing the workforce to nearly 400 officials and staff.

Teams will enter deep forest zones every 7 to 10 days to replace camera batteries and memory cards, followed by immediate data analysis.

The survey follows scientific protocols set by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).

Forest officials emphasised that the survey seeks to uncover much more than animal numbers.

“The long-term study will give us vital insights into movement patterns, feeding habits, vegetation spread, and overall animal–environment interactions. It will also help assess how wildlife has adapted after recent natural calamities,” the official noted.

Renewed hope for confirming tiger presence

The suitability of Buxa as a tiger habitat has been debated for decades. But since 2020, multiple camera-trap images from Buxa and nearby Neora Valley have reignited optimism.

Experts say this year’s survey is more advanced and comprehensive than earlier attempts, raising hopes for clear, definitive evidence of Royal Bengal Tigers in the reserve. A confirmed sighting would boost both conservation efforts and tourism prospects in North Bengal.

Debashis Sharma, Deputy Field Director (East) of Buxa Tiger Reserve, said: “Camera monitoring has begun following all guidelines. We are hopeful this survey will make the Buxa forest even more natural and healthy.”

He noted challenges such as human encroachment, deforestation, disrupted animal corridors, and climate change. To address these issues, the department is relying heavily on technology and data-driven conservation strategies.

Officials believe this will be one of the most accurate wildlife censuses in recent years, potentially shaping stronger conservation policies for North Bengal.

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Mawlynnong became a global symbol of eco-discipline two decades ago with its bamboo dustbins, plastic ban, and community-led cleanliness drives. The Alipurduar administration now aims to replicate that ethos in Buxa, where unchecked tourist activity has scarred its natural beauty.

Plastic ban across 13 villages

“Buxa is one of our biggest tourism magnets, but plastic waste is eating away at its soul. We want Buxa to shine like Mawlynnong. It deserves that,” said District Magistrate R. Bimala.

A strict diktat is now in place: plastic is outlawed across all 13 villages of Buxa Hills, including Adama, Lepchakha, Buxaduar, and Sadar Bazar. Tourists may trek, sip, or snack—but not with plastic. Violators will face fines, while smoking and paan spitting are also prohibited.

Grassroots drive for cleanliness

The campaign is being implemented in collaboration with gram panchayats and forest officials. Locals will collect waste from villages, transport it to Santalabari, and then forward it to the Alipurduar Municipality’s plastic waste management facility.

What sets this initiative apart is its community spirit. From shopkeepers to tourist guides, residents have embraced the campaign as a shared duty rather than a government diktat. Clay cups, paper-leaf plates, wooden spoons, and cloth bags are now replacing plastic at local stalls.

“Tourism is our livelihood, but plastic destroys the very nature tourists come to see,” said Seema Dukpa, a food stall owner. “We now serve in clay cups and leaf plates. It feels good to protect our hills.”

Tourist guides have pledged to act as the first line of defense against plastic pollution. “Every tourist will hear it from us—no plastic, no compromise,” said guide James Bhutia.

With the Buxa Tiger Reserve reopening to tourists on September 16 after the monsoon break, the administration wants the new rules in force before trekkers return. Posters warning of fines will be displayed prominently, and vigilance committees will monitor compliance.

A cleaner Buxa, a greener future

“The stakes are high. Tourism is the economic backbone of the hills. A cleaner Buxa promises not just environmental redemption but also sustainable prosperity,” said Elizabeth Dukpa, a resident. “We want Buxa to be as famous as Mawlynnong—only bigger, only greener.”

District Magistrate Bimala echoed the sentiment, stressing that the campaign’s success would depend on people’s participation: “Whether the model of Mawlynnong can be transplanted here will depend not on posters or fines, but on the people themselves—who must rise as guardians of the forest they call home.”

For now, the mission is simple but audacious—to turn Buxa into the “cleanest hills of Bengal,” setting a new benchmark for sustainable tourism in the state.

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