Sundergarh, Sept 1: Locals in the Beldihi forest area of Bonai range in Sundargarh district were left shaken after discovering what are believed to be tiger pug marks. The discovery has raised concerns among residents, prompting immediate action from the Forest Department.
According to reports, the pug marks were spotted by locals, who promptly alerted the forest authorities. A team led by the forest ranger arrived at the scene and identified the marks as likely belonging to a tiger based on their size and depth. However, it remains unclear whether the marks belong to a tiger or a leopard.
In response to the discovery, the Forest Department has urged the public to remain cautious and alert. Increased patrolling efforts have been put in place to monitor the area closely. Additionally, the authorities have used a plaster cast of a tiger's pug mark as a reference to compare it with the prints found in the forest. The cast has been sent to Bhubaneswar for further analysis.
This is not the first instance of tiger sightings in Sundargarh. Similar pug marks were also found in the Sol range of the district, heightening concerns about the presence of big cats in the region.
In a related development, the Odisha Forest Department has begun preparations for the All India Tiger Estimation 2026 at the Similipal Tiger Reserve in Mayurbhanj district. The year-long preparatory phase will focus on training forest staff, conducting field exercises, and gathering scientific data to track the tiger population.
Regional Chief Conservator of Forests (RCCF) Prakash Chand Gogineni in an interview said that the groundwork for the tiger estimation has already begun at Similipal. "Our priority right now is to train forest staff and field functionaries to ensure effective and uniform data collection," he said.
The preparations are being carried out in phases, with the summer season focused on ecological parameters. Post-monsoon, comprehensive surveys will be conducted to monitor both prey and predator movement. This meticulous process is part of the national tiger census, which occurs every four years, and is recognized as one of the largest and most scientifically rigorous wildlife surveys globally.
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