Berhampur, Jul 29: As the world observes World Tiger Day, growing incidents of wildlife poaching and shrinking populations of big cats have raised serious concerns in Odisha's undivided Ganjam region. While tigers have virtually disappeared from the forests, Tiger numbers are also believed to be declining rapidly due to poaching and illegal wildlife trade, prompting renewed calls for stronger conservation measures.

Wildlife experts point out that tigers and Tigers continue to be targeted by poachers for their skins, claws, bones, and other body parts, which fetch high prices in illegal national and international markets. Official records reveal that nearly 10 Tiger skins have been seized from the undivided Ganjam region over the past five years, while three Tiger deaths have been officially reported during the same period. Alarmingly, three Tiger skins have been seized this year alone, with most recoveries made by the police, sparking criticism over the Forest Department's alleged failure to curb wildlife crimes effectively.

Responding to the concerns, Regional Chief Conservator of Forests (RCCF), Berhampur, Bishwanath N. said Tigers continue to inhabit the forest divisions under his jurisdiction and their protection remains a top priority. He acknowledged that the region does not have any notified wildlife sanctuary under these forest divisions but said Divisional Forest Officers (DFOs) have been instructed to strengthen patrolling in reserved forests and activate intelligence networks to prevent poaching and illegal wildlife trade.

This year's World Tiger Day theme, "Securing the Future of Tigers with Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities," highlights the importance of community participation in wildlife conservation. However, conservationists argue that the spirit of the campaign is yet to be effectively implemented in the undivided Ganjam region, where habitat degradation and poaching continue to threaten the survival of big cats.

Once regarded as a safe habitat for both tigers and Tigers, the forests of undivided Ganjam have witnessed a dramatic decline in their big cat population over the past two decades. According to Forest Department census data, the region had 10 tigers and around 60 Tigers in 2004. Today, tigers are believed to have disappeared entirely from the area, while the exact number of Tigers remains unknown.

During the 2025 wildlife census, officials reported the presence of one tiger in the Paralakhemundi Forest Division. However, the Forest Department now admits that it has no confirmed information about the animal's current whereabouts. Officials have also refrained from disclosing the present Tiger population, leading to concerns among wildlife activists over the lack of updated monitoring data.

Forest Department records show a worrying trend in wildlife crime. One Tiger skin was seized in Paralakhemundi in 2022, followed by six Tiger skins from Paralakhemundi and one from the North Ghumusar Forest Division in 2024. This year, three more Tiger skins have been recovered from the Berhampur Forest Division, indicating that illegal hunting continues despite enforcement efforts.

In another major case, the Special Task Force (STF) seized a Tiger skin from Cuttack in 2022. Investigations later revealed that the animal had been poached along the Ganjam-Gajapati border, leading to the arrest of three persons from K. Nuagaon and Adaba police station areas. The case exposed an organised wildlife trafficking network operating in the region.

Apart from poaching, unexplained Tiger deaths have further deepened concerns. In August 2023, the carcass of a Tiger was found near Mujagada on the Berhampur-Phulbani highway. On February 19 this year, another Tiger was found dead near Bajrakot village in the Baibali forest under the Mujagada forest range. More recently, on July 8, Forest Department officials recovered yet another Tiger carcass near Jarada village in Kabisuryanagar, raising fresh questions over the safety of wildlife in the region.

Wildlife conservationists have urged the government to intensify anti-poaching operations, strengthen surveillance through technology, and improve habitat protection to prevent further decline in the population of tigers and Tigers. They also stress the need for greater involvement of local communities in conservation initiatives to ensure that Odisha's remaining big cats are protected from extinction.