Arunachal: Rare Royal Bengal Tiger sighting reported in Pasighat’s Siku Reserved Forest

An adult Royal Bengal Tiger was sighted in the Siku Reserved Forest (RF) area under the Mebo Forest Range of Pasighat Forest Division on December 23, marking a significant development for wildlife conservation and biodiversity in the region.

The tiger was reportedly spotted by dumper truck drivers of M/s Yagona Stone Crusher unit while they were travelling through the RF area along the old Komlighat road en route to quarry sites near the Siku–Siang riverbed. The road, once a major route connecting Mebo Sub-Division with Pasighat and Itanagar via ferry services over the Siang River, passes through dense forest patches.

According to eyewitness Gopal Rai, a dumper truck driver, the tiger was seen resting under trees a few metres away from the kutcha road. “We were surprised because we had never seen a tiger here earlier, though we often noticed pugmarks. The animal did not seem frightened by human presence or the movement of trucks, giving us enough time to record a video before it slowly walked back into the forest,” he said.

The video of the sighting later circulated widely on social media platforms, prompting forest authorities to initiate verification.

Upon receiving information, Mebo MLA Oken Tayeng alerted the Deputy Commissioner, Pasighat, and the Divisional Forest Officers (DFOs) of Pasighat Forest Division and D. Ering Memorial Wildlife Sanctuary to officially ascertain the presence of the tiger. Tayeng said that if confirmed, the sighting would be a positive sign for conservation, while also necessitating public awareness and caution for human safety.

A joint verification team led by DFO Pasighat Forest Division Dr. Hano Moda, along with DFO D. Ering Memorial Wildlife Sanctuary Smt. Kempi Ete, RFO Mebo Domek Koyu and RFO Borguli Wildlife Range C.K. Chowpoo, visited the exact location of the sighting. Pugmarks were found at the site, confirming the presence of the tiger.

“We verified the location where the video was taken and found pugmarks at the site. As per the eyewitness, the tiger was seen early in the morning. I appeal to the residents of Mebo not to panic and to support efforts to protect our treasured national animal, which has returned to this landscape after almost a decade,” said the DFO of D. Ering Memorial Wildlife Sanctuary.

Following the confirmation, DFO Dr. Hano Moda issued a public advisory urging residents of Mebo, Sigar, Ralling, Motum and Ayeng villages to exercise caution. Villagers have been advised to avoid venturing into forest areas during dark hours, return early from fields and forests, move in groups rather than alone, and immediately report any tiger sightings to the forest department.

“The sighting conclusively establishes the presence of a tiger in nearby forest areas and the D. Ering Memorial Wildlife Sanctuary. Though animal kills are reported annually and the presence of a tiger was earlier ruled out based solely on pugmarks, this sighting clearly confirms its presence,” Moda said, adding that the Royal Bengal Tiger is protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

Officials noted that the presence of a tiger indicates a healthy prey base and a sound forest ecosystem. India currently hosts about 3,680 wild tigers, accounting for nearly 75 per cent of the global tiger population.

Forest officials also attributed the sighting to increased public awareness and conservation efforts in the Mebo Sub-Division, particularly under initiatives like the Eco-Clean Mebo Mission (ECMM). Several villages have adopted cleanliness drives, plantation programmes, and zero-hunting practices, contributing to improved ecological balance in the region.

The tiger sighting, officials said, stands as a testament to growing environmental consciousness and successful conservation efforts in the area.