Assam: RTI activist slams forest department over poaching of endangered tiger in Manas national park

Manas National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its rich biodiversity, has come under scrutiny following the recent poaching of a rare Indochinese tiger within its premises. RTI activist and environmentalist Dilip Nath has strongly criticized the incident, questioning the efficiency of the park’s security measures and the role of the Forest Department in protecting wildlife.

On Tuesday, a special operation by forest officials led to the arrest of four poachers—Pranen Narzary, Finister Basumatary, Bimal Basumatary, and Sanjeev Mushahary. The authorities recovered four tiger teeth from them, confirming fears that a tiger had been killed inside the park. The incident has sparked outrage among wildlife conservationists, with Nath leading the criticism against the administration's failure to prevent such a crime.

Nath, an active RTI campaigner, raised serious concerns over how poachers managed to kill the rare tiger despite the presence of strict security protocols. He pointed out that crores of rupees are allocated for the protection of wildlife and salaries of forest staff, yet such incidents continue to occur.

"If a poaching gang can enter a protected area, hunt a tiger, and smuggle its body parts without being caught in time, it is a direct failure of the park's security system," Nath said. He further questioned the effectiveness of the Manas Tiger Project, which was designed to safeguard the dwindling tiger population.

The poaching of an Indochinese tiger is particularly alarming, as the species is already facing severe threats due to habitat loss and illegal wildlife trade. The incident not only exposes the vulnerability of the park’s ecosystem but also raises questions about the efficiency of the anti-poaching measures in place.

The activist did not hold back in his criticism of the Forest Department, accusing it of incompetence in ensuring wildlife safety. "Failing to protect an endangered tiger but taking credit for recovering a few of its teeth from poachers is not an achievement. It is a disgrace," Nath remarked.

He pointed out that the department often focuses more on post-poaching investigations rather than taking preventive measures. The lack of real-time monitoring, weak enforcement of protection laws, and inadequate patrolling are some of the issues he believes have contributed to this tragedy.

Wildlife experts have echoed similar concerns, stating that poaching networks remain active due to gaps in surveillance and enforcement. They argue that without stricter penalties and more proactive policing, such incidents will continue to occur.

Following the arrests, the forest officials have launched an investigation to track the entire network involved in the poaching operation. Preliminary reports suggest that the accused individuals may be part of a larger wildlife trafficking ring.

The demand for tiger parts, particularly teeth, bones, and skins, is driven by illegal markets in some Asian countries, where they are used for traditional medicine and luxury goods. This has made tigers a prime target for poachers, despite international efforts to curb the trade.

Officials from the park have assured that they are working closely with law enforcement agencies to trace the source of the operation and prevent further incidents. However, conservationists remain skeptical, citing past instances where poaching cases were either underreported or investigations did not lead to substantial convictions.

Nath has urged Assam’s Chief Minister, Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, to take immediate and strict action against those responsible for the security lapse. He emphasized that without direct intervention from the highest levels of government, the situation is unlikely to improve.

"Words and assurances won’t bring back the tiger that was lost. We need accountability, strict punishments, and an overhaul of the security framework within Manas National Park," Nath said.

Conservationists have also called for increased funding for technology-driven surveillance, such as drone monitoring and real-time camera tracking, to ensure better protection for endangered species.

India is home to more than 70% of the world's wild tigers, but poaching remains a persistent threat. Despite conservation efforts like Project Tiger, illegal hunting continues to challenge wildlife authorities.

Manas National Park, in particular, has had a troubled history with poaching. Decades of insurgency in the region had once led to a drastic decline in its wildlife population, and while recovery efforts have been made, this latest incident shows that dangers still exist.

Experts believe that a multi-pronged approach involving better intelligence networks, stronger anti-poaching laws, and community engagement is essential for long-term protection.

The killing of a rare Indochinese tiger in Manas National Park is a tragic reminder of the ongoing battle against wildlife crime. While the arrest of the poachers is a step in the right direction, activists like Dilip Nath stress that the real focus should be on preventing such incidents rather than reacting to them after the damage is done.

With the eyes of conservationists, the public, and now the state government on this issue, the coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether meaningful action is taken—or if this will be yet another case of wildlife protection failing in the face of illegal trade.