Tigers get new home

South Khayerbari (Alipurduar), Nov. 4: The first group of residents have arrived in the khayerbari Tiger Rescue Centre. Today five tigers were shifted here from the Hollong range office in Jaldapara. A new construction has come up at Khayerbari which will act as a permanent shelter for the tigers. The facility will be inaugurated by forest minister Mr. Jogesh Burman tomorrow.

There are four more tigers in the Hollong range which is expected to be brought here in the next few days. Supreme court a few years back had ordered a ban on the performance of wild animals in circuses. During the implementation of the ban, several wild animals were captures by the forest officials which included 11 tigers seized from the Olympic circus in Hoogly district. The tigers that are being shifted to the Khyerbari are part of this group which was kept at Hollong temporarily.

The place has been aptly named `Bagh Ban` meaning the `tiger forest` in Bengali. An amount of Rs. 55 lakh has already been spent on the project to provide the tigers a suitable home. The centre has 5 units each consisting of 3 cells, thus having a provision to accommodate a maximum of 15 tigers. According to forest officials this is a unique endeavor unmatched in the entire north east. The only parallel is some rescue centers set up in extended zoos in south India.

During the festival organized tomorrow to mark the inauguration of the Bagh Ban, the forest officials are also going to award 11 persons for their excellent contribution towards protection of the wildlife in the region. The awardees are a mixed group of forest officials, police personnel, villagers and others. The minister is also expected to inaugurate some jungle tents in the vicinity of the rescue centre for the overnight stay facility of visiting tourists.

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