Empowering Sikkim’s Forests: Heartwarming Success in Transboundary Tiger Conservation
Forest Conservation in Sikkim Enhances Tiger Movement to Bhutan
GANGTOK: In a significant achievement for wildlife conservation, the Forest & Environment Department of Sikkim has successfully facilitated the movement of tigers between Sikkim, India, and Bhutan. This marks a pivotal step towards sustainable ecosystem management and transboundary conservation initiatives, as reported in an official release.
Established in 2002, the Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary in Pakyong District, spanning 128 sq. km, serves as a critical corridor for wildlife, especially tigers, between the two nations. In collaboration with the Wildlife Institute of India, camera traps installed across Sikkim’s high-altitude regions documented the presence of three tigers in the sanctuary from 2018 to 2024. These findings underscore the sanctuary’s essential role in tiger conservation and highlight Sikkim on the national tiger conservation map.
This year, camera trap images confirmed tiger movement from the Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary to Samtse District, Bhutan, validating the existence of vital wildlife corridors between the countries. This pivotal discovery emerged during an international workshop on ‘Countering Wildlife Trafficking,’ held from June 11-13, 2024, under the South Asia Wildlife Enforcement Network (SAWEN) hosted by Bhutan, where officials from various South Asian countries participated.
During the workshop, Sikkim’s Divisional Forest Officer, East Wildlife Division, Sonam Norden Bhutia, and Bhutanese Forest officials agreed to share camera trap images for comparative analysis. This collaboration yielded a remarkable finding: a distinctive stripe pattern of one tiger matched between Sikkim and Bhutan, as confirmed by the Wildlife Institute of India.
"This discovery emphasizes the necessity to protect transboundary wildlife corridors and highlights the success of conservation efforts in Sikkim and Bhutan. The movement of tigers reflects effective habitat preservation and restoration efforts, underscoring the resilience and health of Sikkim’s ecosystem," the release stated.
Looking ahead, the Sikkim Forest and Environment Department remains committed to enhancing its conservation initiatives. These include scaling up monitoring, strengthening law enforcement, and involving local communities to ensure the long-term survival of tiger populations, signifying a promising future for wildlife conservation across borders.
Original Story https://www.sikkimexpress.com/news-details/forest-conservation-in-sikkim-facilitates-transboundary-tiger-movement-to-bhutan
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